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Berrien and Cass Counties, 



NIICHIGAN. 






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CONTAINING 



Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, 

AND OF THE 



Presidents of the Ignited states. 



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CHICAGO: 
BIOa^E,.A.F:EiIO.A.L. FXJBILilSKCIISra- CO 




1893 



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V': I IE greatest of English historians, Macaulat, and one of the most brilliant writers of 
the present century, has said: "Tlie histor}' of a country is best told in a record of the 
lives of its peoi)Ie." In conformity Mith this idea the PoirniArr ani> Bioohaimiicai. 
Rii( !oui) of this county has been prepared. Instead of going to iiuisty records, and 
taking therefrom dry statistical matter that can be ai>preciated liy but few, oiii 
corps of writers have gone to the people, the men and women wlio have, by then 
enterprise and industry, brought the county to rank second to n<uie among those 
prising this great and noble State, and from their lips have tlie story of their life 
struggles. No more interesting or instructive matter could be presented to an intelli- 
gent public. In this volume will be found a record of many whose lives are worthy the 
imitation of coming generations. It tells how some, commencing life in poverty, by 
industry and economy have accumulated wealth. It tells how others, with limited 
J advantages for securing an education, have become learned men and women, with an 
U>^ Ji^3^; influence extending throughout the length and breadth of the land. It tells of men who 
i?\(^iV$^ have risen from the lower walks of life to eminence as statesmen, and whose names have 
^^\^ become famous. It tells of those in every walk in life who have striven to succeed, and 
"^ ^ records how that success has usually crowned their efforts. It tells also of many, very 

many, who, not seeking the applause of the world, have pursued "the even tenor of their way," conten" 
to have it said of tliem as Christ said of the woman performing a deed of mercy — "they have done what 
they could." It tells how that many in the pride and strength of young manhood left the plow and the 
anvil, the lawyer's office and the counting-room, left every trade and profession, and at their country's 
call went forth valiantly "to do or die," and how through their efforts the Union was restored and peace 
once more reigned in the land. In the life of every man and of every woman is a lesson that should not 
be lost upon those who follow after. 

Coming generations will appreciate this volume; and preserve it as a sacred treasure, from the fact 
that it contains so much that would never lind its way into public records, and which would otherwise be 
inaccessible. Great care has I)ceu taken in the compilation of the work and every opportunity possible 
given to those represented to insure correctness in what has been written, and the publishers (latter them- 
selves that they give to their readers a work with few errors of consequence. In addition to the biograph 
ical sketches, portraits of a numlier of representative citizens are given. 

The faces of some, and biographical sketches of many, will be missed in this volume. For this the 
publishers are not to blame. Not having a proper conception of the work, some refused to give the 
information necessary to compile a sketch, while others were indifferent. Occasionally some member of 
tlie family would oppose the enterprise, and on account of such opposition the support of the interested 
one would be withheld. In a few instances men could never be found, though repeated calls were made 
at their residence or place of business. 

September. 18'j:5. IIuh.i; \imik ai. rii!i.isMi\(, Co, 






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FIRST PRESIDENT. 



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HE Father of our Country was 
-') horn in Westmorland Co., Va., 
'^'•' Feb. 2 2, 1732. His parents 
were Augustine and Mary 
(Ball) Washington. The family 
to which he belonged has not 
been satisfactorily traced in 
England. His great-grand- 
father, John Washington, em- 
igrated to Virginia about 1657, 
and became a prosperous 
planter. He had two sons, 
Lawrence and John. The 
former married Mildred Warner 
and had three children, John, 
Augustine and Mildred. Augus- 
tine, the father of George, first 
married Jane Butler, who bore 
him four children, two of whom, 
Lawrence and Augustine, reached 
maturity. Of six children by his 
second marriage, George was the 
eldest, the others being Betty, 
Samuel, John Augustine, Charles 
and Mildred. 
Augustine Washington, the father of George, died 
in 1743, leaving a large landed property. To his 
sidest son, I^awrence, he bequeathed an estate on 
tiie Patomac, afterwards known as Mount Vernon, 
and to George he lett tlie parental residence. George 
received only such education as the neighborhood 
schools afforded, save for a short time after he left 
school, when he received private instruction in 
Hiathemat'cs. His spelling was rather defective. 



Remarkable stories are told of his great physica: 
strength and development at an early age. He wa.s 
an acknowledged leader among his companions, and 
was early noted for that nobleness of character, fair- 
ness and veracity which characterized his whole life. 

When George was 1 4 years old he had a desire to go to 
sea, and a midshipman's warrant was secured for him, 
but through the opposition of his mother the idea was 
abandoned. Two years later he was appointed 
surveyor to the immense estate of Lord Fairfax. In 
this business he spent three years in a rough frontier 
life, gaining experience which afterwards proved very 
essential to him. In 1751, though only ig years of 
age, he was ap[X)inted adjutant with the rank of 
major in the Virginia militia, then being trained for 
active service against the French and Indians. Soon 
after this he sailed to the West Indies with his brother 
Lawrence, who went there to restore his health. They 
soon returned, and in the summer of -1752 Lawrence 
died, leaving a large fortune to an infant daughter 
who did not long survive him. On her demise ilie 
estate of Mount Vernon was given to George. 

U[X3n the arrival of Robert Dinwiddle, as Lieuten- 
ant-Governor of Virginia, in 1752, the militia was 
reorganized, and the province divided into four mili- 
tary districts, of which the northern was assigned to 
Washington as adjutant general. Shortly after this 
a very perilous mission was assigned him and ac- 
cepted, which others had refused. This was to pro- 
ceed to the French post near Lake Erie in North- 
western Pennsylvania. The distance to be traversed 
was between 500 and 600 uiilcs. Winter was at hand, 
and tb.e journey was to be made without mi!itar\' 
escort, through a territory occupied by Indians. Tht 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 



trip was a perilous one, and several limes he came near 
losiiigSlis life, yet he returned in safety and furnished 
a full and useful report of his expedition. A regiment 
of 300 men was raised in Virginia and put in com- 
mand of Col. Joshua Fry, and Major Washington was 
commissioned lieutenant-colonel. Active war was 
then begun against tlie French and Indians, in which 
Washington took a most important part. In the 
memorable event of July 9, 1755, known as Brad- 
dock's defeat, Washington was almost the only officer 
of distinction who escaped from the calamities of the 
day with life and honor. The other aids of Braddock 
vvere disabled early in the action, and Washington 
alone was left in that capacity on the field. In a letter 
to his brother he says : " I had four bullets through 
my coat, and two horses shot under me, yet I escaped 
unhurt, though death was leveling my companions 
on every side." An Indian sharpshooter said he was 
not born to be killed by a bullet, for he had taken 
direct aim at him seventeen times, and failed to hit 
him. 

After having been five years in the military service, 
and vainly sought promotion in the royal army, he 
look advantage of the fall of Fort Duquesne and the 
expulsion of the French from the valley of the Ohio, 
to resign his conmiission. Soon after he entered the 
Legislature, where, although not a leader, he look an 
active and important part. January 17, 1759, he 
married Mrs. Martha (Dandridge) Custis, the wealthy 
widow of John Parke Custis. 

When the British Parliament had closed the port 
of Boston, the cry went up throughout the provinces 
that "The cause of Boston is the cause of us all." 
It was then, at the suggestion of Virginia, that a Con- 
gress of all the colonies was called to meet at Phila- 
delphia,Sept. 5, 1774, to secure their common liberties, 
peaceably if possible. To this Congress Col. Wash- 
ington was sent as a delegate. On May 10, 1775, the 
Congress re-assembled, when the hostile intentions of 
England were plainly apparent. The battles of Con- 
cord and Lexington had been fought. Among the 
first acts of this Congress was the election of a com- 
mander-in-chief of the colonial forces. This high and 
responsible office was conferred upon Washington, 
who was still a memberof the Congress. He accepted 
it on June 19, but upon the express condition that he 
receive no salary. He would keep an exact account 
of expenses and expect Congress to pay them and 
nothing more. It is not the object of this sketch to 
trace the military acts of Washington, to whom the 
fortunes and liberties of the people of this country 
were so long confided. The war was conducted by 
him under ever)' possible disadvantage, and while his 
forces often met with reverses, yet he overcame every 
obstacle, and after seven years of heroic devotion 
and matchless skill he gained liberty for the greatest 
nation of earth. On Dec. 23, 1783, Washington, in 
a parting address of surpassing beauty, resigned his 



commission as commander-in-chief of the army to 
to the Continental Congress sitting at Annapolis. He 
retired immediately to Mount Vernon and resumed 
his occupation as a farmer and planter, shunning all 
connection with public life. 

In February, 1 7 89, Washington was unanimously 
elected President. In his presidential career he was 
subject to the peculiar trials incidental to a riew 
government ; trials from lack of confidence on the part 
of other governments ; trials from want of harmony 
between the different sections of our own country; 
trials from the impoverished condition of the country, 
owmgto the war and want of credit; trials from the 
beginnings of party strife. He was no partisan. His 
clear judg.nent could discern the golden mean; and 
while perhaps this alone kept our government from 
sinking at the veiy outset, it left him exposed to 
attacks from both sides, which were often bitter and 
very annoying. 

At the expiration of his first term he was unani- 
mously re-elected. At the end of this term manv 
were anxious that he be re-elected, but he absolutely 
refused a third nomination. On the fourth of March, 
1797, at the expiraton of his second term as Presi- 
dent, he returned to his home, hoping to pass there 
his few remaining yeais free from the annoyances of 
public life. Later in the year, however, his re]X)se 
seemed likely to be interrupted by war with France. 
At the prospect of such a war he was again urged to 
take command of the armies. He chose his sub- 
ordinate officers and left to them the charge of mat- 
ters in the field, which he superintended from his 
home. In accepting the command he made the 
reservation that he was not to be in the field umil 
it was necessary. In the midst of these prejiarations 
his life was suddenly cut off. December 12, he took 
a severe cold from a ride in the rain, which, settling 
in his throat, produced inflammation, and terminated 
fatally on the night of the fourteenth. On the eigh- 
teenth his body was borne wiih military honors to its 
final resting place, and interred in the family vault at 
Mount Vernon. 

Of the character of Washington it is impossible to 
speak but in terms of the highest respect and ad- 
miration. The more we see of the operations of 
our government, and the more deeply we feel the 
difficulty of uniting all opinions in a common interest, 
the more liighly we must estimate the force of his tal- 
ent and cliaracter, which have bef'n able to challenge 
the reverence of all parties, and principles, and na- 
tions, and to win a fame as extended as the limits 
of the globe, and which we cannot but believe will 
be as lasting as the existence of man. 

The ]ierson of Washington was unusally tan, erect 
and well proportioned. His muscular strength was 
great. His features were of a beautiful synimetrv. 
He commanded respect without any appearance of 
haughtiness, and ever serious without l->eingdull, 




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SECOND PRESIDENT. 










JDIIK ADAMSo 









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^J OHN ADAMS, the second 
'•?\ President and the first Vice- 
President of the United States, 
was born in Braintree ( now 
Quincy),Mass., and about ten 
/^*^ miles from Boston, Oct. 19, 
1735. His great-grandfather, Henry- 
Adams, emigrated from England 
about 1640, with a family of eight 
''\j, sons, and settled at Braintree. The 
parents of John were John and 
Susannah (Boylston) Adams. His 
father was a farmer of limited 
means, to which he added the bus- 
iness of shoemaking. He gave his 
eldest son, John, a classical educa- 
tion at Harvard College. John 
graduated in 1755, and at once took charge of the 
school in Worcester, Mass. This he found but a 
■'sci.ool of affliction," from which he endeavored to 
gain lelief by devoting himself, in addition, to the 
study of law. For this purjx)se he placed himself 
under tlie tuition of the only lawyer in the town. He 
had tiiought seriously of the clerical profession 
but seems to have been turned from this by what he 
termed " the frightful engines of ecclesiastical coun- 
jils, cf diabolical malice, and Calvanistic good nature,'' 
of the operations of which he had been a witness in 
his native town. He was well fitted for the legal 
profession, possessing a clear, sonorous voice, being 
ready and fluent of speech, and having quick percep- 
tive [HDwers. He gradually gained practice, and in 
1764 married Abigail Smith, a daughter of a minister, 
and a lady of superior intelligence. Shortly after his 
marriage, (i7(''5), the attempt of Parliamentar)' taxa- 
tion turned liim from law to politics. He took initial 
Steps toward lioldinj, i town meeting, and the resolu- 



tions he offered on the subject became ver>' populai 
throughout the Province, and were adopted word for 
word by over forty different towns. He moved to Bos 
ton in 1768, and became one of the most courageous 
and prominent advocatesof the popular cause, and 
was chosen a member of the General Court (the Leg- 
lislature) in 1770. 

Mr. Adams was chosen one of the first delegates 
from Massachusetts to the first Continental Congress, 
which met in 1774. Here he distinguished himself 
by his capacity for business and for debate, and ad- 
vocated the movement for independence against th° 
majority of the members. In May, 1776, he moved 
and carried a resolution in Congress that the Colonies 
should assume the duties of self-government. Hq 
was a prominent member of the committee of vivei 
appointed June 11, to prepare a declaration of inde- 
pendence. This article was drawn by Jefferson, but 
on .'\dams devolved the task of battling it through 
Congress in a three days debate. 

On the day after the Declaration of Independence 
was passed, while his soul was yet warm with th^ 
glow of excited feeling, he wrote a letter to his wife 
which, as we read it now, seems to have been dictated 
by the spirit of prophecy. "Yesterday," he says, "the 
greatest question was decided that ever was debated 
in America; and greater, perhaps, never was or wil 
be decided among men. A resolution was passed 
without one dissenting colony, ' that these United 
States are, and of right ought to be, free and inde- 
pendent states.' The day is passed. The fourth of 
July, 1776, will be a memorable epoch in the history 
of America. I am apt to believe it will be celebrated 
by succeeding generations, as the great anniversarj', 
festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of' 
deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to Almighty 
God. It ought to be solemnized with pomp, shows 



JOHN ADAMS. 



games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations 
Ironi one end of the continent to the other, from this 
time forward for ever. You will think me transported 
with enthusiasm, but I am not. I am well aware of 
•the toil, and blood and treasure, that it will cost to 
maintain this declaration, and support and defend 
these States; yet, through all the gloom, I can see the 
rays of light and glory. I can see that the end is 
worth more than all the means; and that posterity 
will triumph, although you and I may rue, which I 
hope we shall not." 

In November, 1777, Mr. Adams was appointed a 
ddegate to France and to co-operate with Benijamin 
Franklin and Arthur Lee, who were then in Paris, in 
the endeavor to obtain assistance in arms and money 
from the French Government. This was a severe trial 
to his patriotism, as it separated him from his home, 
compelled him to cross the ocean in winter, and ex- 
posed him to great peril of capture by the British cruis- 
ers, who were seeking him. He left France June 17, 
1779. In September of the same year he was again 
ciiosen to go to Paris, and there hold himself in readi- 
ness to negotiate a treaty of peace and of commerce 
with Great Britian, as soon as the British Cabinet 
might be found willing to listen to such pioposels. He 
sailed for France in Novemlier, from there he went to 
Holland, where he negotiated important loans and 
formed important commercial treaties. 

Finally a treaty of peace with England was signed 
Jan. 21, 1783. The re-action from the excitement, 
toil and anxiety through which Mr. Adams had passed 
threw him into a fever. After suffering from a con- 
tinued fever and becoming feeble and emaciated he 
was advised to go to England to drink the waters of 
Bath. While in England, still drooping anddesiwnd- 
ing, he received dispatches from his own government 
urging the necessity of his going to Amsterdam to 
negotiate another loan. It was winter, his health was 
delicate, yet he immediately set out, and through 
storm, on sea, on horseback and foot,hemade the trip. 

February 24, 1785, Congress appointed Mr. Adams 
envoy to the Co\irt of St. James. Here he met face 
to face the King of England, who had so long re- 
garded him as a traitor. As England did not 
condescend to appoint a minister to the United 
States, and as Mr. Adams felt that he was accom- 
plishing but little, he sought permission to return to 
nis own country, where he arrived in June, 1788. 

When Washington was first chosen President, John 
Adams, rendered illustiious by his signal services at 
home and abroad, was chosen Vice President. Again 
at the second election of Washington as President, 
Adams was chosen Vice President. In 1796, Wash- 
ington retired from public life, and Mr. Adams was 
elected President, though not without much opposition. 
Serving in this office four vears,he was succeeded by 
Mr. Jefferson, his opponent in politics. 

While Mr. Adams was Vice President the great 



French Revolution shook the continent of Euro|ie, 
and it was upon this point which he was at issue with 
the majority of his countrymen led by Mr. Jefferson. 
Mr. Adams felt no sympathy with the French peo])le 
in their struggle, for he had no confidence in their 
power of self-government, and he utterly abhored the 
classof atheist philosophers who he claimed caused it. 
On the other hand Jefferson's sympathies were strongly 
enlisted in behalf of the French people. Hence or- 
iginated the alienation between these distinguished 
men, and two powerful parties were thus soon organ- 
ized, Adams at the head of the one whose sympathies 
were with England and Jefferson led the other in 
symjjathy with France. 

The world has seldom seen a spectacle of more 
moral beauty and grandeur, than was presented by the 
old age of Mr. Adams. The violence of party feeling 
had died away, and he had begun to receive that just 
appreciation which, to most men, is not accorded till 
after death. No one could look upon his venerable 
form, and think of what he had done and suffered, 
and how he had given up all the prime and strength 
of his life to the public good, without the deepest 
emotion of gratitude and respect. It was his peculiar 
good fortune to witness the complete success of the 
institution which he had been so active in creating and 
supix)rting. In 1824, his cup of happiness was filled 
to the brim, by seeing his son elevated to the highest 
station in the gift of the people. 

The fourth of July, 1826, which completed the half 
century since the signing of the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence, arrived, and there were but three of the 
signers of that immortal instrument left .upon the 
earth to hail its morning light. And, as it is 
well known, on that day two of these finished their 
earthly pilgrimage, a coincidence so remarkable as 
to seem miraculous. For a few days before Mr. 
Adams had been rapidly failing, and on the morning 
of the fourth he found himself too weak to rise from 
his bed. On being requested to name a toast for the 
customary celebration of the day, he exclaimed " In- 
dependence FOREVER." ,When the day was ushered 
in, by the ringing of bells and the firing of cannons, 
he was asked liy one of his attendants if he knew 
what day it was? He replied, "O yes; it is the glor- 
ious fourth of July — God bless it — God bless you all." 
In the course of the day he said, " It is a great and 
glorious day." The last words he uttered were, 
"Jefferson survives." But he had, at one o'clock, re- 
signed his spiiit into the hands of his God. 

The personal appearance and manners of Mr. 
Adams were not particularly prepossessing. His face, 
as his portrait manifests.was intellecl\ial ard expres- 
sive, but his figure was low and ungraceful, and h'S 
manners were frequently abrupt and unrourteous. 
He had neither the lofty dignity of Washington, nor 
the engaging elegance and gracefulness which marked 
the manners and address of Jefferson. 




Y 



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viziA 




>:^^^72. 



THIRD PRESIDENT. 



27 




©MAS JBlFiP!EHSD?J 



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HOMAS JEFFERSON was 
liorn April 2, 1743, at Shad- 
K**vell, Albermarle county, Va. 
His parents were Peter and 
Jane ( Randol()h) Jefferson, 
the former a native of Wales, 
and the latter born in Lon- 
don. To them were born six 
daughters and two sons, of 
whom Thomas was the elder. 
When 14 years of age his 
fatiier died. He received a 
most liberal education, hav- 
ing been kept diligently at school 
from the time he was five years of 
age. In 1760 he entered William 
end Mary College. Williamsburg was then the seat 
of !he Colonial Court, and it was the obode of fashion 
a. id splendor. Young Jefferson, who was then 17 
years old, lived somewhat expensively, keeping fine 
horses, and much caressed by gay society, yet he 
was earnestly devoted to his studies, and irreproacha- 
alile in his morals. It is strange, however, under 
such influences, that he was not ruined. In the sec- 
ond year of his college course, moved by some un- 
explained inward impulse, he discarded his horses, 
society, and even his favorite violin, to which he had 
previously given much time. Heoften devoted fifteen 
hours a day to haid study, allowing himself for ex- 
ercise only a run in the evening twilight of a mile out 
of the city and back again. He thus attained very 
high intellectual culture, alike excellence in philoso- 
phy and the languages. The most difficult Latin and 
Greek authors he read with facility. A more finished 
scholar has seldom gone forth from college halls; and 




w 





there was not to be found, perhaps, in all Virginia, a 
more pureminded, upright, gentlemanly young man. 

Immediately uix)n leaving college he began the 
study of law. For the short time he continued in the 
practice of his profession he rose rapidly and distin- 
guished himself by his energy and accuteness as a 
lawyer. But the times called for greater action. 
The policy of England had awakened the spirit of 
resistance of the American Colonies, and the enlarged 
views which Jefferson had ever entertained, soon led 
him into active political life. In 1769 he was chosen 
a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses In 
1772 he married Mrs. Martha Skelton, a very beauti- 
ful, wealthy and highly accom|)lished young widow 

Upon Mr. Jefferson's large estate at Shadwell, thire 
was a majestic swell of land, called Monticello, which 
commanded a prospect of wonderful extent and 
beauty. This spot Mr. Jefferson selected for his new 
home; and here he reared a mansion of modest ye* 
elegant architecture, which, next to Mount Vernon 
became the most distinguished resort in our land. 

In 1775 li^ was sent to the Cilonial Congress. 
where, though a silent member, his abihties as a 
writer and a reasoner soon become known, and he 
was placed uiwn a number of imiwrtant committees, 
and was chainiian of the one appointed for the draw- 
ing up of a declaration of independence. This com- 
mittee consisted of Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, 
Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman and Robert R. 
Livingston. Jefferson, as chairman, was apiwinted 
to draw u|) the paper. Franklin and Adams suggested 
a few verbal changes before it was submitted to Con- 
gress. On June 28, a few slight changes were made 
in it by Congress, and it was passed and signed July 
4, 1776. What must have been the feelings of that 



28 



THOMAS JEFFERSON. 



man — what the emotions that swelled his breast — 
who was charged with the preparation of that Dec- 
laration, which, while it made known the wrongs of 
America, was also to publish her to the world, free, 
Boverign and independent. It is one of the most re- 
markable papers ever written ; and did no other effort 
of tire mind of its author exist, that alone would be 
sufficient to stamp his name with immortality. 

In 1779 Mr. Jefferson was elected successor to 
Patrick Henry, £.s Governor of Virginia. Atone time 
the British officer, Tarleton, sent a secret expedition to 
Moniicello, to capture the Governor. Scarcely five 
minutes elapsed after the hurried escape of Mr. Jef- 
ferson and his family, ere his mansion was in posses- 
sion of the British troops. His wife's health, never 
very good, was much injured by this excitement, and 
in the summer of 1782 she died. 

Mr. Jefferson was elected to Congress in 1783. 
Two years later he was appointed Minister Plenipo- 
tentiary to France. Returning to the United States 
in September, 1789, he became Secretary of State 
in Washington's cabinet. This position he resigned 
Jan. I, 1794. In 1797, he was chosen Vice Presi- 
dent, and four years later was elected President over 
Mr. Adams, with Aaron Burr as Vice President. In 
1804 he was re-elected with wonderful unanimity, 
and George Clinton, Vice President. 

The early part of Mr. Jefferson's second adminstra- 
tion was disturbed by an event which threatened the 
tranquility and peace of the Union; this was the con- 
spiracy of Aaron Burr. Defeated in the late election 
to the Vice Presidency, and led on by an unprincipled 
ambition, this extraordinary man formed the plan of a 
military expedition into the Spanish territories on our 
■southwestern frontier, for the purpose of forming there 
a new republic. This has been generally supposed 
was a mere pretext ; and although it has not been 
generally known what his real plans were, there is no 
doubt that they were of a far inore dangerous 
character. 

In 1809, at the expiration of the second term for 
which Mr. Jefferson had been elected, he determined 
to retire from [Xjlitical life. For a period of nearly 
forty years, he had been continually before the pub- 
lic, and all that time had been employed in offices of 
the greatest trust and responsibility. Having thus de- 
voted the best part of his life to the service of his 
country, he now felt desirous of that rest which his 
declining years required, and \x\io\\ the organization of 
the new administration, in March, 1809, he bid fare- 
well forever to public life, and retired to Monticello. 

Mr. Jefferson was profuse in his hospitality. Whole 
families came in their coaches with their horses, — 
fathers and mothers, boys and girls, babies and 
nurses, — and remained three and even six months. 
Life at Monticello, for years, resembled that at a 
fashionable watering-place. 

The fourth of July, 1826, being the fiftieth anniver- 



sary of the Declaration of American Independence, 

great preparations were made in every part of the 
Union for its celebration, as the nation's jubilee, and 
the citizens of Washington, to add to the solemnity 
of the occasion, invited Mr. Jefferson, as the framer, 
and one of the few surviving signers of the Declara- 
tion, to participate in their festivities. But an ill- 
ness, which had been of several weeks duration, and 
had been continually increasing, compelled him to 
decline the invitation. 

On the second of July, the disease under which 
he was laboring left him, but in such a reduced 
state that his medical attendants, entertained nc 
hope of his recovery. From this time he was perfectly 
sensible that his last hour was at hand. On the next 
dny, which was Monday, he asked of those around 
him, the day of the month, and on being told it was 
the third of July, he expressed the earnest wish tha'; 
he might be permitted to breathe the air of the fiftieth 
anniversary. His prayer was heard — that day, whose 
dawn was hailed with such rapture through our land, 
burst upon his eyes, and then they were closed for- 
ever. And what a noble consummation of a noble 
life ! To die on that day, — the birthday of a nation,- - 
the day which his own name and his own act had 
rendered glorious; to die amidst the rejoicings and 
festivities of a whole nation, who looked up to him, 
as the author, under God, of their greatest blessings, 
was all that was wanting to fill up the record his life. 

Almost at the same hour of his death, the kin- 
dred spirit of the venerable Adams, as if to bear 
him company, left the scene of his earthly honors. 
Hand in hand they had stood forth, the champions of 
freedom; hand in hand, during the dark and desper- 
ate struggle of the Revolution, they had cheered and- 
animated their desponding countrj'men; for half a 
century they had labored together for tne good of 
the country; and now hand in hand they depart. 
In their lives they had been united in the same great 
cause of liberty, and in their deaths they were not 
divided. 

In person Mr. Jefferson was tall and thin, rather 
above six feet in height, but well formed; his eyes 
were light, his hair originally red, in after life became 
white and silvery; his complexion was fair, his fore- 
head broad, and his whole countenance intelligent and 
thoughtful. He possessed great fortitude of mind as 
well as personal courage; and r.:s command of tem- 
per was such that his oldest and most intimate friends 
never recollected to have seen him in a passion. 
His manners, though dignified, were simple and un- 
affected, and his hospitality was so unbounded that 
all found at his house a ready welcome. In conver- 
sation he was fluent, eloquent and enthusiastic ; and 
his language was remarkably pure and correct. He 
was a finished classical scholar, and in his writings is 
discernable the care with which he formed his style 
upon the best models of antiquity. 



S: 







'■'^ (t^'-'- ^'' '''"' 



FOURTH PRESIDENT. 



31 



tjfi\W& npDisoi]. 





AMES MADISON, "Father 
of the Constitution," and fourth 
President of the United States, 
was born March 16, 1757, and 
died at his home in Virginia, 
June 28, 1836. The name of 
James Madison is inseparably con- 
nected with most of the imiMrtant 
events in that heroic period of our 
country during which tlie founda- 
tions of this great repubUc were 
laid. He was the last of the founders 
of the Constitution of the United 
States to l)e called to his eternal 
reward. 

The Madison family were among 
the early emigrants to the New World, 
landing upon the shores of the Chesa- 
peake but 15 years after the settle- 
ment of Jamestown. The father of 
James Madison was an opulent 
planter, residing upon a very fine es- 
tate called " Montpelier," Orange Co., 
Va. The mansion was situated in 
the midst of scenery highly jjictur- 
esque and romantic, on the west side 
of South-west Mountain, at the foot of 
Blue Ridge. It was but 25 miles from the home of 
Jefferson at Monticello. Tlie closest personal and 
jiolitical attachment existed between these illustrious 
men, from their early youth until death. 

The early education of Mr. Madison wasconducteti 
mostly at home under a private tutor. At the age of 
18 he was sent to Princeton College, in New Jersey. 
Here he applied himself to study with the most im- 



prudent zeal ; allowing himself, for months, but three 
hours' sleep out of the 24. His health thus became so 
seriously impaired that he never recovered any vigor 
of constitution. He graduated in 177 i, with a feeble 
body, witli a character of utmost purity, and with a 
mind highly disciplined and richly stored with learning 
which embellished and gave proficiency to his subsr 
([uent career. 

Returning to Virginia, he commenced the study of 
law and a course of extensive and systematic reading. 
This educational course, the spirit of the times in 
which he lived, and the society with which he asso- 
ciated, all combined to inspire him with a strong 
love of liberty, and to train him for his life-work ot 
a statesman. Being naturally of a religious turn of 
mind, and his frail health leading him to think that 
his life was not to be long, he directed especial atten- 
tion to theological studies. Endowed with a mmd 
singularly free from passion and prejudice, and with 
almost unequalled powers of reasoning, lie weiglied 
all the arguments for and against revealed religion, 
until his fijith became so established as never to 
be shaken. 

In the spring of 1776, when 26 years of age, he 
was elected a member of the Virginia Convention, to 
frame the constitution of the State. The next year 
(1777), he was a candidate for the General Assembly. 
He refused to treat the wliisky-lovir.g voters, and 
consequently lost his election ; but those who had 
witnessed the talent, energy and public spirit of the 
modest young man, enlisted themselves in his behalf, 
and he was appointed to the E.\ecutive Council. 

Both Patrick Henry and Tliomas Jefferson were 
Oovernors of Virginia while Mr. Madison remained 
member of the Council ; and their appreciation of his 



32 



/AMES MADISON. 



intellectual, social and moral worth, contributed not 
a little to his subsequent eminence. In the year 
1780, he was elected a member of the Continental 
Congress. Here he met the most illustrious men in 
our land, and he was immediately assigned to one of 
the most conspicuous positions among them. 

For three years Mr. Madison continued in Con- 
gress, one of its most active and influential members. 
In the year 1784, his term having expired, he was 
elected a member of the Virginia Legislature. 

No man felt more deeply than Mr. Madison the 
utter inefficiency of the old confederacy, with no na- 
tional government, with no power to form treaties 
which would be binding, or to enforce law. There 
was not any State more prominent than Virginia in 
the declaration, that an efficient national government 
must be formed. In January, 1786, Mr. Madison 
carried a resolution through the General Assembly of 
Virginia, inviting the other States to appoint commis- 
sioners to meet in convention at Annapolis to discuss 
this subject. Five States only were represented. The 
convention, however, issued another call, drawn up 
by Mr. Madison, urging all the States to send their 
delegates to Philadelphia, in May, 1787, to draft 
a Constitution for the United States, to take the place 
of that Confederate League. The delegates met at 
'he time appointed. Every State but Rhode Island 
"fas represented. George Washington was chosen 
president of the convention; and the present Consti- 
tution of the United .States was then and there formed. 
There was, perhaps, no mind and no pen more ac- 
tive in framing this immortal document than the mind 
and the pen of James Madison. 

The Constitution, adopted by a vote 81 to 79, was 
to be presented to the several States for acceptance. 
But grave solicitude was felt. Should it be rejected 
we should be left but a conglomeration of independent 
States, with but little power at home and little lespect 
abroad. Mr. Madison was selected by the conven- 
tion to draw up an address to the people of the United 
States, expounding the principles of the Constitution, 
and urging its adoption. There was great opposition 
to it at first, but it at length triumphed over all, and 
went into effect in 1789. 

Mr. Madison was elected to the House of Repre- 
sentatives in the first Congress, and soon became the 
avowed leader of the Republican party. While in 
New York attending Congress, he met Mrs. Todd, a 
young widow of remarkable jxswer of fascination, 
whom he married. She was in person and character 
queenly, and probably no lady has thus far occupied 
so prominent a position in the very peculiar society 
which has constituted our republican court as Mrs. 
Madison. 

Mr. Madison served as Secretary of State under 
Jefferson, and at the close of his administration 
was chosen President. At this time the encroach- 
ments of England had brought us to the verge of war. 



British orders in council destioyed our commerce, and 
our flag was exposed to constant insult. Mr. Madison 
was a man of peace. Scholarly in his taste, retiring 
in his disposition, war had no charms for him. But the 
meekest spirit can be roused. It makes one's blood 
boil, even now, to think of an American ship brought 
to, upon the ocean, by the guns of an English cruiser. 
A young lieutenant steps on board and orders the 
crew to be paraded before him. With great nonchal- 
ance he selects any nuirrber whom he may please to 
designate as British subjects ; orders them down the 
ship's side into his boat; and places them on the gun- 
deck of his man-of-war, to fight, by compulsion, the 
battles of England. This right of search and im- 
pressment, no efforts of our Government could induce 
the British cabinet to relinquish. 

On the i8th of June, 1812, President Madison gave 
his approval to an act of Congress declaring war 
against Great Britain. Notwithstanding the bitter 
hostility of the Federal party to the war, the country 
in general approved; and Mr. Madison, on the 4th 
of March, 1813, was re-elected by a large majority, 
and entered upon his second term of office. This is 
not the place to describe the various adventures of 
this war on the land and on the water. Our infant, 
navy then laid the foundations of its renown in grap- 
pling with the most formidable power which ever 
swept the seas. The contest commenced in earnest 
by the appearance of a British fleet, early in February, 
1813, in Chesai)eake Bay, declaring nearly the whole 
coast of the United States under blockade. 

The Emperor of Russia offered his services as me 
ditator. America accepted ; England refused. A Brit- 
ish force of five thousand men landed on the banks 
of the Patuxet River, near its entrance into Chesa- 
peake Bay, and marched rapidly, by way of Bladens- 
burg, upon Washington. 

The straggling little city of Washington was thrown 
into consternation. The cannon of the brief conflict 
at Bladensburg echoed through the streets of the 
metropolis. The whole population fled from the city. 
The President, leaving Mrs. Madison in the Wiiite 
House, with her carriage drawn up at the doer to 
await his speedy return, hurried to meet the officers 
in a council of war. He met our troops utterly routed, 
and he could not go back without danger of being 
captured. But few hours elapsed ere the Presidential 
Mansion, the Capitol, and all the public buildings in 
Washington were in flames. 

The war closed after two years of fighting, and on 
Feb. T3, 1815, the treaty of peace was signed at Ghent. 

On the 4th of March, 1817, his second term of 
office expired, and he resigned the Presidential chair 
to his friend, James Monroe. He retired to his Leau- 
dful home at Montpelier, and there passed the re- 
mainder of his days. On June 28, 1836, then at the 
age of 85 years, he fell asleep in death. Mrs. Madi- 
son died July 12, 1849. 




yCiii^J->^'t^ P // Z 



-cr- 



^^, 



'FIFTH PRESIDENT. 



35 





PHQES n]0]]^OE. «^;i! 





AMES MONROE, the fifth 
.Presidentof The United States, 
was born in Westmoreland Co., 
Va., April 28, 1758. His early 
' life was passed at the place of 
nativity. His ancestors had for 
^ many years resided in the prov- 
ince in which he was born. When, 
, at r; years of age, in the process 
^S of completing his education at 
WiUiam and Mary College, the Co- 
lonial Congress assembled at Phila- 
delphia to deliberate ujwn the un- 
just and manifold oppressions of 
Creat Britian, declared the separa- 
tion of the Colonies, and promul- 
gated the Declaration of Indepen- 
dence. Had he been born ten years before it is highly 
probable that he would have been one of the signers 
of that celebrated instrument. At this time he left 
school and enlisted among tlie patriots. 

He joined the army when everything looked hope- 
less and gloomy. Tlie number of deserters increased 
from day to day. The invading armies came pouring 
in ; and the tories not only favored the cause of the 
mother country, but disheartened the new recruits, 
who were sufficiently terrified at liie prospect of con- 
tjndiiig witli an enemy whom they had been taught 
to deem invincible. To such brave spirits as James 
Monroe, who went right onward, undismayed through 
(lilTiculty and danger, the United States owe their 
p;;!itical emancipation. The young cadet joined the 
ranks, and esix)used the cause of his injured country, 
with a firm determination to live o. lie with her strife 



for liberty. Firmly yet sadly he shared in the mel- 
ancholy retreat from Harleam Heights and White 
Plains, and accompanied the dispirited army as it fled 
before its foes through New Jersey. In four months 
after the Declaration of Independence, the patriots 
had been beaten in seven battles. At the battle of 
Trenton he led the vanguard, and, in the act of charg- 
ing upon the enemy he received a wound in the left 
shoulder. 

As a reward for his bravery, Mr. Monroe was pro-) 
moted a captain of infantry ; and, having recovered, 
from his wound, he rejoined the army. He, however, 
receded from the line of promotion, by becoming an 
officer in the staff of Lord Steriing. During the cam- 
paigns of 1777 and i77cS, in the actions of Brandy 
wine, Germantown and Monmouth, he continued 
aid-de-camp; but becoming desirous to regain his 
position in the army, he exerted himself to collect a 
regiment for the Virginia line. Tliis scheme failed 
owing to the exhausted condition of the State. Upon 
this failure he entered the office of Mr. Jefferson, at 
that period Governor, and pursued, with considerable 
ardor, the study of common law. He did not, however, 
entirely lay aside the knapsack for the green bag; 
but on the invasions of the enemy, served as a volun 
teer, during the two years of his legal pursuits. 

In 17S2, he was elected from King George county, 
a member of the Leglislature of Virginia, and by tha! 
body he was elevated to a seat in the Executive 
Council. He was thus honored with the confidence 
of his fellow citizens at 23 years of age ; and having 
at this early period displayed some of that ability 
and aptitude for legislation, wiiich were afterward.^ 
employed with unremitting energy for the public good, 



i6 



JAMES MONROE. 



he was in the succeeding year chosen a member of 
the Congress of the United States. 
Deeply as Mr. Monroe felt the imperfections of the old 
Confederacy, he was opposed to the new Qjnstitution, 
ihiiiking, with many others of ';he Republican parly, 
ihat it gave too much power to the Central Government, 
and not enough to the individual States. Still he re- 
tained the esteem of his friends who were its warm 
supporters, and who, notwithstanding his opposition 
secured its adoption. In 1789, he became a member 
of the United States Senate ; which office he held for 
four years. Every month the line of distinction be- 
tween the two great parties which divided the nation, 
the Federal and the Republican, was growing more 
distinct. The two prominent iaeas which now sep- 
arated them were, that the Republican party was in 
sympathy with France, and also in favor of such a 
strict construction of tlie Constitution as to give the 
Central Government as little power, and the State 
Governments as much ixswer, as the Constitution would 
warrant. The Federalists sympathized with England, 
and were in fiivor of a liberal construction of the Con- 
stitution, which would give as much power to the 
Central Government as that document could possibly 
authorize. 

The leading Federalists and Republicans were 
alike noble men, consecrating all their energies to the 
good of the nation. Two more honest men or more 
pure patriots than John Adams the Federalist, and 
James Monroe the Republican, never breathed. In 
building up this majestic nation, which is destined 
to eclipse all Grecian and Assyrian greatness, the com- 
bination of their antagonism was needed to create the 
light equilibrium. And yet each in his day was de- 
nounced as almost a demon. 

Washington was then President. England had es- 
poused the cause of the Bourbons against the princi- 
ples of the French Revolution. All Europe was drawn 
into the conflict. We were feeble and far away. 
Washington issued a proclamation of neutrality be- 
tween these contending powers. France had helped 
us in the struggle for our liberties. All the despotisms 
of Europe were now combined to prevent the French 
from escaping from a tyranny a thousand-fold worse 
than that which we had endured Col. Monroe, more 
magnanimous than prudent, was anxious that, at 
whatever hazard, we should help our old allies in 
their extremity. It was the impulse of a generous 
and noble nature. He violently opposed the Pres- 
ident's proclamation as ungrateful and wanting in 
magnanimity. 

Washington, who could appreciate such a character, 
developed his calm, serene, almost divine greatness, 
by appointing that very James Monroe, who was de- 
nouncing the policy of the Government, as the minister 
of that Government to the Republic of France. Mr. 
.Monroe was welcomed by the National Convention 
in France with the most enthusiastic demonstr/>-tions. 



Shortly after his return to this countr\', Mr. Mon- 
roe was elected Governor of Virginia, and held the 
office for three yeais. He was again sent to France to 
co-operate with Chancellor Livingston in obtaining 
the vast territory then known as the Province of 
Louisiana, which France had but shortly before ob- 
tained from Spain. Their united efforts were suc- 
cessful. For the comparatively small sum of fifteen 
millions of dollars, the entire territor)^ of Orleans and 
district of Louisiana were added to the United States. 
This was probably the largest transfer of real estate 
which was ever made in all the history of the world. 

From France Mr. Monroe went to England to ob- 
tain from that countrj' some recognition of our 
rights as neutrals, and to remonstrate against those 
odious impressments of our seamen. But Eng- 
land was unrelenting. He again returned to Eng- 
land on the same mission, but could receive no 
redress. He returned to his home and was again 
chosen Governor of Virginia. This he soon resigned 
to accept the position of Secretary of State under 
Madison. While in this office war with England was 
declared, the Secretary of War resigned, and during 
these trjing times, the duties of the \Var Departmen; 
were also put upon him. He was truly the armor- 
bearer of President Madison, and the most efficient 
business man in his cabinet. L^jwn the return of 
peace he resigned the Department of War, but con- 
tinued in the office of Secretar\' of State until the ex- 
piration of Mr. INIadison's adminstration. At the elec- 
tion held the previous autumn Mr. Monroe himself had 
been chosen President with but little opposition, and 
upon March 4, tSiy, was inaugurated. Four years 
later he was elected for a second tenn. 

Among the important measures of his Presidencv 
were the cession of Florida to the United States; the 
Missouri Compromise, and the " Monroe doctrine.' 

This famous doctrine, since known as the " Monroe 
doctrine," was enunciated by him in T823. At that 
time the United States had recognized the independ- 
ence of the South American states, and did not wish 
to have European powers longer attempting to sub ■ 
due ix)rtions of the American Continent. The doctrine 
is as follows: "That we should consider any attempt 
on the part of European powers to extend their sys- 
tem to any portion of this hemisphere as dangerous 
to our peace and safety," and "that we could not 
view any interposition for the purpose of oppressing 
or controlling American governments or provinces in 
any other light than as a manifestation by European 
powers of an unfriendly disposition toward the United 
States." This doctrine immediately affected the course 
of foreign governments, and has become the approved 
sennment of the L'nited States. 

At the end of his fecond term Mr. Monroe retired 
to his home in Virginia, where he lived until 1830 
when he went to New Vork to live with his son-in- 
law. In that city he died.on the 4th of July rSji 




5. 3. cAi 



<v»vj 



SIXTH PRESIDRNT. 



5f 




^.^0\A>.^b. 



.V. ^^ ' f^ .v^ ^ ■' "■^ j^ -'^"^ ^ -.v.-^ * ^>^^<^ .*■ ^-'.■^^ » -^'-.^.j^^-'^ .j^ ""''lai "^'"-^ A '''"'' A*'"" J^'^""-' JSg^^'^ JL,"^"^ Jb,"^'^ tit 

J01511 Qail]6Y ^DJinQS. I 







V} OHN QUINCY ADAMS, the 
Wi sixth President of the United 
j>States, was born in the rural 
home of his honored father, 
John Adams, in Quincy, Mass., 
on the I ith of July, 1767. His 
mother, a woman of exalted 
worth, watched over his childhood 
during the almost constant ab- 
sence of his father. When but 
eight years of age, he stood with 
his mother on an eminence, listen- 
ing to the booming of the great bat- 
tle on Bunker's Hill, and gazing on 
upon the smoke and flames billow- 
ing up from the conflagration of 
Charlestown. 

When but eleven years old he 
took a tearful adieu of his mother, 
to sail with his father for Europe, 
through a fleet ol liostile JJritish cruisers. The bright, 
..nimated l>oy spent a year and a half in Paris, where 
his father was associated with Franklin and Lee as 
minister plenipotentiary. His intelligence attracted 
the notice of these distinguished men, and he received 
from them flattering marks of attention. 

Mr. John Adams had scarcely returned to this 
country, in 1779, ere he was again sent abroad Again 
•ohn Quincy accompanied his father. At Paris he 
applied himself with great diligence, for si.\ months, 
to .•.'udy; then accompained his father to Holland, 
wnere he entered, first a school in .\msterdam, then 
the University at Leyden. About a year from this 
time, in t78i, when the manly boy was but fourteen 
yea"; of age, he was selected liy Mr. Dana, our min- 
ister to the Russian court, as his private secretar)-. 

In this school of incessant labor and of enobling 
culture he spent fourteen months, and then returned 
to Holland through S\ve<len, Denmark, Hamburg and 
Bremen. This long journey he took alone, in the 
winter, wlien in his sixteenth year. Again he resumed 
JUS studies, under a pri"ate tutor, at Hague. Thence, 



in the spring of 1782, he accompanied his fj.<her t; 
Paris, traveling leisurely, and forming acquaintanct 
with the most distinguished men on the Continent 
examining architectural remains, galleries of 1 .lintings 
and all renowned works of art. At Paris he again 
jjecame associated with the most illustrious men of 
all lands in the contemplations of the loftiest torn poral 
themes which can engross the human mind. Afte* 
a short visit to England he returned to Paris, and 
consecrated all his energies to study until May, 1785, 
when he returned to America. To a brilliant young 
man of eighteen, who had seen much of the world, 
and who was familiar with the etirpiette of courts, a 
residence with his father in London, under such cir- 
cumstances, must have been extremely attractive 
but with judgment very rare in one of iiis age, he pre- 
ferred to return to America to complete his education 
in an American college. He wished then to study 
law, that with an honorable profession, he might be 
able to obtain an independent supjaort. 

Upon leaving Harvard College, at the age of twenty 
he studied law for three years. In June, 1794, be- 
ing then but twenty-seven years of age, he was ap- 
pointed by Washington, resident minister at the 
Netherlands. Sailing from Boston in July, he reached 
London in October, where he was immediately admit- 
ted to the delil)erations of Messrs. Jay and Pinckney, 
assisting them in negotiating a commercial treaty with 
Great Brilian. After thus spending a fortnight ii 
London, he proceeded to the Hague. 

In July, 1797, he left the Hague to go to Portugal as 
minister plenipotentiary. On his way to Portugal. 
upon arriving in London, he met with despatches 
directing him to the court of Betiin, but requesting 
him to remain in London until he should receive his 
instructions. A\'hile waiting he was mairied to ar. 
American lady to whom he had been jireviously en- 
gaged, — Miss Louisa Catherine Johnson, daughtei 
of Mr. Joshua Johnson, American consul in london 
a lady endownd with that beauty and those accom- 
plishment which eminently fitted her to move in tlit 
elevated sphere for which she vf9^ ^«s>ined 



40 



JOHN QUINCY ADAMS. 



He reached Berlin with his wife in November, 1797 ; 
where he remained until July, 1799, when, having ful- 
filled all the purjxjses of his mission, he solicited his 
recall. 

Soon after his return, in 1802, he was chosen to 
I he Senate of Massachusetts, from Boston, and then 
was elected Senator of the United States for six years, 
from the 4th of March, 1804. His reputation, his 
ability and his experience, placed him immediately 
among the most prominent and influential members 
of that body. Especially did he sustain the Govern- 
ment in its measures of resistance to the encroach- 
ments of England, destroying our commerce and in- 
sulting our flag. There was no man in America more 
familiar with the arrogance of the British court upon 
these points, and no one more resolved to present 
a firm resistance. 

In 1809, Madison succeeded Jefferson in the Pres- 
idential chair, and he immediately nominated John 
Quincy Adams minister to St. Petersburg. Resign- 
ing his professorship in Harvard College, he embarked 
at Boston, in August, 1809. 

While in Russia, Mr. Adams was an uitense stu- 
dent. He devoted his attention to the language and 
history of Russia; to the Chinese trade; to the 
European system of weights, measures, and coins ; to 
the climate and astronomical observations ; while he 
Kept up a familiar acquaintance with the Greek and 
Latin classics. In all the universities of Europe, a 
more accomplished scholar could scarcely be found. 
All through life the Bible constituted an imix)rtapt 
part of his studies. It was his rule to read five 
chapters every day. 

On the 4th of March, 1817, Mr. Monroe took the 
Presidential chair, and immediately appointed Mr. 
Adams Secretary of State. Taking leave of his num- 
erous friends in public and private life in Europe, he 
sailed in June, 1819, forthe United States. On tlie 
i8th of August, he again crossed the threshold of his 
home in Quincy. During the eight yearsof Mr. Mon- 
roe's administration, Mr. Adams continued Secretary 
of State. 

Some time before ihe close of Mr. Monroe's second 
term of office, new candidates began to be presented 
forthe Presidency. The friends of Mr. .\dams brought 
forward his name. It was an exciting campaign. 
Party spirit was never more bitter. Two hundred and 
sixty electoral votes were cast. Andrew Jackson re- 
ceived ninety-nine; John Quincy .Adams, eighty-four; 
William H. Crawford, forty-one; Henry Clay, thirty- 
se\fen. As there was no choice by the people, the 
question went to the House of Rei)resentatives. Mr. 
Clay gave the vote of Kentucky to Mr. Adams, and 
be was elected. 

The friends of all the disappointed candidates now 
;ombined in a venomous and persistent assault upon 
Mr. Ailams. Tliere is nothing more disgraceful in 
»Ke past history of our country than the abuse which 



was poured in one uninterrupted stream, upon this 
high-minded, upright, patriotic man. There never was 
an administration more pure in principles, more con- 
scientiously devoted to the best interests of the coun- 
try, than that of John Quincy Adams; and never, per- 
haps, was there an administration more unscrupu-- 
lously and outrageously assailed. 

Mr. Adams was, to a very remarkable degree, ab- 
stemious and temperate in his habits; always rising 
early, and taking much exercise. When at his hcmein 
Quincy, he has been known to walk, before breakfast, 
seven miles to Boston. In Washington, it was said 
that he was the first man up in the city, ligluing his 
own fire and applying himself to work in his library 
often long before dawn. 

On the 4th of March, 1820, Mr. Adams retired 
from the Presidency, and was succeeded by Andrew- 
Jackson. John C. Calhoun was elected Vice Presi- 
dent. The slavery question now began to assume 
portentous magnitude. Mr. Adams returned to 
Quincy and to his studies, which he pursued with un- 
abated zeal. But he was not long permitted to re- 
main in retirement. In November, 1830, he was 
elected representative to Congress. For seventeen 
years, until his death, he occupied the post as repre- 
sentative, towering above all his peers, ever ready to 
do brave battle' for freedom, and winning the title of 
" the old man eloquent." Upon taking his seat in 
the House, he announced that he should hold him- 
self bound to no party. Probably there never was a 
member more devoted to h's duties. He was usually 
the first in his place in the morning, and the last to 
leave his seat in the evening. Not a measure could 
be brought forward and escape his scrutiny. The 
liattle which Mr. Adams fought, almost singly, against 
the prosLvery party in the Government, was sublime 
ill Us moral daiing and heroism. For persisting in 
presenting petitions for the abolition of slavery, he 
was threatened with indictment by the grand jury, 
with expulsion from the House, with assassination 
but no threats could intimidate him, and his final 
triumph was complete. 

It has been said of President Adams, that when his 
body was bent and his hair silvered by the lapse of 
fourscore years, yielding to the simple faith of a little 
child, he was accustomed to repeat every night, before 
he slept, the pra)er which his inotlier tauglit him in 
his infant years. 

On the 2ist of February, 1848, he rose on the floor 
of Congress, with a paper in his hand, to address the 
speaker. Suddenly he fell, again stricken by paraly- 
sis, and was caught in the arms of those around him. 
For a time he was senseless, as he was conveyed to 
the sofa in the rotunda. With reviving conscious- 
ness, he opened his eyes, looked calmly around and 
said " This is the end of earth ,-"tlien after a moment's 
pause he added, " / am contetit " These were the 
last words of the grand "Old Man Eloquent." 




■'"'^^•a 




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: ^ 



SEVENTH PRESIDENT. 



^« J'«f? -^t2C£r®^-^e,Ki.M.?.lrt!lS 








^¥^K*?ir ^Afisfifj^. 





NDREW JACKSON, the 
seventh President of tlie 
United States, was boni in 
Waxhaw settlement, N. C, 
March 15, 1767, a few days 
after his father's death. His 
parents were poor emigrants 
from Ireland, and took up 
their abode in Waxhaw set- 
tlement, where they lived in 
deepest poverty. 
Andrew, or Andy, as he was 
universally called, grew up a very 
rough, rude, turbulent boy. His 
features were coarse, his form un- 
gainly; and there was but very 
little in his character, made visible, which was at- 
tractive. 

When only thirteen years old he joined the volun- 
teers of Carolina against the British invasion. In 
1781, he and his brother Robert were captured and 
imprisoned for a time at Camden. A British officer 
ordered him to brush his mud-spattered boots. " I am 
a prisoner of war, not your servant," was the reply of 
the dauntless boy. 

The brute drew his sword, and aimed a desperate 
dIow at the head of the helpless young prisoner. 
Andrew raised his hand, and thus received two fear- 
ful gashes, — one on the hand and tlie otiier u|X)n the 
head. The officer then turned to his brother Robert 
with the same demand. He also refused, and re- 
ceived a blow from the keen-edged sabre, which tpiite 
disabled him, and which probably soon after caused 
his death. They suffered much other ill-treatment, and 
were finally stricken with the small-jxix. Their 
mother was successful iv^ obtaining their exchange. 



and took her sick boys home. After a long illn .sl 
Andrew recovered, and the death of his mother soon 
left him entirely friendless. 

Andrew supported himself in various ways, sj:;haa 
working at the saddler's trade, teaching school and 
clerking in a general store, until 1784, when he 
entered a law office at Salisbury, N. C. He, however, 
gave more attention to the wild amusements of the 
times than to his studies. In 1788, he was apix)inted 
solicitor for the western district of North Carolina, of 
which Tennessee was then a part. This involved 
many long and tedious journeys amid dangers of 
every kind, but Andrew Jackson never knew fear 
and the Indians had no desire to repeat a skirmisbi 
witn the Sharp Knife. 

In 1791, Mr. Jackson was married to a woman who 
supposed herself divorced from her former husband. 
Great was the surprise of both parties, two years later, 
to find that the conditions of the divorce had just been 
definitely settled by the first husband. The marriage 
ceremony was performed a second time, but the occur- 
rence was often used by his enemies to bring Mr. 
Jackson into disfavor. 

During these years he worked hard at his profes 
sion, and frequently had one or more duels on hand, 
one of which, when he killed Dickenson, was espec- 
ially disgraceful. 

In January, 1796, the Territory of Tennessee then 
containing nearly eighty thousand inhabitants, the 
people met in convention at Knoxville to frame a con- 
stitution. Five were sent from each of the elevei<j 
counties. Andrew Jackson was one of the delegates.? 
The new State was entitled to but one member is' 
the National House of Representatives. Andreiv Jact;- 
son was chosen that member. Mounting his horse he 
rode to Philedelphia, where Congress then held its 



44 



ANDRE W JACKSOlV. 



sessions, — a distance of about eight hundred miles. 

Jackson was an earnest advocate of the Demo- 
cratic party. Jefferson was his idol. He admired 
Bonaparte, loved France and hated England. As Mr. 
Jackson took his seat, Gen. Washington, whose 
second term of office was then expiring, delivered his 
last speech to Congress. A committee drew up a 
complimentary address in reply. Andrew Jackson 
did not approve of the address, and was one of the 
twelve who voted against it. He was not willing to 
say that Gen. Washington's adminstration had been 
'' wise, firm and patriotic." 

Mr. Jackson was elected to the United States 
Senate in 1797, but soon resigned and returned home. 
Soon after he was chosen Judge of the Supreme Court 
of his State, which position he held for si.x years. 

When the war of 1812 with Great Britian com- 
menced, Madison occupied the Presidential chair. 
Aaron Burr sent word to the President that there was 
an unknown man in the West, Andrew Jackson, who 
would do credit to a commission if one were con- 
ferred upon him. Just at that time Gen. Jackson 
jffeied his services and those of twenty-five hundred 
volunteers. His offer was accepted, and the troops 
were assembled at Nashville. 

As the British were hourly expected to make an at- 
tack upon New Orleans, where Gen Wilkinson was 
in command, he was ordered to descend the river 
with fifteen hinidred troops to aid Wilkinson. The 
Expedition reached Natchez; and after a delay of sev- 
eral weeks there, without accomplishing anything, 
the men were ordered liack to their homes. But the 
energy Gen. Jackson had displayed, and his entire 
devotion to the comrfort of his soldiers, won him 
golden opinions ; and he became the most popular 
man in the State. It was in this expedition that his 
toughness gave him the nickname of " Old Hickory. ' 

Soon after this, while attempting to horsewhip t'ol. 
Thomas H. Benton, for a remark that genlleman 
made about his taking a part as second in a duel, in 
which a younger brother of Benton's was engaged, 
he received two severe pistol wounds. While he was 
lingering u|)on a bed of suffering news came that the 
Indians, who had combined under Tecumseh from 
Florida to the Lakes, to exterminate the white set- 
tlers, were committing the most awful ravages. De- 
cisive action became necessary. Gen. Jackson, with 
his fractured bone just beginning to heal, his arm in 
a sling, and unable to mount his horse without assis- 
tance, gave his amazing energies to the raising of an 
army to rendezvous at Fayettesville, .\labama. 

The Creek Indians had established a strong fort on 
one of the bendsof the Tallapoosa River, near the cen- 
ter of Alabama, about fifty miles below Fort Strother. 
With an army of two thousand men, Gen. Jackson 
traversed the pathless wilderness in a march of eleven 
days. He reached their fort, called Tohopeka or 
Horse-shoe, on the 27th of March. 1814. The bend 



of the river enclosed nearly one hundred acres of 
tangled forest and wild ravine. Across the narrow- 
neck the Indians had constructed a formidable breast- 
work of logs and brush. Here nine hundred warriors, 
with an ample suplyof arms were assembled. 

The fort was stormed. The fight was utterly des- 
perate. Not an Indian would accept of (luarter. When 
bleeding and dying, they would fight those who en- 
deavored to spare their lives. From ten in the morn- 
ing until dark, the battle raged. The carnage was 
awful and revolting. Some threw themselves into the 
river; but the unerring bullet struck their heads as 
they swam. Nearly everyone of the nine hundred war- 
rios were killed A few probably, in the night, swam 
the river and escaped. This ended the war. The 
power of the Creeks was broken forever. This bold 
plunge into the wilderness, with its terriffic slaughter, 
so appalled the savages, that the haggard remnants 
of the bands came to the camp, begging for peace. 

This closing of the Creek war enabled us to con- 
centrate all our militia upon the British, who were the 
allies of the Indians No man of less resolute will 
than Gen. Jackson could have conducted this Indian 
campaign to so successful an issue Immediately he 
was appointed major-general. 

Late in .\ugust, with an army of two thousand 
men, on a rushing march, Gen. Jackson came to 
Mobile. A British fleet came from Pensacola, landed 
a force upon the beach, anchored near the little fort, 
and from both ship and shore commenced a furious 
assault The battle was long and doubtful. At length 
one of the ships was blown up and the rest retired. 

Garrisoning Mobile, where he had taken his little 
army, he moved his troops to New Orleans, 
And the battle of New Orleans w hich soon ensued, 
was in reality a very arduous campaign. This won 
for (^len. Jackson an imperishable name. Here his 
troops, which numbered about four thousand men, 
won a signal victory over the British army of about 
ftine thousand. His loss was but thirteen, while the 
loss of the British was two thousand six hundred. 

The name of Gen. Jackson soon began to be men- 
tioned in connection with the Presidency, but, in 1824, 
he was defeated by Mr. Adams. He was, however, 
successful in the election of 1828, and was re-elected 
for a second term in 1832. In 1829, just before he 
assumed the reins of the government, he met with 
the most terrible affliction of his life in the death of 
his wife, whom he had loved with a devotion which has 
perhaps never been surpassed. From the shock of 
her death he never recovered. 

His administration was one of flie most racmorabie 
in the annals of our country; applande'^ oy one party, 
condemned by the other. No man had more bitter 
enemies or warmer friends. At the expiration of his 
two terms of office he retired to the Hermitage, where 
he died June 8, 1845. The last years of Mr. Jack- 
son's life were that of a devoted Christian man. 



't! 




9 > )^^IJ^C/ ^^c^/j U^u^^-z^^^ 



EIGHTH PRESIDENT. 



cki. 



''^'^^^:f^^'<&^f^>~,^^'^-j^^A®m^j^. 














ARTIN VAN BUREN, the 
eighth President of the 
United States, was born at 
Kinderhook, N. Y., Dec. 5, 
1782. He died at the same 
place, July 24, 1862. His 
body rests in the cemetery 
at Kinderhook. Above it is 
a plain granite shaft fifteen feet 
high, bearing a simple inscription 
about half way up on one face. 
The lot is unfenced, unbordered 
or unbounded by shrub or flower. 

There '- uui lUtle in the life of Martin Van Buren 
of romani c interest. He fought no battles, engaged 
in no wild adventures. Though his lite w.is stormy in 
political and intellectual conflicts, and he gained many 
signal victories, liis days passed uneventful in those 
incidents which give zest to biography. His an- 
cestors, as his name indicates, were of Dutch origin, 
and were among the earliest emigrants from HoUand 
to the banks of the Hudson. His father was a farmer, 
residing in the old town of Kinderhook. His mother, 
also of Dutch lineage, was a woman of superior intel- 
ligence and e.xemi)lary [liety. 

.■fe was decidedly a precocious boy, developing un- 
usual activity, vigor and strength of mind. At the 
age of fourteen, he had finished his academic studies 
in his native village, and commenced the study of 
law. As he had not a collegiate education, seven 
years of study in a law-office were required of him 
Oefore he could be admitted to the bar. Insjiired with 
JL lofty ambition, and conscious of liis powers, he ])ur- 
sued his studies with indefatigable industry. After 
s[>ending si.K years in an office in '-js native village, 



he went to the city of New York, and prosecuted hi^ 
studies for the seventh year. 

In 1803, Mr. Van Buren, then twenty-one years o) 
age, commenced the practice of law in his native vil- 
lage. The great conflict between the Federal and 
Republican party was then at its height. Mr. Van 
Buren was from the beginning a [lolitician. He had, 
perhaps, imbibed that spirit while listening to the 
many discussions which had been carried on in his 
father's hotel. He was in cordial sympathy with, 
Jefferson, and earnestly and eloquently esix)used ll.2 
cause of State Rights ; though at thai time the Y^C- 
eral party held the supremacy both in his tow:v 
and State. 

His success and increasing ruputation led him 
after six years of practice, to remove to Hudson, tli. 
county seat of his county. Here he spent seven years 
constantly gaining strength by contending in tht 
covins with some of the ablest men who have adorned 
the bar of his State. 

Just before leaving Kinderhook for Hudson, Mi. 
Van Buren married a lady alike distinguished for 
beauty and accompUshments. After twelve short 
years she sank into the grave, the victim of consump- 
tion, leaving her husband and four sons to weep ovei 
her loss. For twenty-five years, Mr. Van Buren was; 
an earnest, successful, assiduous lawyer. The record 
of those years is barren in items of public interest. 
In 18 1 2, when thirty years of age, he was chosen to 
the State Senate, and gave his strenuous sup|X)rt to 
Mr. Madison's adniinstration. In 1815, he was ap- 
pointed Attorney-General, and the next year moved 
to Albany, the capital of the State. 

'.Vhile he was ackno\Vledged as one of the most 
p.ominent leaders of the Democratic party, he had 



4S 



MARTJN VAN BUREN. 



the moral courage to avow that true democracy did 
not require that '' universal suffrage" which admits 
the vile, the degraded, the ignorant, to the right of 
governing the State. In true consistency with his 
democratic principles, he contended that, while the 
path leading to the privilege of voting should be open 
to every man without distinction, no one should be 
invested with that sacred prerogative, unless he were 
in some degree qualified for it by intelligence, virtue 
and some property interests in the welfare of the 
State. 

In 182 I he was elected c, member of the United 
States Senate; and in the same year, he took a seat 
in the convention to revise the constitution of his 
native State. His course in this convention secured 
the approval of men of all parties. No one could 
doubt the singleness of liis endeavors to promote the 
interests of all classes in the community. In the 
Senate of the United .States, he rose at once to a 
■:onspicuous position as an active and useful legislator. 

In 1827, John Quincy Adams beirg then in the 
^residential chair, Mr. Van Buren was re-elected to 
.he Senate. He had been from the beginning a de- 
termined opposer of the Administration, adopting the 
■'State Rights" view in opposition to what was 
deemed the Federal proclivities of Mr. Adams. 

Soon after this, in 1828, he was chosen Governorof 
the State of New York, and accordingly resigned his 
■seat in the Senate. Probably no one in the United 
States contributed so much towards ejecting John Q. 
\dams from the Presidential chair, and placing in it 
Andrew Jackson, as did Martin Van Buren. Whether 
entitled to the reputation or not, he certainly was re- 
garded througiiout the United States as one of the 
most skillful, sagacious and cunning of politicians 
It was supposed that no one knew so well as lie how 
io touch the secret spiings of action; how to pull all 
She wires to put his machinery in motion; and ho-v to 
organize a political army which would, secreily and 
Ete.-3Uhily accomplish the most gigantic results. By 
these powers it is said that he outv.'itted Mr. Adams, 
Mr. Clay, Mr. Webster, and secured results which 
tew thought then could be accomplished. 

Wliji Andrew Jackson was elected President he 
appointed Mr. Van Buren Secretary of State. This 
position he resigned in 1831, and was immediately 
appointed Minister to England, where he went the 
same autumn. The Senate, however, when it met, 
refused to ratify the nomination, and he returned 



home, apparently untroubled ; was nominated Vice 
President in the place of Calhoun, at the re-election 
of President Jackson ; and with smiles for all and 
fiowns for none, he took his place at the head of that 
Senate which had refused to confirm his nomination 
as ambassador. 

His rejection by the Senate roused all the zeal of 
President Jackson in behalf of his repudiated favor- 
ite ; and this, probably more than any other cause, 
secured his elevation to the chair of the Chief E::ecu 
tive. On the 20th of May, 1836, Mr. Van Buren re- 
ceived the Democratic nomination to succeed Gen. 
Jackson as President of the United States. He was 
elected by a handsome majority, to the delight of the 
retiring President. " Leaving New York out of the 
canvass," says Mr. Parton, "the election of Mr. Van 
Buren to the Presidency was as much the act of Gen. 
Jackson as though the Constitution had conferred 
upon him the power to appoint a successor. ' 

His administration was filled with exciting events- 
The insurrection in Canada, which threatened to in- 
volve this country in war with England, the agitation 
of the slavery question, and finally the great commer- 
cial panic which spread over the country, all were 
trials to his wisdom. The financial distress was at- 
tributed to the management of the Democratic party, 
and brought the President into such disfavor that he 
failed of reelection. 

With the exception of being nominated for the 
Presidency by the "Free Soil" Democrats, in 1848, 
Mr. Van Buren lived quietly upon his estate until 
his death. 

He had ever been a prudent man, of frugal habits, 
and living within his income, had now fortunately a 
competence for his declining years. His unblemished 
character, his commanding abilities, his unquestioned 
])atn'otisin, and the distinguished positions which he 
had occui)ied in the government of our country, se- 
cured to him not only the homage of his party, but 
the respect ot the whole community. It was on the 
4th of March, 1841, that Mr. Van Buren retired from 
the presidency. From his fine estate at LindenwaM, 
he still exerted a powerful influence upon the politics 
of the country. From this time until his death, on 
the 24th of July, 1862, at the age of eighty years, he 
resided at Lindenwald, a gentleman of leisure, of 
culture and of wealth; enjoying in a healthy old 
age, probably far more happiness than he had before 
experienced amid the stormy scenes of his active lifoi 




^K M )7(^^^y^^cn.\^ 



NINTH PRESIDENT. 



5' 




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HExNRY 



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ILLIAM HENRY HARRI- 
SON, the ninth President of 
the United States, was born 
at Berkeley, Va., Feb. 9, 1773. 
His father, Benjamin Harri- 
son, was in comparatively op- 
ulent circumstances, and was 
one of the most distinguished 
men of his day. He was an 
intimate friend of George 
Washington, was early elected 
a member of the Continental 
Congress, and was conspicuous 
among the patriots of Virginia in 
resisting the encroachments of the 
British crown. In the celebrated 
Congress of 1775, Benjamin Har- 
rison and John Hancock were 
both candidates for the office of 
speaker. 

Mr Harrison was subsequently 
chosen Governor of Virginia, and 
was twice re-elected. His son, 
i William Henry, of course enjoyed 

in childhood all the advantages which wealth and 
intellectual and cultivated society could give. Hav- 
ing received a thorough comnion-school education, he 
entered Hampden Sidney College, wliere he graduated 
with honor soon after the deatli of his father. He 
(■hen rei)aired to Philadel|)hia to study medicine under 
the instructions of Dr. Rush and the guardianship of 
iobert Morris, both of whom were, with his father, 
signers of the Declaration of Independence. 

Jpon the outbreak of the Indian troubles, and not- 
withstanding the 'enionstrances of his friends, he 
abandoned his medical studies and entered tlie army, 
.laving obtai""'' a commission of Ensign from Presi- 



dent Washington. He was then but 19 years old 
From that time he passed gradually upward in rank 
until he became aid to General Wayne, after whose 
death he resigned his commission. He was then ap- 
pointed Secretary of the North-western Territory. This 
Territory was then entitled to but one member in 
Congress and Capt. Harrison was chosen to fill that 
position. 

In the spring of 1800 the North-western Territory 
was divided by Congress into two portions. The 
eastern portion, comprising the region now embraced 
in the State of Ohio, was called " The Territory 
north-west of the Ohio." The western portion, which 
included what is now called Indiana, Illinois and 
Wisconsin, was called the "Indiana Territory." Wil. 
liam Henry Harrison, then 27 years of age, was ap 
pointed by John Adams, Governor of the Indiana 
Territory, and immediately after, also Governor of 
Upper Louisiana. He was thus ruler over almost as 
extensive a realm as any sovereign upon the globe. He 
was Superintendent of Indian Affairs, and was in- 
vested with powers nearly dictatorial over the new 
rapidly increasing white population. The ability and 
fidelity with which he discharged these responsible 
duties may be inferred from the fact that he was four 
times appointed to tiiis office — first by John Adams, 
twice by Thomas Jefferson and afterwards by Presi. 
dent Madison. 

When he began his adminstration there were but 
three white settlements in that almost boundless region, 
now crowded with cities and resounding witli all the 
tumult of wealth and traffic. One of these settlements 
was on the Ohio, nearly opposite Louisville; one at 
Vincennes, on the Wabash, and the third a French 
settlement. 

The vast wilderness over which Gov. Harrisou 
reigned was filled with many tribes of Indians. Abou' 



WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 



the year 1806, two extraordinary men, twin brothers, 
of the Shawnese tribe, rose among them. One of 
these was called Tecumseh, or " The Crouching 
Pinther;" the other, OUiwacheca, or "The Prophet." 
Tecumseh was not only an Indian warrior, but a man 
of great sagacity, far-reaching foresight and indomit- 
able perseverance in any enterprise m which he might 
engage. He was inspired with the highest enthusiasm, 
and had long regarded with dread and with hatred 
the encroachment of the whites upon the hunting- 
grounds of his fathers. His brother, the Prophet, was 
an orator, who could sway the feelings of the untutored 
Indian as the gale tossed the tree-tops beneath which 
they dwelt. 

But the Prophet was not merely an orator : he was, 
in the superstitious minds of the Indians, invested 
with the superhuman dignity of a medicine-man or a 
m.igician. With an enthusiasm unsurpassed by Peter 
the Hermit rousing Europe to the crusades, he went 
from tribe to tribe, assuming that he was specially sent 
by the Great Spirit. 

Gov. Harrison made many attempts to conciliate 
the Indians, but at last the war came, and at Tippe- 
canoe the Indians were routed with great slaughter. 
October 28, 18 12, his army began its march. When 
near the Prophet's town three Indians of rank made 
tlieir appearance and inquired why Gov. Harrison was 
approacliing them in so hostile an attitude. After a 
short conference, arrangements were made for a meet- 
ing the next day, to agree upon terms of peace. 

But Gov. Harrison was too well acquainted with 
the Indian character to be deceived by such protes- 
tations. Selecting a favorable spot for his night's en- 
campment, he took every precaution against surprise 
His troops were posted in a hollow square, and slept 
upon their arms. 

The troops threw themselves upon the ground for 
rest; but every man had his accourtrements on, his 
loaded musket by his side, and his bayonet fixed. The 
wakeful Governor, between three and four o'clock in 
the morning, had risen, and was sitting in conversa- 
tion with his aids by the embers of a waning fire. It 
was a chill, cloudy morning with a drizzling rain. In 
the darkness, the Indians had crept as near as possi- 
ble, and j''.st then, with a savage yell, rushed, with all 
the desperation which superstition and passion most 
liighly inflamed could give, upon the left flank of the 
little army. The savages had been amply provided 
with guns and ammunition by the English. Their 
war-whoop was accompained by a shower of bullets. 

The camp-fires were instantly extinguished, as the 
light aided the Indians in their aim. With hide- 
ous yells, the Indian bands rushed on, not doubting a 
sjieedy and an entire victory. But Gen. Harrison's 
troo])s stood as immovable as the rocks around them 
until day dawned : they then made a simultaneous 
charge with the bayonet, and swept every thing be- 
fore them, and completely routing tjip foe. 



Gov. Harrison now had all his energies tasked 
to the utmost. The British descending from the Can- 
adas, were of themselves a very formidable force ; but 
with their savage allies, rushing like wolves from the 
forest, searching out every remote farm-house, burn- 
ing, plundering, scalping, torturing, the wide frontier 
was plunged into a state of consternation which even 
the most vivid imagination can but faintly conceive. 
The war-whoop was resounding everywhere in the 
forest. The horizon was illuminated with the conflagra- 
tion of the cabins of the settlers. Gen Hull had made 
tlie ignominious surrender of his forces at Detroit. 
Under these despairing circumstances. Gov. Harrison 
was appointed by President Madison commander-in- 
chief of the North-western army, with orders to retake 
Detroit, and to protect the frontiers. 

It would be difficult to place a man in a situation 
demanding more energy, sagacity and courage; but 
General Harrison was found equal to the position, 
and nobly and triumphantly did he meet all the re 
sixjnsibilities. 

He won the love of his soldiers by always sharing 
with them their fatigue. His whole baggage, while 
pursumg the foe up the Thames, was carried in a 
valise; and his bedding consisted of a single blanket 
lashed over his saddle Thirty-five British officers, 
his prisoners of war, supped with him after the battle. 
The only fare he could give them was beef roasted 
before the fire, without bread or salt. 

In i8i6, Gen. Harrison was chosen a member of 
the National House of Representatives, to represent 
the District of Ohio. In Congress he proved an 
active member; and whenever he six)kc, it was with 
force of reason and power of eloquence, which arrested 
the attention of all the members. 

In i8ig, Harrison was elected to the Senate o) 
Ohio; and in 1824, as one of the presidential electors 
of that State, he gave his vote for Henry Clay. The 
same year he was chosen to the United States Senate. 

In 1836, the friends of Gen. Harrison Ijrought him 
forward as a candidate for the Presidency against 
Van Buren, but he was defeated. At the close of 
Mr. Van Buren's term, he was re -nominated by his 
party, and Mr. Harrison was unanimously nominated 
by the Whigs, with John Tyler forthe Vice Presidency. 
The contest was very animated. Gen Jackson gave 
all his influence to prevent Harrison's election ; but 
his triumph was signal. 

The cabinet which he formed, with Daniel Webster 
at its head as Secretary of State, was one of the most 
brilliant with which anv President had ever been 
surrounded. Never were the prospects of an admin- 
istration more flattering, or tlie hopes of the country 
more sanguine. In the midst of these bright and 
joyous prospects. Gen. Harrison was seized by a 
pleurisv-fever and after a few days of violent sick- 
ness, died on the 4th of .Apnl ; just one month after 
his inauguration as President of the V"ited States, 




\y 







' '^y 



TENTH PUKSIDENT. 



55 



%Xi 





OHN TYLER, the tenth 

|L Presidentof the United States. 
• '- i«. V- 1 1 >J>S] J /•» He was born in Charles-city 
*~N (g^**v^ l ^ t^o-! ^'^a., March 29, 1790. He 
'"^ was the favored child of af- 
fluence and high social po- 
sition. At the early age of 
twelve, John entered William 
and Mary College and grad- 
uated with much honor when 
but seventeen years old. After 
graduating, he devoted him- 
self with great assiduity to the 
study of law, partly with his 
father and partly with Edmund 
Randolph, one of the most distin- 
guished lawyers of Virginia. 

At nineteen years of age, ne 
commenced the practice of law. 
His success was rapid and aston- 
ishing. It is said that three 
months had not elapsed ere there 
was scarcely a case on the dock- 
et of the court in which he was 
1, Jt retained. When but twenty-one years of age, he 
was almost unanimously e'ected to a seat in the State 
Legislature. He connected himself with the Demo- 
criitic party, and warmly advocated the measures of 
Jefferson and Madison. For five successive years he 
was elected to the Legislature, receiving nearly the 
unanimous vote or his county. 

When but twenty-six years of age, he was elected 
a member of Congress. Here he acted earnestly and 
ably wiih the Democratic party, 0|)iX)sing a national 
bank. intern;jj. improvements by the General <^;vem- 



ment, a protective tariff, and advocating a strict con- 
struction of the Constitution, and the most careful 
vigilance over State rights. His labors in Congress 
were so arduous that before the close of his second 
term he found it necessary to resign and retire to his 
estate in Charles-city Co., to recruit his health. He, 
however, soon after consented to take his seat in the 
State Legislature, where his influence was powerful 
in promoting public works of great utility. With a 
reputation thus canstantly increasing, he was chosen 
by a very large majority of votes. Governor of his 
native State. His administration was signally a suc- 
cessful one. His popularity secured his re-election. 

John Randolph, a brilliant, erratic, half-crazed 
man, then represented Virginia in the Senate of the 
United States. A portion of the Democratic party 
was displeased with Mr. Randolph's wayward course, 
and brought forward John Tyler as his opponent, 
considering him the only man in Virginia of suflficient 
popularity to succeed against the renowned orator of 
Roanoke. Mr. Tyler was the victor. 

In accordance with his professions, upon taking his 
seat in the Senate, he joined the ranks of the opposi- 
tion. He opposed the tariff; he sjxske against and 
voted against the bank as unconstitutional ; he stren- 
uously opposed all restrictions upon slavery, resist- 
ing all projects of internal improvements by the Gen- 
eral Government, and avowed his sympathy with Mr. 
Calhoun's view of nullification; he declared that Gen. 
Jackson, by his opposition to the nulHfiers, had 
abandoned the principles of the Democratic party. 
Such was Mr. Tyler's record in Congress, — a record 
in perfect accordance with the principles which be 
had always avowed. 

Returning to Virginia, he resumed the practice of 
bis profession. Ther? was a rjM'i in the Democraiir 



JOHN TYLER. 



i>arty. His friends still regarded him as a true Jef- 
fersonian, gave him a dinner, and showered compli- 
ments upon him. He had now attained the age of 
forty-sLx. His career had been very brilliant. In con- 
sequence of his devotion to public business, his pri- 
vate affairs had fallen into some disorder; and it was 
not without satisfaction that he resumed the practice 
of law, and devoted himself to the culture of his plan- 
tation. Soon after this he removed to Williamsburg, 
for the better education of his children; and he again 
look his seat in the Legislature of Virginia. 

By the Southern Whigs, he was sent to the national 
convention at Harrisburg to nominate a President in 
•839. The majority of votes were given to Gen. Har- 
rison, a genuine Whig, much to the disappointment of 
the South, who wished for Henry Clay. To concili- 
ate the Southern Whigs and to secure their vote, the 
convention then nominated John Tyler for Vice Pres- 
ident. It was well known that he was not in sympa- 
thy with the Whig party in the Noith: but the Vice 
President has but very little power in the Govern- 
ment, his main and almost only duty being to pre- 
side over the meetings of the Senate. Thus it hap- 
pened that a Whig President, and, in reality, a 
Democratic Vice President were chosen. 

In 1 84 1, Mr. Tyler was inaugurated Vice Presi- 
lent of the United States. In one short month from 
that time. President Harrison died, and Mr. Tyler 
thus .;und himself, to his own surprise and that of 
the whole Nation, an occupant of the Presidential 
chair. This was a new test of the staliility of our 
institutions, as it was the first time in the history of our 
country that such an event had occured. Mr. Tyler 
was at home in Williamsburg when he received the 
unexpected tidings of the death of President Harri- 
son. He hastened to Washington, and on the 6th of 
A^ril was inaugurated to the high and responsible 
office. He was placed in a position of exceeding 
delicacy and difficulty. All his long life he had been 
opposed tc the main principles of the party which had 
brought him into power. He had ever been a con- 
sistent, honest man, with an unblemished record. 
Gen. Harrison had selected a Whig cabinet. Should 
he retain them, and thus surround himself with coun- 
sellors whose views were antagonistic to his own? or, 
on the other hand, should he turn against the party 
which had elected him and select a cabinet in har- 
n.ony with himself, and which would oppose all those 
views which the Whigs deemed essential to the pub- 
lic welfare? This was his fearful dilemma. He in- 
vited the cabinet which President Hanrison had 
selected to retain their seats. He reccommended a 
day of fasting and prayer, that God would guide and 
bless us. 

The Whigs carried through Congress a bill for the 
incorporation of a fiscal bank of the United States. 
The President, after ten days' delay, returned it witli 
his veto, He 'suggested, however, that he >vould 



approve of a bill drawn up upon such a plan as he 
proposed. Such a bill was accordingly prepared, and 
privately submitted to him. He gave it his approval. 
It was passed without alteration, and he sent it back 
with his veto. Here commenced the open rupture. 
It is said that Mr. Tyler was provoked to this meas- 
ure by a published letter from the Hon. John M. 
Botts, a distinguished Virginia Whig, who severely 
touched the pride of the President. 

The opposition now exultingly received the Presi- 
dent into their arms. The party which elected him 
denounced him bitterly. All the members of his 
cabinet, excejiting Mr. Webster, resigned. The Whigs 
of Congress, both the Senate and the House, held a 
meeting and issued an address to the people of the 
United States, proclaiming that all political alliance 
between the Whigs and President Tyler were at 
an end. 

Still the President attempted to conciliate. He 
appointed a new cabinet of distinguished Whigs and 
Conservatives, carefully leaving out all strong party 
men. Mr. Webster soon found it necessary to resign, 
forced out by the pressure of his Whig friends. Thus 
the four years of Mr. Tyler's unfortunate administra- 
tion passed sadly away. No one was satisfied. The 
land was filled with murmurs and vituperation. Whigs 
and Democrais alike assailed him. More and more, 
however, he brought himself into svmpathy with his 
old friends, the Democrats, until at the close of his term, 
he gave his whole influence to the support of Mr. 
Polk, the Democratic candidate for his successor. 

On the 4th of March, 1845, he retired from the 
harassments of office, tothe regret of neitherparty, and 
probably to his own unspeakable lelief. His first wife, 
Miss Letitia Christian, died in Washington, in 1842; 
and in June, 1844, President Tyler was again married, 
at New York, to Miss Julia (lardiner, a young lady of 
many personal and intellectual accomplishments. 

The remainder of his days Mr. Tyler passed mainly 
in retirement at his beautiful home, — Sherwood For- 
est, Charles city Co., Va. A polished gentleman in 
his manners, richly furnished with information from 
books and experience in the world, and" possessing 
brilliant powers of conversation, his family circle was 
the scene of unnsual attractions. Witli sufficient 
means for the exercise of a generous hos|)itality, he 
might have enjoyed a serene old age with the few 
friends who gathered around him, were it not for the 
storms of civil war which his own principles and 
policy had helped to introduce. 

When the great Rebellion rose, which the State- 
rights and nullifying doctrines of Mr. John C. Ca\- 
houn had inaugurated, President Tyler renounced his 
allegiance to the United States, and joined the Confed- 
erates He was chosen a member of their Congress; 
and while engaged in active measures to destroy, by 
force of arms, Mie Government over which he had 
once presided, he was taken sick and soon died, 



ELE l^NTJf PRE^TDENli ' 



59 




JAMBS M, P®]LM 




•V- ->._ jPS'f; , ' C 'V 



v. ' C;.^ '^.i^ . • *'"^>\> '>i^^ ■--^^■" ''^!^'\J^-- ■ "'" 



iSk. 



"''^^i^ 



■^ 





§ 



I AMES K. POLK, the eleventh 

^kPresident of the United States, 

^ was born in Mecklenburg Co., 

/J N. C, Nov. 2, 1795. His par- 

,3, ents were Samuel and Jane 

(Knox) Polk, the former a son 

' of Col. Thomas Polk, who located 

at the above place, as one of the 

first pioneers, in 1735. 

In the year i3o6, with his wife 
and children, and soon after fol- 
lowed by most of the members of 
tlie Polk famly, Samuel Polk emi- 
grated some two or three hundred 
miles farther west, to the rich valley 
of the Duck River. Here in the 
midst of the wilderness, in a region 
wiiich was subsequently called Mau- 
ry Co., they reared tlieir losi huts, 
and established their homes. In the 
hard toil of a new farm in the wil- 
derness, James K. Polk s|)ent the 
early years of Jiis childhood and 
youth. His father, adding tlie pur- 
suit of a surveyor to tliatof a farmer, 
gradually increased in wealth imtil 
he l)ecame one of the leading men of the region. His 
mother was a superior woman, of strong common 
sense and earnest piety. 

Ver)' early in life, James developed a taste for 
reading and expressed the strongest desire to obtain 
a liberal education. His mother's training had made 
him methodical in his habits, had taught him punct- 
uality and industry, and had ins])ired him with lofty 
principl(;s of morality. His health was frail ; and his 
tather, fearing tliat lie niigiit not W able to endure a 



sedentary life, got a situation for him behind the 
counter, hoping to fit him for commercial pursuits. 

This was to James a bitter disapix)intnient. He 
had no taste for these duties, and his daily tasks 
were irksome in the extreme. He remained in this 
uncongenial occupation but a few weeks, when at his 
earnest solicitation his father removed him, and made 
arrangements for him to prosecute his studies. Soon 
after he sent him to Murfreesboro Academy. With 
ardor which could scarcely be surpassed, he pressed 
forward in his studies, and in less than two and a half 
years, in the autumn of 1815, entered the sopliomorel 
class in the University of North Carolina, at Chapel! 
Hill. Here he was one of the most exemplary of 
scholars, punctual in every exercise, never allowing 
himself to be absent from a recitation or a religious 
service. 

He graduated in 1818, with the highest honors, be- 
ing deemed the best scholar of his class, both irj 
mathematics and the classics. He was then twenty- 
three years of age. Mr. Polk's health was at this 
time much impaired l)y the assiduity with which he 
had prosecuted his studies. After a short season .of 
rela,xation he went to Nashville, and entered the 
office of Felix Grundy, to study law. Here Mr. Polk 
renewed his acquaintance with Andrew Jackson, who 
resided on his plantation, the Hermitage, but a few 
miles from Nashville. They had probably been 
slightly acquainted before. 

Mr. Polk's father was a Jeffersonian Re])ublican, 
and James K. Polk ever adhered to the same jioliti- 
cal faith. He was a jwpular ]niblic speaker, and was 
constantly called upon to address the meetings of his 
party friends. His skill as a speaker was such that 
he was jwpularly called the Napoleon of the stump. 
He was a man of unblemished morals, genial and 



6a 



JAMES K. POLK. 



courterus in his bearing, and with that sympathetic 
nature in the joj s and griefs of others which ever gave 
him troops of friends. In 1823, Mr. Polk was elected 
to the Legislature of Tennessee. Here he gave his 
strong influence towards the election of his friend, 
iMr. Jackson, to the Presidency of the United States. 

In January, 1824, Mr. Polk married Miss Sarah 
Childress, of Rutherford Co., Tenn. His bride was 
altogether worthy of him, — a lady of beauty and cul- 
ture. In the fall of 1825, Mr. Polk was chosen a 
member of Congress. The satisfaction which he gave 
to his constituents may be inferred from the fact, that 
for fourteen successive years, until 1839, he was con- 
tinue(^ in that office. He then voluntarily withdrew, 
only that he might accept the Gubernatorial chair 
of Tennessee. In Congress he was a laborious 
men7ber, a frequent and a popular speaker. He was 
always in his seat, always courteous ; and whenever 
he spoke it was always to the point, and without any 
ambitious rhetorical display. 

During five sessions of Congress, Mr. Polk was 
Speaker of the House Strong passions were roused, 
and stormy scenes were witnessed ; but Mr. Polk per- 
Jormed his arduous duties to a very general satisfac- 
tion, and a unanimous vote of thanks to him was 
|)assed by the House as he withdrew on the 4th of 
March, 1839. 

In accordance with Southern usage, Mr. Polk, as a 
candidate for Governor, canvassed the State. He was 
elected by a large majority, and on the 14th of Octo- 
ber, 1839, took the oath of office at Nashville. In 1841, 
his term of office expired, and he was again the can- 
didate of the Democratic party, but was defeated. 

On the 4th of March, 1845, Mr. Polk was inaugur- 
ated President of the United States. The verdict of 
the countryin favor of the annexation of Texas, exerted 
its influence upon Congress ; and the last act of the 
administration of President Tyler was to affix his sig- 
nature to a joint resolution of Congress, passed on the 
•jd of March, approving of the annexation of Texas to 
the American Union. As Mexico still claimed Texas 
as one of her provinces, the Mexican minister, 
Almonte, immediately demanded his passports and 
/Jeft the country, declaring the act of the annexation 
ito be an act hostile to Mexico. 

In his first message. President Polk urged that 
Texas should immediately, by act of Congress, be re- 
ceived into the Union on the same footing with the 
other States. In the meantime, Gen. Taylor was sent 



with an army into Texas to hold the country. He was 
sent first to Nueces, which the Mexicans said was the 
western boundary of Texas. Then he was sent nearly 
two hundred miles further west, to the Rio Grande, 
where he erected batteries which commanded the 
Mexican city of Matamoras, which was situated on 
the western banks. 

The anticipated collision soon took place, and wai 
was declared against Mexico by President Polk. The 
war was pushed forward by Mr. Polk's administration 
with great vigor. Gen. Taylor, whose army was first 
called one of "observation," then of "occupation,' 
then of " in vasion, " was sent forward to Monterey. The 
feeble Mexicans, in every encounter, were hopelessly 
ana awfully slaughtered. The day of judgement 
alone can reveal the misery which this war caused. 
It v/as by the ingenuity of Mr. Polk's administration 
that the war was brought on. 

'To the victors belong the spoils." Mexico was 
prostrate before us. Her capital was in our hands. 
We now consented to peace upon the condition that 
Mexico should surrender to us, in addition to Texas, 
all of New Mexico, and all of Upper and Lower Cal- 
ifornia. This new demand embraced, exclusive of 
Texas, eight hundred thousand square miles. This 
was an extent of territory equal to nine States of the 
size of New York. Thus slavery was securing eighteen 
majestic States to be added to the Union. There were 
some Americans who thought it all right : there were 
others who thought it all wrong. In the prosecution 
of this war, we expended twenty thousand lives and 
more than a hundred million of dollars. Of this 
money fifteen millions were paid to Mexico. 

On the 3d of March, 1849, Mr. Polk retired from 
office, having served one term. The next day was 
Sunday. On the 5th, Gen. Taylor was inaugurated 
as his successor. Mr. Polk rode to the Capitol in the 
same carriage with Gen. Taylor; and the same even- 
ing, with Mrs. Polk, he commenced his return to 
Tennessee. He was then but fifty-four years of age. 
He had ever been strictly temperate in all his habits, 
and his health was good. With an ample fortune, 
a choice library, a cultivated mind, and domestic ties 
of the dearest nature, it seemed as though long years 
of tranquility and happiness were before him. But the 
cholera — that fearful scourge— was then sweeping up 
the Valley of the Mississippi. This he contracted, 
and died on the istli of June, 1849, in the fifty-fourth 
year of his age, greatly mourned by his countrymen. 



TWELFTH PRESIDENT. 



6} 




i^_ 









ACHARY TAYLOR, twelfth 
President of the United States, 
g'^^was born on the 24tli of Nov., 
1784, in Orange Co., Va. His 
o father. Colonel Taylor, was 
') a Virginian of note, and a dis- 
tinguished patriot and soldier of 
the Revolution. When Zachary 
was an infant, his father with his 
wife and two children, emigrated 
to Kentucky, where he settled in 
the pathless wilderness, a few 
miles from Louisville. \\\ this front- 
ier home, away from civilization and 
all its refinements, young Zachary 
could enjoy but few social and educational advan- 
tages. When six years of age he attended a common 
school, and was then regarded as a bright, active boy, 
rather remarkable for bluntness and decision of cliar- 
icter He was strong, feailess and self-reliant, and 
iKuiifested a strong desire to enter the army to fight 
the l.idians who were ravaging the frontiers. There 
is little to l)e recorded of the uneventful years of his 
childhood on his father's large but lonely [jlantation. 
In 1S08, liis father succeeded in obtaining for him 
the <:onnnis^i()ll of lieutenant in the United States 
army ; and lie joined ihe troops which were stationed 
at New Odeans under Gen. Wilkinson. Soon after 
thi;: he married Miss Margaret Smith, a young lady 
Ironi one of the first families of Maryland. 

Immediately after the declaration of war with Eng- 
hind, in 1812, Capt. Taylor (for he had then been 
|iromoted to that rank) was put in command of Fort 
Harrison, on the Wabash, about fifty miles above 
Vincennes. This fort had been built in the wilder- 
ness by Gen. Harrison. on his inarch to Tij)pecanoe. 
It was one of the first points of attack by the Indians, 
led by Tecuniseh. Its garrison consisted of a broken 



company of infantry numbering fifty men, many of 
whom were sick. 

Early in the autumn of 1812, the Indians, stealthily, 
and in large numbers, moved upon the fort. Their 
approach was first indicated by the murder of two 
soldiers just outside of the stockade. Capt. Taylor 
made every possible preparation to meet the antici- 
pated assault. On the 4th of September, a band of 
forty painted and plumed savages came to the fort, 
waving a white flag, and informed Capt. Taylor that 
in the morning their chief would come to have a talk 
with him. It was evident that their object was merely 
to ascertain the state of things at the fort, and Capt. 
Taylor, well versed in the wiles of the savages, kept 
them at a distance. 

The sun went down ; the savagps disappeared, the 
garrison slept upon their arms. One hour before 
midnight the war whoop burst from a thousand lips 
in the forest around, followed by the discharge of 
musketry, and the rush of the foe. Every man, sick 
and well, sprang to his post. Every man knew that 
defeat was not merely death, but in the case of cap- 
ture, death by the most agonizing and prolonged tor- 
ture. No pen can describe, no immagination can 
conceive the scenes which ensued. The savages suc- 
ceeded in setting lire to one of the block-houses- 
Until six o'clock in the morning, this awful conflict 
continued. The savages then, baffled at every [xjint, 
and gnashing their teeth with rage, retired. Capt. 
Taylor, for this gallant defence, was promoted to the 
rank of major by brevet. 

Until the close of the war. Major Taylor was placed 
in such situations that he saw but little more of active 
service. He was sent far away into the depths of the 
wilderness, to Fort Crawford, on Fox River, which 
empties into Green Bay. Here there was but little 
to be done but to wear away the tedious hours as one 
best could. There were no books, no society, no in- 



64 



ZACHARY TAYLOR 



tellectual stimulus. Thus with him the uneventful 
years rolled on Gradually he rose to the rank of 
colonel. In the Black-Hawk war, which resulted in 
the capture of that renowned chieftain, Col Taylor 
took a subordinate but a brave and efficient part. 

For twenty-four years Col. Taylor was engaged in 
the defence of the frontiers, in scenes so remote, and m 
Employments so obscure, that his name was unknown 
/beyond the limits of his own immediate acquaintance. 
(In the year 1836, he was sent to Florida to com])el 
the Seminole Indians to vacate that region and re- 
tire beyond the Mississippi, as their chiefs by treaty, 
liac" promised they should do. The services rendered 
he5e secured for Col. Taylor the high appreciation of 
the Government; and as a reward, he was elevated 
Ic ;he rank of brigadier-general by brevet ; and soon 
nfter, in May, 1838, was appointed to the chief com- 
mand of the United States troops in Florida. 

After two years of such wearisome employment 
amidst the everglades of the peninsula. Gen. Taylor 
■obtained, at his own request, a change of command, 
jind was stationed over the Department of the South- 
>Aest. This field embraced Louisiana, Mississippi, 
Alabama and Georgia. Establishing his headquarters 
3tt Fort Jessup, in Louisiana, he removed his family 
f.o a plantation which he purchased, near Baton Rogue. 
Here he remained for five years, buried, as it were, 
fnvm the world, but faithfully discharging every duty 
■jn\posed upon him. 

In 1846, Gen. Taylor was sent to guard the land 
bclween the Nueces and Rio Grande, the latter river 
t>eing the boundary of Texas, which was then claimed 
"by the United States. Soon the war with Mexico 
wa.; brought on, and at Palo Alto and Resaca de la 
P'aJma, Gen. Taylor won brilliant victories over the 
Mi;xicans. The rank of major-general by brevet 
was then conferred upon Gen. Taylor, and his name 
was received with enthusiasm almost everywhere in 
the Nation. Then came the battles of Monterey and 
Euena Vista in which he won signal victories over 
fcrces much larger than he commanded. 

His careless habits of dress and his unaffected 
■simplicity, secured for Gen. Taylor among his troops, 
x\ie. sobriquet of "Old Rough and Ready.' 

Tlie tidings of the brilliant victory of Buena Vista 
spread the wildest enthusiasm over the country. The 
name of Gen. Taylor was on every one's lips. The 
H hig party decided to take advantage of this wonder- 
fu/ po]3ularity in bringing forward the unpolished, un- 

■■ ^red, honest soldier as their candidate for the 
Pi esidency. Gen. Taylor was astonished at the an- 
nouncement, and for a time would not listen to it; de- 
cl.'iring that he was not at all qualified for such an 
oftfce. So little interest had he taken in politics that, 
foi forty years, he had not cast a vote. It was not 
without chagrin that several distinguished statesmen 
wlio had been long years in the public service found 
fj.inr claims set aside in behalf of one whose name 



had never been heard of, save in connection with Palo 
Alto, Resaca de la Palma, Monterey and Buena 
Vista. It is said that Daniel Webster, in his haste re- 
marked, " It is a nomination not fit to be made." 

Gen. Taylor was not an eloquent speaker nor a fine 
writer His friends took posse'ssion of him, and pre- 
pared such few communications as it was needful 
should be presented to the public. The popularity of 
the successful warrior swept the land. He was tri- 
umphantly elected over two opposing candidates, — 
Gen. Cass and Ex-President Martin Van Buren. 
Though he selected an excellent cabinet, che good 
old man found himself in a very uncongenial position, 
and was, at times, sorely perplexed and harassed. 
His mental sufferings were very severe, and probably 
tended to hasten his death. The pro-slavery party 
was pushing its claims with tireless energy , expedi- 
tions were fitting out to capture Cuba ; California was 
pleading for admission to the Union, while slavery 
stood at the door to bar her out. Gen. Taylor found 
the political conflicts in Washington to be far more 
trying to the nerves than battles with Mexicans or 
Indians 

In the midst of all these troubles. Gen. Taylor, 
after he had occupied the Presidential chair but liitle 
over a year, took cold, and after a brief sickness of 
but little over five days, died on the 9th of July, 1850. 
His last woids were, "I am not afraid to die. I am 
ready. I have endeavored to do my duty." He died 
universally respected and beloved. An honest, un- 
pretending man, he had been steadily growing in the 
affections of the people; and the Nation bitterly la- 
mented his death. 

Gen. Scott, who was thoroughly acquainted with 
Gen. Taylor, gave the following graphic and truthful 
description of his character: — " With a good store of 
common sense, Gen. Taylor's mind had not been en- 
larged and refreshed by reading, or much converse 
with the world. Rigidity of ideas was the conse- 
quence. The frontiers and small military posts had 
been his home. Hence he was quite ignorant for his 
rank, and quite bigoted in his ignorance. His sim- 
plicity was child-like, and with innumerable preju- 
dices, amusing and incorrigible, well suited to the 
tender age. Thus, if a man, however respectable, 
chanced to wear a coat of an unusual color, or his hat 
a little on one side of his head; or an officer to leave 
a corner of his handkerchief dangling from an out- 
side pocket, — in any such case, this critic held the 
offender to be S, coxcomb (perhaps something worse), 
whom he would not, to use his oft repeated ])hrase, 
'touch with a pair of tongs.' 

"Any allusion to literature beyond good old Dil- 
worth's spelling-book, on the part of one wearing a 
sword, was evidence, with the same judge, of utter 
unfitness for heavy marchings and combats. Inshore 
few men have ever had a more conifortah'!e, 'a,'>^T. 
saving contempt for learning of every kind-" 





'/^,. ./ J^(T^ 



t^.cnj-' 



THIRTEENTH PRESIDENT. 



6? 





^■MILLflRn FILLMDHE.'^ 

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ILLARD FILLMORE, thi.-- 
^. teenth President of the United 
^-' States, was born at Summer 
Hill, Cayuga Co., N. Y ., on 
the yth of January, i8oo. His 
""^^ father was a farmer, and ow- 
ing to misfortune, in humble cir- 
cumstances. Of his mother, the 
daughter of Dr. Abiathar Millard, 
"lU of Pittsfield, Mass., it has been 
said that she [assessed an intellect 
of very high order, united with much 
jiersonal loveliness, sweetness of dis- 
position, graceful manners and ex- 
quisite sensibilities. She died in 
1831 ; having lived to see her son a 
young man of distinguished prom- 
ise, though she was not permitted to witness the high 
dignity whicli he finally attained. 

In consequence of the secluded home and limited 
means of his father, Millard enjoyed but slerder ad- 
•vantages for education in his early year.s. The com- 
mon schools, ivliic h he occasionally attended were 
very imperfect uistitutions; and books were scarce 
and expensive. There was nothing tlien in his char- 
acter to indicate the brilliant career uiwn which he 
was about to enter. He was a plain farmer's boy ; 
intelligent, good-looking, kind-hearted. The sacred 
influences of home had taught him to revere the Bible, 
and had laid the foundations of an upright character. 
When fourteen years of age, lis father sent him 
some hundred miles from home, to the then wilds of 
Livingston County, to learn the trade of a clothier. 
Near the mill there was a small villiage, where some 



enterprising man had commenced the collection of a 
village library. This proved an inestimable blessing 
to young Fillmore. His evenings were spent in read- 
ing. Soon every leisure moment was occupied with 
books. His thirst for knowledge became insatiate 
and the selections which he made were continually 
more elevating and instructive. He read history, 
biography, oratory, and thus gradually there was en- 
kindled in his heart a desire to be something more 
than a mere worker with his hands; and he was be- 
coming, almost unknown to himself, a well-informed, 
educated man. 

The young clothier had now attained the age of 
nineteen years, and was of fine personal appearance 
and of gentlemanly demeanor. It so happened that 
there was a gentleman in the neighborhood of ample 
pecuniary means and of benevolence, — Judge Walter 
Wood, — who was struck with the prepossessing ap- 
pearance of young Fillmore. He made his acquaint- 
ance, aTid was so much impressed with his ability and 
attainments that he advised him to abandon his 
trade and devote himself to the study of the law. The 
young man replied, that he had no means of his own, 
no friends to help him and that his previous educa- 
tion had been very imperfect. But Judge Wood had 
so much confidence in him that he kindly offered to 
take him into his own office, and to loan him such 
money as he needed. Most gratefully the generous 
offer was accepted. 

There is in many minds a strange delusion about! 
a collegiate education. A young man is supposed to 
be liberally educated if he has graduated at some col- 
lege. But many a boy loiters through university hal' ■ 
<ind then enters a law office, who is by no meani as 



u 



MILLARD FILLMORE. 



well prepared to prosecute his legal studies as was 
Millard Fillmore when he graduated at the clothing- 
mill at the end of four years of manual labor, during 
which every leisure moment had been devoted to in- 
tense mental culture. 

In 1823, when twenty-three years of age, he v/as 
admitted to the Court of Common Pleas. He then 
went to the village of Aurora, and commenced the 
practice of law. In this secluded, peaceful region, 
his practice of course was limited, and there was no 
opportunity for a sudden rise in fortune or in fame. 
Here, in the year 1826, he married a lady of great 
moral worth, and one capable of adorning any station 
she might be called to fill,— Miss Abigail Powers. 

His elevation of character, his untiring industry, 
his legal acquirements, and his skill as an advocate, 
gradually attracted attention , and he was invited to 
enter into partnership under highly advantageous 
circumstances, with an elder member of the bar in 
Buffalo. Just before removing to Buffalo, in 1829, 
he took his seat in the House of Assembly, of the 
State of New York, as a representative from Erie 
County. Though he had never taken a very active 
part in politics, his vote and his sympathies were with 
the Whig party. The State was then Democratic, 
and he found himself in a helpless minority in the 
Legislature , still the testimony comes from all parties, 
that his courtesy, ability and integrity, won, to a very 
unusual degri e the respect of his associates. 

In the autumn of 1832, he was elected to a seat in 
the United States Congress He entered that troubled 
arena in some of the most tumultuous hours of our 
national history. The great conflict respecting the 
national bank and the removal of the deposits, was 
then raging. 

His term of two years closed ; and he returned to 
his profession, which he pursued with increasing rep- 
utation and success. After a lapse of two years 
he again became a candidate for Congress ; was re- 
elected, and took his seat in 1837. His past expe- 
rience as a representative gave him stiength and 
confidence. The first term of service in Congress to 
■any man can be but little more than an introduction. 
He was now prepared for active duty. All his ener- 
gies were brought to bear upon the public good. Every 
measure received his impress. 

Mr. Fillmore was now a man of wide repute, and 
his popularity filled the State, and in the year 1847, 
he was elected Comptroller of the State. 



Mr. Fillmore had attained the age of forty-seven 
years. His labors at the bar, in the Legislature, in 
Congress and as Comptroller, had given him very con- 
siderable fame. The Whigs were casting about to 
find suitable candidates for President and Vice-Presi- 
dent at the approaching election. Far away, on the 
waters of the Rio Grande, there was a rough old 
soldier, who had fought one or two successful battles 
with the Mexicans, which had caused his name to be 
proclaimed in tiumpet-tones all over the land. But 
it was necessary to associate with him on the same 
ticket some man of reputation as a statesman. 

Under the influence of these considerations, the 
namesofZachary Taylor and Millard Fillmore became 
the rallying-cry of the Whigs, as their candidates for 
President and Vice-Peesident. The Whig ticket was 
signally triumphant. On the 4th of March, 1849, 
Gen. Taylor was inaugurated President, and Millard 
Fillmore Vice-President, of the United States. 

On the 9th of July, 1850, President Taylor, but 
about one year and four months after his inaugura 
tion, was suddenly taken sick and died. By the Con- 
stitution, Vice-President Fillmore thus became Presi- 
dent. He appointed a very able cabinet, of which 
the illustrious Daniel Webster was Secretary of State. 

Mr. Fillmore had very serious difficulties to contend 
with, since the opposition had a majority in both 
Houses. He did everything in his power to conciliate 
tlie South; but the pro-slavery party in the South felt 
the inadequacy of all measuresof transient conciliation. 
The population of the free States was so rapidly in- 
creasing over that of the slave States that it was in- 
evitable that the power of the Government should 
soon pass into the hands of the free States. The 
famous compromise measures were adopted under Mr. 
Fillmcre's adminstration, and the Japan Ex|>edition 
was sent out. On the 4th of March, 1853, Mr, Fill- 
more, having served one term, retired. 

In 1856, Mr. Fillmore was nominated for the Pres- 
idency by the " Know Nothing " party, but was beaten 
by Mr. Buchanan. After that Mr. Fillmore lived in 
retirement. During the terrible conflict of civil war, 
he was mostly silent. It was generally supjxjsed that 
his sympathies were rather with those who were en- 
deavoring to overthrow our institutions. President 
Fillmore kept aloof from the conflict, without any 
cordial words of cheer to the one party or the other. 
He was thus forgotten by both. He lived to a ripe 
old age, and died in Buffalo. N. Y., March 8, 1874- 





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FOURTEENTH PRESIDENT. 



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RANKLIN PIP:RCK, the 
lourteenth President of tlie 
i- L'liited States, was born in 
Hillsborough, N. H., Nov. 
23, 1804. His father was a 
Revolutionary soldier, who, 
with his own strong arm, 
hewed out a home in the 
wilderness. He was a man 
of inflexible integrity; of 
strong, though uncultivated 
mind, and an uncompromis- 
ing Democrat. The mother of 
Franklin Pierce was all that a son 
could desire, — -an intelligent, pru- 
dent, affectionate. Christian wom- 
an. Franklin was the sixth of eight children. 

Franklin was a very bright and handsome boy, gen- 
erous, warm-hearted and brave. He won alike the 
love of old and young. The boys on the play ground 
loved him. His teachers loved him. The neighbors 
looked upon him with pride and affection. He was 
by instinct a gentleman; always speaking kind words, 
doing kind deeds, with a peculiar unstudied tact 
which taught him what was agreeable. Without de- 
veloping any i)recocity of genius, or any unnatural 
devotion to books, he was a good scholar; in body, 
in mind, in affections, a finely-developed Iwy. 

When sixteen years of age, in the year 1820, he 
entered Bowdoin College, at Brunswick, Me He was 
one of the most (Xjpular young men in the college. 
The purity of his moral character, the unvarying 
courtesy of his demeanor, his rank as a scholar, and 



genial nature, rendered him a universal favorite. 
There was something very peculiarly winning in his 
address, and it was evidently not in the slightest de- 
gree studied: it was the simple outgushing of his 
own magnanimous and loving nature. 

Upon graduating, in the year 1824, Franklin Pierce 
commenced tlie study of law in the office of Judge 
Woodbury, one of the most distinguished lawyers of 
the State, and a man of great private worth. The 
eminent social qualities of the young lawyer, his 
father's prominence as a public man, and the brilliant 
jxjlitical career into which Judge Woodbury was en' 
tering, all tended to entice Mr. Pierce into the faci- 
nating yet perilous path of political life. With all 
the ardor of his nature he esixjused the cause of Gen. 
Jackson for the Presidency. He commenced the 
practice of law in Hillsborough, and was soon elected 
to represent the town in the State Legislature. Here 
he served for four yeais. The last two years he was 
chosen speaker of the house by a very large vote. 

In 18,33, ^^ 'he age of twenty-nine, he was elected 
a member of Congress. Without taking an active 
part in debates, he was faithful and laborious in duty 
and ever rising in the estimation of those with whom 
he was associatad. 

In 1837, being then but thirty-three years of age, 
he was elected to the Senate of the United States; 
taking his seat just as Mr. Van Buren commenced 
his administration. He was the youngest member in 
the Senate. In the year 1834, he married Miss Jane 
Means Appleton, a lady of rare beauty and accom- 
plishments, and one admirably fitted to adorn every 
station with which her husband was honoted, Of the 



7* 



hRANKLIN PIERCE. 



three sons who were born to them, all now sleep with 
their parents in the grave. 

In the year 1838, Mr. Pierce, with growing fame 
and increasing business as a lawyer, took up his 
residence in Concord, the capital of New Hampshire. 
President Polk, upon his accession to office, appointed 
Mr. Pierce attorney-general of the United States; but 
the offer was declined, in consequence of numerous 
professional engagements at home, and the precariuos 
state of Mrs. Pierce's health. He also, about the 
same time declined the nomination for governor by the 
Democratic party. The war with Mexico called Mr. 
Pierce in the army. Receiving the appointment of 
brigadier-general, he embarked, with a portion of his 
troops, at Newport, R. I., on the 27th of May, 1847. 
He took an important part in this war, proving him- 
self a brave and true soldier. 

When Gen. Pierce reached his home in his native 
State, he was received enthusiastically by the advo- 
cates of the Mexican war, and coldly by his oppo- 
nents. He resumed the practice of his profession, 
very frequently taking an active part in political ques- 
tions, giving his cordial support to the pro-slavery 
wing of the Democratic party. The compromise 
measures met cordially with his approval ; and he 
Istrenuously advocated the enforcement of the infa- 
iuous fugitive-slave law, which so shocked the religious 
sensibilities of the North. He tlius became distin- 
guished as a "Northern man with Southern principles.'' 
The strong partisans of slavery in the South conse- 
quently regarded him as a man whom they could 
safely trust in office to carry out their plans. 

On the I 2th of June, 1852, the Democratic conven- 
tion met in Baltimore to nominate a candidate for the 
Presidency. For four days they continued in session, 
and in thirty-five ballotings no one had obtained a 
two-thirds vote. Not a vote thus far had been throv\ n 
for Gen. Pierce. Then the Virginia delegation 
brought forward his name. There were fourteen 
. more ballotings, during which Gen. Pierce constantly 
gained strength, until, at tlie forty-ninth ballot, he 
received two hundred and eighty-two votes, and all 
other candidates eleven. Gen. Winfield Scott was 
the Whig candidate. Gen. Pierce was chosen with 
great unanimity. Only four States — Vermont, Mas- 
sachusetts, Kentucky and Tennessee — cast their 
electoral votes against him Gen. Franklin Pierce 
was therefore inaugurated President of the United 
States en the 4th of March, 1853. 



His administration proved one of the most stormy our 
country had ever experienced. The controversy be 
tween slavery and freedom was then approaching its 
culminating point It became evident that there was 
an "irrepressible conflict" between them, and that 
this Nation could not long exist " half slave and half 
free." President Pierce, during the whole of his ad- 
ministration, did every thing he could to conciliate 
the South ; but it was all in vain. The conflict every 
year grew more violent, and threats of the dissolution 
of the Union were borne to the North on every South- 
ern breeze. 

Such was the condition of affairs when President 
Pierce approached the close of his four-years' term 
of office. The North had become thoroughly alien- 
ated from him. The anti-slavery sentiment, goaded 
by great outrages, had been rapidly increasing; all 
the intellectual ability and social worth of President 
Pierce were forgotten in deep reprehension of his ad- 
ministrative acts. The slaveholders of the South, also, 
unmindful of the fidelity with which he had advo- 
cated those measures of Government which they ap- 
proved, and perhaps, also, feeling that he had 
rendered himself so unpopular as no longer to be 
able acceptably to serve them, ungratefully dropped 
him, and nominated James Buchanan to succeed him. 

On the 4th of March, 1857, President Pierce re- 
tired to his home in Concord. Of three children, two 
had died, and his only surviving child had been 
killed before his eyes by a railroad accident , and his 
wife, one of the most estimable and accomplished of 
ladies, was rapidly sinking in consumption. The 
hour of dreadful gloom soon came, and he was left 
alone in the world, without wife or child. 

When the terrible Rebellion burst forth, which di- 
vided our country into two parties, and two only, Mr. 
Pierce remained steadfast in the principles which he 
had always cherished, and gave his sympathies to 
that pro-slavery party with which he had ever been 
allied. He declined to do anything, either by voice 
or pen, to strengthen the hand of the National Gov- 
ernment. He continued to reside in Concord until 
the time of his death, which occurred in October, 
1869. He was one of the most genial and social of 
men, an honored communicant of the Episcopal 
Church, and one of the kindest of neighbors. Gen 
erous to a fault, he contributed liberally for the al- 
leviation of suffering and want, and many of his towns- 
people were often gladened by his material bounty. 



FIFTEENTH PRESIDENT 




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AMES BUCHANAN, the fif- 
.teenth President of the United 
States, was born in a small 
frontier town, at the foot of the 
eastern ridge of the Allegha- 
nies, in Franklin Co., Penn.,on 
the 23d of April, 1791. The place 
where the humble cabin of his 
father stood was called Stony 
^ Batter. It was a wild and ro- 
mantic s[X)t in a gorge of the moun- 
tains, with towering summits rising 
grandly all around. His father 
was a native of the north of Ireland ; 
a poor man, who had emigrated in 
I 1783, with little property save his 

own strong arms. Five years afterwards he married 
F31izabeth Spear, the daughter of a respectable farmer, 
and, with his young bride, plunged into the wilder- 
ness, staked his claim, reared his log-hut, opened a 
clearing with his axe, and settled down there to per- 
form his obscure part in the d-rama of life. In this se- 
cluded home, where James was born, he remained 
for eight years, enjoying but few social or intellectual 
advantages. When James was eight years of age, his 
father removed to the village of Mercersburg, where 
his son was placed at school, and commenced a 
course of study in English, Latin and Greek. His 
progress was rapid, and at the age of fourteen, he 
entered Dickinson College, at Carlisle. Here he de- 
veloped remarkable talent, and took his stand among 
the first scholars in the institution. His application 
to study was intense, and yet his nati^'c powers en- 



abled him to master the most abstnise subjects wi '■ 
facility. 

In the year 1809, he graduated with the highes' 
honors of his clas^. He was then eighteen years of 
age; tall and graceful, vigorous in health, fond of 
athletic sport, an unerring shot, and enlivened with 
an exuberant flow of animal spirits. He immediately 
commenced the study of law in the city of Lancaster, 
and was admitted to the bar in 1812, when he was 
but twenty-one years of age. Very rapidly he rose 
in his profession, and at once took undisputed stand 
with the ablest law)ers of the State. When but 
twenty-six years of age, unaided by counsel, he suc- 
cessfully defended before the State Senate ore of tiie 
judges of the State, who was tried upon articles u\ 
impeachment. At the age of thirty it was generally 
admitted that he stood at the head of the bar; anc 
there was no lawyer in the State who had a more lu- 
crative practice. 

In 1S20, he reluctantly consented to run as » 
candidate for Congress. He was elected, and foi 
ten years he remained a member of the Lower House 
During the vacations of Congress, he occasionally 
tried some imiwrtant case. In 1831, he retired 
altogether from the toils of his profession, having ac- 
([uired an ample fortune. 

Gen. Jackson, upon his elevation to the Presidency, 
appointed Mr. Buchanan minister to Russia. The 
duties of his mission he performed with ability, which 
gave satisfaction to all parties. Upon his return, iti 
1833, he was elected to a seat in the United States 
Senate. He there met, as his associates, Webster, 
Clay, Wright and Calhoun. He advocated th.e meas- 
ures pro|X)sed by President Jackson, of m.-il-'ng repn- 



76 



JAMES BUCHANAN. 



sals against France, to enforce the payment of our 
claims against that country; and defended the 
course of the President in his unprecedented and 
wholesale removal from office of those who were 
not the supporters of his administration. Upon 
this question he was brought into direct collision 
with Henry Clay. lie also, with voice and vote, ad- 
vocated expunging fi'oin the journal of the Senate 
the vote of censure against Gen. Jackson for remov- 
ing the deposits. Earnestly he opposed the aboli- 
tion of slavery in the District of Columbia, and 
xu-ged the prohibition of the circulation of anti- 
slavery documents by the United States mails. 

As to petitions on the subject of slavery, he ad- 
vocated that thej' should be respectfully received; 
and that the reply should be returned, that Con- 
gress had no power to legislate upon the subject. 
"Congress," said he, "might as well undertake to 
interfere with slavery under a foreign government 
as in any of the States where it now exists." 

Upon Mr. Polk's accession to the Presidency, Mr. 
Buchanan became Secretary of State, and as such, 
took his share of the responsibility in the conduct 
of the Mexican War. Mr. Polk assumed that cross- 
ing the Nueces by the American troops into the 
disputed territory was not wrong, but for the Mex- 
icans to cross tlie Rio Grande into that territory 
was a declaration of war. No candid man can read 
with pleasure tlie account of the course our Gov- 
ernment pursued in tiiat movement. 

Mr. Buchanan identified himself thoroughly with 
the party devoted to the perpetuation and extension 
of slavery, and brought all the energies of his mind 
to bear against the Wilmot Proviso. He gave his 
cordial approval to tlie compromise measures of 
1850, which included the fugitive slave law. Mr. 
Pierce, ujjon his election to the Presidency, hon- 
ored Mr. Buchanan with the mission to England. 

Iq the j'ear 18.56, a national Democratic conven- 
tion nominated Mr. Buchanan for the Presidency. 
The political conflict was one of the most severe 
in which our country has ever engaged. All the 
friends of slavery were on one side; all the advo- 
cates of its restriction and final abolition on the 
other. Mr. Fremont, the candidate of the enemies 
of slavery, received 114 electoral votes. Mr. Bu- 
chanan received 174, and was elected. The popular 
vote stood 1,340,618 for Fremont, 1,224,750 for 
Buchanan. On March 4, 1857, Mr. Buchanan was 
inaugurated. 

Mr. Buchanan was far advanced in life. Only 
four 3ears were wanting to fill up his three-score 
j'eais and ten. His own friends, those with whom 
he had been allied in political principles and action 
for years, were seeking the destruction of the Gov- 
ernment, that they might rear upon the ruins of our 
free institutions a nation whose corner-stQue should 



be human slavery. In this emergency, Mr. Bu- 
chanan was hopelessly bewildered. He could not, 
with his long-avowed principles, consistently o|> 
pose the State-rights party in their assumptions. As 
President of the United States, bound by his oath 
faithfully to administer the laws, he could not, 
without perjury of the grossest kind, >inite with 
those endeavoring to overthrow. the Republic. He 
therefore did nothing. 

The opponents of Mr. Buchanan's administration 
nominated Abraham Lincoln as their stsmdard- 
bearer in the next Presidential canvass. The pro- 
slavery party declared that if he were elected and 
the control of the Government were thus taken from 
their hands they would secede from the Union, tak- 
ing with them as they retired the National Capi- 
tol at Washington and the lion's share of the ter- 
ritory of the United States. 

As the storm increased in violence, the slave- 
holders, claiming the right to secede, and Mr. Bu- 
chanan avowing that Congress had no power to 
prevent it, one of the most pitiable exhibitions of 
governmental imbecility was exhibited the world 
has ever seen. He declared that Congress had no 
power to enforce its laws in any State which had 
withdrawn, or which was attempting to withdraw, 
from the Union. This was not the doctrine of An- 
drew Jackson, when, with his hand upon his sword- 
hilt, he exclaimed. "The Union must and shall be 
preserved!" 

South Carolina seceded in December, I860, nearly 
three months before the inauguration of President 
Lincoln. Mr. Buchanan looked on in listless de- 
spair. The rebel flag was raised in Charleston; Ft. 
Sumter was besieged; our forts, nav3r-}-ards and 
arsenals were seized; our depots of military stores 
were plundered; and our custom-houses and post- 
offices were appropriated by the rebels. 

The energy of the rebels and the imbecility of 
our Executive were alike marvelous. The nation 
looked on in agony, waiting for the slow weeks to 
glide away and close the administration, so ter- 
rible in its weakness. At length the long-looked- 
for hour of deliverance came, when Abraham Lin- 
coln was to receive the scepter. 

The administration of President Buchanan was 
certainly the most calamitous our country lias ex- 
perienced. His best friends cannot recall it with 
pleasure. And still more deplorable it is for his 
fame, that in that dreadful conflict which rolled its 
billows of flame and blood over our whole land, no 
word came from his lips to indicate his wish that 
our country's banner should triumph over the flag 
of the Rebellion. He died at his Wheatland re- 
treat, June 1, 1868. 




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SIXTEE.VTII PRES/DEN-T. 



-" ' ABRAHAM > ^^>^^€& < LINCOLN. > J 









w F5RAHAM LINCOLN, the 
§\ sixteenth President of the 
i®United States, was born in 
Hardin Co., Ky., Feb. 12, 
i8og. About the year 1780, a 
CJ^ man by the name of Abraham 
'^ Lincohi left Virginia with his 
family and moved into tlie then 
wilds of Kentucky. Only two years 
after this emigration, still a young 
man, while working one day in a 
field, was stealthily approached by 
an Indian and shot dead. His widow 
was left in extreme poverty with five 
little children, three boys and two 
girls. Thomas, the youngest of the 
boys, was four years of age at his 
father's death. Tliis Tliomas was 
the father of Abraham Lincoln, the 
President of the United States 
w hone name must henceforth fo-'ever be enrolled 
with the most prominent in the annals of our world. 
Of course no record has been kept of the life 
of one so lowly as Thomas Lincoln. He was among 
the poorest of the [)oor. His home was a wretched 
log -cabin; his food the coarsest and the meanest. 
Education he had none; he could never either read 
or write. As soon as he was able to do anything for 
himself, he was compelled to leave the cabin of his 
starving mother, and push out into the world, a friend- 
.ess, wandering boy, seeking work. He iiired him- 
self out, and thus spent the whole of his youth as a 
/.il)orer in the fields of others. 

When twenty-eight years of age he buili a log- 
labin of his own, and married Nancy Hanks, the 
daughter of another family of poor Kentucky emi- 
grants, who had also come from Virginia. Their 
second child was Aljraham Lincoln, the subject of 
this sketch. The mother of Abraham was a noble 
woman, gentle, loving, pensive, created to adorn 
a palace, doomed to toil and pine, and die in a hovel. 
'"AH that I am, or hope to be," e.xclaims the grate- 
ful son " I owe to my angel-niother. 

When he was eight years of age, his father sold his 



cabin and small farm, and moved to Indiana Whc;- 
two years later his mother died. 

Abraham soon became the scribe of the uneducated 
community around him. He could not liave had a 
better school than this to teach him to put thought? 
into words. He also became an eager reader. The 
books he could obtain were few ; but these he ead 
and re-read until they were almost committ? I ic 
memory. 

As the years rolled on, the lot of this lowly fanvilj 
was the usual lot of humanity. Thi"re were joys aid 
griefs, weddings and funerals. Abraham's sistt \ 
Sarah, to whom he was tenderly attached, was niai 
ried when a child of but fourteen years of age, anc 
soon died. The family was gradually scattered. M"- 
Thomas Lincoln sold out his squatter's claim -n 1830 
and emigrated to Macon Co., 111. 

Abraham Lincoln was then twenty-one years of age., 
With vigorous hands he aided his father in rearing 
another log-cabin. Abraham worked diligently at this 
until he saw the family comfortably settled, and theii 
small lot of enclosed prairie pl.inted with corn, wl en 
he announced to his father his intention to leave 
home, and to go out into tlie world and seek his for- 
tune. Little did he or his friends imagine how bril- 
liant that fortune was to be. He saw the value o! 
education and was intensely earnest to improve his 
mind to the utmost of his power. He saw the ruin 
which ardent spirits were causing, and became 
strictly temperate; refusing to allow a drop of intoxi- 
cating liquor to pass his lips. And he had read in 
God's word, "Thou shall not take the name of ths 
Lord thy God in ''.,..;" and a profane expression he 
was never heard to utter. Religion he revered. His 
morals were pure, and he was uncontaminatcd by a 
single vice. 

Voung Abraham woiked for a time as a hired labor© 
among the farmers. Then he went to Springfield 
where he was emijloyed in building a large flat-boat 
In this he took a herd of swine, floated them dowi 
the Sangamon to the Illinois, and thence by the Mia 
sissippi to New Orleans. A\'hatevor Aliraham Lii 
coin undertook, he performed so faithfully as to giv, 
great satisfacticn to his employers, in this adven 



8o 



ABRAHAM LINCOLN. 



ture his employers were so well pleased, that upon 
his return tiiey placed a store and mill under his care. 

In 1832, at the outbreak of the Black Hawk war, he 
enlisted and was chosen captain of a company. He 
returned to Sangamon County, and although only 23 
years of age, was a candidate for the Legislature, but 
was defeated. He soon after received from Andrew 
Jackson the appointmentof Postmaster of New Salem, 
His only post-office was his hat. All the letters he 
received he carried there ready to deliver to those 
he chanced to meet. He studied surveying, and soon 
made this his business. In 1834 he again became a 
candidate for the Legislature, and was elected. Mr. 
Stuart, of Springfield, advised him to study law. He 
walked from New Salem to Springfield, borrowed of 
Mr. Stuart a load of books, carried them back and 
began his legal studies. When the Legislature as- 
sembled he trudged on foot with his pack on his back 
one hundred miles to Vandalia, then the capital. In 
1836 he was re-elected to the Legislature. Here it 
was he first met Stephen A. Douglas. In 1839 he re- 
moved to Springfield and began the practice of law. 
His success with the jury was so great that he was 
20on engaged in almost every noted case in the circuit. 

In 1854 the great discussion began between Mr. 
Lincoln and Mr. Douglas, on the slavery question. 
In the organization of the Republican party in Illinois, 
in 1856; he took an active part, and at once became 
one of the leaders in that party. Mr. Lincoln's 
speeches in opposition to Senator Douglas in the con- 
test in 1858 for a seat in the Senate, form a most 
notable part of his history. The issue was on the 
ilavery question, and he took the broad ground of 
.he Declaration of Independence, that all men are 
created e(iual. Mr. Lincoln was defeated in this con- 
test, but won a far higher prize. 

The great Republican Convention met at Chicago 
on the i6th of June, i860. The delegates and 
strangers who crowded the city amounted to twenty- 
five thousand. An immense building called "The 
Wigwam," was reared to accommodate the Conven- 
tion. There were eleven candidates for whom votes 
were thrown. William H. Seward, a man whose fame 
as a statesman had long filled the land, was the most 
orominent. It was generally supposed he would be 
the nominee. Abraham Lincoln, however, received 
the nomination on the third ballot. Little did he then 
dream of the weary years of toil and care, and the 
bloody death, to which that nomination doomed him: 
And as little did he dream that he was to vender services 
to his country, which would fix upon him the eyes of 
the whole <;ivilized world, and which would give him 
a place in the affections of his countrymen, second 
cnly, if second, to that of ^Vashington. 

Election day came and Mr. Lincoln received 180 
electoral votes out of 203 cast, and was, therefore, 
constitutionally elected President of the United States. 
The tirade of abuse that was poured upon this good 



and merciful man, especially by the slaveholders, was 
greater than upon any other man ever elected to this 
high position. In February, 1861, Mr. Lincoln started 
for Washington, stopimig in all the large cities on his 
way making speeches. The whole journey was frought 
with much danger. Many of theSoutliern States had 
already seceded, and several attempts at assassination 
were afterwards brought to light. A gang in Balti- 
more had arranged, ujx>n his arrival to" get up a row," 
and in the confusion to make sure of his death with 
revolvers and hand-grenades. A detective unravelled 
the plot. A secret and special train was p"ovided to 
take him from Harrisburg, through Baltimrfe, at an 
unexpected hour of the night. The train s'ntted at 
half-past ten ; and to prevent any possible communi- 
cation on the part ot the Secessionists with their Con- 
federate gang in Baltimore, as soon as the train hac. 
started the telegraph-wires were cut. Mr. Lincoln 
reached Washington in safety and was inaugurated, 
although great an.xiety was felt by all loyal people 

In the selection of his cabinet Mr. Lincoln gave 
to Mr Seward the Department of State, and to other 
prominent opponents before the convention he gave 
imiOTrtant positions. 

During no other administration have the duties 
devolving upon the President been so manifold, and 
the responsibilities so great, as those which fell to 
the lot of President Lincoln. Knowing this, and 
feeling his own weakness and inability to meet, and in 
his own strength to cope with, the difficulties, he 
learned early to seek Divine wisdom and guidance in 
determining his plans, and Divine comfort in all his 
trials, bo'h personal and national. Contrary to his 
own estimate of himself, Mr. Lincoln was one of the 
most courageous of men. He went directly into the 
rebel capital just as the retreating foe was leaving, 
with no guard but a few sailors. From the time he 
had left Springfield, in i86r, however, plans had been 
made for his assassination, and he at last fell a victim 
to one of them. April 14, 1865, he, with Gen. Grant, 
was urgently invited to attend Fords' Theater. It 
was announced that they would Le present. Gen. 
Grant, however, left the city. President Lincoln, feel- 
ing, wiili his characteristic kindliness of heart, that 
it would lie a disappointment if he should fail them, 
very reluctantly consented to go. While listening to 
the play an actor by the name of John Wilkes Booth 
entered the box where the President and family were 
seated, and fired a bullet into his brains. He died the 
next morning at seven o'clock. 

Never before, in the history of the world was a nation 
plunged into such deep grief by the death of its ruler. 
Strong men met in the streets and wept in speechless 
anguish. It is not too much to say that a nation was 
in tears. His was a life which will fitly become a 
model. His name as the savior of his country will 
live with that of Washington's, its father; hisc^-^ntry- 
roer. being unable to decide whii h is ti'e ereatet. 




J 




<^^<^:2^{f-:>^ 



SEVENTEENTH PRESIDENT. 





ymw 



ji 



NDREW JOHNSON, seven- 
teenth President of the United 
Slates. The early life of 
Andrew Johnson contains but 
the record of poverty, destitu- 
tion and friendlessness. He 
^[y was born December 29, 1808, 
in Raleigh, N. C. His parents, 
belonging to the class of the 
"poor whites " of the South, were 
Y ; I y 'i in such circumstances, that they 
"' y could not confer ::vei\ the slight- 
'■*' est advantages of education upon 
their child. When Andrew was five 
years of age, his father accidentally 
lost his life while herorically endeavoring to save a 
friend from drowning. 'Jnvil ten years of age, Andrew 
was a ragged boy about the streets, supported by the 
labor of his mother, who obtained her living with 
her own hands. 

He then, having never attended a school one day, 
and being unable either to read or write, was ap- 
prenticed to a tailor in his native town. A gentleman 
was in the habit of going to the tailor's shop occasion- 
ally, and reading to the boys at work there. He often 
read from the speeches of distinguished British states- 
men. Andrew, who was endowed with a mind of more 
than ordinary native ability, became much interested 
in these speeches ; his ambition was roused, and he 
was inspired with a strong desire to learn to read. 

He accordingly applied himself to tlie alphabet, and 
with tlie assistance of some of his fellow- workmen, 
learned his letters. He then called Ujxin the gentle- 
man to borrow the book of si)eeches. The owner, 



pleased with his zeal, not only gave him the booK. 
but assisted him in learning to combine the letters 
into words. Under such difficulties he pressed oi. 
ward laboriously, spending usually ten or twelve hours 
at work in the shop, and then robbing himself of rest 
and recreation to devote such time as he could to 
reading. 

He went to Tennessee in 1826, and located at 
Greenville, where he married a young lady who pus 
sessed some education. Under her instructions he 
learned to write and cipher. He became prominent 
in the village debating society, and a favorite witk 
the students of Greenville College. In 1828, he or- 
ganized a working man's party, which elected him 
alderman, and in 1830 elected him mayor, which 
position he held three years. 

He now began to take a lively interest in political 
affairs ; identifying himself with the working-classes, 
to which he belonged. In 1835, he was elected a 
member of the House of Representatives of Tennes- 
see. He was then just twenty-seven years of age. 
He became a very active member of the legislature 
gave his adhesion to the Democratic party, and in 
1840 "stumped the State," advocating Martin Van 
Buren's claims to the Presidency, in opposition to thosv 
of Gen. Harrison. In this campaign he acquired much 
readiness as a speaker, and extended and increased 
his reputation. 

In 1841, he was elected State Senator; in 1843, he 
was elected a member of Congress, and by successive 



elections, held that important post for ten years. In, 
1853, he was elected Governor of Tennessee, and' 
was re-elected in 1855. In all these resiwnsible |X)si- 
tioT«, he discharged his duties with distinguished abi. 



84 



ANDREW JOHNSON. 



ity, and proved himself the warm friend of the work- 
ing classes. In 1857, Mr. Johnson was elected 
United States Senator. 

Years before, in 1S45, he had warmly advocated 
the annexation of Texas, stating however, as his 
reason, that he thought this annexation would prob- 
ably prove " to be the gateway out of which the sable 
sons of Africa are to pass from bondage to freedom, 
and become merged in a population congenial to 
themselves." In 1850, he also supported the com- 
promise measures, the two essential features of which 
were, that the white people of the Territories should 
De permitted to decide for themselves whether they 
would enslave the colored people or not, and that 
the *'rec States of the North should return to the 
South persons who attempted to escape from slavery. 

Mr. Johnson was never ashamed of his lowly origin: 
on the contrary, he often took pride in avowing that 
he owed his distinction to his own exertions. "Sir," 
said he on the floor of the Senate, " I do not forget 
that I am a mechanic ; neither do I forget that Adam 
was a tailor and sewed fig-leaves, and that our Sav- 
ior was the son of a carpenter." 

In the Charleston-Baltimore convention of i8uo, ne 
.ivas the choice of the Tennessee Democrats for the 
"Presidency. In 186 1, when the purpose of the South- 
am Democracy became apparent, he took a decided 
stand in favor of the Union, and held that " slavery 
must be held subordinate to the Union at whatever 
cost." He returned to Tennessee, and repeatedly 
imperiled his own life to protect the Unionists of 
Tennesee. Tennessee having seceded from the 
Union, President Lincoln, on March 4th, 1862, ap- 
pointed him Military Governor of the State, and he 
established the most stringent military rule. His 
numerous proclamations attracted wide attention. In 
1864, he was elected Vice-President of the United 
States, and upon the death of Mr. Lincoln, April 15, 
18-65, became President. In a speech two days later 
he said, " The American people must be taught, if 
fhey do not already feel, that treason is a crime and 
must be cutiished ; that the Government will not 
always beai with its enemies ; that it is strong not 
only to protect, but to punish. * * The people 
must understand that it (treason) is the blackest of 
crimes, and will surely be punished." Yet his whole 
administration, the history of which is so well known, 
was in utter inconsistency with, and the most violent 



op]X)sition to, the principles laid down in that speech. 

In his loose policy of reconstruction and general 
amnesty, he was opposed by Congress ; and he char- 
acterized Congress as a new rebellion, and lawlessly 
defied it, in everything possible, to the utmost. In 
the beginnirig of 1868, on account of "high crimes 
and misdemeanors," the principal of which was the 
removal of Secretary Stanton, in violation of the Ten- 
ure of Office Act, articles of impeachment were pre- 
ferred against him, and the trial began March 23. 

It was very tedious, continuing for nearly three 
months. A test article of the impeachment was at 
length submitted to the court for its action. It was 
certain that as the court voted upon that article so 
would it vote upon all. Thirty-four voices pronounced 
the President guilty. As a two-thirds vote was neces- 
sary to his condemnation, he was pronounced ac- 
quitted, notwithstanding the great majority against 
him. The change of one vote from the not guilty 
side would have sustained the impeachment. 

The President, for the remainder of his term, was 
but little regarded. He continued, though impotently, 
his conflict with Congress. His own party did not 
think it expedient to renominate him for the Presi- 
dency. The Nation rallied, with enthusiasm unpar- 
alleled since the days of Washington, around the name 
of Gen. Grant. Andrew Johnson was forgotten. 
The bullet of the assassin introduced him to the 
President's chair. Notwithstanding this, never was 
there presented to a man a better opportunity to im- 
mortalize his name, and to win the gratitude of a 
nation. He failed utterly. He retired to his home 
in Greenville, Tenn., taking no very active part in 
politics until 1875. On Jan. 26, after an exciting 
struggle, he was chosen by the Legislature of Ten- 
nessee, United States Senator in the forty-fourth Con- 
gress, and took his seat in that body, at the special 
session convened by President Grant, on the 5th of 
March. On the 27th of July, 1875, the ex-President 
made a visit to his daughter's home, near Carter 
Station, Tenn. When he started on his journey, he was 
apparently in his usual vigorous healtli, but on reach- 
ing the residence of his child the following day, was 
stricken with paralysis, rendering him unconscious. 
He rallied occasionally, but finally passed away at 
2 A.M., July 31, aged sixty-seven years. His fun- 
eral was attended at Geenville, on the 3d of August, 
with every demonstration of respect. 



ErGrfTEENTH PRESIDENT. 






LYSSES S. GRANT, the 

|J) eighteenth President of the 

^> United States, was born on 

the 29th of April, 1822, of 

Christian parents, in a humble 

''iS^ti^vV^J:/; home, at Point Pleasant, on the 
banks of the Ohio. Shortly after 
his father moved to George- 
town, Brown Co., O. In this re- 
mote frontier hamlet, Ulysses 
received a common-school edu- 
cation. At the age of seven- 
teen, in the year 1839, he entered 
the Military Academy at West 
Point. Here he was regarded as a 
solid, sensible young man of fair abilities, and of 
sturdy, honest character. He took respectable rank 
as a scholar. In June, 1S43, he graduated, about the 
middle in his class, and was sent as lieutenant of in- 
fantry to one of the distant military posts in the Mis- 
scuri Territory. Two years he past in these dreary 
solitudes, watching the vagabond and exasperating 
Indians. 

The war with Mexico came. Lieut. Grant was 
sent with his regiment to Corpus Christi. His first 
battle was at Palo Alto. There was no chance here 
for the exhibition of either skill or heroism, nor at 
Resaca de la Palma, his second battle. At the battle 
of Monterey, his third engagement, it is said that 
ne performed a signal service of daring and skillful 
horsemanship. His brigade had exhausted its am- 
munition. .\ messenger must be sent for more, along 
a route exposed to the bullets of the foe. Lieut. 
Grant, adopting an expedient learned of the Indians, 
grasped the mane of his horse, and hanging u|X)n one 
side of the anin»i>l, ran the gauntlet in entire safety. 



From Monterey he was sent, with the fourth infantry, 
to aid Gen. Scott, at the siege of Vera Cruz. In 
preparation for the march to the city of Mexico, he 
was appointed quartermaster of his regiment. At the 
battle of Molino del Rey, he was promoted to a 
first lieutenancy, and was brevetted captain at Cha- 
pultepec. 

At the close of the Mexican War, Capt. Grant re- 
turned with his regiment to New York, and was again 
sent to one of the military posts on the frontier. The 
discovery of gold in California causing an immense 
tide of emigration to flow to the Pacific shores, Capt. 
Grant was sent with a battalion to Fort Dallas, in 
Oregon, for the protection of the interests of the im- 
migrants. Life was wearisome in those wilds. Capt. 
Grant resigned his commission and returned to the 
States; and having married, entered upon the cultiva- 
tion of a small farm near St. Louis, Mo. He had but 
little skill as a farmer. Finding his toil not re- 
munerative, he turned to mercantile life, entering into 
the leather business, with a younger brother, at Ga- 
lena, 111. This was in the year i860. As the tidings 
of the rebels firing on Fort Sumpter reached the ears 
of Capt. Grant in his counting-room, he said, — 
"Uncle Sam has educated me for the army: though 
I have served him through one war, I do not feel that 
I have yet repaid the debt. I am still ready todis«:harge 
my obligations. I shall therefore buckle on my iword 
and see Uncle Sam through this war too." 

He went into the streets, raised a cempany of vol- 
unteers, and led them as their captain to Springfield, 
the capital of the State, where their services were 
offered to Gov. Yates. The Governor, impressed by 
the zeal and straightforward executive ability of Capt. ; 
Grant, gave him a desk in his office, to assist in the^ 
volunteer organization that was being formed in the 
State in behalf of the Government. On the ic*'' oj 



•38 



UL YSSES S. GHA NT. 



June, 1 86 1, Capt. Grant received a commission as 
Colonel of the Twenty-first Regiment of Illinois Vol- 
unteers. His merits as a West Point graduate, who 
had served for 15 years in the regular array, were such 
that he was soon promoted to the rank of Brigadier- 
(General and was placed in command at Cairo. The 
irebels raised their banner at Paducah, near the mouth 
of the Tennessee River. Scarcely had its folds ap- 
peared in the breeze ere Gen. Grant was there. The 
rebels fled. Their banner fell, and the star and 
stripes were unfurled in its stead. 

He entered the service with great determination 
and immediately began active duty. This was the be- 
ginning, and until the surrenderor Lee at Richmond 
he was ever pushing tlie enemy with great vigor and 
effectiveness. At Belmont, a few days later, he sur- 
prised and routed the rebels, then at Fort Henry 
won another victory. Then came the brilliant fight 
at Fort Donelson. The nation was electrified by the 
victory, and the brave leader of the boys in blue was 
immediately made a Major-General, and the military 
district of Tennessee was assigned to him. 

Like all great captains. Gen. Grant knew well how 
to secure the results of victory. He immediately 
pushed on to the enemies' lines. Then came the 
•lerrible battles of Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, and the 
siege of Vicksburg, where Gen. Pemberton made an 
unconditional surrender of the city with over thirty 
thousand men and one-hundred and seventy-two can- 
non. The fall of Vicksburg was by far the most 
severe blow which the rebels had thus far encountered, 
and opened up the Mississippi from Cairo to the Gulf. 

Gen. Grant was next ordered to co-operate with 
Gen. Banks in a movement upon Texas, and pro- 
ceeded to New Orleans, where he was thrown from 
his horse, and received severe injuries, from which he 
was laid up for months. He then rushed to the aid 
i»f Gens. Rosecrans and Thomas at Chattanooga, and 
by a wonderful series of strategic and technical meas- 
ures put tlie Union Army in fighting condition. Then 
followed the bloody battles at Chattanooga, Lookout 
Mountain and Missionary Ridge, in which the rebels 
were routed with great loss. This won for him un- 
bounded praise in the North. On the 4th of Febru- 
ary, 1864, Congress revived the grade of lieutenant- 
general, and the rank was conferred on Gen. Grant. 
He repaired to Washington to receive his credentials 
and enter upon th*" duties of his new office 



Gen. Grant decided as soon as he took charge of 
ihe army to concentrate the widely-dispersed National 
troops for an attack upon Richmond, the nominal 
capital of the Rebellion, and endeavor there to de- 
stroy the rebel armies which would be promptly as- 
sembled from all quarters for its defence. The whole 
continent seemed to tremble under the tramp of these 
majestic armies, rushing to the decisive battle field. 
Steamers were crowded with troops. Railway trains 
were burdened with closely packed thousands. His 
plans were comprehensive and involved a series of 
campaigns, which were executed with remarkable en- 
ergy and ability, and were consummated at the sur- 
render of Lee, April 9, 1865. 

The war was ended. The Union was saved. The 
almost unanimous voice of the Nation declared Gen. 
Grant to be the most prominent instrument in its saU 
vation. The eminent services he had thus rendered 
the country brought him conspicuously forward as the 
Republican candidate for the Presidential chair. 

At the Republican Convention held at Chicago. 
May 21, 1868, he was unanimously nominated for the 
Presidency, and at the autumn election received a 
majority of the popular vote, and 214 out of 294 
electoral votes. 

The National Convention of the Republican party 
which met at Philadelphia on the 5th of June, 1872, 
placed Gen. Grant in nomination for a second term 
by a unanimous vote. The selection was emphati- 
cally indorsed by the people five months later, 292 
electoral votes being cast for him. 

Soon after the close of his second term, Gen. Grant 
started upon his famous trip around the world. He 
visited almost every country of the civilized world, 
and was everywhere received with such ovations 
and demonstrations of respect and honor, iiiiv.ite 
as well as public and official, as were never before 
bestowed upon any citizen of the United States. 

He was the most prominent candidate before the 
Re])ublican National Convention in 1880 for a re- 
nomination for President. He went to New York and 
embarked in the brokerage business under the firm 
nameof Grant & Ward. The latter proved a villain, 
wrecked Grant's fortune, and for larceny was sent to 
the, penitentiary. The General was attacked with 
cancer in the throat, but suffered in his stoic-like 
manner, never complaining. He was re-instated as 
General of the Army and retired by Congress. The 
cancer soon finished its deadly work, and July 23, 
1885, the nation went in mourning over the death of 
the illustrious General. 




6.^-^o-'^' 



, L 



<^-v^ 



-y^^j 



NINETEENTH PRESIDENT. 



91 





RUTHERF©MD Be H^aY^SS. 








UTHERFORD B. HAYES, 
the nineteenth President of 
the United States, was born in 
Delaware, O., Oct. 4, 1822, al- 
most three months after the 
death of his father, Rutherford 
Hayes. His ancestry on both 
the paternal and maternal sides, 
was of the most honorable char- 
acter. It can be traced, it is said, 
as far back as 1280, when Hayes and 
Rutherford were two Scottish chief- 
tains, fighting side by side with 
Baliol, William Wallace and Robert 
Bruce. Both families belonged to the 
nobility, owned extensive estates, 
and had a large following. Misfor- 
:ane cvtf<aking the family, George Hayes left Scot- 
.and in 16.S0, and settled in Windsor, Conn. His son 
Lleorge wa; born in Windsor, and remained there 
during his life. Daniel Hayes, son of the latter, mar- 
lied Sarah Lee, and lived from the time of his mar- 
riage until his death in Simsbury, Conn. Ezekiel, 
son of Daniel, was born in 1724, and was a manufac- 
turer of scythes at Bradford, Conn. Rutherford Hayes, 
son of Ezekiel aiid grandfather of President Hayes, was 
born in New Haven, in August, 1756. He was a farmer, 
blacksmith and tavern-keeper. He emigrated to 
Vermont at an uiiknown date, settling in Brattleboro, 
where he established a hotel. Here his son Ruth- 
erford Hayes the father of President Hayes, was 



born. He was married, in September, 1813, to Sophia 
Birchard, of Wilmington, Vt., whose ancestors emi- 
grated thither from Connecticut, they having been 
among the wealthiest and best famlies of Norwich. 
Her ancestry on the male side are traced back to 
1635, to John Birchard, one of the principal founders 
of Norwich. Both of her grandfathers were soldiers 
in the Revolutionary War. 

The father of President Hayes was an industrious 
frugal and opened-hearted man. He was of a me- 
chanical turn, and could mend a plow, knit a stock- 
ing, or do almost anything else thjt he choose to 
undertake. He was a member of the Church, active 
in all the benevolent enterprises of the town, and con- 
ducted his business on Christian principles. After 
the close of the war of 181 2, for reasons inexplicable 
to his neighbors, he resolved to emis;rate to Ohio. 

The journey from Vermont to Ohio in that day 
when there were no canals, steamers, not railways, 
was a very serious affair. A tour of inspection was 
first made, occupying four months. Mr. Hayes deter 
mined to move to Delaware, where the family arrived 
in 1817. He died July 22, 1822, a victim of malarial 
fever, less than three months before the birth of the 
son, of whom we now write. Mrs. Hayes, in her sore be- 
reavement, found the support she so much needed in 
her brother Sardis, who had been a member of the 
household from the day of its departure from Ver- 
mont, and in an orphan girl whom she had ado])led 
some time before as an act of charity. 

Mrs. Hayes at this period was very weak, and the 



98 



RUTHERFORD B. HAYES. 



subject of this sketch was so feeble at birth that he 
was not expected to hve beyond a month or two at 
most. As the months went -by he grew weaker and 
weaker, so that the neighbors were in the habit of in- 
quiring from time to time " if Mrs. Hayes' baby died 
iast night." On one occasion a neighbor, who was on 
lamihar terms with the family, after alludmg to the 
boy's big head, and the mother's assiduous care of 
him, said in a bantering way, " That's right! Stick to 
him. You have got him along so far, and I shouldn't 
wonder if he would really come to something yet." 

" You need not laugh," said Mrs. Hayes. "You 
vvait and see. You can't tell but I shall make him 
President of the United States yet." The boy lived, 
in spite of the universal predictions of his speedy 
death; and when, in 1S25, his older brother was 
drowned, he became, if possible, still dearer to his 
mother. 

The boy was seven years old before he w^nt to 
school. His education, however, was not neglected. 
He probably learned as much from his mother and 
sister as he would have done at school. His sports 
were almost wholly within doors, his playmates being 
his sister and her associates. These circumstances 
tended, no doubt, to foster that gentleness of dispo- 
sition, and that delicate consideration for the feelings 
of others, which are marked traits of his character. 

His uncle Sardis Birchard took the deepest interest 
kn his education ; and as the boy's health had im- 
proved, and he was making good progress in his 
studies, he proposed to send him to college. His pre- 
paration commenced with a tutor at home; but he 
was afterwards sent for one year to a professor in the 
Wesleyan University, in Middletown, Conn. He en- 
tered Kenyon College in 1838, at the age of sixteen, 
and was gradiiated at the head of his class in 1842. 

Immediately after his graduation he began the 
study of law in the office of Thomas Sparrow, Esq., 
in Columbus. Finding his opportunities for study in 
Columbus somewhat limited, he determined to enter 
the Law School at Cambridge, Mass., where he re- 
mained two years. 

In 1845, after graduatmg at the Law School, he was 
admitted to the bar at Marietta, Ohio, and shortly 
afterward went into practice as an attorney-at-law 
with Ralph P. Buckland, of Fremont. Here he re- 
mained three years, acquiring but a limited practice, 
and apparently unambitious of distinction in his pro- 
fession. 

\n 1849 he moved to Cincinnati, where his ambi- 
tion found a new stimulus. For several years, how- 
ever, his progress was slow. Two events, occurring at 
this period, had a powerful influence upon his sulise- 
quent 'ife. One of these was his marrage with Miss 
TLucy Ware Webb, daughter of Dr. James Webb, of 
Chilicothe; the othei- was his introduction to the Cin- 
cinnati Literary Club, a body embracing among its 
. members such men as'^hief Justice Salmon^^ Ch ase, 



Gen. John Pope, Gov. Edward F. Noyes, and many 
others hardly less distinguished in after life. The 
marriage was a fortunate one in every respect, as 
everybody knows. Not one of all the wives of our 
Presidents was more universally admired, reverenced 
and beloved than was Mrs. Hayes, and no one did 
more than she to reflect honor upon American woman- 
hood. The Literary Cluu brought Mr. Hayes into 
constant association with young men of high char- 
acter and noble aims, and lured him to display the 
qualities so long hidden by his bashfulness and 
modesty. 

In 1856 he was nominated to the office of Judg; of 
the Court of Common Pleas; but he declined to ac< 
cept the nomination. Two years later, the office of 
city solicitor becoming vacant, the City Council 
elected him for the unexpired term. 

In 1 86 1, when the Rebellion broke out, he was at 
the zenith of his professional lif,. His rank at the 
bar was among the the first. But the news of the 
attack on Fort Sumpter found him eager to take -id 
arms for the defense of his country. 

His military record was bright and illustrious. l\\ 
October, 1861, he was made Lieutenant-Colonel, and 
in August, 1862, promoted Colonel of the ygth Ohio 
regiment, but he refused to leave his old comrades 
and go among strangers. Subsequently, however, Jie 
was made Colonel of his old regiment. At the battle 
of South Mountain he received a wound, and while 
faint and bleeding displayed courage and fortitude 
that won admiration from all. 

Col. Hayes was detached from his regiment, after 
his recovery, to act as Brigadier-General, and j)laced 
in command of the celebrated Kanawha division, 
and for gallant and meritorious services in the battles 
of Winchester, Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek, he was 
promoted Brigadier-General. He was also brevetted 
Major-General, "forgallant and distinguished pervices 
during the campaigns of 1864, in West Virginia." In 
the course of his arduous services, four horses were 
shot from under him, and he was wounded four times 

In 1864, Gen. Hayes was elected to Congress, from 
the Second Ohio District, whiclr had long been Dem- 
ocratic. He was not present during the campaign, 
and after his election was importuned to resign his 
commission in the army ; but he finally declared, " I 
shall never come to Washington until I can come by 
the way of Richmond." He was re-elected in 1866. 

In 1867, Gen Hayes was elected Governor of Ohio, 
over Hon. Allen G. Thunnan, a poptilai Democrat. 
In i86g was re-eiected over George H. Pendleton. 
He was elected Governor for the third term in 1875. 

In 1876 he was the standard beaier of the Repub- 
lican Party in the Presidential contest, and after a 
hard long contest was chosen President; and was in 
augurated Monday, March 5, 1875. He served his 
full term, not, hi-wever, with satisfaction to his party, 
but his admiiristiation was an average o.'\'? 



TiVEls/TlETH PRESWENT. 



95 



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AMES A. GARFIELD, twen- 
tieth President of the United 
States, was born Nov. 19, 
1831, in the woods of Orange, 
Cuyahoga Co., O His par- 
ents were Abram and EHza 
\, (Ballou) Garfield, both of New 
England ancestry and from fami- 
lies well known in the early his- 
tory of that section of our coun- 
try, but had moved to the Western 
Reserve, in Ohio, early in its settle- 
ment. 

The house in which James A. was 
born was not unlike the houses of 
poor Ohio farmers of that day. It 
.ciE about 20x30 feet, built of logs, witli the spaces be- 
.wsun the logs filled with clay. His father was a 
.iard working farmer, and he soon had his fields 
jleared, an orchard planted, and a log barn built. 
The household comprised the father and mother and 
•heir four children — Mehetabcl, Thomas, Mary and 
"ames. In May, 1823^ the father, from a cold con- 
.racted in helping to put out a forest fire, died. At 
'his time James was about eighteen months old, and 
''liomas about ten years old. No one, perhaps, can 
fell how much James was indebted to his biother's 
toil and self sacrifice during the twenty years suc- 
ceeding his father's death, but undoubtedly very 
much. He now lives in Michigan, and the two sis- 
itis live in Solon, O., near their birthplace. 

The early educational advantages young Garfield 
t^njoyed were very limited, yet he made the most of 
them. He labored at farm work for others, did car- 
penter work, chopped wood, or did anything that 
would bring in a few dollars to aid his widowed 
mother in he' ■^tinggles to keep the little family to- 



gether. Nor was Gen. Garfield ever ashamed of his 
origin, and he never forgot the friends of his strug- 
gling childhood, youth and manhood, neither did they 
ever forget him. When in the highest seats of honor, 
the humblest fiiend of his boyhood was as kindly 
greeted as ever. The poorest laborer was sure of the 
sympathy of one who had known all the bitterness 
of want and the sweetness of bread earned by the 
sweat of the brow. He was ever the simple, plain, 
modest gentleman. 

The highest ambition of young Garfield until hi 
was about sixteen years old was to be a captain of 
a vessel on Lake Erie. He was anxious to go aboard 
a vessel, which his mother strongly opposed. Shel 
finally consented to his going to Cleveland, with the 
understanding, liowever, that he should try to obtair- 
some other kind of employment. He walked all the 
way to Cleveland. This was his first visit to the city 
After making many applications for work, and trying 
to get aboard a lake vessel, and not meeting with 
success, he engaged as a driver for his cousin, Amos 
Letcher, on the Oliio & Pennsylvania Canal. Here- 
mained at this work but a short time when he wen" 
home, and attended the seminary at Chester for 
about three years, when he entered Hiram and the 
Eclectic Institute, teaching a few terms of school in 
the meantime, and doing other work. This school 
was started by the Disciples of Christ in 1850, of 
which church he was then a member. He became 
janitor and bell-ringer in order to helj) pay his way 
He then became both teacher and jnipil. He soon 
" exhausted Hiram " and needed more ; hence, in the 
fall of 1854, he entered Williams College, from which 
he graduated in 1856, taking one of the highest ho..- 
ors of his class. He afterwards returned to Hiram 
College as its President. As above stated, he early 
united with the Christian or Diciples Chu'-ch at 
Hiram, and was ever after a devoted, zealous mem- 
ber, often preaching in its juilpit and places where 
he happened to be. Dr. Noah Porter, Prcsidrrt of 
Vale College, says of him in reference to his religion : 



96 



JAMES A. GA-RFIELD. 



" President Garfield was more than a man of 
strong moral and religions convictions. His whole 
history, from boyhood to the last, shows that duty to 
man and to God, and devotion to Christ and life and 
faith and spiritual commission were controlling springs 
of his being, and to a more than usual degree. In 
my judgment there is no more interesting feature of 
his character than his loyal allegiance to the body of 
Christians in which he was trained, and the fervent 
sympathy which he ever showed in their Christian 
communion. Not many of the few 'wise and mighty 
and noble who are called ' show a similar loyalty to 
the less stately and cultured Christian comnmnions 
in which they have been reared. Too often it is true 
that as they step upward in social and political sig- 
nificance they step upward from one degree to 
another in some of the many types of fashionable 
Christianity. President Garfield adhered to the 
church of his mother, the church in which he was 
trained, and in which he served as a pillar and an 
evangelist, and yet with the largest and most unsec- 
tarian charity for all 'who loveour Lord in sincerity.'" 

Mr. Garfield was united in marriage with Miss 
Lucretia Rudolph, Nov. ii, 1858, who proved herself 
worthy as the wife of one whom all the world loved and 
mourned. To them were born seven children, five of 
whom are still living, four boys and one girl. 

Mr. Garfield made his first political speeches in 1856, 
in Hiram and the neighboring villages, and three 
years later he began to speak at county mass-meet- 
ings, and became the favorite speaker wherever he 
was. During this year he was elected to the Ohio 
Senate. He also began to study law at Cleveland, 
and in 1861 was admitted to the bar. The great 
Rebellion broke out in the early part of this year, 
and Mr. Garfield at once resolved to fight as he had 
talked, and enlisted to defend the old flag. He re- 
ceived his commission as Lieut. -Colonel of the Forty- 
second Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Aug. 
14, i86r. He was immediately put into active ser- 
vice, and before he had ever seen a gun fired in action, 
was placed in command of four regiments of infantry 
and eight companies of cavalry, charged with the 
work of driving out of his native State the officer 
'Humphrey Marshall) reputed to be the ablest of 
those, not educated to war whom Kentucky had given 
to the Rebellion. This work was bravely and speed- 
ily accomplished, although against great odds. Pres- 
ident Lincoln, on his success commissioned him 
Brigadier-General, Jan. 10, 1862; and as "he had 
been the youngest man in the Ohio Senate two years 
before, so now he was the youngest General in the 
army." He was with Gen. Buell's army at Shiloh, 
in its operations around Corinth and its march through 
Alabama. He was then detailed as a member of the 
General Court-Martial for the trial of Gen. Fitz-John 
Porter. He was then ordered to report to Gen. Rose- 
crans, and was assigned to the " Chief of Staff." 

The military Ju'story of Gen. Garfield closed with 



his brilliant services at Chickamauga, where he won 
the stars of the Major-General. 

Without an effort on his part Gew Garfield wa» 
elected to Congress in the fall of 1862 from the 
Nineteenth District of Ohio. This section of Ohio 
had been represented in Congiess for sixty year* 
mainly by two men — Elisha Whittlesey and Joshui, 
R. Giddings. It was not without a struggle that he 
resigned his place in the army. At the time he en- 
tered Congress he was the youngest member in that 
body. There he remained by successive re- 
elections until he was elected President in 1880. 
Of his labors in Congress Senator Hoar says : " Since 
the year 1864 you cannot think of a question whicii 
has been debated in Congress, or discussed before a 
tribunel of the American people, in regard to whict- 
you will not find, if you wish mstruction, the argu- 
ment on one side stated, in almost every instance 
better than by anybody else, in some speech made in 
the House of Representatives or on the hustings by 
Mr. Garfield." 

Upon Jan. 14, 1880, Gen. Garfield was elected to 
the U. S. Senate, and on the eighth of June, of the 
same year, was nominated as the candidate of his 
party for President at the great Chicago Convention. 
He was elected in the following November, and on 
March 4, i8Sr, was inaugurated. Probably no ad- 
ministration ever opened its existence under brighter 
auspices than that of President Garfield, and every 
day it grew in favor with the people, and by the first 
of July he had completed all the initiatory and pre- 
liminary work of his administration and was prepar- 
ing to leave the city to meet his friends at Williams 
College. While on his way and at the depot, in com- 
pany with Secretary Blaine, a man stepped behind 
him, drew a revolver, and fired directly at his back. 
The President tottered and fell, and as he did so the 
assassin fired a second shot, the bullet cutting the 
left coat sleeve of his victim, but in.licting no further 
injury. It has been very truthfully said that this was 
" the sliot that was heard round the world " Never 
before in the history of the Nation had anything oc- 
curred which so nearly froze the blood of the peop"^ 
for the moment, as this awful deed. He was smit- 
ten on the brightest, gladdest day of all his life, and 
was at the summit of his power and hope. For eighty 
days, all during the hot months of July and August, 
he lingered and suffered. He, however, remained 
master of himself till the last, and by his magnificent 
bearing was teaching the country and the world the 
noblest of human lessons — how to live grandly in the 
very clutch of death. Great in life, he was surpass- 
ingly great in death. He passed serenely away Sept. 
T9, 1883, at Elberon, N. J , on the very bank of the 
ocean, where he had been taken shortly previous. The 
world wept at his death, as it never had done on the 
death of any other man who had ever lived upon it. 
The murderer was duly tried, found guilty and exe- 
cuted, in one year after he committed the fou? deed. 




\W""'*f-*^^'^''^l 




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TWENTY-FIRST PRESIDENT. 



99 






HESTER A. ARTHUR, 

twenty-first Presi'^.^m of the 

United States, was born in 

Franklin Cour ty, Vermont, on 

thefifthof Odober, 1830, and is 

the oldest of a family of two 

sons and five daughters. His 

father was the Rev. Dr. William 

Arthur, a Baptist d'.rgyman, who 

emigrated to tb.s countr)' frcn 

the county Antrim, Ireland, in 

his i8th year, and died in 1875, in 

Newtonville, neai Albany, after a 

long and successful ministry. 

Young Arthur was educated at 
Union College, S( henectady, where 
he excelled in all his studies. Af- 
ter his graduation he taught school 
in Vermont for two years, and at 
the expiration of that time came to 
New York, with $500 in his ixjcket, 
and entered the office of ex-Judge 
E. D. Culver as student. After 
being admitted to the bar he formed 
a partnership with his intimate friend and room-mate, 
Henry I). Gardiner, with the intention of practicing 
in the West, and for three months they roamed about 
in the Western States in search of an eligible site, 
but in the end returned to New York, where they 
hung out their shingle, and entered upon a success^ 
ful career almost from the start. General Arthur 
soon afterward nMLrppd the daughter of Lieutenant 



Hemdon, of the United States Navy, who was lost at 
sea. Congress voted a gold medal to his widow in 
recognition of the bravery he displayed on that occa- 
sion. Mrs. Arthur died shortly before Mr. Arthur's 
nomination to the Vice Presidency, leaving two 
children. 

Gen. Arthur obtained considerable legal celebrity 
in his first great case, the famous Lemnton suit, 
brought to recover possession of eight slaves who had 
been declared free by Judge Paine, of the Sujierior 
Court of New York City. It was in 1852 that Jon. 
athan Lemmon, of Virginia, went to New York with 
his slaves, intending to ship them to Texas, when 
they were discovered and freed. The Judge decided 
that they could not be held by the owner under the 
Fugitive Slave Law. A howl of rage went up fiom 
the South, and the Virginia Legislature authorized the 
Attorney General of that State to assist in an appeal. 
Wm. M. Evarts and Chester A. Arthur were employed 
to represent the People, and they won their case, 
which then went to the Supreme Court of the United 
States. Charles O'Conor here esjxiused the cause 
of the slave-holders, but he too was beaten by Messrs 
Evarts and Arthur, and a long step was taken toward 
the emancipation of the black race. 

Another great service was rendered by General 
Arthur in the same cause in 1856. Lizzie Jennings, 
a respectable colored woman, was put off a Fourth 
Avenue car with violence after she had paid her fare. 
General Arthur sued on her behalf, and secured a 
verdict of $500 damages. The next day the com])a- 
ny issued an order to admit colored persons to ride 
on their cars, and the other car companies quickly 



100 



CHESTER A. ARTHUR. 



followed their example. Before that the Sixth Ave- 
nue Company ran a few special cars for colored per- 
sons and the other lines refused to let them ride at all. 

General Arthur was a delegate to the Convention 
at Saratoga that founded the Republican party. 
Previous to the war he was Judge-Advocate of the 
Second Brigade of the State of New York, and Gov- 
ernor Morgan, of that State, appointed him Engineer- 
in-Chief of his staff. In 1861, he was made Inspec- 
tor General, and soon afterward became Quartermas- 
ter-General. In each of these offices he rendered 
great service to the Government during the war. At 
the end of Governor Morgan's terra he resumed the 
practice of the law, forming a partnership with Mr. 
Ransom, and then Mr. Phelps, the District Attorney 
of New York, was added to the firm. The legal prac- 
tice of this well-known firm was very large and lucra- 
tive, each of the gentlemen composing it were able 
lawyers, and possessed a splendid local reputation, if 
not indeed one of national extent. 

He always took a leading part in State and city 
politics. He was appointed Collector of the Port of 
New York by President Grant, Nov. 21 r 87 2, to suc- 
ceed TTfomas Murphy, and held the office until July, 
20, r878, when he was succeeded by Collector Merritt. 

Mr. Arthi'.r was nominated on the Presidential 
ticket, with Gen. James A. Garfield, at the famous 
National Republican Convention held at Chicago in 
June, 1880. This was perhaps the greatest political 
convention that ever assembled on the continent. It 
was composed of the 'wading politicians of the Re- 
publican party, all able men, and each stood firm and 
fought vigorously and with signal tenacity for their 
respective candidates that were before the conven- 
tion for the nomination. Finally Gen. Garfield re- 
ceived the nomination for President and Gen. Arthur 
for Vice-President. The campaign which followed 
was one of the most animated known in the history of 
our country. Gen. Hancock, the standard-bearer of 
the Democratic party, was a popular man, and his 
party made a valiant fight for his election. 

Finally the election came and the country's choice 
,vas Garfield and Arthur. They were inaugurated 
.vlarch 4, 1881, as President and Vice-President. 
K few months only had passed ere the newly chosen 
President was the victim of the assassin's bullet. Then 
came terrible weeks of suffering, — those moment* of 
anxious suspense, when the hearts of all civilized na- 



tions were throbbing in unison, longing for the re- 
covery of the noble, the good President. The remark- 
able patience that he manifested during those hours 
and weeks, and even months, of the most terrible suf- 
fering man has often been called upon to endure, was 
seemingly more than human. It was certainly God- 
like. During all this period of deepest anxiety Mr. 
Arthur's every move was watched, and be it said to hisi 
credit that his every action displayed only an earnest 
desire that the suffering Garfield might recover, to 
serve the remainder of the term he had so auspi- 
ciously begun. Not a selfish feeling was manifested 
in deed or look of this man, even though the most 
honored position in the world was at any moment 
likely to fall to him. 

At last God in his mercy relieved President Gar- 
field from further suffering, and the world, as nevei 
before in its history over the death of any other 
man, wept at his bier. Then it became the duty o) 
the Vice President to £.3sume the responsibilities o) 
the high office, and he took the oath in New York, 
Sept. 20, i88r. The position was an embarrassing 
one to him, made doubly so from the facts that all 
eyes were, on him, anxious to know what he would do, 
what [xjlicy he would pursue, and who he would se- 
lect as advisers. The duties of the office had been 
greatly neglected during the President's long illness,' 
and many imix)rtant measures were to be immediately 
decided by him ; and still farther to embarrass him he 
did not fail to realize under what circumstances he 
became President, and knew the feelings of many on 
this point. Under these trying circumstances President 
Arthur took the reins of the Government in his own 
hands ; and, as embarrassing as were the condition of 

affair.- he happily surprised the nation, acting so 
WLsei\ hat but few criticised >is administration. 
He served the nation well and fa-thfully, until the 
close of his administration, March 4, 1885, and was 
a popular candidate before his party for a second 
term. His name was ably presented before the con- 
vention at Chicago, and was received with great 
favor, and doubtless but for the personal popularity 
of one of the opposing candidates, he would have 
been selected as the standard-bearer of his party- 
for another campaign. He retired to private life car- 
rying with him the best wishes of the American peo- 
ple, whom he had served in a manner satisfactory 
to them and with credit to himself. 




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TWENTY-SECOND PRESIDENT. 



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TEPHEN GROVER CLEVE- 
LAND, the twenty- second Pres- 
ident of the United States, was 
born in 1837, in the obscure 
town of Caldwell, Essex Co., 
N. J., and in a little two-and-a- 
half-story white house which is still 
standing, characteristically to mark 
the humble birth-place of one of 
America's great men in striking con- 
trast with the Old World, where all 
men high in office must be high in 
origin and born in the cradle of 
wealth. When the subject of this 
sketch was three years of age, his 
father, who was a Presbyterian min- 
ister, with a large family and a small salary, moved, 
by way of the Hudson River and Erie Canal, to 
Fayetteville, in search of an increased income and a 
larger field of work. Fayetteville was then the most 
straggling of country villages, about five miles from 
Pompey Hill, where Governor Seymour was born. 

At the last mentioned place young Grover com- 
menced going to school in the " good, old-fashioned 
way," and presumably distinguished himself after the 
manner of all village boys, in doing the things he 
ought not to do. Such is the distinguishing trait of 
all geniuses and independent thinkers. When he 
arrived at the age of 14 years, he had outgrown the 
rapacity of the village school and expressed a most 



emphatic desire to be sent to an academy. To this 
his father decidedly objected. Academies in those 
days cost money; besides, his father wanted him to 
become self-supporting by the quickest possible 
means, and this at that time in Fayetteville seemed 
to be a position in a country store, where his father 
and the large family on his hands had considerable 
influence. Grover was to be paid $50 for his services 
the first year, and if he proved trustworthy he was to 
receive $100 the second year. Here the lad com- 
menced his career as salesman, and in two years he 
had earned so good a reputation for trustworthiness 
that his employers desired to retain him for an in- 
definite length of time. Otherwise he did not ex- 
hibit as yet any particular " flashes of genius " or 
eccentricities of talent. He was simply a good boy. 
But instead of remaining with this firm in Fayette- 
ville, he went with the family in their removal to 
Clinton, where he had an opportunity of attending a 
high school. Here he industriously pursued his 
studies until the family removed with him to a point 
on Black River known as the " Holland Patent," a 
village of 500 or 600 people, 15 miles north of Utica, 
N. Y. At this place his father died, after preaching 
but three Sundays. This event broke up the family, 
and Grover set out for New York City to accept, at a 
small salary, the position of " under-teacher " in an 
asylum for the blind. He taught faithfully for two 
years, and although he obtaim^d a good reputation in 
this capacity, he conclu(i»d that teaching was not his 



104 



S. GROVE R CLEVELAND. 



calling for life, and, reversing the tradition*.! order, 
he left the city to seek his fortune, instead of going 
to a city. He first thought of Cleveland, Ohio, as 
th'ire was some charm in that name for him; but 
before proceeding to that place he went to Buffalo to 
*sk the advice of his uncle, Lewis F. Allan, a noted 
stock-breeder of that place. The latter did not 
Sfwak enthusiastically. "What is it you want to do, 
my boy?" he asked. "Well, sir, I want to study 
lav," was the reply. "Good gracious!" remarked 
ih* old gentleman ; " do you, indeed 1 What ever put 
that into your head? How much money have you 
got?" "Well, sir, to tell the truth, I haven't got 
any. 

After a long consultation, his uncle offered him a 
place temporarily as assistant herd-keeper, at $50 a 
year, while he could "look around." One day soon 
afterward he boldly walked into the office of Rogers, 
Bowen & Rogers, of Buffalo, and told Ihem what he 
wanted. A number of young men were already en- 
gaged in the office, but Grover's persistency won, and 
he was finally permitted to come as an office boy and 
Save the use of the law library, for the nominal sum 
of $3 or $4 a week. Out of this he had to pay for 
his board and washing. The walk to and from his 
luncle's was a long and rugged one; and, although 
the first winter was a memorably severe one, his 
shoes were out of repair and his overcoat — he had 
none — yet he was nevertheless prompt and regular. 
On the first day of his service here, his senior em- 
ployer threw down a copy of Blackstone before him 
with a bang that made the dust fly, saying "That's 
where they all begin." A titter ran around the little 
circle of clerks and students, as they thought that 
was enough to scare young Grover out of his plans ; 
but indue time he mastered that cumbersome volume. 
Then, as ever afterward, however, Mr. Cleveland 
exhibited a talent for executiveness rather than for 
chasing principles through all their metaphysical 
possibilities. " Let us quit talking and go and do 
it," was practically his motto. 

The first public office to which Mr. Cleveland was 
elected was that of Sheriff of Erie Co., N. Y., in 
which Buffalo is situated; and in such capacity it fell 
to his duty to inflict capital pi'".Ishment upon two 
cjiminals. Li rSSt he was elected Mayor of the 
City of Buffalo, on the Democratic ticket, with es- 
pecial reference to the bringing about certain reforms 



in the administration of the municipal affairs of that 
city. In this office, as well as that of Sheriff, his 
performance of duty has generally been considered 
fair, with possibly a few exceptions which were fer- 
reted out and magnified during the last Presidential 
campaign. As a specimen of his plain language in 
a veto message, we quote from one vetoing an iniqui 
tous street-cleaning contract: "This is a time fo\ 
plain speech, and my objection to your action shall 
be plainly stated. I regard it as the culmination of 
a mos bare-faced, impudent and shameless scheme 
to betray the interests of the people and to worse 
tlian squander the people's money." The New York 
Sun afterward very highly commended Mr. Cleve- 
land's administration as Mayor of Buffalo, and there- 
upon recommended him for Governor of the Empire 
State. To the latter office he was elected in 1882, 
and his administration of the affairs of State was 
generally satisfactory. The mistakes he made, if 
any, were made very public throughout the nation 
after he was nominated for President of the United 
States. For this high office he was nominated July 
II, 1884, by the National Democratic Convention at 
Chicago, when other competitors were Thomas F. 
Bayard, Roswell P. Flower, Thomas A. Hendricks, 
Benjamin F. Butler, Allen G. Thurman, etc.; and he 
was elected by the people, by a majority of about a 
thousand, over the brilliant and long-tried Repub- 
lican statesman, James G. Blaine. President Cleve- 
land resigned his office as Governor of New York in 
January, 1885, in order to prepare for his duties as 
the Chief Executive of the United States, in which 
capacity his term commenced at noon on the 4th of 
March, 1885. 

The silver question precipitated a controversy 
between those who were in favor of the continu- 
ance of silver coinage and those who were opposed, 
Mr. Cleveland answering for the latter, even before 
his inauguration. 

On June 2, 1886, President Cleveland married 
Frances, daughter of his deceased friend and 
partner, Oscar Folsom, of the Buffalo Bar. Their 
union has been blessed by the birth of one daugh- 
ter, Ruth. In the campaign of 1888, President 
Cleveland was renominated by his party, but the 
Republican candidate. Gen. Benjamin Harrison, 
was victorious. In the nominations of 1892 these 
two candidates for the highest position in the gift 
of the people were again pitted against each other 
and President Cleveland was victorious by an 
overwhelming majority. 




^. 



'CA^'' ^W-a>-y-'--1^^t^^'^f^-^^ 



TWENTY-THIRD PRESIDENT. 



UJ 




»ofo.gJXfS-» 




KNJAMIN HARRISON, the 
twenty-third President, is 
the descendant of one of the 
historical families of this 
country. The head of tlie 
family was a Major General 
Harrison, one of Oliver 
Cromwell's trudted follow- 
ers and fighters. In the zenith of Crom- 
well's power it became th., duty of this 
Harrison to participate in tde trial of 
Charles I, and afterward tc sign the 
dei'ih warrant of the king. He subse- 
quently paid for this with his life, being 
hung Oct. 13, 16G0. His descendants 
came to America, and the next of the 
family that appears in history is Benja- 
'n 'larrison, of Virginia, great-grand- 
father of the subject of this sketch, and 
after whom he was named. Benjamin Harrison 
was a member of the Continental Congress during 
the years i774— 5-G, and was one of the original 
signers of the Declaration of Independence. He 
vra three times elected Governor of Virginia, 
'^en William Henry Harrison, the son of the 



distinguished patriot of the Revolution, after a suo. 
cessful career as a soldier during the War of 1812, 
and with -a clean record as Governor of the Noath- 
western Territory, was elected President of the 
United States in 1840. His caroer was cut short 
by death within one month ^fter jis inruguration. 
President Harrison wa-^ born at .^or:!i Bend. 
Hamilton Co., Ohio, Aug. ?0, 1883 His life up to 
the time of his graduation by the Miami University, 
at Oxford, Ohio, was the uneventful one of a coun- 
try lad of a family of small means. His father was 
able to give him a good education, and nothing 
more. He became engaged while at college to tin 
daughter of Dr. Scott, Principal of a female schoo 
at Oxford. After graduating he determined to en- 
ter upon the study of the law. He went to Cin 
cinnati and then read law for two years. At the 
expiration of that time young Harrison receiv.Al th'= 
only inheritance of his life; his aunt dying left him 
a lot valued at 1800. He regarded this legacy as a 
fortune, and decided to get married at once, fake 
this money and go to some Eastern town an ". oe- 
gin the practice of law. He sold his lot, and with 
tiie money in hit pocket, he started out wita his 
young Wife to fight for a place in the world- He 



108 



BENJAMIN HARRISON. 



decitled to go to Indianapolis, which was eren at 
Uiat time a town of promise. He met with slight 
encouragement at first, making scarcely anything 
tlie first year. He worlied diligently, appl3"ing him- 
self closely to his calling, built up an extensive 
practice and took a leading rank in the legal pro- 
I'essiou. He is the father of two children. 

In 1860 Mr. Harrison was nominated for tlie 
position of Supreme Court Reporter, and then be- 
gan his experience as a stump speaker He can- 
vassed the State thoroughly, and was elected by a 
handsome majority. In 1862 he raised the 17th 
Indiana Infantry, and was chosen its Colonel. His 
regiment was composed of 'he rawest of material, 
out Col. Harrison employed all his time at first 
mastering military tactics and drilling his men, 
when he therefore came to move toward the East 
with Sherman his regiment was one of the best 
fh'illed and organized in the army. At Resaca he 
ospecially distinguished himself, and for his bravery 
at Peachtree Creek he was made a Brigadier Gen- 
eral, Gen. Hooker speaking of him in the most 
'ioraplimentary terms. 

During the absence of Gen. Harrison in the field 
ho P.fjpreme Court declared the office of the Su- 
prem: Court Reporter vacant, and another person 
was elected to the position. From the time of leav- 
irg Indiana with his regiment until the fall oi 1864 
he had taken no leave of absence, but having been 
nominated that year for the same office, he got a 
thirty-day leave of absence, and during that time 
made a brilliant canvass of the State, and was elected 
for another term. He then started to rejoin Sher- 
man, but on the way was stricken down with scarlet 
iCver, and after a most trying siege made his way 
to the front in time to participate jn the closing 
incidents of the war. 

In 1868 Gen. Harrison declined - re-election as 
;«porter, and resumed the practice of law In 1876 
ne was a candidate for Governor. Although de- 

ited, the brilliant campaign h<, irade won iorbim 
.a National reputation, and he was much sought, es- 
pecia!.y in the East, to make speeches. In 1880, 
d,s nsua!, he tSbk an active part in line campaign, 
und wu elected to the "^Jnited States Senate. Here 
uc sei-ved six years, and ras known as one oi the 
ibiest men, best kwyer' t^nd stronges*^ debaters in 



that body. With the expiration of his Scnatoi i:ii 
term he returned to the practice of his profession, 
becoming the head of one of the strongest firms in 
the State. 

The political campaign of 1888 was one of the 
most memorable in the history of our country. Tlie 
convention which assembled in Chicago in June anu 
named Mr. Harrison as the chief standard bearer 
of the Republican party, was great in eveiy partic- 
ular, and on this account, and the attitude it as- 
sumed upon the vital questions of the day, chief 
among which was the tariff, awoke a deep interest 
in the campaign throughout the Nation. Shortly 
after the nomination delegations began to visit Mr. 
Harrison at Indianap(.)lis, his home. This move- 
ment became popular, and from all sections of the 
country societies, clubs and delegations journeyed 
thither to pay their respects to the distinguished 
statesman. The popularity of these was greatly 
increased on account of the remarkable speeches 
made by Mr. Harrison. He spoke daily all through 
the summer and autumn to these visiting delega- 
tions, and so varied, masterly and eloquent were 
his speeches that they at once placed him in the 
foremost rank of American orators and statesmen. 

On account of his eloquence as a speaker and hi' 
power as a -debater, he was called iipoii at an un- 
commonly early age to take part in the discussion 
of the great questions that then began to agitate 
the country. He was an uncompromising anti 
slavery man, and was niatched against some of tie 
most eminent Democratic speakers of his StaCv, 
No man wlio felt the touch of his blade de; 'red \, 
be pitted with him again. With all his e'oq-'ence 
as an orator he never spoke for oratorical e'apct, 
out his words always went like bullets to the niarii 
He is purely American iu his ideas and is a spier 
did type of the American statesman. Gifted witls 
quick perception, a logical mind and a ready tongue, 
he is one of the most distinguished impromptu 
speakers in the Nation. Many of these speeches 
sparkled with the rarest of eloquence and contained 
arguments of greatest weight. Many of his terse 
statements have alreadj- become aphorisms. Origl 
nal in thought precise in logic, terse In statement, 
yet withal faultless in eloquence, he is recognized as 
the sound statesman and brilUau- orator o ta^ day 



r-».-, ^ ■-* 



(<S^ '~ 



^^i 




• -vtS) 



Berrien and Cass Counties, 



MICHIGAN. 



:t \-c 







-4^ 



INTRODUQT"ORY.» 



ss-e-> 





5HE time has arrived when it 
becomes the duty of the 
people of this county to per- 
petuate the names of their 
pioneers, to furnish a record 
of their early settlement, 
and relate the story of their 
progress. The civilization of our 
day, the enlightenment of the age 
and the duty that men of the pres- 
ent time owe to their ancestors, to 
themselves and to their posterity, 
demand that a record of their lives 
and deeds should be made. In bio- 
graphical history is found a power 
to instruct man by precedent, to 
enliven the mental faculties, and 
to waft down the river of time a 
=afe vessel in which the names and actions of the 
people who contributed to raise this country from its 
primitive state may be preserved. Surely and rapidly 
the great and aged men, who in their prime entered 
I he wilderness and claimed the virgin soil as their 
heritage, are passing to their graves. The number re- 
maining who can relate the incidents of the first days 
)f settlement is becoming small indeed, so that an 
actual necessity exists for the collection and preser- 
vation of events without delay, before all the early 
settlers are cut down by the scythe of Time 

To be forgotten has been the great dread of mankind 
from remotest ages. All will be forgotten soon enough, 
in spite of their best works and the most e.irnest 
efforts of their friends to perserve the memory of 
their lives. The means employed to prevent oblivion 
and to perpetuate their memory has been in propor- 
tion 'o the amount of intelligence they possessed, 
pyramids of Egypt were built to perpetuate the 



Th; 



names and deeds of their great rulers. The exhu- 
mations made by the archeologists of Egypt from 
buried Memphis indicate a desire of those people 



to perpetuate the memory of their achievements 
The erection of the great obelisks were for the same 
purpose. Coming down to a later period, we find the 
Greeks and Romans erecting mausoleums and monu- 
ments, and carving out statues to chronicle theii 
great achievements and carry them down the ages. 
It is also evident that the Mound-builders, in piling 
up their great mounds of earth, had but this idea — 
to leave something to show that they had lived. All 
these works, though many of them costly in the ex- 
treme, give but a faint idea of the lives and charac- 
ters of those whose memory they were intended to 
perpetuate, and scarcely anything of the masses o< 
the people that then lived. ' The great pyramids and 
some of the obelisks remain objects only of curiosity ; 
the mausoleums, monuments and statues are crum- 
bling into dust. 

It was left to modern ages to establish an intelli- 
gent, undecaying, immutable method of perpetuating 
a full history — immutable in that it is almost un- 
limited in extent and perpetual in its action ; and 
this is through the art of printing. 

To the present generation, however, we are in- 
debted for the introduction of the admirable system 
of local biography. By this system every man, though 
he has not achieved what the world calls greatness, 
has the means to perpetuate his life, his history, 
through the coming ages. 

The scythe of Time cuts down all ; nothing of the 
physical man is left. The monument whicli his chil- 
dren or friends may erect to his memory in the ceme, 
tery will crumble into dust and pass away; but his 
life, his achievements, the work he has accomj)lished, 
which otherwise would be forgotten, is perpetuated 
by a record of this kind. 

To preserve the lineaments of our companions we 
engrave their portraits, for the same reason we col- 
lect the attainable facts of their history. Nor do we 
think it necessary, as we si)eak only truth of them, to 
wait until they are dead, or until those who know 
them are gone : to do this we are ashamed only to 
publish to the world the history of those whose lives 
are unworthy of public record- 





(FTyL/lS' 





lyOO^^O^'n-'t^ 



^ 

_^_^^^^ 



m BIOGRAPtflCAL. %m 






r 



lft_^ON. WALLACE A. PRESTON, Mayor of 
"^^ St. .loseph, is one of tlie intluential and 
successful business men of the city. The 
Ciiainpion Planing Mill, of wliicli he is the 
owner, is located near tlie iron bridge spanning 
tiie St. .Joseph River, and thus, by its splendid sit- 
uation, has the best of shipping facilities. In 
connection with the null is a large lumher-j-ard, 
and Mr. Preston conducts an extensive business 
as a dealer in lumber and manufacturer of build- 
ers' materials. He gives steadj' work to about 
thirty employes, and through his excellent judg- 
ment and energy has built up an extensive trade. 
Mr. I'l-eston is a native of the city where he now 
holds the highest otHce in the gift of the people. 
He was born October 22, 1842, and is the son of 
Fowler J. and Annjenette (Loom is) Preston, both 
of whom were natives of Massachusetts. The pa- 
ternal grandfather, Joel Preston, was also a na- 
tive of the Old Bay State and was a descendant of 
good and sulistantial Puritan stock. He was loyal 
to his country and served with bravery in the War 
of tlie Revolution. Fowler J. Preston was a builder 
and contractor by occupation, and as early as 1829 
removed to Michigan, settling in St. Joseph. He 
soon became closely identified with the prt>gressof 
this section of the State and served as the first 
Sheriff of Herrien Count}-. A man of great en- 
ergy, force of character and determination, he was 
prominent among the early settlers of the county 
and was well and favorably known. His death 
occurred in 1843, and lie was widely mourned as 
a public loss. 

In this connection, it will be appropriate to 



make some mention of the mother of our subject. 
This worthy woman occupied a prominent place 
among the pioneers of Berrien County. Indus- 
trious and economical, she aided her husband in 
establishing a home, and knew no higher ambition 
than to labor for the welfare of her husband and 
children. She passed away at St. Joseph in 1891, 
upon the eightieth anniversary of her birth. She 
is still held in loving remembrance in the hearts 
of her children, who owe much to her example and 
precept. 

The eldest ol three sons, Wallace A. Preston 
passed his early school days in St. Joseph. At the 
age of sixteen he left school and became a clerk in 
a grocery store, where he was employed for four 
years. From childhood he had the sailor's love 
for the sea, and as soon as he attained manhood 
he indulged his long-cherished hope of becoming 
a sailor. For six years he was emploj'ed on a boat 
tiiat plied the waters of Lake Michigan. During 
the Civil AVar he entered the naval service, and 
for eighteen months was on the sea in the defense 
of the Union, being located during most of that 
time at Key West and Pensacola, Fla., and New 
Orleans. At the close of the war he was mustered 
out of the service, and returned to St. Joseph in 
May, 1865. 

Upon returning to this city Mr. I'reston era- 
barked in the lumber business, and soon afterward 
built a planing mill, which he still conducts in 
connection with his lumber j-ard. He was married 
in January, 1873, to Miss Mary E., daughter of 
William P. Kinney, of Benton Harbor. Mrs. Pres- 
ton was born m Berrien County, Mich., and is the 



118 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



mother of six children, namely: William W., 
Loomis K., Maud E., Arthur G., Nathan E. and 
John D. Mrs. Preston is a member of the First 
Congregational Church. 

With the public affairs of St. Joseph Mr. Pres- 
ton has always been quite closely identified, and 
is an earnest advocate of Republican principles. 
For two terms he served as Treasurer of St. Joseph 
and filled the ofHce of President of the village in 
1880. In 1893 he was elected Mayor of the city, 
and is discharging the responsible duties of that 
place with credit to himself and to the satisfac- 
tion of his constituents. In his social connections 
he is identified with Pomona Lodge No. 281, F. 
<fe A. M., and is also a member of Burnett Lodge 
No. 119, L O. O. F. 



RANK II. PLATT. This gentleman, who 

Pis the most efficient Secretary and Treas- 
urer of the Benton Harbor Milling Com- 
pany, is a product of Michigan, born in Berrien 
county, and the only son and child born to George 
W. and Jane E. (Crandall) Piatt. His father 
was also born in Berrien County, Mich., but his 
ancestors for many generations were born in the 
Old Bay State. The elder Mr. Piatt is living retired 
in Benton Harbor, and he and his estimable wife 
have a very pleasant home here. 

Frank H. Piatt received a good practical edu- 
ucation in the schools of St. Joseph, and later 
entered the business college of Bryant & Stratton, 
at Chicago, 111., where he graduated in 1878. 
After finishing his education he was engaged as 
city buyer for a wholesale carriage hardware house 
of Chicago, and followed tiiis successfully for two 
years. Returning to Benton Harbor, he assisted 
his fattier in the hardware business from 1882 
until 1889, after which he was engaged in other 
business enterprises for some time. In 1890 he 
became a member of the Benton Harbor Milling 
Company, and on the 19th of May of that year he 



was made Secretary and Treasurer. He was one of 
the incorporators of the compan}', which was 
brought into existence in 1887, with George B. 
Tatman for President and Norman Sage as Vice- 
President. 

This is one of the most flourishing establish- 
ments of Benton Harbor, whieli holds a place 
among the leading and most active cities of south- 
western Michigan. The mill has a capacity of 
two hundred barrels every twent3'-four hours. It 
is run by steam power, and the produce is shipped 
all over the country. This business gives emi)lo}'- 
ment to many men, experienced in their separate 
branches, and the building is a decided ornament 
to the town. It has every device known to mill- 
ing science, and is up with and ahead of the times. 
Mr. Piatt is a practical and successful business 
man, and persevering, active and enterprising, he 
highly deserves the success that has fallen to 
his lot. 

Mr. Piatt selected his wife in the person of Miss 
Jennie Kingsley, a native of St. Joseph, Mich., 
and the daughter of George W. Kingsley. Their 
nuptials were celebrated July 17th, 1885, and she 
died on the 17th of July, 1887, leaving a son, 
George Fernleigh. On the 2.5th of October, 1890, 
Mr. Piatt was married to Miss Wilhelmina Meech, 
of Benton Harbor, and the daughter of Mrs. M. J. 
Meech, one of the prominent citizens of the place. 
In his political views Mr. Piatt is a Republican 
and has ever advocated the principles of that 
party. Socially, he is a Mason, a member of Lake 
Shoie Lodge No. 298 and also of the Knights of 
Pythias, besides other organizations. 



— * 



^tg, 



E>^^<^ 



-- — !«^ 



^iny) ODMAN M. WORDEN, a well-known citi- 
zen of Benton Harbor, owns and occupies 
an attractive residence at No. 128 Brun- 
^^ son Avenue. For a period covering about 
thirty-five jears he was actively identified with 
the business interests of this place, and his retire- 
ment, which was of recent date, will probably not 




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



119 



be permauent. Alike in the discharge of his 
duties as a |)rivate fitizeii and as a brave soldier 
in defense of tlie Union, he lias been fearless, 
loyal and true, and has worthily' won the high 
place he occupies in the regard of others. 

Born in Rochester, Monroe Count}', N. Y., Au- 
gust If), 1833, our subject is the son of Salmon B. 
and Mahetabelle (Vibber) Worden, natives of Ver- 
mont. Up to the age of ten _vears, he spent his 
boyhood in Rochester, and removed thence to 
Michigan with his parents, settling in Adrian, 
where his fatlier held the pastorate of the Method- 
ist Episcopal Church. In that city Rodman M. 
acquired a thorough education, that fitted him for 
the successful discharge of life's duties. After 
leaving school he learned the trade of a butcher, 
being for a number of years in the employ of 
John S. Brown. 

In 1858 Mr. Worden opened a meat-market at 
Three Rivers, St. Joseph County, Mich., where he 
carried on a large and profitable business for one 
year; but deeming the location of Benton Harbor 
and the opportunities offered a business man here 
superior to those of Three Rivers, he came to this 
village and opened a meat-market, it being the first 
in the place. Here he was engaged in supplying 
the wants of his customers when the war broke 
out, and, fired with zeal on his countrj^'s behalf, 
he enlisted, becoming a member of Company B, 
Sixth Michigan Infantry, commanded by Col. Cur- 
lenius. His regiment was assigned to the Armj' of 
the (lulf and, marching to the front, w.as afterward 
identified with the history of the Civil War in 
the South. With his company our subject par- 
ticipated in many of the hard-fought and deci- 
sive engagements of the war, among which may 
be mentioned the battles of ]5aton Rouge, Bayou 
lA'Tase and Bayou Lafeaux and the siege of Port 
Hudson. 

Mustered out of the service at Kalamazoo, 
Mich., in 1864, Mr. Worden returned direct to 
Benton Harbor and resumed business operations, 
continuing until April, 1893, wlien he disposed of 
the meat-market. He is a man who gives thought- 
ful interest and attention to the questions of the 
day. and in his political views is a pronounced 
Republican. His fellow-citizens, recognizing the 



possession of qualities admirably adapting him 
for official position, have chosen him to occu|)y 
positions of trust. For fourteen years he served 
as an Alderman and he has also been President of 
the Village Board two years. In regard to social 
connections, he is a member of Benton Lodge 
No. 132, I. (). O. F.; the Knights of Honor and 
George H. Thomas Post No. 14, G. A. R. His 
marriage occurred in February. 1871, at which 
time he was united with Miss Irean A'anderbeek. 
Mrs. Worden is a daughter of Ambrose Vander- 
beek, who was born in New York and in an early 
day settled in St. Joseph, Mich., but is now a 
resident of Benton Harbor. The union of Mr. 
and Mrs. Worden has been blessed by the birth of 
one daughter, Minnie. 






■^UDGE WILLIAM P. BENNETT, elected to 
the Bench of the Probate Court of Cass 
County, Mich., in 1868, has continuously 
held this honored position for nearly a quar- 
ter of a century, and in the twenty-five years of 
his term of public service has given unqualified 
satisfaction to all the residents of the county. 
Our subject was born in INIaulmain, Burmah, Oc- 
tober 17, 1831. His parents, Cephas and Stella 
(Kneeland) Bennett, were natives of central New 
York, who were sent out by the American Board 
of Commissioners of Foreign Missions in 1829 to 
labor in the mission .service in Burmah. The fa- 
ther was a printer by trade, and took out to Asia 
the first iron press ever carried to that country. 
The mother devoted her time mainly to learning 
the language, but with patient Christian influence 
wrought much of good in that benighted land. 
When William P. was nine years of age his par- 
ents revisited their native land, and on returning 
to India left their son in New York State. Mr. 
Bennett enjoyed the advantages of instruction in 
excellent educational institutions of central New 
York, and in llie Empire .State attained to man- 
hood. 



120 



PORTRAIT AKD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Our subject entered the bonds of matrimony at 
a very early age, having not readied his majority 
when lie was united in marriage with Miss Louisa 
Brokau, on the 5th of October, 1850. Mrs. Bennett 
was a native of Cayuga County, and was reared, 
educated and married in the locality of her earl3' 
home. In 1851, the j'oung husband and wife 
journeyed to Michigan, and in 1852 settled in 
Marcellus, where for seventeen years Mr. Bennett 
industriously engaged in agricultural pursuits. 
During his long residence in Marcellus, our subject 
held various offices, and was for ten years an 
efficient Supervisor of the town. Upon January 
1, 1869, shortly after his election to the Bench, 
Judge Bennett located permanently in Cassopolis, 
and devoted himself entirelj' to the affairs of his 
judicial office. 

The family of Judge and Mrs. Bennett consists 
of two sons and one daughter, who is the wife 
of Douglas Roben, a Lieutenant of the United 
States Navy; the sons being Alton W. Bennett, of 
Big Rapids, Mich., and Francis Marion Bennett, of 
the United States Navy. Francis Bennett entered 
the naval service at Annapolis, Md., in 1874, and 
graduated from that renowned military academy 
in 1879. He then served on board the " Pow- 
hatan " and "Tennessee," Fourth North Atlantic 
Squadron, for five years, and afterward on the East 
India Station. The succeeding two years he was 
detailed as instructor in steam engineering in the 
training school at Chicago, and subsequently served 
upon the "Chicago," later taking a cruise in 
the " Enterprise " to the Mediterranean and the 
coast of Europe and Africa. Afterward he was 
detailed for service in the office of Chief Engineer 
Melville, of Washington, D. C, and, being Past 
Assistant Engineer of the navy, was finally de- 
tailed to take charge of the naval exhibit at the 
World's Columbian Exposition. 

Both the paternal and maternal ancestors of our 
subject, the Bennetts and Kneelands, were of 
distinguished New England lineage. They were 
dwellers in Connecticut for many generations, and 
were among the earliest settlers of Middlesex 
County. The maternal great-grandfather, Jona- 
than Kneeland, was a Revolutionary soldier, en- 
listing April 1, 1775, at East Haddam, Conn. He 



entered the struggle for independence as a private 
in the company of John Willey. He participated 
in the battle of Bunker Hill, and was honorably 
discharged from active military duty in 1777. In- 
heriting the sturdy patriotism of his forefathers. 
Judge Bennett has ever been a true and loyal citi- 
zen. He is in political affiliation a Republican, 
and has from his earliest manhood been ardently 
interested in local and national issues. Occupy- 
ing the Probate Bench with dignity and ability, 
he has won the confidence and regard of his co- 
workers and fellow-citizens, and is held in high 
esteem by all the residents of Cass County. 



^+^[ 




AMILTON S. M< MASTER, M. D., a well- 
known pli3'sician and surgeon residing in 
Dowagiac, has for many years been a prom- 
vj) inent figure in the medical circles of west- 
ern Michigan and is a skillful and influential rep- 
resentative of the Eclectic School of Medicine. 
A native of New York, he was born in West Sparta, 
Livingston County, on the .30th of December, 
1842, being the son of Robert and Lucy L. (Ham- 
ilton) McMaster. Tracing his lineage, we find 
that he is the grandson of Ebenezer and the great- 
grandson of Edward McMaster. Tiie ancestor 
last named emigrated from Dublin, Ireland (his 
native place), to America when a boy and served 
throughout the entire period of the Revolutionary 
War. His four children were Ebenezer, John, 
Richard and William. The father of Edward Mc- 
Master, Richard by name, was a seafaring man, 
and served on an American privateer in the Revo- 
lutionary War, his death occurring at sea. 

Ebenezer McMaster, grandfather of our subject, 
was born in Morristown, N. J., and was one of 
the early settlers of Pennsylvania, where he 
worked for a number of years in a lumber camp 
on Pine Creek. He was a pioneer of Livingston 
County, N. Y., and was identified with its devel- 
opment from the very earliest days of its history. 
At one time he pounded a rabid wolf with a fence 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



121 



stake, and, as he was a man of powei-ful physique, 
lie succeeded in overcoming his dangerous foe. 
When tlie city of Hnffalo was tliieatenec) l)y tlie 
liritisli, lie and his neiglibors started for that place, 
lull met others returning, as tlie danger was over, 
and turned back. He and liis wife, wliose maiden 
name was Betsey Kennedy, liceaiiie liie parents of 
twelve ciiildreii, all of whom attained inanliood 
and womanhood, and six are now living. Kben- 
ezer iMcMaster reached the advanced age of ninety- 
five, passing away June 15, 1866. 

Holiprl McMaster was the fourth in order of 
birth in his father's family, the others being James, 
Rebecca and Linda (twins), Philemon, Ebenezer 
and Richard, and five now deceased. He was born 
in Livingston County, N. Y., in February of 1811, 
and was reared in his native place. There he mar- 
ried Miss Lucy L. Hamilton, of Spring Water, 
Livingston County. Her father, Stoddard Ilainil- 
ton, was a soldier in the War of 1812, and partici- 
pated in the battle of Plattsburg, as well as in other 
memorable engagements. After their marriage 
the parents of our subject remained in Livingston 
County until they were parted by the death of 
the husband and father, which occurred January 
15, 1866. He left five children, who are still liv- 
ing. In 1869, accompanied by her family, Mrs. 
McMaster removed to Shelby ville, Shelby' County, 
Mo., where she remained until her death, Novem- 
ber 21, 1882. 

Of the parental family we note the following: 
William A. is a farmer residing in Shelby County, 
Mo., near the village of Shelby ville; Eugene is en- 
gaged as a manufacturer and dealer in real-estate 
at (Juincy, 111.; Mary E. is the wife of Myron L. 
Ward, a farmer located near .Shelby ville. Mo.; Em- 
erson P. resides at Hazelton, Barton County, 
Kan.; All)ert P., Gilbert C. and Robert Parker 
died of scarlet fever when children. The father 
of this family was an honorable and upright man, 
generous and kind-hearted, and was highly re- 
garded throughout the comniunity. 

In Livingston County-, N. Y., our subject was 
reared, and there he laid the foundation of his ed- 
ucation in the common schools. Later, he was 
for two terms a student in the seminary at Dan- 
ville, N. Y. With his brother William, he enlisted 



In 1862 as a member of Company B, One Hundred 

and Thirtieth New York Infantry. One year later 
the regiment was changed to cavalry, and was 
kimwn as the First New York Dragoons. With 
others of the regiment Mr. McMaster participated 
in the various engagements of the army, including 
the cavalry charge at l^Ianassas Junction, and at 
the expiration of the war was mustered out of 
service, on the 8th of June, 1865. 

Returning to his home in New "^'ork, Mr. Mc- 
Master resumed his literary studies, which had 
been so seriously interrupted. In 1867 he came to 
Michigan and for a time attended the college nt 
Albion, after which he engaged in teaching at 
Litchfield and Charlotte. In 1868 he commenced 
the study of medicine, which he continued in 
1869-70 at the Cincinnati Eclectic Institute, and 
subsequently at the Bennett Medical College, at 
Chicago, graduating from tlie latter institution in 
May, 1871. He conducted the practice of his 
profession for a short time at Battle Creek, Alich., 
but after three months there came to Dowagiac, 
in September, 1871, .and has since made this place 
his home, with the exception of eighteen months 
spent at Grand Rapids. 

November 7, 1872, occurred the marriage of Dr. 
McMaster to Miss Mary F.. daughter of Dr. Ed- 
ward S. .Stebbins, who for many years was a prom- 
inent citizen of East Liverpool, Ohio. Mrs. Mc- 
Master w.as born at Worcester, Mass., and ' was 
there educated, coming to Michigan from the Bay 
State in 1868. The Doctor and his wife are the 
parents of three children: Gertrude L., Edward S. 
and Robert Parker. Edward is attending the 
Ypsilanti Business College, and the other children 
are at home. Pohticall3-, Dr. McMaster is a Pro- 
hiliitionist and is Chairman of the Congressional 
Committee of the F(jurth District. In his social 
connections, he is identified with the Grand Army 
of the Republic, the Ancient Order of United 
Workmen and the Knights of Honor, having 
served as Dictator in the last-named organization, 
and being examining surgeon for both societies. 
With his wife he holds membership in the Method- 
ist Episcopal C'hnrch at Dowagiac. He is a mem- 
ber of the State Eclectic Medical Society and was 
its Secretary from the dale of its oisfanization un- 



122 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



til 1891; he is also identified with the National 
Eclectic Medical Society. His medical libiary is 
one of the best in the county and he is well 
equipped with instruments of all kinds. His office 
is in his residence, at No. 7 Division Street, Do- 
waijiac. 



a" | ■ » > M * I ' F ' 



? 1 I I I -. 



JOSEPH H. WATSON, a successful contractor 
and builder and a well-known resident of 
Benton Harbor, was born in Clarion County, 
Pa., June 23, 1830. He traces his lineage 
through a long line of worthy and patriotic Amer- 
ican ancestors to England and Scotland, whence 
in an early d.ay members of the family emigrated 
to the United States and established homes in the 
midst of the then unsettled country. The pater- 
nal grandfather of our subject bore the name of 
Thomas Watson, while his father, James, was a 
native of Pennsylvania and a farmer by occupa- 
tion. The mother of Joseph H. was Esther, daugh- 
ter of John Raiiiey, and a native of the Keystone 
State. 

The subject of this sketch is the fifth of a fam- 
ily of ten children. He spent his boyhood days 
in Clarion and Butler Counties, Pa., liis parents 
having removed to tlie latter place when he was a 
lad of ten. He remained on the home farm assisting 
his father in the work until he reached the age of 
tvvent}' years, when he commenced to learn the 
trade of a carpenter and builder, and upon the 
expiration of his term of apprenticeship worked as 
a "jour" throughout various parts of tlie State for 
two years. In 1856 he went to Wabasha County, 
^linii., and settling in the village of L.ake City, re- 
mained for ten years, meantime establishing an ex- 
cellent reputation as a skillful, diligent workman 
and enterprising man. 

Coming to Benton Harbor in 1866, Mr. Watson 
purchased a fruit farm of ten acres in Benton 
Township, where he engaged in raising small fruits 
and berries. At the same time ho was employed 
at his trade. In 1888 he removed to the city of 



Benton Harbor, where he has since been busily oc- 
cupied in contracting and building, having erected 
some of the most elegant and attractive residences 
in the city. As a designer and architect he pos- 
sesses considerable ability, his plans being practical 
and his buildings symmetrical. His residence on the 
corner of Garfield and Ohio Streets is a new frame 
structure, commodious and conveniently arrranged, 
and is one of the coziest homes in the place. 

At the age of twenty-six years Mr. Watson mar- 
ried Miss Mary L. Grow, who was born August 
29, 1856, in East Palmyra, Wayne County, N. Y., 
being the daughter of Ambrose and Sarah (God- 
frey) Grow, natives of Vermont and Massachu- 
setts, respectively. Three children were born to 
bless this home: James L., now a farmer residing 
on the old home farm in this township; Burton G., 
who is a physician and makes his home in Benton 
Harbor; and Byron S., a mason by trade. In his 
social connections Mr. Watson is identified with 
Benton Lodge No. 132, 1. O. O. F., in which he is 
a prominent member and active worker. He is a 
man to whom success has not come fortuitously, 
but the large measure of prosperity crowning his 
exertions is the result of his industry and constant 
application. He is known and honored as one of 
the most successful business men v( Benton Har- 
bor. In politics he is a Republican. He is a mem- 
ber of the Methodist Church. 



4^ 



:>A^.i. 



"^IfOHN J. RITTER, a leading business man of 
Dowagiac, Cass Countj% Mich., now engaged 
in the grocery, coal and feed business, is 
the grandson of .John and Sarah (Ly brook) 
Ritter, pioneer settlers of the State. John Bitter 
located near Niles, Berrien Count}', in 1828, and on 
August 29 of the same year made his home in 
La Grange Township, Cass County, where he en- 
tered land from the Government. Two days after, 
August 31, 1829, Grandfather Ritter w.as killed by 
a stroke of lightning, and his wife was so severely 
I injured at the same time that she died from the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



123 



effects a few years later. Of the five children 
born unto .lolin and Sanili Uiltor, lliiee were sons. 
One child passed away in infancy, and four lived 
to maturity. Hannah, the eldest of tlie family. 
died in Cassopolis some years ago. Henry was a 
Cass County farmer and devoted himself to agri- 
cultural pursuits all of his life. Harriet M. was 
third in order of birth. .Toseph K. Hitter was the 
eflicient Treasurer of Cass County for four years. 
David M. Hitter, the second youngest child and 
the father of our subject, was but five years of age 
when he came witii his parents to Michigan. He 
attained to manhood upon the old La Grange home- 
stead, remaining there until his marriage with Miss 
Melinda Heniston, a native of Indiana. Her father, 
William Heniston, came to La Grange Townsliip in 
1830, and located near the site of Dowagiac, upon 
the land since known as tlic Spalding Mill prop- 
erty. There Grandfather Reniston set up a card- 
ing-mill and afterward ran a gristmill, but sold out 
in 1834 and settled on a farm located upon section 
17. He resided on the homestead for many j'ears 
and successfully engaged in agriculture, living to 
an advanced age, being eighty-nine jears of age 
when ho died in Berrien County, Mich. William 
Heniston was born in Mifflin. Pa., in 1796. Ener- 
getic and enterprising, he made his home in the 
West in 1818, and located in Noble County, Ind. 
Melinda, now the widow of David M. Ritter, was 
the eldest child of Grandfather Reniston. Mary 
E., the second-born, became the wife of Mr. Spald- 
ing, of La Grange Township, Cass County. Imme- 
diat('ly after his marriage. Father Ritter bought a 
farm on section 8, and devoted himself to the 
cultivation of the soil until 186.5, when he removed 
to Dowagiac, where he died in August of the same 
year. Three children had been born unto the 
parents, two of whom 3-et survive. Joseph A. 
died at the :ige of nine or ten years; William H. 
resides in Berrien Township, Berrien County, Mich.; 
John J., our subject, was born July (>, 1848, upon the 
homestead, in La (Grange Township, Cass County. 
The Hitters were among the pioneers of this part 
of Michigan, and the father was one of the most 
successful farmers of this section of country. 
Through his own efforts he had .accumulated val- 
uable properly and at the time of his death was the 



owner of two hundred and forty improved acres 
of land. Politically, David M. Ritter was a Dem- 
ocrat. He was a man of upright character, highly 
esteemed, and a member of the Dunkard Church 
who aided liberally in its good work. 

Our subject spent his early years upon the old 
farm and attended the schools of the county. 
Arrived at manhood, John J. Hitter was united in 
marriage with Miss Cynthia Bueklin. February 22, 
187(». The father of Mrs. Ritter, William P. Buek- 
lin. was a pioneer of Cass Count3-, but was a native 
of Pennsylvania, born in the (Quaker State De- 
cember 20, 1816. When two years old, Mr. Buek- 
lin emigrated with his parents to Sandusky County-, 
Ohio, and at fourteen years of age came to the 
farther West, locating in Mottville, St. Joseph 
Count}', Mich. The early death of Mr. Bueklin 's 
father left a large family dependent upon the 
elder son and widowed mother. Faithful to his 
filial obligations, Mr. Bueklin aided in the support 
and education of his brothers and sisters. Janu- 
ary 26, 1839, he was wedded to Miss Mary A. 
Lilly, daughter of David and Mary Lill}-, both of 
Scotch descent. Having bought a small farm f)f 
forty acres, the young couple began life upon their 
own account. Eight years later they removed to 
La Grange Township, where Mr. Bueklin passed 
away, August 20, 1866. He was a man respected 
and esteemed by all who knew him and his death 
was mourned as a loss to the community among 
whom he had spent so many years of usefulness. 
The wife of our subject was born July 10, 1848, in 
La Grange Township. After their marriage, Mr. 
and Mrs. Hitter made their home on the old farm, 
where they continued to reside until 1886, when 
they located in Dowagiac. Our subject, however, 
engaged in .agriculture until 1891, when he bought 
out H. Taneray and devoted himself to his present 
line of business. 

The firm, well and favorably known, is I'ates 
li' Hitler. Mr. Hittler still owns and controls his 
farm of eighty acres in La Grange Township, the 
land being used for general agriculture and stock- 
raising. Our subject has also a half-interest in a 
farm of two hundred acres located in Howard 
Township. The other half-interest is held by 
the First National Bank of Cassopolis. Mich. The 



124 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



home of Mr. and Mrs. Ritter was blessed. December 
12. 1874, with the birth of their son Jesse W.. who 
resides with iiis parentji. 'Slv. Ritter is politically 
a Democr.it. He is a strong temperance man, and 
an ardent Prohibitionist. For three years be served 
with great acceptability as Commissioner of La 
Grange Township. Fraternally, he is connected 
with the Modern Woodmen and is a member of the 
Board of the Ca])ital Building and Loan Associ.1- 
tion of Lansing, Mich. Intimately associated with 
the growth and upward progress of the best in- 
terest* of his home locality. 'Sir. Ritter enjoys the 
respect and contidence of a large .icquaintance and 
is numbered among the substantial citizens of Cass 
County. 



1^^ 



rr^: J. ATWELL, a successful and prominent 
attoruey-at-law of Cass County, and an in- 
fluential citizen of Dowagiac, was born in 
Orleans County, N. Y. in the 'SOs. The family 
of which he is an honored representative occupied 
a leading place among the people of New York for 
many generations. His grandfather, Levi Atwell. 
was one of those brave men who during the War 
of 1812 fought in defense of our nation. In his 
political belief he was a stanch Whig and was noted 
in his day for his opposition to the Masonic fra- 
ternity. 

The father of our subject. Joseph Atwell, was a 
prominent f.armer of Orleans County, X. Y., and 
by his marriage with Annie, daughter of John 
Freeman, had four children, only two of whom are 
now living. Our subject was reared in the county 
of his birth, and after completing the studies of the 
common schools attended Albion Academy, in 
New York State. After he had completed his lit- 
erary education, he commenced to read law with 
Hon. C. H. Holmes, a prominent attorney of Or- 
leans County and an able jurist in his day. 

When Lincoln issued his famous call for seventy- 
five thous.and volunteers in May of 18G1, our sub- 
ject was one of the fii-st to enlist. He became a 



member of Company K, Twenty-seventh New York 
Infantry, commanded by Col. Slocum, a famous 
officer in the war and now a resident of Brooklyn, 
N. Y. In the same regiment w.as the now illustrious 
Albion Tourgee, the writer and editor. Among 
the engagements in which Mr. Atwell participated 
may be mentioned the first battle of Bull Run, the 
battles of Yorktown and West Point, and the num- 
erous engagements of the Peninsular campaign, 
including the seven-days fight before Richmond. 
During the l:\st-named battle he was in the thickest 
of the fight, having his hoi-se struck three times 
by bullets, but through the fearful carnage and 
horror of bloodshed he stood manfully at the post 
of duty. At the expiration of the seven days he 
had become so weak that he could not get on his 
horse without aid. Later he took part in the sec- 
ond battle of Bull Run. the battles of Antietam. 
Lookout Mountain, Chancellorsville, Fredericks- 
burg and many minor engagements. 

On the expiration of his term of service in 1863. 
Mr. Atwell returned home and resumed his legal 
studies, and in the same year was admitted to the 
Bar at Buflfalo, N. Y. In the Empire State it was 
necessary to p!»ss a very rigid examination before 
the .Supreme Court.and Mr. Atwell w.is examined 
by such men .is the noted jurists. Davis, Gr over and 
Daniels. After his admission to the Bar he went 
to Memphis, Tenn., where he opened an office and 
commenced the practice of his profession. He re- 
mained in that city from 18(54 until 18t)8. and dur- 
ing the last year of his residence there he tempo- 
rarily lost the use of his eyes. 

Leaving Memphis in 1868, Mr. Atwell went to 
Sioux City, Iowa, then a place of eighteen hundreil 
people. In 1869 he came to Dowagiac, where he 
has since resided. He was married in October. 
1871, to Mrs. Ellen Clark, nee Thomas, a n.ative of 
Battle Creek. Mich. Politically. Mr. Atwell is a 
Republican and takes an active interest in Stale 
and National politics. He was the fii-st Mayor of 
Dowagiac and has been Prosecuting Attorney of 
Cass County for four veal's. He has never sought 
office, preferring to give his attention strictly to his 
profession, but at the solicitation of friends has 
consented to serve in several positions of trust, and 
has always rendered most satisfactory service. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



125 



Socially, he is a member of the ftrand Army of the 
Republic and is Commander of U. C. Gilbert 
Post No. 47, at Dovvagiac. lie has an extensive 
and lucrative law practice and is one of the most 
influential attorneys of western Michigan. 




L. CHAPMAN. One of the most successful 
l] and representative concerns in tiie city of 
Marcellus is that conducted by II. L. Cliap- 
man, who is tiie manufacturer of Chapman's 
Portable Torges. In these forges the main gen- 
eral features of the best of other makes is pre- 
served, and to them are added such practical im- 
provements as 3'ears of careful study and skilled 
mechanical genius could devise, aided by sugges- 
tions from hundreds of experienced smiths. In 
simplicity, durability and econom}-, this forge far 
surpasses all others. They are strongly built and 
liave fewer wearing parts than an3' other, hence 
are less liable to get out of order. 

The fan is bolted direct to the bottom of the 
hearth and fire pit, liolding it firmlj' and avoiding 
long cast-iron supports, liable to break in ship- 
ping. The fan is so located that a part of its 
body is above the opening to tiie fire pit, and the 
ash pit is so arranged that cinders do not fall inside 
the fan case. Should anything get into tlie fan 
case the fan blades, by their first ([uarter-turn, 
will carry it direct to the discharge opening, and, 
unlike others, they do not have to carry it back 
and up over the top of the fan to get it out; hence 
this fan is never clogged or injured by cinders. 
The fan is located nearer to its work, and has a 
shorter and more direct air passage from fan to fire 
than any other forge. It is driven b^^ the onlj- 
intermittent grip clutch that has ever been pat- 
ented, in which there is absolutely no lost motion; 
that is, it locks automatically and positively- at 
any point of the circle before the lever starts on its 
driving stroke. 

This, together with the automatic take-up spring 



attached to the head piece of the lever, taking up all 

slack in the winding straps, causes the fan to start 
at once on pressing down the lever, thus avoiding 
a (luick, downward motion and sudden stop at the 
beginning of each stroke, as in all ratchet-geared 
machines, and which is more tiresome to the oper- 
ator than the actual work done. The wear in this 
clutch does not cause it to slip, but makes it grip 
the firmer. The clutch is made with adjustable 
bearings, to compensate for wear, and will last from 
twenty to fifty years, when they can be renewed 
in a few moments without further cost, making 
the clutch as good as new. In these forges the pit 
is cast separate from the heartli and bolted on in 
such a manner as to avoid the strain caused b}- 
expansion from heating, hence they do not crack. 
The shafting is all cold-rolled steel. And last, but 
not least, this is the onl3' forge in which the fan, 
shaft boxes, clutcli, bearings and all important 
wearing jiarts can be ([uickly renewed by the 
smith himself, without employing a machinist or 
sending for new parts. 

Mr. Chapman was born in Newburg, Cass Coun- 
ty, Mich., on the 20th of March, 1849, to the mar- 
riage of Amory Harrison and Lucinda (Hastings) 
Chapman. The father was a native of Vermont 
but moved to Ohio with his parents when a b(»y. 
His great-grandfather was a soldier in the \Va: (»f 
1812. Amory Chapman attained his growth in 
Medina Count}', Ohio, and was married there to 
Miss Hastings. Later he emigrated to Cass Coun- 
ty. Mich., settled in Newburg Township, which was 
then in a wild state, and there died in 18'.I2. His 
widow is still living on the old honieslead, which 
consists of over one hundred and sixty acres of 
land. Mr. Chapman followed genei-al farming and 
aceumulated a reasonable amount of proijeity. He 
was a good manager and a man of more than or- 
dinarj' ability. Two children were born to liis 
marriage, both sons. One son, H. S. Chapman, is a 
farmer and sheep-breeder of Penn Township, this 
county. Politically, the father of our subject was 
a Republican. 

Reared on the old home [ilace, our sulijcci at- 
tended the country schools, and remained with his 
parents until twenty years of aiie. Previous to 
that he began learning the trade of gunsiiiitli, and 



126 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



followed that on the home place for a short time. 
He then came to Marcellus, set up a shop in this 
town, and here remained for about three j'ears, 
when lie embarked in tlie hardware business. Later 
lie returned to gunsmithing and machine work, 
and, as he had a natural taste for iiaiulling tools, 
he soon liad iilenty of work. 

In the year 1872, Mr. Chapman married Miss 
Tryphena A. Iverson, who was the daughter of 
Thomas Iverson. one of the representative farmers 
of Woodstock Township, Lenawee County, Mich. 
Mr. Iverson was a native of England and settled 
in the last-mentioned county in 1860. To Mr. 
and Mrs. Chapman have been born two children, 
Ola E. and Rena D. Politically. Mr. Chapman is 
liberal in his views, and socially he is a Mason. He 
has been Junior Warden and Secretary of the Ma- 
sonic lodge. He is quite an inventor, but his forges 
are the only invention he has brought out. The 
principal part of the forge is the friction clutch, 
which he liad patented in 1891. In the fall tf 
1892, he permanently located in Marcellus and oc- 
cupied the large building formerl}' built for a 
wheel factoiy. He employs from six to seven 
men, all first-class workmen, and is prepared to do 
general machine repairing. Mr. Chapman is pre- 
paring to bring out two other very important in- 
ventions in the near future. 



-•"> 



[piyiEN.IAMIN F. BEE80N,a prominent farmer 
l;-^ residing in Calvin Township, Cass County, 
fM)J/ "■^'' boru near Richmond, Ind., August 23, 
^^^r:^' 1832, and was the third in a family of 
eight children, four boj'S and four girls, born to 
Jesse G. and Ann (Renesten) Beeson. His father 
was born at Richmond, Ind., December 10, 1807, 
being the son of Isaac Beeson, a native of North 
Carolina. The Beeson family originated in Eng- 
land, and, while we have no positive proof, it is 
said that three brothers (of whom the father of 
Isaac was one) came to this country during Colo- 



nial times, one settling in Pennsylvania, one in 
Virginia and one in North Carolina. They were 
Quakers and were among the most aristocratic and 
wealthy families in the South. Some of them 
severed their connection with the C^uaker Church, 
and, engaging in the slave trade, became very 
wealthy as planters and slave-owners. 

The grandfather of our subject was greatly 
opposed to the institution of human slavery, and 
becoming disgusted with his surroundings he sold 
out everything he had at a great sacrifice, and 
while he was yet a young man and single started 
for a State where the institution was not lawful. 
He settled at Richmond, Ind., where in 1804 or 
1805 he married Miss Rambo. He married outside 
of the Society of Friends, and from that day he 
was not identified with the church of his fore- 
fathers. He became a farmer and also owned and 
operated three distilleries on his farm, making a 
fortune in that wa}'. During the War of 1812 he 
served as Captain. He was a man of liberal edu- 
cation and great executive ability and was a life- 
long Whig in politics. He was three times 
married. Of the first union the father of our subject 
and one sister were born. B}- the other two mar- 
riages there were five children. 

Jesse G. Beeson grew to manhood in Indiana, 
where he received a good education and for many 
years engaged in teaching. June 5, 1828, he 
married Ann Renesten. who was born September 
30, 1803. Her father, an Irishman liy birth, came 
to this country and settled in Pennsylvania, 
where she was born. A frugal, economical man, 
he accumulated a large amount of this world's 
goods and at his death left a large property. Of 
tlie children born to Jesse G. and Ann Beeson, 
AVilliam H. was born on the 2.5th of March, 1829. 
Isaac N., who was born on the lolh of December, 
1830, married Etta Wheeler, and tlie^- have one 
daughter. He has for j'ears been occupied as a 
traveling salesman. Mary J. was born December 
28, 1835, and married David Huff, a real-estate 
and loan agent at Lincoln, Neb. She died Febru- 
ary 17, 1893, leaving her husband and one 
daughter to mourn her loss. Lurany, who was 
born Ma}- 10, 1838, married Austin Dixon, a hotel- 
keeper of Madison, Wis. Eliza, who was born 



PORTRAIT AND HIOGRAPIHCAL RECORD. 



127 



July 25, 1840, married Nathaniel DeFoe, a farmer 
residing near Cedar Falls, Iowa, and they are the 
parents of one dau^rliter. Laura E.,who was ))<)rn 
August 30, 1842, married Robert Cameron, a real- 
estate dealer at Algona, Iowa, and they have one 
daughter and one son. Anderson CI., who was 
born .lune 26, 1847, conducts a large real-estate 
business at Lincoln, Neb. The motiier of tiiese 
cliildren died June 21, 187(1. The father afterward 
married again, but his second union was a child- 
less one. 

In tiic spring of 1833, when tiie subject of this 
si<etch was little more tlian a year old, the family 
came to Michigan and settled in Cass Count}', not 
far from Dowagiac. The father became a wealthy 
Tnan and was one of the prominent citizens of the 
county. In 1853 he served in the State Senate, 
liaving been elected on the Whig ticket. Later, 
when the Republican party was organized, he cast 
in his lot with that political organization and 
remained with it until the time of his death, 
which occurred February I'J, 1888. 

B. F. grew up on his father's farm, receiving 
the ordinary education of the pioneer days. He 
remained with his father until he was twenty-two 
years of age and in 1858 engaged in the mercan- 
tile business. In 1859 he married Miss Jennie E. 
Banks, who was born in New York State, being a 
daughter of Walter Banks. Her grandfather, Adam 
Banks, was born in 176!). Tradition says that he was 
found on the oyster banks of the coast of (iermany 
when a mere child, and the parties finding him, 
not being able to secure any trace of his parentage, 
gave him the name of Adam Oysterbank, in token 
of the place where he was found. Some of the 
descendants are still known by that name in the 
United .Stales, but this immediate branch of the 
famil}' dropped the "Oyster," and took simply the 
name of Banks. After emigrating to America, the 
family settled in Connecticut and later migrated 
to Greene County, N. Y., where the father of Mrs. 
Beeson was born in 1792. 

Mrs. Beeson's motiier bore the maiden name of 
Polly Dunbar, and was born in Greenfield, Sara- 
toga County, N. Y., June 16, 1796. Her father, 
Nehemiah Dunbar, was a Revolutionary soldier, 
who enlisted in the army when a boy of but thir- 



teen j'ears and served until its close, being dis- 
charged with the commission of Captain. He 
died in McDonough, N. Y., March 11. 1833, and 
his wife passed away March 7, 1831. Grandfather 
Banks died in the same place in August, 1826, and 
his wife passed away in Union, Wayne County, 
N. Y.,on tiie 12th of August, 1844. Mis. Beeson's 
father was a soldier in the War of 1812, and died 
in New York State, June 12, 1862. Her motiier died 
in Ann Arbor, Mich., April 15, 1872. Jlr. Banks 
had an only brother, Aaron, who came to Michi- 
gan from Wayne County, N. Y., and died here. 
A sister, Laura, who was born in 1806, married 
Rev. A. A. Allen, a Methodist minister, now 
deceased; she lives with her .son in Detroit, Mich. 
Betsey married a Mr. Daniels and died April 26, 
1849. Abigail became the wife of a Mr. Tiiomp- 
son and died man)' j-ears ago. 

The family of which Mrs. Beeson was a member 
consisted of eleven children, nine of wlioin are 
now living. John, a Lieutenant in the army dur- 
ing the late war, was for many years a teacher in 
Cassopolis; in fact, this was a family of school- 
teachers. Mrs. Beeson was for many years a teacher 
in New York State and all her brothers and 
sisters followed that profession. Mr. and Mrs- 
Beeson have three children, as follows: (Jracc^ who 
was educated at Hillsdale, and married Fred I). 
Ashley, a business man of Clinton, Iowa; I)ix II., 
who W.1S also educated at Hillsdale, married Ella 
James, and is now a druggist at Three Oaks, Ber- 
rien County; and Otis J., who was educated at 
Cassopolis and the State Normal School at Ypsil- 
anti, and is spoken of as one of the most thorough 
teachers of Cass County, where he has taught for 
four years. 

After having engaged in the mercantile business 
for a number of years, Mr. Beeson in 1861 crossed 
the plains to Montana, but after a short sojourn in 
the far West returned to Michigan, and twenty- 
six 3'ears ago he located on his present farm in 
Calvin Township. As a Republican he has been 
a prominent factor in local politics and h.is served 
as Supervisor of his townshi|) for eleven years, be- 
sides holding other minor offices. He devotes his 
attention principally to his personal affairs and Ins 
farming interests, but nevertheless maintains a, 



128 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



constant and unvarying concern in the welfare of 
the community and may alwa3's be relied upon to 
aid in |Hiblic enterprises. He is counted among 
the worthy men of this locality, and everybod}' is 
a friend to Frank Beeson. He and his wife are 
members of tlie Baptist Church, with wliich tliey 
have been identified for many years. 






~oZz 



?l DWIN HARRIS, an enterprising and suc- 
cessful agriculturist, has since 1887 prosper- 
^ ously managed the old Hadden home- 
stead, a valuable farm of three hundred and seven 
acres located in Ontwa Township, Cass County, 
Mich., and owned jointly by our subject and his 
mother. ^Mr. Harris was born in Erie Countj', 
N. Y., October 23, 1867, and was the son of p:d- 
win and Mai\y L. (Iladden) Harris. The paternal 
grandfather, Laman Harris, was a farmer of New 
York, and upon the old home were born three 
children: Margaret, wife of J. W. Steward, of Pitts- 
ford, N. Y; George, of Saginaw County; and 
Edwin. The father of our subject was reared 
upon the old home place, and on attaining to ma- 
turity began life for himself. He was killed in 
August, 1867, by falling from a barn which he 
w.as erecting upon his own property. Ho left a 
widow and four children to mourn his untimely 
loss. The eldest, Elberta Mills, of Weedsport, 
N. Y.; Eugenia Mills, also of New York; and 
Charles L., of Cato, N. Y., were the three children 
of the first wife, Kate Hunting. Our subject was 
the child of the second wife, Mary L. Hadden. 

The maternal grandfather of Edwin Harris, 
Cliarles D. Hadden, was born in Westchester 
County, N. Y., .January 31, 1811. He was the son 
of Gilbert and Deborah (Barton) Hadden, who 
were of Scotch ancestry. When but two years 
old. Grandfather Hadden removed with his wid- 
owed mother to Auburn, N. Y. He was one of 
eleven children, and as the family were in limited 
circumstances enjoyed but a brief schooling. He 
began the work of life as a farmer boy and pur- 



chased and located on a farm in Savannah Town- 
ship, Wayne County, N. Y., in the year 183.5. 
In December, 1839, he settled in Butler Township, 
and twelve years after made his home on another 
farm, within the borders of his native State. In 
1867, appreciating the broader opportunities of 
the West, he journeyed to Michigan and located 
four hundred acres upon section 6, west of Ed- 
wardsburgh, which was improved. He died Jan- 
uary 26, 1878. His wife, surviving a number of 
years, passed away December 12, 1886. Grand- 
father and Grandmother Hadden were both de- 
vout members of the Presbyterian Church, and 
were prominent in benevolent and religious work. 
In political atliliation the grandfather was in early 
years a Whig and later a Republican. 

The maternal grandmother, Nancy (Blylhe) 
Hadden, was the daughter of Samuel and Margaret 
(Gilman) Blythe. She was born October 1, 1809, 
and was the mother of six children: Samuel; Mary; 
George; Alouzo, who died young; Elizabeth Par- 
sons; and .James G. The BIythes came originally 
from Ireland, accompanied by their family of two 
sons and two daughters. The maternal great-grand- 
mother of our subject, Margaret (Gilman) Blythe, 
emigrated from Ireland to America at eleven 
years of age. The mother of Mr. Harris accom- 
panied her father to Michigan in December, 1867. 
She was twice married, her second husband being 
Jacob D. Crowell, of Conquest, Cayuga County, 
N. Y. He died April 26, 1893, and for a second 
time the mother of our subject is a widow. She 
lives in New York and is active in the Presbyte- 
rian Church, of which she has been a member ever 
since she was twenty-one years old. Our subject 
was reared upon the homestead where he now re- 
sides and which was then the property of Grand- 
father Iladden. Mr. Harris was educated in the 
schools of the home district, and before attaining 
his majority took full charge, in 1887, of the mag- 
nificent farm, of which he owns one hundred and 
eight and his mother one hundred and ninety- 
nine acres. 

Mr. Harris was united in marriage May 12, 
1888, with Miss Minnie J. Hanson, daughter of 
William and Matilda (Kornover) H.anson. Their 
pleasant home was brightened by the birth of 



**■-* 






vtM 






PORTRAIT AND BlCXiRAFHICAL RECORD. 



131 



two children: Cliarles, who died at two years of 
age; and William, yet survivinff. Mr. Harris is 
politically a Republican and is interested in both 
local and national issues. Spending his entire 
years among the associations of early youth, he is 
respected by all who know him. Intelligent and 
energetic, he devotes himself to the business of 
daily life and with his wife occupies a high social 
position and is numbered among the leading citi- 
zens of Ontwa Township. 



OIIN BKLL, U. R., M. D., President of the 
Bentoii Harbor Improvement Association 
and a successful [ihysician and surgeon re- 
siding in this city, was born in Milton, 
Ilalton Country, Ontario, Canada, September 25, 
ISIO. His father, Joseph ISell, was a native of 
England, who emigrated to Canada in an early 
d.ay and there followed the occupation of a farmer. 
Subsequently he came to Benton Harbor, where he 
resided until his death, in .June, 1888. The mother 
of our subject, who bore the maiden name of Mary 
Teel/.el, is a native of Canada, and now makes her 
liniiu' in Benton Harbor. 

Under the careful training of his parents our 
subject grew to a stalwart manhood, meantime 
enjoying such educational advantages as were 
offered b^' the scliools of Canada. At the age of 
nineteen years he commenced to read medicine 
witli Dr. Freeman, a prominent practitioner of 
Milton, Ilalton County, Ontario. Later he en- 
tered the medical department of the University of 
Toronto and attended one year. The following 
year he was a student at the University of New 
York City and graduated lliere in 1860, with the 
degree of M. I)., after having completed the course 
with honors. During the following year he was 
graduated from the medical department of the 
Universit3' of Toronto, receiving the degree of 
IM. B. (Bachelor of Medicine). His advantages for 
acfiuiring a theoretical knowledge of medicine 



were the best obtainable, and lie availed himself to 
the utmost of every opportunity presented for 
gaining additional knowledge. This thorough 
education, together with diligent reading and 
close observation, laid the foundation for the suc- 
cess which has attended his efforts in the medical 
world. 

In April, 1802, Dr. Bell eainc to Benton Harbor, 
where he has conducted a general practice in med- 
icine and surgery to the present time. In 1889, 
he aided in the organization of the Benton Ilarlior 
Improvement Association, of which he has since 
been President. He maintains a deep interest in 
everything relating to the profession and is a 
member of the American Medical Association. 
Socially, he is identified with Lake Shore Lodge, 
F. & A. M., of which he is Master, and Calvin 
Brittain Chai)ter No. 56, at St. Joseph. In De- 
cember, 1867, he was united in marriage with 
Miss Annetta, daughter of Thomas and Hannah 
(Dickinson) Hopkins, of Truraansburgh, N. Y. 

B3- setting before his fellow-citizens an example 
of iudustr}' and honesty of purpose, tiie Doctor 
has a present as well as a future influence upon 
hiscommunit}'. He is a man whose influence may 
always be relied upon to support those measures 
calculated to benefit his fellow-citizens. Through 
energy and perseverance he has arisen to a fore- 
most position among the physicians and surgeons 
of Michigan, and alike in social and professional 
circles is held in high esteem by all with whom he 
is brought in contact. In politics he is a Repub- 
lican. 



-J 



m>-m-<i 



LQ>^ 




LEWIS, an experienced business man and 
popular druggist of Dowagiac, Cass Coun- 
ty, Mich., is a practical pharmacist and 
!^) thoroughly at home in the responsible du- 
ties of compounding and dispensing. Our subject 
is a native of Marion County, Ohio, and was boriv 
July 6, 1856. He w.as one of the large family of 
Eben and Ilettie (JlcWilliams) Lewis, about whose 
hearth clustered seven sons and daughters. The 



132 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



father, a native of the Empire State, was a miller 
by trade, and after an upright and industrious life 
passed away in Ohio, at the age of sixtj'-three 
years. Tlie paternal grandfather, Eben Lewis, a 
lifetime resident of New York, was a lineal de- 
scendant of the noted Francis Lewis, an American 
Revolutionary statesman, bf)rn in Llaudaff, Gla- 
morganshire, Wales, in Marcli, 1713. This honored 
ancestor of our subject was at the outbreak of the 
Revolution elected to tiie Continental Congress, 
and in May, 1775, took his seat in that body as 
one of tiie delegates from New York. He signed 
the Declaration of Independence, and, with the 
exception of one short interval, continued to be a 
Member of Congress until April. 1779. Various 
branches of the Lewis family have attained to 
eminence, and the name is an honored one through- 
out the Empire State. 

The mother of our subject was a Penusylvanian 
by birth, and was a granddaughter of Samuel Mc- 
Williams, a pioneer settler and prominent resident 
of the (.Quaker State. The parents early made 
their home in the West, and in Valparaiso, Ind., Mr. 
Lewis completed his studies b}^ attending the ex- 
cellent Normal School of that thriving city. He 
next served an apprenticeship in the drug business, 
and thus employed was for four years located in 
Freeport, III. Before entering permanently into 
the handling of drugs, lie successfully taught 
school nine terras in tiie States of Oiiio and Ind- 
iana. In the spring of 1890, Mr. Lewis bought tiie 
drug business of Coleman & Defendorf, at Dowa- 
giac, Mich., and has since given his entire time to 
the demands of his large and constantly increas- 
ing business. He first engaged in the drug busi- 
ness for himself in Nevada, Iowa, in 1885, where 
he continued in business for four years, under the 
firm name of Lewis & Simmons. In March, 1889, 
they closed out their business in Nevada and 
opened a drug store in Boone, Iowa, .June 15, and 
continued the business until they were burned 
olit, September 8, 1889. The following spring 
Lewis & Simmons came to Dowagiac and pur- 
chased the present business. This firm continued 
until September 15, 1890, when Mr. Lewis bought 
Mr. Simmons' interest, since which time he has 
continued the business alone. 



Our subject was united in marriage September 
30, 1885, to Miss Ella Wood, of Deep River, Ind. 
Mrs. Lewis is the daughter of Nath.an Wood and 
the granddaughter of John Wood. His father 
participated in the battle of Bunker Hill and was 
a native of New England, born in Salem, Mass., 
the Wood family being among the early colonists 
who settled upon the shores of the old Baj- State. 
The pleasant home of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis lias 
been brightened by the presence of one daughter, 
Claire. Although but comparatively a brief time 
residents of Michigan, they now enjoy the esteeni 
of a large circle of acquaintances and find in their 
new home the generous hospitality and ready ap- 
preciation ever extended by the citizens of Dowa- 
giac to all enterprising new-comers. Our subject, 
while not in any sense of the word a politician, is 
interested in public .affairs and is in conviction a 
Democrat. Fraternally, he is a valued member of 
the Masonic order and is an active Knight of 
Pythias in the lodge of Dowagiac. 



^S^ APT. WILLIAM A. BOSWELL, President 
(li „ of the Boswell & Pike Ferry Company and 
'^^J(' a prominent resident of Benton Harbor, is 
at the head of one of tlie successful enterprises of 
Berrien County. The other officers are J. S. Mor- 
ton, Treasurer; Linus Chadwick, Secretary; and J. 
II. Pike, Chief Engineer. The company owns and 
runs four boats: the "Joe," capacity two hundred 
and fifty passengers, of which Capt. Boswell is 
master; the steel tug "McCormick," one hundred 
passengers; the "Richmond," witli acapacitj' of one 
hundred and fifty passengers; and tiie "George D. 
Sanford, Jr.," a screw propellor, with a cap.acity 
of two hundred passengers. 

Near the opening years of the present century, 
a lad named Ezra Boswell emigrated from his 
native land, Scotland, to America, and settled 
in South Carolina. Some ye.ars later he came to 
Michigan and located in Berrien County, but at 
present he makes his home in Greenfield, Tenu. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



133 



He married Miss Sarah Connelly, who was born in 
MaryliiiKl, and was the daughter of Capt. Allen 
Connelly, a native of Ireland and for many years 
a sea-captain. Among the chihiren born to this 
wortiiy couple was one whom they named Will- 
iam A., and whose birth occurred in Royalton 
Townsiiip, Berrien County, Mich., on the 17th of 
•July, 1847. 

At the age of ten years our subject secured a 
position as cabin bo}^ on a lake vessel and was 
afterward promoted, remaining on the Lakes until 
some time after tlie commencement of the Civil 
War. When less than sixteen years of age he en- 
listed in defense of the Union, and on the 5th 
of .June, 1863, his name was enrolled as a member 
of Company B, Ninth Michigan Infantry, com- 
manded by Col. Henry Duflield. His regiment 
was incorporated in the Army of the Cumberland, 
participating in its marches and engagements, in- 
cluding the entire campaign to Atlanta. Our sub- 
ject was wounded at the battle of Resaca, Ga., and 
again at the battle of Decatur, Ala. At the close 
of the war he was mustered out of the service at 
Nashville, Tenn., on the 23d of November, 1865. 

Returning to Berrien County, Mr. Boswell pur- 
chased eighty acres, paj-ing for the same with 
money he had saved during the war, and giving 
the land to his parents for their home. He then 
went on the Lakes again and served for five years 
with the Goodrich Line, occupying different posi- 
tions. In 1872 he bougiit a steam river boat for 
freight and passengers, plying between St. .Jose|)li 
and Niles, this State, but on October 14 of the same 
year the boat was burned. Afterward Jlr. Bos- 
well purchased a passenger boat, which was the 
first running between Pent Water, Ludington and 
Manistee. In 187(! lie returned to St. .loseph, and 
for a time engaged in the tug b\isiness; he also pur- 
chased a steam ferry boat, which he ran between 
St. .Joseph and licnton Harbor. These interests 
he disposed of in 1880 and entered the employ' of 
the Graham & Morton Company', remaining with 
them until 18!tO, after which he sailed a Govern- 
ment tug for one year. 

In the year 1891 Capt. Boswell formed a 
partnership with .1. II. Pike, under the firm name 
of the lioswell A- I'ike Ferry Company, a con- 



nection which still continues. Politically, he 
is firm in his adherence to the Democratic party. 
In the year I8',)0 he was appointed Deputy 
Game and Fish Warden of Berrien County, and 
still fills that position. Socially, he is a member 
of Lake Shore Lodge No. 298, F. <fe A. M., and 
the I ndependent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a 
charter member of the Uniformed Rank, K. P., and 
was one of the prime f.actors in the organization of 
Purila Lodge No. 117, at Benton Harbor. He is 
also a charter member of the Knights of the Mac- 
cabees and is inrtuential in George II. Thomas 
Post No. 14, G. A. R. 

On the 13th of November, 1873, occurred the 
marriage of Capt. Boswell to Miss Etta, daughter 
of Perry Brooks. She is an accomplished lady, 
who also holds a high place in the regard of 
her acquaintances. The union h.as been blessed 
by the birth of two sons: Claude W. and Walter 
Leo. Mrs. Boswell is an active worker in the Con- 
gregational Church, and the Captain, while not 
identified with any religious organization, is a lib- 
eral contributor to the work. The family residence 
is at No. 120 Belleview Avenue. 



i^+^l 




(^^ 



11/ ON. HEWLETT C. ROCKWELL was born 
in Tarrytown, Westchester County, N. Y.) 
July 9, 1843. He is a descendant of Eng- 
lish ancestors, and his forefathers were for 
several generations identified with the growth of 
Connecticut. In that State his grandfather, Ilar- 
ve}-, and his father, George Rockwell, were horn 
and reared to manhood. The latter married Sara 
L. Tunis and they became the parents of two sons, 
Hewlett C. and Charles Howard, our subject being 
the elder in order of birth. 

The boyhood of Hewlett C.Rockwell was passed 
in a quiet manner in his native place, and after 
acquiring a common-school education he prepared 
for college at Tarrytown Academy. About that 
time arose the conflict between the North and 
South, and the whole nation was convulsed bj' the 



134 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



horrors of war. With chivalrous valor and patri- 
otism he at once espoused the cause of the Union, 
and although he was less than nineteen years old 
he determined to fight for the Uhl Fhig. In May, 
1«(;2, he enlisted in the United States army, be- 
coming a member of Company R, Twent^'-flfth 
New York Infantry, and served on detaclied duty 
until he was mustered out in October of the same 
year. Though his active service ended with his 
honorable discharge from tlie army, yet he aided 
the Union afterward in every way possible until 
tiie war was closed and peace once more reigned 
from coast to coast. 

In March, 1865, our subject was graduated from 
the Pennsylvania College of Dental Surgeiy, at 
Philadelphia. Al once after the completion of his 
studies Dr. Rockwell located at Aurora, 111., and 
commenced the practice of his profession in that 
city, remaining tliere a short time. Thence lie re- 
moved to I>an»ing, Midi., and there conducted 
active practice for a period of two jears, follow- 
ing which lie was located in Chicago for one year. 
While residing in the last-named city his attention 
was attracted to Berrien County, and he noted the 
excellent prospects and inducements .offered to 
those locating there. Accordingly, in 1870, he re- 
moved to St. .loseph, INIich., opened an office for 
the practice of his profession, and made his home 
in that city for nine years. Meanwhile he had 
gained an enviable reputation in the adjoining 
city of Benton llarboi', so that when he located in 
this cit}' in the summer of 1879 he came not as a 
stranger but .as an old friend. He is so delighted 
with the various attractions offered by Benton 
Harbor that in ail probability he will make this 
city his permanent home. 

In the fall of 1890 Dr. Rockwell was elected on 
the Democratict ticket to represent the First District 
of Berrien County in the Legislature of Michigan, 
and he served in that honored place for two years. 
He was instrumental in obtaining the city charter 
for Benton Harbor, and feels a commendable pride 
in the place. Eveiy movement looking to its ma- 
terial advancement meets with his encouragement, 
and he is progressive and public-spirited. For 
three years he served as City Recorder of St. Jos- 
eph. In liis fraternal relations he is identified with 



Lake Shore Lodge No. 298, F. & A. M., of which 
he was Worthy' Master for eight consecutive years; 
and Calvin Brittain Chapter, of St. .Joseph; he is 
also a Knight of Pythias, a Knight of Honor and 
a member of the Royal Arcanum. He was one of 
the charter members of George H. Thomas Post No. 
14, G. A. R., and is still actively connected with 
that organization. 

On Colfax Avenue, in Benton Harbor, Dr. 
Rockwell has a pleasant and elegantly furnished 
residence. He was married in December, 1866, to 
Miss Eunice C. Buckle}', who at that time was a 
resident of Clayton, Jefferson County, N. Y. She 
is the daughter of William and Caroline Buckley, 
natives of New York State. Dr. and Mrs. Rock- 
well are the parents of three daughters, Carrie, 
Florence and Georgia. 



•^•n^^ -"W 



? I I I ' .■ 



■ < I ' 




LPHONSO A. COVELL, Superintendent 
of the Davis IMilling Company at Benton 
Harbor, was born in Ashtabula County, 
Ohio, June 21, 1842. He is the son of 
Alpheus D. Covell, a native of New York and an 
early settler of Ashtabula County, Ohio, having 
settled there in 1840. The paternal grandfather, 
Jonathan Covell, was born in New York State, 
where his ancestors had located at an early period ■ 
in its history. Mr. Covell 's mother w.as Lucretia, 
daughter of Alansou L^'ons, the latter being a na- 
tive of Vermont and the former of Pennsylvania, 
while the ancestors were originally from German)-. 
In 1855 the subject of this sketch accompanied 
his parents to the village of Montgomery, Kane 
County, 111., where he completed his education in 
the common schools, lie had scarcely attained 
the age of twenty years when, anxious to defend 
the Union and fight for the Old Flag, he enlisted 
in the volunteer service, becoming a member of 
Company H, Eighty-ninth Illinois Infantry, Col. 
Christopher commanding. The regiment was as- 
signed to the Fourth Ami}' Corps, and, marching 
to the front, participated in 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



135 



ments with the foe. Among the battles in whicli 
Mr. Covell took part may be mentioned those of 
Pcrryvillc. Stone River, Ciiickaniaiiga and Mis- 
sionary Ridge. lie was also a participant in fre- 
quent skirmishes, not less hazardous to life though 
less decisive in results. On account of wounds 
received in the service, Mr. Covell was honorably 
discharged from the army and was mustered out 
at Cleveland, Ohio, in 1865, after three years of 
brave service for the preservation of the Union. 

After returning home our subject learned the car- 
penter's trade under his father, who followed tliat 
occupation, and .as soon as he acquired a thorough 
knowledge of the work he went to Erie County, 
Pa., where he engaged in building and contract- 
ing, remaining there until 1869. Subsequently 
he went to the oil regions of the Keystone State, 
where he followed his chosen occupatitm for a 
number of years. In 1882 he came to Benton Har- 
bor, and, forming a partnership with A. .1. Young, 
embarked in the planing-mill business, under tlu? 
firm name of Covell it Young. One and one- 
half 3ears after tiie establishment of tlie firm, Mr. 
Covell purcliased his partner's interest and formed 
a stock company, known .as the Eioholtz Lumber 
Company, of which he was Superintendent for two 
and oiu'-lialf years. The name was then changed to 
the (iraves Luinl)er Conipan3and later to the Lake 
Shore Lumber Company, and is now known as tiie 
Davis Lumber Company, Mr. Covell having re- 
tained the superintendency throughout the vari- 
ous changes of the company, and now iiaving con- 
trol of the planing-mills. 

An outspoken Republican, Mr. Covell w,as elected 
in .July, 18'.) I, to re|ireseut the Tliirtl Ward in the 
City Council, and at the expiration of his term of 
ollice was re-elected in 1892, serving until April, 
1893. Socially, he aililiates with the Knigiits of 
Pythias, tiie Royal Arcanum, Init'orMied Rank, and 
is also a mcmlter of (ieorge 11. Thonias I'ost No. 11, 
G. A. R. March 16, IHfw, he married Aliss Vina 
Taylor, of Pennsylvania, by whf)m he became the 
father of two children, Bertie G. and iNLattie K. 
1 11 1H82 he w.as united in marriage with Miss .Jen- 
nie .Johnson, who is the daughter of Solomon 
.Johnson, a native of \'crmoiit. Mrs. Covell is a 
most estimable lady and occujiies a position of 



prominence in the social circles of Benton Harbor. 
She is a devoted member of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church, with which Mr. Covell is also identi- 
fied. 



4^ 



[rj\)EN.TAMIN F. PIXLEY'. Throughout the 
O-is, entire nation, southwestern Michigan has 
[(^)'\\ gained the reputation of being one of the 
^>-i=^ finest fruit and tierry sections of the United 
States. The peculiar adaptability of the soil to 
the cultivation of small fruits has greatly en- 
hanced the value of property around St. .Joseph, 
and has induced manj- of the prominent men to 
devote their farms exclusively to raising berries 
and fruits. One of the most successful fruit-grow- 
ers of St. .Joseph is the gentleman with whose 
name we introduce this sketch. 

Born ill Oneida County, N. Y., September 26, 
1816, he is the son of William and Abigail 
(Lewis) Pixley, natives of Connecticut, the latter 
being the daughter of Nathaniel Lewis, a captain 
in the Revolutionary War. Our subject spent his 
early school days in Monroe County, N. Y., where 
for a time he attended the common schools. The 
education he there ac(iuired was afterward supple- 
mented by a course of study at Clinton Liberal 
Institute, in Clinton, N. Y. Mean while he aided 
his father on the farm. 

In 18-11, Mr. Pixley drove a (lock of one thou- 
sand sheep to .Janesville, Wis., coming across the 
country from New York and spending four 
months en route. Arriving in AViscoiisin, he con- 
ducted sheep-raising for two years, when he sold 
out and embarked in merchandising at .lanesville. 
For a time he carried on his mercantile business suc- 
cessfully, lint later disposed of that enterprise and 
purchased a tlouring-mill at .lanesville, which he 
operated with success for a luiiiiber of years. In 
connection with his mill lie bought and shipped 
wool extensively and carried on a large business 
m that line, lie remained in Wisconsin until 
1864. 

During that year Mr. Pixley removed to Chi- 



136 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRArHICAL RECORD. 



cago, where he conducted an extensive business as 
a wool merchant until 1871. Tliat year witnessed 
his arrival in St. Joseph, where he purchased a 
fruit farm, consisting of ten acres and located in 
the suburbs of St. Joseph. He still resides on that 
place and is engao^ed extensively in the raising of 
grapes, pears, peaches and other small fruits. He 
is a man who brings to every detail of his busi- 
ness a well-balanced mind, keen discrimination 
and thoughtful observation, qualities which have 
largely contributed to his success. 

A very important event in the life of Mr. Pix- 
ley was his marriage, which took place October 25, 
1848, and united him with Miss Jane E. Lewis. 
This estimable lady was born in Augusta, Oneida 
County, N. Y., and is the daughter of Isaac and 
Eliza (Bowen) Lewis, natives of Boston, Mass., the 
latter being a daughter of Joshua Bowen, of Eng- 
land. He emigrated to this country and married 
Abigail (Smith) Williams, of Boston. Mr. and 
Mrs. Pixley were the parents of six children, but 
have been called upon to mourn the loss of two 
by death. The survivors are: Ann Jeannette, 
Frank Lewis, George Kemp and Jane, all of whom 
reside in St. Joseph. In politics, Mr. Pixley is a 
Democrat. In their religious belief the various 
members of tlie family are identified with the 
Episcopal Church and are active in the good 
works of that denomination. 



I P=^ - 



■JI^AMES HANSON. When any reference is 
made to the farms of Cass County, mention 
is almost invariably made of the property 
belonging to Mr. Hanson and located in 
Howard Township, upon section 25. The entire 
acreage of the farm is two hundred and fort3'-two, 
of which two hundred acres have been placed un- 
der the highest cultivation through the efforts of 
the present owner. The place is embellished with 
first-class buildings for the shelter of stock and 
storage of grain. Especial mention should be made 
of the residence, which is an eleg.aut brick struc- 



ture, the finest house in the township. It was 
erected in 1874 at a cost of $8,000, not including 
Mr. Hanson's time. In this beautiful rural abode 
may be found every convenience and comfort 
which can promote the happiness and ease of the 
inmates. 

Forty miles from the city of Albany, and in the 
county of Fulton, N. Y., our subject was born on 
the 7th of May, 1831. His father, John Hanson, 
was also a native of Fulton Count}', and was of 
Dutch descent. The mother of our subject was 
Lydia, daughter of William Schanck, a native of 
Long Island and for many years a prominent and 
wealthy farmer of New York. Married in the 
Empire State, the parents of our subject located 
on a farm in Fulton County, where for many 
years they made their home. In the fall of 1835 
they came to Michigan and located in Jefferson 
Township, Cass County, upon a tract of raw 
prairie land. At that early period in the history 
of the county, neighbors were few, and the present 
thriving villages existed only in the imaginations 
of some enthusiastic visionaries. 

Much pioneer labor was done by the senior Mr. 
Hanson ere the unbroken tracts of land were trans- 
formed into cultivated fields and green pastures. 
His courage, however, w.as equal to the arduous 
task, and he succeeded in introducing many im- 
provements and effecting many valuable changes 
in the place. He died here when fifty-eight 3'ears 
of age, and in his decease the conimunit}' lost one 
of its earliest settlers and prominent citizens. He 
was a Democrat in his political sympathies, and 
in his religious belief was identified with the 
Presbyterian Church. His wife passed away at 
the age of sixtj'-two years. 

The parental family consisted of nine children, 
three daughters and six sons, eight of whom 
reached maturity. James is the third in order of 
birth, and was a child of only four years when he 
accompanied his parents to Michigan. In Cass 
County he was the recipient of such educational 
opportunities as were afforded by the district 
schools, but his time was principallj' devoted to 
aiding his father on the home farm. After the 
death of his father, he remained at home and 
worked for his mother for one year, after which 



PORTRAIT AND HlOGKAl'HICAL RECORD. 



137 



he rented a farm, whicli he operated one year. 
October 20, 1851, he niiirried Miss Harriet Lee, a 
n.ative of New York, who was born in 1833. After 
his marriage he located on a forty-acre farm, 
where he remaineri two j'cars, and later operated 
as a renter in .letTcrson Township for two yeai's. 
He located where he now resides in 1866, and has 
since devoted his attention to the iini)rovement of 
this place. 

Mr. and Mrs. Il.-insoii are the parents of three 
children, namely: Helen, the wife of Dennis Flynn, 
a resident of Howard Township; Lj-dia R., the 
wife of .lerome Rose, of St. -losepli County, Ind.; 
and Edward L., wiio is at home. Politically a 
Democrat, Mr. Hanson h.as filled the ottice of High- 
way Coinmis.sioner and also sel'vcd on the Hoard 
of Review; at various times he has held a number 
of school oftices. Socially, he is a member of Ed- 
wardsbnrg Lodge No U', L O. O. F. He is a man 
who stands high in the estimation of all who know 
liim. and as a general farmer and stock-raiser has 
no superior in tlic county. 



ir=-i-=v 



_V 



"A 



^ AVID S. RECTOR, who was an honored 
pioneer settler of Sodus Township, Ber- 
rien County, Mich., W.1S a man of sterling 
" integrit}', and, jwssessing business qualifi- 

cations of a high order, he held with ability num- 
erous oflicial positions of trust in his home town- 
sliip and was mourned by all who knew him when, 
after a long life of busy usefulness, he passed 
away on the old Rector farm, located upon section 
II. I'.orn July U, l.sil, in Wayne County, N. 
Y., our subject spent the d.iys of early j'outh in 
the home of his childhood, and, trained to in- 
dustrious habits, arrived at maturity a self-reliant 
and enterprising man, w'ell fitted to cope with the 
trials and ditliculties of life. His parents, David 
and Hannah (Hickey) Hector, were lifetime resi- 
dents of the Emi)ire State, his father having been 
liorn in Wayne County, where he spent his entire 



days. Mr. Rector was twenty-one years of age 
when he first visited Michigan with the inten- 
tion of making this State liis perinanent abiding- 
place. Finding the climate tiien malarial, and 
there being a large increase in the sickness of the 
district in which lie had settled temporarily, he 
returned again to the old New Yoik home well 
content. 

The next year, however, our subject and one of 
his brothers concluded to tr}' their fortunes in 
Michigan, and again David S., Jr., journeyed to the 
Wolverine State. The three brothers, traveling 
by way of the Lakes, had a narrow escape from 
shipwreck. They had taken passage at Buffalo on 
a keelboat in tow of a steamer coming directly 
to St. Joseph, Mich. In a violent storm the tow 
became parted from the steamer and for two miles 
drifted at the mere}' of tlie wind and waves. 
When the storm subsided they manned the oars 
and brought the boat safely into port at Cleve- 
land. Reaching St. .loseph, our subject worked a 
siiort time at boating, but was soon engaged by a 
Mr. Larew to assist in the erection of a sawmill 
on Pipestone Creek. Mr. Rector was employed 
most of the time for three years b}' Mr. Larew, and 
in 1839 settled upon a tract of land located upon 
section 1 I, which he had entered previously, lu 
what is now Sodus Township. He had some time 
before partially cleared the land, to which he .added 
afterward the one hundred and twenty adjoining 
acres, and by diligent toil and excellent manage- 
ment brought a large part of the acreage into a 
high state of cultivation. 

For fifty changing years, season after sesisoii.he 
tilled the fertile soil, and here brought his young 
wife, in maidenhood Miss Sarah T;ibor. The hus- 
band and wife were wedded in 1843, and into the 
pioneer home came four daughters and five sons, 
seven of whom are married and two are yet at the 
homestead. As Mr. Rect<ir was the first settler to 
make a permanent home in Sodus Township, it 
was a fitting token of the appreciation of his efforts 
as a progressive pioneer that he should have been 
asked, as he was in 1859, at the organization of 
the township, to give it a name. In remembrance 
of his old home in New York, he called it Sodus. 

In 1869 our subject built a gristmill on Pipe- 



138 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



stone Creek, on section 2, which for many j'ears 
was popularly known as the Rector Mill. Having 
a sound constitution and being of strictly temper- 
ate habits, Mr. Rector lived to a good old age and 
died upon bis seventy-fifth birthd,\v. his death re- 
gretted as a public loss by all the people of the 
township. Fraternally, he was a valued member of 
the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, and in 187.5 
received the degree of Masonry in Occidental 
Lodge No. 56, at St. Joseph. In 1874 our subject, his 
wife and three of their sons and daughters joined 
the Benton Harbor Grange of the Patrons of Hus- 
bandr3', but afterward united their interests with 
the Sodus Grange, with which Mr. Rector affiliated 
until his death. He was never identified with anj' 
church, but he was a strong believer in the doc- 
trine ofuuivers.nl salvation and was ever generous 
to the need}" and suffering. Politically, he was a 
Democrat and was held in high esteem, being elected 
to many of the important town offices. Our sub- 
ject was in everj' sense of the word a representa- 
tive pioneer settler, and materially aided in laj'ing 
the broad foundation of the present advancement 
of Michigan. 




^KN.JAMIN F. ROUNDS, dealer in real 
estate and insurance at Benton Harbor, 
was lx)rn in .Jefferson County, N. Y., No- 
vember 21, 1825, and is a descendant of 
substantial English progenitors. His grandfather, 
Oliver Rounds, was born in Vermont and spent 
his earlier j-ears in that State, whence he removed 
to New York and there established his home. In 
the Kmpire State, George Rounds, father of our 
subject, w.as born, and in Providence, R. I., he 
married Miss Maria Dorchester, a native of Con- 
necticut and a daughter of Benjamin Dorchester, 
whose ancestors were of English origin. George 
Rounds entered the service of the United States 
in the navy during the War of 1812, and was en- 
gaged in the battle at Sackett's Harbor, N. Y. At 



the close of his service he settled on a farm near 
Sackett's Harbor and lived there until his death, 
in 1862. His widow died in 1865. On that old 
homestead the family of nine children was born. 

During his boyhood. Benjamin F. Rounds car- 
ried on his studies in the common schools and in 
the vacations aided his father in the work of carry- 
ing on the home farm. He learned early in life 
the habits of perseverance, industry and energy 
which contributed to his success upon entering the 
active business world. In 1865 he removed from 
New York to Michigan and located in Benton 
Harbor, where he commenced in business as a fruits 
grower, and was thus eng.aged for a ])eriod of six 
years. Subsequently he changed his occup.ation 
and embarked in the insurance and real-estate 
business, and is conducting a prosperous trade in 
these lines at the present time. 

In the j'ear 1890 Mr. Rounds assisted in the 
organization of the Benton Harbor Building 
and Loan Association, of which he became the 
firet President and is still serving in that position. 
This association, since its inception a few years 
ago, has been of great aid to the people of Benton 
Harbor, and one of its results is the erectioii of a 
number of tasteful and attractive residences in the 
city. In politics Mr. Rounds is a Republican. He 
was elected Treasurer of Benton Harbor in 1881- 
82 and filled that position for two years. In edu- 
cational mattci-s he maintains an abiding interest 
and is now serving as a member of the School 
Board, being President of the Board of Trustees. 
In his social connections, he is identified with 
Benton Lodge No. 132,1. O. O. F.,and was Gr.and 
Master of the State of Michigan in 1888. 

The first marriage of Mr. Rounds took place in 
1846 and united him with Miss Lovisa, daughter 
of Elisha Harris, of New York. Mrs. Lovisa 
Rounds died in July, 1890, leaving three children, 
namel\-: George F.; Hattie L., wife of W. P. Rob- 
bins and a resident of Benton Harbor; and Lillian 
M., who m.arried W. S. Boyle, of Chicago. In 
October, 1891, Mr. Rounds was again married, his 
wife being Miss Tirza J. Worden, who was born in 
Ohio. She is identified with the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church and is active in religious work. Mr. 
Rounds has also been au attendant of the Method- 




^ Sna^^A 



^^LA^^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Ul 



ist Church, though not a member, and has sung in 
tlic choir of tiiat churcli for fifty years. Tiie 
family residence is located on the corner of Broad- 
way and Urittain Avenue. 




MILO D. BKC^KVVITH. No name is more 
)i closely connected with the history of the 
city of Dowagiac than that of the late Mr. 
Beckwith, and tliis volume would be in- 
complete were no mention made of his life. lie 
was born in 1825, upon the tract of land known as 
the Holland Purchase, in the town of Eagle, Alle- 
gany Count}', N. Y. His parents were descended 
from New England ancestors, and the family pedi- 
gree reaches back to the sturdy old Puritan stock, 
representatives of which first landed on our shores 
at Plymouth Rock. In those early times, when 
poverty was the rule and wealth the exception, the 
parents of our subject were in such straitened 
circumstances that they were not able to furnish 
their son the benefit of even the scanty education 
of a country school. 

The father, .Stephen Beckwith, died in the prime 
of life, leaving two children, a sou and a daugh- 
ter, to be cared for by the widowed mother, who 
for some years earned her own living and that of 
her children by the use of the needle. At the 
age of fourteen years the lad was i)laced in the 
care of a maternal uncle, wlio provided for him a 
comfortable homo, and who, being the owner of a 
woolen mill, trained him to work in this mill. Two 
years afterward young Beckwith was Iransfeired 
to the care of another uncle, also on the maternal 
side, who resided near Rochester, N. Y. While 
living with that uncle he enjoyed the privilege of 
attending the district school several months, in all 
less than a year, the only schooling he ever re- 
ceived, although plenty of it came in the greater 
school of a busy and useful life. 

In 1843, at the early age of eighteen years, Mr. 
Beckwith married Miss Catherine Scott, a young 
lady of his native town. A year later he removed 



with his wife to Michigan, arriving at Battle Creek 
in the spring, penniless and without friends. How- 
ever, he soon found employment in a woolen fac- 
tory, and afterward in a machine slio|), both posi- 
tions occupying about nine years. During that 
time, although receiving the nominal wages of 
only ^l per day, yei the journeyman worker 
managed to save enough money to purchase a 
home, which he afterward sold for ^600. This 
same money in after years became the nucleus 
around which has since been gathered the hand- 
some fortune now possessed in the Round Oak Stove 
Works. But the path leading to this fortune was 
at tunes in the earlier da^s far from flowery. 
DiHicullies, which to a nature less gifted and per- 
seveiing would have been insiirmouiUable, were 
bravely met and van(|uislie(l. 

Mr. Beckwith removed to Dowagiac in IH.'il and 
built a small foundry and machine shop, '2.5x00 
feet, on the east side of Front Street, opposite the 
Coniinental Hotel. This foundry was run by 
horse power and its object was the manufacture of 
plows. The beginning was graduated on so small 
a scale that the first year the proprietor employed 
only one workman with himself, and in this 
way he struggled along for four ^-ears, making 
on the whole some progress, but in so slow a de- 
gree as to be entirel}' unsatisfactory. AVith the 
view, therefore, to bettering his condition, he dis- 
posed of his property anrl purchased a plot of land 
on Dowagiac Creek, at the foot of Front Street, 
but within the village corporation. On the new 
site he improved the water power, built a shop, 
and furnished it with tools and machinery. The 
manufacture of plows was still the object in view. 
But the howl of the wolf, the dashing of the deer 
and the depredations of old Bruin in many por- 
tions of the State were still too common to war- 
rant the rapid introduction of this farm imple- 
ment. The forest haunts of those wild denizens 
must first be converted into arable lands. 

While conversing with .Tohn S. Gage, a practical 
farmer of Wayne Township, Mr. Beckwith received 
a happy suggestion. At that time nearly all the 
grain in Michigan was sown broadcast by hand. 
This enterprising farmer, having conceived the 
idea of a machine which, lt\' sowing the grain m 



142 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



drills and by horse power, would do the woi-k In a 
far better way and more rapidly-, saw also thai the 
proprietor of the Creek Foundry was just the kind 
of a genius to materialize it. No sooner in the 
conversation w.is .this idea broached, than Mr. 
Beckwith seized it, became fuU^- possessed of it, 
and as the result forthwith manufactured and in- 
troduced to tlie farmers of Michigan the celebrated 
Roller Grain Drill. 

With the new impetus given by the drill enter- 
prise, employing a score of workmen, the proprietor, 
with a view to being located nearer the r.ailroad 
and to use steam instead of water power, sold out 
the Creek foundry, after having used it nine years, 
and purchased land on the east side of the Michi- 
gan Centr.al Railroad, opposite the depot at Do- 
wagiac. On this new site two brick shops were 
erected, which by raanj' additions have since 
grown into the present well-known Round Oak 
Stove Works. But the manufacture of the Roller 
Grain Drill was at first the paramount object in 
view. Some progress had been made in this en- 
terprise, but not enough for the accumulation of 
capital sufficient for the building of the new 
foundry, the purchase of new m.-ichinery, and the 
manufacture of the required stock of drills. To 
make up the deficiency a large sum of money was 
borrowed. AVitli the new facilities now on hand, 
the proprietor manufactured an unusually large 
stock of drills, hoping b}^ their ready sale to meet 
his heavy obligations, but it was just after the 
close of the Civil War and times were unpropi- 
tious. Prices of all producd and property had 
fallen some sevent3'-five per cent. Of course this 
indicated in reality a wholesome state of things. 
During the war prices had become fictitious, and 
tliey were now seeking proper adjustment upon 
the basis of real values, but the effect of the de- 
cline was at first discouraging. Farmers, like other 
classes in the community, regarding the transition 
in an unfavorable light, felt that they must curtail 
their expenses and were slow to purch.ase new ma- 
chinery. The Roller Grain Drill, moreover, being 
made of the best material and in the most thorough 
style of workmanship, was of necessitj' high priced. 

It frequently happened that some stock had to 
be carried over to the next season; besides, the 



proprietor was paying interest on all his borrowed 
capital at the exorbitant rate of from fifteen to 
twenty-five per cent. With such heavy odds 
against him, it is not strange that he could only 
pay the interest on the burdensome debt from 
j'car to year. As old obligations became past due 
and could no longer be extended, he contrived to 
meet tbem by finding parties who, at a high rate 
of interest, could be induced to grant him new 
loans. In this way, with a will that was indomi- 
table, united with a courage that never faltered, 
five years or more of the next thing to bankruptcy 
were struggled through. 

It was a new invention that fln.ally, in the hour 
of frowning fortune, proved the tide at which af- 
fairs turned and led on to smiling prosperity. 
Ever fruitful in resources, when the demand for 
the Roller Grain Drill was insufficient to meet the 
large expenses incurred in its manufacture, Mr. 
Beckwith invented the best heating, as well as the 
most durable, stove that has ever been placed on 
the market. But tliis, like all other inventions, 
had its daj'S of trial. Only three hundred were 
made and sold the first 3'ear. Great were the ob- 
stacles on every hand. The inventor had never 
had any experience in stove-making, nor did he 
have any workmen on hand who had ever been 
employed in a stove foundry. By the closest ap- 
plication and perseverance he was obliged to gain 
a knowledge of the business and then to teach il 
in all its details to his workmen. 

Tiie burdensome debt with its usurious interest 
still continued. Home or local encouragement 
seemed to be a minus quantity. Here was a new 
enterprise struggling to assert itself witiun tlie 
limits of the corporation, and yet it is a notable 
fact that the men of capital in Dow.agiac did not 
extend the hand of fellowship by any investment 
in it, or by loaning money to the proprietor, or 
contributing in any other w.ay to its success. One 
hardware firm, which was handling the stove' ex- 
pressed the public opinion, when it asserted that 
"a few of these stoves may be sold this year, but 
next year the thing will play out." During all 
this period of trial, the proprietor steadily pros- 
ecuted his business with quiet persistency. It 
was a fortunate thing that when old loans became 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



143 



due, tlic rrosuleiit of a bank in liattle Creek, learn- 
in"; that our subject was pressed for means, lent 
him a lirge sum of money, and, wiiat was more 
fortunate, the interest was placed at the legal rate. 
As soon as the merits of the stove became known 
it found a ready sale. Indeed from year to year 
its sales increased so rapidly that the proprietor 
found it dilHcult to fill the orders and was often 
obliged to run the works d.ay and night. As 
means could be spared from the business, i)ayment8 
were made from time to time on tlic immense debt, 
until finally the last dollar of. principal and inter- 
est was canceled, since which time a handsome 
fortune 1ms been accumulated. 

In inventing tlie Round Oak Stove, Mr. Beck- 
wilh "buUded belter tlian he knew." In its im- 
proved and perfected form, nine sizes of which are 
now on the market, adapted to burn either wood 
or coal, it has gained an enviable reputation 
throughout the country. It might well have been 
a source of pride to Mr. Beckwith that from first 
to last no outside party ever invested f 1 in tiie 
business. Purely from his own aliilily he lirougiit 
into existence an enterprise wliicii has revolution- 
ized the stove business of America and also by this 
means i-aised iiimself from poverty to opulence. 
Until the time of his death he retained tiie manage- 
ment and superintendency of the stove works, and 
so popular was lie among his workmen that strikes 
or otiier dissatisfaction never occurred. 

Aside from the duties imposed by his business, 
Mr. Beckwilli found time through the passing 
years to (ill ollices in several social societies. He 
served many times on the City School Board and 
also filled the positions of ]\Iayor and Alderman 
ficcpiently and successfully. His death occurred 
.lanuaiy 11, ISKlt, and was widely mourned as a 
public loss, lie is survived by his widow, who 
througli all his adversities was his true helpmate, 
and who rejoiced in his success as none other 
could. Catherine Scott was born in Syracuse, 
N. Y., September '22, 1827, and is the daughter of 
James Scott, a native of New York, who came to 
Michigan in 1H43, and located at I'.attlc Creek. 
The land which he purcliascd there was wholly un- 
improved and he devoted his attention to clearing 
and improving the place. His wife, whose maiden 




name was Jane Shears, died in 1848. After her 
death he lived in Battle Creek for a time and later 
removed to Dowagiac, where he died. He had 
served in the War of 1812, and on account of in- 
juries received in service was a pensioner of the 
Government. He had five children, of whom only 
two arc living. Catherine Scott became the wife 
of Mr. Beckwith on the 1st of October, 1843, the 
ceremony which united their lives being performed 
at Eagle, N. Y. Though now in the twilight of 
life, she enjoys good health and retains possession 
of her mental faculties. 



,=o. 



'(__^ ON. JA^IES II. HlTCllCOX needs very lit- 
tle introduction to the i)eople of Cass 
County, for a long residence here and. 
•jj above all, a career of usefulness and prom- 
inence, have given him an extensive acquaintance. 
It might be well to state, hoivever, that he is one of 
the pioneers of the county, is an e.v-memherof the 
State Legislature, and one of the most infiuential 
and wealthy citizens of the township. 

Like a majority of the best citizens of the county, 
our subject claims New York .as iiis native .State, 
and was born near Aurora, in Erie Count}', January 
5, 1826. His parents, .lariiis and Loana (Blakely) 
Hitchcox, were also natives of tiie Empire State, the 
former born in Paris, Oneida County, March 3, 
1795, and llie latter near Greenville, Greene Coun- 
ty, Maj'21, 17!)7. So far as known, the grandfather 
of our subject, Samuel II. Hitchcox, was a native 
of the Stale of New York, and died there about 
181(J. He was the father of six children, five sons 
and one daughter, as follows: .larius, .Samuel, 
Truman, Hiram, Merrill and Eliza. The last- 
named, the (uily daughter, died when quite young. 
Samuel died in New York .State about I.SfiS. Tru- 
man died in Pennsylvania. Hiram died in Erie 
County, N. Y., and Merrill <lied in the Empire 
State. 

Jarius Ilitchco.x, the father of nur subject, was a 



144 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



stonemason by trade and a man well and favor- 
ably known tlirougliout his native county. He 
was possessed of broad and progressive views and 
knew well how to state them when occasion re- 
quired. On the 27th of September, 1817, he 
married Miss Blakely, and in 1831 came to Mich- 
igan, entering land in Porter Township, Cass 
County, where the original of this notice is now 
located. The latter now has in his possession the 
deed made by Andrew Jackson for this land. 
Jarius Hitchcox had very little schooling in his 
youtli, but being a man of observation and a stu- 
dent he made up for this to a great extent. An 
ardent Jacksonian Democrat, he held a number of 
local offices and was prominent in all affairs of 
moment. When he came to this county he cleared 
up about flft3' acres of land in the wilds of Cass 
County, .and died on tliis farm in 1850. His wife 
w.as the youngest of six children born to her 
parents. These children were named as follows: 
Is.aac, Asa, .loseph, David, Hannah and Loana. 
Hannah married a man l)y the name of Howley. 
Mrs. (litchcox survived her husband about twenty 
years and all this time found a comfortable and 
pleasant home with oursubject. She died in 1870, 
on the farm where she iiad settled with her hus- 
band in 1831. She was an exemplar}' member of 
the Presbyterian Church for many 3'ears. 

James H. Hitchcox had two brothers and five sis- 
ters, two of the sisters being older than he. Harriet 
was boin December 12, 1822, was deaf and dumb, 
and died in Vicksburg, Mich., December 21, 1881. 
Eliza was born March 21), 1824. and married Alonzo 
Joy. They emigrated to California and there her 
death occurred in 1869. Her husband and one 
child survive her and live in California at the 
present time. Caroline, born September 21, 1827, 
married James F. Charles, who crossed the plains 
to California in 1849 and there resided until 1854, 
when he returned and settled in Cedar Rapids, 
Iowa. There they now live, but her husband spends 
much of Ins time in Florida, where he has an ex- 
tensive orange grove. He is a wealthy and prom- 
inent citizen, has been Mayoi-of Cedar Rapids and 
has held other positions of trust. They are the 
parents of four children, Edgar, Fred, Frank and 
James Knox. Thomas A. Hitchcox was born June 



22, 1829, came to Michigan with his parents when 
a bo}', and in 1850 went across the plains to Cali- 
fornia, where he was engaged in placer-mining 
and where he had an interest in a ranch. In 1852 
he returned to the East, and in 1856 was married 
to Miss Mary Meacham, a daughter of lion. George 
Meacham, one of the pioneers of Porter Township 
and an ex-member of tlie State Legislature. To 
Mr. and Mrs. Hitchcox were born these children. 
Clara, born February 14, 1857, died February 20, 
1874. Jerard born November 4, 1859, is now en- 
gaged in the fruit-growing business in California. 
Charlotte ]\IT, born November 25, 18(51, married 
Mr. Dellenback and lives in Hastings, Neb. Will- 
ard H., born December 21, 1803, married Jennie 
Bucher, and now resides in Porter Township. 
Lutbrea, born March 2, 1865, married Herbert 
Graham. Alfred Lloyd, born July 3, 1868, issingle 
and resides in Porter Township. M. Gertrude, 
born March 27, 1872, resides at home, as do the 
two younger children, Susan and Lucia, the former 
born September 16, 1878, and the latter April 30, 
1881. The next of our suliject's brothers and 
sisters was Anna Mariah, born October 24, 1831, 
the first of the family whose birth occurred in 
Porter Township, this county. She married Arthur 
Fox, and died in Vicksburg, Mich., December 18, 
1881. Her three children are also deceased. Will- 
iam Hitchcox was born January' 3, 1835, and mar- 
ried Miss Elizabeth Jones. They now reside in 
Jamestown, Kan. Four children were born to 
them, Delia, Letty, Carlton and Bertha. Henry 
Whiteside Hitchcox was born April 14, 1837, and 
died January 15, 1839. Loana, born August 24, 
1839, married Oswell M. French and now resides 
in Dakota. They have one child, Anna Belle. 
Lucius Q. C, born August 1, 1845, served in the 
army on detached duty until 1866. He man-ied 
Miss Sarah Jones and the}- reside in Porter Town- 
ship, where he is a fruit-grower. They have one 
child. Aline. 

James H. Hitchcox was but five years of age 
when he came with his parents to the unbroken 
farm in Cass County, Mich., and his advantages 
for receiving an education were limited. This he 
made up to a great extent in later .years and when 
not at work always had a book before him. Thus 
























^'*,^> 






TOWN RCS/OENCe .COR. UAH AND FRONT STR£C TJ , BUCHANAr/ , MICH. 






'Jf-UVr^ U«. 



.Hii-vV-*"-"*" ''^' 













...-,^■^;-■s:^iJ■^-■.~-l■>^^»'. 



FARM RESIDENCE OF A .C, H0U5 E , SEC . I8.,BERTRAND TP., BERRI EN CO., MICH. 



PORTRAIT AND TUOORAPinCAL RECORD. 



145 



lie received most of liis education until he entered 
school at White ri^ooii, where a bniiich of liie 
Slate rniversit}- was situated. There lie a|)i)liod 
himself and was soon able to tc.ach school. He 
followed this for some time and then, as a number 
of his brothers and relatives had gone lo the Golden 
.State, the fever seized him, and in 1852 he started 
overland for the Pacific Coast. For three years he 
was engaged in mining, and as lie made enough to 
buy a good home he was wise enough not to ven- 
ture it in hazardous schemes, but like the shrewd, 
careful businessman lie has always been, he gathered 
u[) his little fortune and returned to his former 
home in Micliigan. 

Our subject purchased the farm that h;is ever 
since been his home, and in the following year, 
January 2, 185G, he married Jliss Louisa Baldwin, 
a native of Ohio and the daughter of one of the 
pioneers of that State. She died .January 21, 1862, 
leaving one child, Carrie Belle, whose birth oc- 
curred December 4, 18.07. This young lady grad- 
uated from the school at Hillsdale and later en- 
tered the State Kormal School at Ypsilanti. She 
is single and resides at Milwaukee, Wis. On the 
10th of September, 1871, Mr. Ilitchcox married 
Jliss Emarett Tiiompson, a native of Adanisville, 
Mich., and the daughter of Horace Thompson, who 
was one of the pioneers of Cass ('ounty, having 
settled here in 1831. Her father is deceased but 
the mother is still living. To Mr. Hitchcox' sec- 
ond union were born two children: Estell, whose 
birth occurred December 17, 1873; and Ethel, who 
was born August 25, 1877. The former has been 
a student at the State Normal School at Ypsilanti 
for three years, and the latter is a student there 
also. 

Mr. Hitchcox has been quite a factor in local 
politics and has filled some important ofHces. He 
was first elected a member of the County Board of 
Supervisors in 1804, w.as Justice of the Peace for 
some time, and m 1880 he was pushed to the front 
by his friends and party as a candidate for the 
Legislature. He was elected and served with 
credit to himself and to his constituents, being on 
several important committees. Although he sprang 
from an old Democratic familj-, he has been a 
strong Republican since the party was first organ- 



ized. For many years he was an extensive fruit- 
grower and fruit-dealer, and in this he made much 
of the fortune he now possesses. For a number of 
years he has been in feeble health and h.-is done 
but little on his farm, but yet he has other interests 
to occupy his mind, for he is said to be one of the 
largest money loaners in his locality. In his beau- 
tiful home, surrounded by all the comforts of life, 
and with a happy family, he is spending the de- 
clining 3ears of a well-spent life. He is a Trustee 
in the Methodist Episcopal Church and contributes 
lihernlly to its sup[)ort, but is not a member of the 
church. 



^^>-^<i 



^f^^RANK D. PHILLIPS, the original of this 
|-H(g) notice, is a descendant of old Hevolution- 
/Iv, ary stock, his great-grandfather having 

served over six years in the struggle for indepen- 
dence. The latter was a native of the Empire 
State, where he married, and where he reared three 
of the four children born to this union, viz.: Peter, 
our subject's grandfather; Eva, wife of .lonathan 
Pulver; and Catherine, wife of Fullerton Cair. 
His son Peter first saw the light of day in Her- 
kimer County, N. Y., in 1791, and his early life 
was passed in assisting on the farm and in learning 
the shoemaker's trade, at which he served an ap- 
prenticeship of six 3'ears. This trade he followed 
at different times throughout his entire life. 

After serving his apprenticeship, 3'oung Peter 
went on the Hudson River as a sailor, and after 
following this for several 3'ears, was married to 
Miss Kate Muckey. Shortly after this he left the 
i river and bought farms in different counties of 
New York, but was never contented to follow ag- 
ricultural pursuits as a livelihood, much preferring 
to follow his trade. He was also quite fond of 
travel. His death occurred in Livingston County, 
N. Y., in 1854. The eight children born to his 
marriage are in the order of tlieir births as 
follows: John; Abraham, a soldier in the Mex- 
ican War; Richard, our subject's father; Jacob; 



146 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Caroline, wife of Jonathan Britten; Mary, wife of 
Micliael Clapper; Catherine, wife of Eptiraini Kid- 
der; and Jane, wife of David Lowe. The fatlier 
of tliese children was reared in Ihn Old-School 
Presbyterian Church. 

Richard Phillips-, tlie father of our subject, was 
born in New York State January 6, 1822, and when 
sixteen 3'ears of age began the struggle of life for 
liiinself. For two years lie worked on the farm, 
after which he began learning the blacksmith trade, 
but after following this for two or three 3ears, 
dropiied it, losing most of the wages thus earned, 
lie tlien returned to the farm and shortly after- 
ward married Miss Sarah McGivney, daughter of 
Melvina McGivney. For four or five years after 
this he was in the village of Mt. Morris, and in 
connection with teaming was engaged in farming 
on rented land. In 1854, after the deatli of his 
father, he moved to Michigan, and for a short 
time w.as a resident of Lenawee County. From 
there ho moved to Allen County, Ind., and was 
engaged in carrying on a rented farm for about 
four years. Cass Countj' was his next objective 
point, but after renting land there for one year, 
lie moved to Van Buren Count3-, Midi., where he 
resided until the spring of 1866. He then returned 
to Cass County, and bought two hundred and 
forty acres of partly improved land where our 
subject now resides, and turned his attention to 
farming and improving his land. 

The six children born to his marri.age were 
in the order of their births, as follows: Mar\', who 
is the wife of John, McAlpine; Eugene, William 
Millard, Frank and Charles. Mr. Phillips united 
with the JMethodist Episcopal Church. In politics, ! 
he was formerly a Whig and Republican until 
the assassination of President Lincoln, after which 
he became a strong Democrat. He was accidentally 
drowned, falling through a bridge near his home 
March 25, 1893. In his death the county lost a 
worthy and honored citizen, and his children a 
kind and loving father. 

Frank D. Phillips, the original of this notice, 
was born in Cass County, Mich., in 1859, and se- 
cured a good practical education in the district 
school. His youthful days were spent in assisting 
his father on the farm, and in 1882 he was married 



to Miss Mary E. Jessup, a native of Ohio, as were 
also her parents, Enoch and Isabel (Godfrey) Jes- 
sup. Mr. and Mrs. Jessu)) came to Cass County, 
Mich., in 1859, and became prominent citizens of 
this county. After his marriage Mr. Phillips was 
on his father's farm for a short time and then 
went to La Grange Township, this county, where 
he remained for one year. After tliat he bought 
a farm near his father's, eighty acres, and two 
years later returned to the home place, which he 
has carried on since. He and his three brothers 
own three hundred and twenty acres besides the 
interest in the home place, and he is a wide-awake, 
enterprising young farmer. He is engaged in gen- 
eral farming, and is thorough and practical in all 
his operations. To iiis mai'riage has been born 
one child, a son, Waldo ¥.. Socially, Mr. Phillips 
takes an active part in the Patrons of Industry 
and the Alliance, and was the first county Presi- 
dent of the latter. Since then he has been an ac- 
tive worker in the order. In politics, he is inde- 
pendent and a Prohibitionist. 



j+***# 
1****% 






^^^EORGE A. MILLS. Biographies of useful, 
||| f-—, upright, honorable and successful men not 
^^ijj onl3' perpetuate for their descendants the 
events of their lives, but also are most instructive 
as guides and incentives to otiiers. The pages of 
this volume are studded with examples of the 
power of steadfast integrity and unwavering per- 
sistence, proving what each one may accomplish 
for himself, even though he begins the battle of 
life handicapped by poverty and other seemingly 
insuimountable obstacles. Nor does the biogr.a- 
phy of Mr. Mills present in this respect an exam- 
ple less to be emulated and admired by his fellow- 
citizens and co-laborers. It is therefore with 
pleasure that we direct the attention of our read- 
ers to the following brief outline of a life spent in 
the honorable discharge of public and private du- 
ties and obligations. 

At the present time Mr. Mills is conducting an 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RF.CORD. 



147 



extensive business as a mason and contractor in 
Benton Harbor. He is a native of Rochester, N. Y., 
ami w:is ln)rii on tlie Titli of December, 1859. His 
fatlicr, John C, was born in Scotland in 1807, anil 
inhmiled habits of thrift froni a li)ng line of Scotch 
forcfalher.-s. Enn'ii;ratin<' early in life to America, 
he iiiircha>cil a fruit farm in Ottawa, Canada, and 
for a iiuniber of years engaged in raising small 
fruits ;ui(i berries, which he shipped mainly to 
Ka.stcrn markets. Sub.se<iuently he removed to 
Xcw York, and for some years was a resident of 
Rocliestor. His death occurred in 1889, ;it the ad- 
vanced age of four-score 3'ears and two. 

The mother of our subject bore the maiden name 
of Martha Labar, and is of French descent. She 
is still living and makes her home in Benton Har- 
bor. Her four chiidien also survive, Frank II. be- 
ing a resident of Benton Harbor, as are also Rob- 
ert W., (ieorge A., and Sarah. The joungest son 
of the family, George A., spent his boyhood years 
in the city of Rochester, where he gained a prac- 
tical education in the common schools. At the age 
of eighteen he went to sea, and for two years sailed 
in a merchant vessel on the Atlantic and Pacific 
Oceans. In that way he gained a comprehensive 
knowledge of the people of different nations, as 
well as their customs and languages. 

Returning from the sea, Mr. Mills commenced 
to learn the trade of a mason in Rochester, and, 
upon gaining a pniclical knowledge of the trade, 
folk)wcd that occupation in his native city. In 
1822 he removed to Minneapolis, Minn., where he 
spent two 3'ears. In 1881 he came to Benton Har- 
bor, and has since then continued uninterruptedly 
at his trade of a mason. He also does an exten- 
sive business as a contractor, and has been awarded 
the contracts for the erection of many of the most 
substantial buildings in this vicinity, prominent 
among which may be mentioned the Catholic 
Church at Benton Harbor and the Catliolic School 
at Niles. 

In 1892 Mr. Mills erected the residence he now 
occupies on High Street. Here, in the society of 
his wife and children, Arthur H., Vina I. (George 
F.diod .July 21, 1893), and Robert W., at home, he 
passes many of his happiest hours. Mrs. Mills was 
prior to her marriage, February- 10, 1882, known 



as Miss Fannie E. Haines, and was born in Roch- 
ester, N. Y., being a daughter of Edward and Chiir- 
; lotte (Giddings) Haines. She is a lady whose po- 
sition in social circles is one of prominence, and 
I whose influence is always on the side of those 
measures calculated to beiielit the people and coni- 
, munity. In his political idlilialions Mr. Mills is a 
' stanch Democrat, always using his influence for 
i the candidates of that [jarty. In his social rela- 
tions he is ideiitilicd with the Knights of Pythias. 



-^1. 



"S} 



i^-i^m 



W;ENDELL PHH 
ential business 
^ ^ a prosperous d 



^ENDELL PHILLIPS BOBBINS, an inllu- 
ess man of Benton Harbor, and 
s dealer in lumber and build- 
ing material, was born in Barnstable County, Mass., 
on the 2lth of August, 1851, being the son of Na- 
thaniel and Huldah (Howes) Bobbins. His father 
was captain of a sailing-vessel and spent much of 
his active life upon the Atlantic Ocean, and also 
engaged in raising cranberries on the famous cran- 
berry' marshes of Cape Cod. Late in life he retired 
from the sea and spent his closing years at Har- 
wich, Mass. He was a man of lirtn convictions 
and was one of the early anti-slavery agitators, his 
home being the meeting-place of many prominent 
Abolitionists, among whom may be mentioned the 
illustrious Wendell Phillips, after whom our sub- 
ject was named. The father died in 1889, .-it the 
age of almost eighty-two years. His wife had 
passed away some time prior to his demise. 

The subject of this sketch passed his boyhood 
years along the shores of Cape Cod, where he as- 
sisted his father in gathering cranberries. At the 
age of fifteen years he left the shelter of the p.i- 
rental roof and started out in life for himself. 
Proceeding to Taunton, Mass., he secured a cler- 
ical position in a dr3--goods store there, and was 
thus engaged for two years. In 1869 he came to 
Benton Harbor, where he became shipping clerk 
for his brother, Nathaniel Robbins, remaining in 
his employ six years. He then purchased an inter- 
est in the lumber business in company with B. B. 



148 



yORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Eldridge, the title of the firm being Eldridge <fe 
Robbins, and their >ard being tlie first established 
in Benton Harbor. After continuing in the busi- 
ness togetlier for eigliteen years, Mr. Robl)ins pur- 
cliased liis partner's interest and has since con- 
ducted the business alone. His luinber-\ard is 
located on the corner of Main and Seventh Streets, 
and is equipped with a complete assortment of 
lumber and building material. 

In IfSTI Mr. Robbins was united in marriage 
with Miss Ilattie L. Rounds, who was bt)rn and 
reared in Benton Harbor, being the daughter of 
B. F. Rounds, an old and highly respected citizen 
of this ijlace. Mr. and Mrs. Robbins are the par- 
ents of one daughter, Grace L., an intelligent and 
refined young lady, who is at present a clerk in her 
father's office. Mr. Robbins has been closely con- 
nected with many of the most important interests 
of Benton Harbor. For one term he served as In- 
specting Harbor Master, and for two years he filled 
the position of Alderman from the .Second Ward, 
and then resigned. In his political sympathies, he 
gives his influence and support to the Republican 
party. He is at present one of the Directors in the 
Farmers' and Merchants' Bank of Benton Harbor, 
and also a Director of the Benton Harbor Building 
and Loan Association. Socially, he is identified 
with the Maccabees. With his famih' he occupies 
a cozily furnished and attractive home located on 
the corner of Pipestone Street and Lake Avenue. 



/^EN. LYMAN M. WARD. 'liiere are few 
III (_-, men of the present day whom the world 
^5^JJ[j acknowledges as successful more worthy of 
honorable mention, or whose history' affords a bet- 
ter illustration of what may be accomplished by a 
determined will and perseverance, than Gen. Ly- 
man M. Ward, the most eilieient Postmaster at 
Benton Harbor. He was born in Cattaraugus 
Count}-, N. Y., October .5, 1836, a son of Rev. 
Abel C. Ward and grandson of .Tolm Ward, both 
of whom were natives of Connecticut, 



Abel C. Ward was a Congregational clergyman 
and ministered to the spiritual wants of his fellow- 
men until his death at Fond du Lac, Wis., in 1869. 
He was of English descent. His wife, whose 
maiden name was Esther Dibble, was born in 
Massachusetts, and died in July, 1893, at her home 
at Oshkosh, Wis., aged eighty-two years. Six 
children were born to this estimable couple, of 
whom our subject is fourth in order of birth. The 
latter was reared in Genesee County, N. Y., until 
fifteen years of age, and supplemented a com- 
mon-school enucation by attending the High 
School and a private academy at Fond du Lac, 
Wis. Later he began the study of law in the of- 
fice of D. Wood, of Fond du Lac, and there re- 
mained until President Lincoln's call for seventy- 
five thousand troops brought out all his patriotism. 
He enlisted in the three-months service, Company 
I, First Wisconsin Infantry, and after serving his 
term, re-enlisted in Company A, Fourteenth Wis- 
consin Infantry, under Col. I). Wood, and w.as as- 
signed to the Army of the Tennessee. 

In 18G2, he was made M.ajor of his regiment 
and was successively promoted to be Lieutenant- 
Colonel and Colonel of the Fourteenth Wiscon- 
sin Infantry. He was in coniinand of a brigade 
for two years and received the brevet rank of 
Brigadier-General, lie w-as with the Army of the 
Tennessee in all its numerous engagements, and 
no braver soldier llian he ever trod the red sod of 
a battlefield. He was mustered out at Madison, Wis., 
in 1865, and then went to his home in Fond du Lac, 
where he remained until 186(). In the last-named 
year he came to Benton Harbor and was engaged 
as a horticulturist for some time. In 1879 and 
1880, he represented Berrien County in the Legis- 
lature as a Republican candidate, and received 
twelve hundred and fortj'-seven votes, while his 
opponents, L. W. Pearl and J. Van Dusen, re- 
ceived seven hundred and thirty-four and four 
hundred and sixty-one, respectively. He served 
on several important committees and gave satis- 
faction to his constituents and the public in gen- 
eral. 

On the 13th of March, 1888, Gen. Ward was ap- 
pointed Postmaster of Benton Harbor and has dis- 
charged the duties incumbent upon that position 





^^^^^, 




^-^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



151 



up to the present time to the satisfaction of all 
concerned. Tlie first year's income of tlie of- 
fice was 16,000, hut since tiieu it has increased to 
iil 1,000. (ion. Ward's marriage occurred .June 
l.S, 1880, with INIiss Nellie T. Child, of Benton 
Harbor, but a native of New York State. Gen. 
Ward has ever taken an active interest, politically, 
in the affairs of the county, and has held a num- 
ber of local positions. In all things tiiat promise 
to contril)ute to the good of Berrien County, he 
may be counted upon to take a leading part, and 
as a citizen and neighbor he stands second to 
none. 



^ 




RP^D E. L?]E, the General Manager of the 
j^> Beckwith Estate, manufacturers of the 
Round Oak stoves in tlie city of Dowagiac, 
Mich., is an active partner in Lee Bros. & Co.'s 
IJatilc at Dowagiac and is widely known as an 
energetic and successful business man. A public- 
sjiirited citizen, our subject has for many years 
been closely identified with the leading enterprises 
of Cass County. Born in Dowagi.ac, December 6, 
18.58, he h.as spent almost his entire life within the 
borders of the State. 

During his early youth INIi-. Lee attended the 
public schools of his home city, but later enjoyed 
the advantage of a course of study ai the Buchtel 
C'ollcge, Akron, Oiiio. His first business experience 
was gained in the bank of his father, which he en- 
tered in 1877. Atjout a twelvemonth later, in 
connection with his brother, Henrj' M. l>ee, our 
subject engaged in the grocery business and con- 
ducted the same for two years. At the expiration 
of tills length f)f lime lie accepted a position in 
the Round Oak Stove Works, and for three years 
satisfactorily discharged the duties of shipping- 
clerk. He next became book-keeper of the Stove 
Works and at the end of two jears resigned oflice 
work and traveled for the companj'. Two j'ears 
were also spent in this de|)artiiient of the business. 
Having passed through a profitable apprenticeship, 



Mr. Lee practically fitted himself to become mana- 
ger of the business, and has handled with excellent 
results the extensive interests intrusted to his care 
since 1888, since which time the business has 
grown four-fold under his management. In 1889, 
in company with his father and brother, Henry 
M., he embarked in the banking business, to which 
he devotes a portion of his time. 

Our subject was united in marriage with Miss 
Kate Beckwith September 19, 1871). Mrs. Lee, an 
accomplished lady and a graduate of Mrs. (Jiant 
Tovvle's School, of Detroit, Mich., is a daughter of 
Philo D. Beckwith, a man of uncommon nobility 
of character, whose memory, honored and revered, 
will long be green in the hearts of his fellow- 
townsmen. Earnest in purpose, kindly in word 
and deed, he .accomplished much of good during 
the years of his prosperous and useful life. After 
the death of Mr. Beckwith his family conceived 
the idea of erecting to his memory the Beckwith 
Memorial Theater, which was designed by W. E. 
Brown, of Chicago, and was built at a cost of fully 
!^10O,000. The auditorium has a seating capacity 
of seven hundred. The corner apartment in front 
is occupied by the bank of Lee Bros, ife Co. The 
second fioor is used for the various otlices of the 
Round Oak Stove Company and the City Council 
chambers. The tliird floor is devoted to the Round 
Oak Camp of the Order of Woodmen. The mag- 
nificent building, erected in 1892-93, was formally 
dedicated by Col. Hobert G. Ingersoll, who de- 
livered a brilliant address to a large and appreci- 
ative audience, gathered together from the princi- 
pal cities of IMichigan. Externally, the Beckwith 
Theater, constructed of Lake Superior red sand- 
stone, with back walls of brick, presents an impos- 
ing appearance, being 85x115 feet in dimensions. 
Three stories in height, the front has a genuinely 
monumental effect. The first story is an arcade of 
four great arches, willi twenty feet to each span. 
The arches show the depth of the wall, and a 
strong band of carved enrichment lends additional 
grandeur to the facade. On rock-faced piers, inter- 
mingling with the arches, are jiortraits of illustri- 
ous women. Below, upon the bay directly over 
the main entrance, is a laige medallion portrait of 
P. D. Beckwith, beneath which a carved panel 



152 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



bears the name of Beckwith. In the other front 
bays are portraits in medallion of noted comi)osers, 
artists and authors. 

The proscenium of the tlieater is square instead 
of arched, twenty-six feet wide and twenty-six 
feet higli, and tlie ceiling slopes backward, giving 
to the casual observer the impression that the 
building has been chiseled out of one huge piece 
of marble. The stage is fifty feet in width and 
thirty-eight feet deep, with an upper and lower 
box on either side. There are fifteen elegantly 
furnished dressing rooms, and the drop-curtain is 
a composite work of art, the figures superbly- 
drawn and painted. When Mr. I.,ee went to Er- 
nest Albert, of Albert, Grover & Burridge, in Chi- 
cago, he asked the firm to design a fitting memo- 
rial for a great and good man, who in life was 
appreciative of the sublime and the beautiful in 
poetry, art and literature. The work was under- 
taken, and everything in the Beckwith Theater, 
from the Frencli mosaic floor of the grand en- 
trance to the elegant carpets of the foyer and 
parquette, were ordered and designed willi special 
reference to the liarmonizing of each detail in this 
charming playhouse. The main entrance to the 
building is in the middle division of the ground 
floor front, and is eighteen feet in width. The 
entrance to the new bank of Lee Bros. & Co. is 
made by the same passage. No city has a finer 
palace for the banking business. As the thea- 
ter is a model of design and finish, so does the 
banking house surpass in elegance the usual struc- 
tures occupied in handling money. A full de- 
scription of the embattled parapet, with its carved 
cherubs, the medallion portraits and the exterior 
finishings of the theater would require columns of 
space. A bird's-eye view of the interior reveals a 
scone of luxurious magnificence. When ablaze with 
electric light the beautiful tones of the wall and 
ceiling are plainly revealed, exquisite tints and 
gilded ornamentation rivaling each other in beauty 
and effect. A special featiu-c of the memorial thea- 
ter is the glass used in the windows. The grand 
entrance screen of the lobt)y is constructed entirely 
of jeweled and leaded glass, Romanesque in de- 
sign, in golden olive tones, upon a field of crystal 
plate. The screen is 16x18 feet in dimensions. 



The front window of the bank is constructed of 
the same materials, but is semi-circular in form, in 
a scheme of myrtle and gold. This window is sev- 
enteen feet in width and is rivaled by the orifices 
in the auditorium. 

Mr. Lee was a prominent factor in the success- 
ful comi)letion of the prettiest theater and the 
most beautiful memorial of the country. Although 
a bus}' man, he has been actively interested in pol- 
itics and was elected upon the Republican ticket 
to the Mayoral chair of Dowagiac, receiving the 
largest majority ever accorded to any candidate 
for the office. He also had the honor of being 
sent as a delegate to the National Convention held 
at Minneapolis in 1892, and was one of the com- 
mittee appointed to notif}' Reid of the nomina- 
tion. At present he is interested in the erection 
of a fine residence now building on High Street, at 
the head of Judson Avenue. The stone used in 
the house is unique, and when completed the 
dwelling will be one of the handsomest in the 
State. In religious views our subject is an agnos- 
tic, a deep thinker, a profound reasoner, but lib- 
eral in judgment and sentiment. Financially pros- 
pered, Fred E. Lee has made many investments and 
has stimulated local progress and improvements. 
He is a partner in the Dowagiac Stock Farm and 
Vice-President of the Gas and Electric Company 
of the city, and, occupying a high social and finan- 
cial position, commands the confidence of the com- 
munity among whom he was born and reared. 



3©^@l^^ 



^ OHN 11. GRAHAM. An eminent judge on 
being asked what qualities contribute most 
to success, replied: "Some succeed by great 
talent, some by high connections, and some 
by miracle, but the majority succeed b}- commen- 
cing without a shilling." In his youth the subject 
of this biographical sketch had few advantages, 
for his parents were poor and he was early obliged 
to earn his own livelihood, but, notwithstanding 
the disadvantages under which be laljQved in his 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



153 



boyhood days, he has achieved a degree of success 
not usually attained. He is President of the well- 
known Oi-ahani il- Morton Transportation Com- 
pany !»t St. .Josc'iili and I'.e-nlon llarlior, and is also 
President of the Alden Canning Company, Ihe 
success of both enterprises beinp; due largely to his 
efforts. 

Born in Boone County, 111., December 10, 1849, 
our subject is the son of .Tolui and Lueinda (Nich- 
ols) Craliain. He spent his youthful days in p]lk- 
hart, Ind., where ho was a pupil in the [)ublic 
schools. In 18()4 he came to St. Joseph, and. em- 
barking in the lunil)er business in connection with 
liis father, gave his attention thereto until 1870, 
when he entered into partnership with Andrew 
Crawford in the sawmill and hardwood lumber 
business at Benton Harbor. This firm conducted 
an extensive business, and engaged in steamboat- 
ing in 1875. 

Prior, however, to the above-mentioned enter- 
prise, the Graham A' Morton Company- was estab- 
lished, in 1875, by .1. II. Graham,,!. Stanley Morton, 
Andrew Crawford and James Paxton. In 1881 the 
business was merged into a stock company', now 
known as the Graham it Morton Transportation 
Com|)any, with Mr. Graham as President, and he 
still holds tiiat position. In addition to this bus- 
iness, t(j which he devotes his attention with as- 
siduity and energy, Mr. Graham has other exten- 
sive interests, ail of which are proving remunera- 
tive. He is President of the Hotel St. Joseph, an 
elegant summer resort located on the beach and 
provided with two hundred and forty comfortable 
rooms. He is also President of the Alden Canning 
Company, at Benton Harbor, which does a large 
business and is established on a solid financial ba- 
sis, and is a Director in the IJniou Hanking Com- 
pany of St. Joseph. 

St. Joseph has many beautiful homes, but none 
more elegant or attractive tiian tiiat occupied and 
owned by Mr. Graham. It is a brick structure, 
with iiictures(iue surroundings and perfect in its 
interior appointments. Tiie lady who presides 
over this lovely home was in her maiden days Miss 
Dora E. Chase, being the daughter of E. T. Chase, 
of Homer, Mich., although at the time of her mar- 
liago she was residing in Benton Harbor. She be- 



came the wife of Mr. Graham on the 14t]i of Feb- 
ruary, 1881, and has since that time been his faith- 
ful and devoted helpmate. As a Republican, Mr. 
Graham takes an active part in local and State 
politics, and no iiuin stands higlier in the regard of 
his fellow-citizens than he. 



./ 



'EBEDEE BEVERLY, Register of Deeds for 
Cass County, Mich., and a |)rominent in- 
structor of the State, having for thirteen 
years successfully taught in the schools of Cass 
County, has resided in his present locality almost 
his entire lifetime, and was but a little lad of four 
3'ears when with his parents he removed from his 
birthplace to his future home in the far West. 
The parents of our subject spent the first years 
succeeding their marriage in Ohio, and in Gallip- 
olis Zebedee Beverly was born July 25. 1 85(5, of 
Afro-American parentage. Four years later, with 
their family the father and mother settled in 
Michigan, locating permanently in La Grange 
Township. Our subject in childhood attended the 
common schools of -his home neighborhood, and 
within the limits of the district firmly laid tlie 
broad foundation of a more extended education. 
Mr. Beverly was a lover of books and study, and 
the time spent in school was fruitful in seeds of 
knowledge, which later bore an abundant harvest. 
For three years our subject enjoj^ed tiie benefit 
of a thorough course of instruction in the State 
Agricultural College at Lansing, Alicli. Having 
by this time attained to early manhood, he began 
life for himself iiy teaching school m Cass Count}-. 
He was from the first successful in his chosen avo- 
cation, being specially apt as an instructor, and 
without difliculty securing the esteem and confi- 
dence of his pupils. After thirteen j'ears of un- 
wearied devotion to iiis profession, he devoted 
about eight years to the tonsorial business in Cass- 
opolis, and was elected to his present responsible 
position in November, 1892. Entering upon a 



154 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



two-years term of ofHce as Register of Deeds, he 
with efficient fidelity discharges the duties now de- 
volving upon him. I'olitically, Mr. Beverly is a 
stanch Republican and a firm believer in the prin- 
ciples and platform of the party. An intelligent 
and conscientious citizen, he is actively interested 
in both local and National issues, well realizing the 
necessity of placing important positions of trust 
onlj' in the hands of those fitted by education and 
natural ability to perform worthily their public 
work. 

Upon .June .5, 1881, Zebedee 15everl3' and Miss 
Sarah E. Calloway were united in marriage. Mrs. 
Beverly, an accomplished lad}-, was prior to her 
marriage a resident of the town of Porter, Cass 
County, Mich., and there enjoyed the high regard 
of a large circle of .acquaintances. The pleasant 
home of our subject and his wife has been blessed 
by the birth of two children, a son and daugh- 
ter. Tlie son, Asa L. Beverly, and the daughter, 
Yerna M., will be accorded every opportunity for 
a thorough education. Mr. Beverly has been as- 
sociated with the upward progress of Cass County, 
and although comi>aratively young in years h.as 
witnessed remarkable changes and rapid develop- 
ment in enterprise since his early daj's of child- 
hood. His interests have ever centered in Cass 
County, and here he has given patient and valu- 
able labor, whose results only the coming years 
maj' evidence. 



W;ILLIAM H. VOGLE, proprietor of the 
commodious livery stables located in Cass- 
opolis, Cass Count3', Mich., is an energetic 
business man and a leading citizen of his home 
localitj-. Furnishing to the local .and traveling 
public excellent facilities for speedy' and comfort- 
able conveyance, he enjoys extended patronage 
and rapidly increasing business. Mr. Vogle was 
born in Wills Township, La Porte County, Ind., 
April 12, IS.M, and is the only son of George and 



Mary Ann (Jeffrey) Vogle. The father was a na- 
tive of Germany, and in the Fatherland was trained 
to habits of industrious thrift, earl}- becoming 
manly and self-reliant. When twenty years of age 
lie determined to emigrate to the land of promise 
bej'ond the sea, and sailed for America. Arriving 
safe and sound in the United States, he continued 
his journe}' to the Westward and located in Indi- 
ana, soon receiving employment in the railroad 
shops at La Porte. A thorough mechanic and adept 
in the trade of a blacksmith, he engaged in that 
line of work and continued in the faithful dis- 
charge of daily toil until his death, at thirty-three 
years. An upright man and an excellent citizen, 
his loss was mourned by many friends and fellow- 
employes in the railroad shops. 

The mother of our subject was a native of the 
East, her ancestors being Quakers, and among the 
highly esteemed residents of New Jersey. Mr. Vo- 
gle attended the excellent schools of La Porte and 
received his education and was reared to mature 
yeai^s in his birthplace. Our subject was twenty- 
four years of age when he made his home in Mich- 
igan in 1878. He located in Edwardsburgh, Cass 
County, where he remained in business for three 
years. He then received a position as traveling 
salesman for A.J. Clelland & Son, selling f.anuing- 
mills in Ohio for three years. In 1884 he decided to 
try the pursuit of agriculture and went on to a 
farm in Ottawa, where he continued to till the soil 
until the fall of 1891; he then removed to Cassop- 
olis and profitably engaged in the livery business, 
which from the first was an assured success. Mr. 
Vogle has a wide acquaintance among the commer- 
cial travelers, who are among his best customers. 
In M.ay, 1893, our subject purchased the property 
of the Presbyterian Society, adjoining his business 
location, which he had owned for some time. He 
is now about to remove his old barns, and will soon 
erect upon the fine frontage a handsome and sub- 
stantial brick structure, which will enable him to 
accommodate a larger stock of teams, and more 
full}- meet the requirements of his large business. 

In 1867, William H. Vogle and Miss Mary E. 
Sweetland were united in marriage. The estima- 
ble wife of our subject is a daughter of Augustus 
and Lydia (Tanner) Sweetland, of Edwardsburgh, 



PORTRAIT ANT) KIOGRAPII'CAL RECORD. 



155 




to which place she came when eleven years old, 
and resided witli lier uncle, Levi Aldricli. Mr. 
and Mrs. Sweetland were natives of New York, 
where tliey were reared and educated. The very 
pleasant home of Mr. and Mrs. Vogle has been 
blessed by the birth of one son, George S. Vogle, 
named in honor of the paternal grandfather, who 
passed to his rest so many ^ears ago. Our subject 
is an ardent Republican, and takes an active inter- 
est in National and local affairs. Fraternally, he 
is connected with Ottawa Lodge No. 49, L O. O. 
F., being Past Grand Commander of the same. 






KV. GEORGE CLINTON VAN VECHTEN 
EASTMAN, I). D., was born in Addison 
County, Vt.,, July 22, 1813. He is a mem- 
I ber of a family represented in New Eng- 
land history for several generations, and of sub- 
stantial English stock. His grandfather, Jonathan 
Eastman, was a native of JIassacluisetts, born in 
Haverhill, and for many j-ears resided in the Green 
Mountain State. There Amos Eastman, the father 
of our subject, was born and reared. From tliat 
State lie went to the service of his country during 
the War of 1812, returning home with the well- 
earned title of Captain, and in that State he closed 
Ills eyes to the scenes of time, when his life's work 
was ended. His wife was Sarah Hewett, a native 
of New York State and of German extraction. 

The subject of this biographical sketch spent his 
boyhood in Addison County, Vt., and prepared 
for college in tlie .academy at Middlebuiy, after 
which he entered the college at that i)laee, being 
graduated in 182!). In 1880 his Alma Mate)- con- 
ferred upon him the degree of D. I)., and about 
the same time he received the degree of S. T. I). 
from Trinity College, at Hartford, Conn. At 
Marblehead, Mass., in 18.34, lie was ordained to the 
priesthood, the impressive ceremony being per- 
formed in St. Micli.ael's Church by the Rt.-Rev. 
Mr. (Jriswold, at that time Rishop of the New 
England States, excepting Rhode Island. 



Dr. Eastman served as rector in churches in the 
States of Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New 
York, Vermont, Kansas and Michigan, as well as in 
Canada. For a time he was rector of Trinity Church 
at Fairfield, Herkimer County, N. Y., whence he 
returned to Vermont, and later accepted a pastor- 
ate in New Brunswick, Can.ada. After again so- 
journing for a short time in the Green Mountain 
State, he went to Kansas and labored there as a 
minister of the Gospel at Pittsburgh. Coming to 
Michigan, he settled in IJenton Harbor in July, 
1884, and became pastor of the Hol.\- Trinity Mis- 
sion, there being no church edilice at tlu; time of 
his coming hither. Through his efforts funds were 
secured and an elegant brick sti'uctnre was erected 
on Pipestone Street. Of this church he remained 
in charge until 18i*l, when he retired from the 
ministry, after having spent fiftj'-seven years in 
1 last oral work. 

For eleven years Dr. Eastman w.as at the head 
of a private boarding-school for boys, located at 
Litchfield, Conn., and he was also Principal of the 
Cary Collegiate Semin.'iry, in Genesee County, N. 
Y., for four years. In polities, he is a Democrat, 
with Prohibition symitathies. Aliout fifty years 
ago he became a member of the Masonic order, 
belonging to the Commandery at Montpelier, A't., 
and filled the position of Cirand Prelate of the 
Grand Comiuandery of Vermont for a period of 
two years. He took the Commandery degree at 
Saratoga, N. Y. He has also taken the fourteen 
degrees of the Scottish Rite M.nsonry, being a 
member of the Lodge of Perfection. For a num- 
ber of years he held fraternal relations with the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, but has sev- 
ered his active connection with that organization. 

In September, 1834, Dr. Eastman married Miss 
Minerva M. Hitchcock, a native of Kingsbury, 
Washington County, N. Y., and a daughter of 
Noble Hitelicock, of that county. Mrs. Minerva 
Eastman died at Burlington, \t., in 1878, leaving 
one daughter, Ilattie E., the wife of Charles 
Walker, of Burlington, Vt. June 7, 1882, occurred 
the marriage of Dr. Eastman and Mrs. .Alargaret 
Cook, who was born in Page County, Va., and is 
the daughter of Peter Hay, a resident of the Old 
Dominion. The Hav faiiiilv originated in .Scot- 



156 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



land and its representatives in this country have 
been distinguished for the Scotch traits of perse- 
verance and thrift. Mrs. Eastm.in is a member of 
the Baptist Cluirch and is a lady of kindly dispo- 
sition and large heart, who is loved and esteemed 
for her many excellent qualities. 

A life so noble and uplifting as that of Dr. 
Eastman is worth}' the emulation of posterity, and 
speaks in language more eloquent than words of 
consecrated efforts and unselfish devotion. For a 
period covering more than half a century he la- 
bored zealously and unweariedly to advance the 
interests of the church and lead sinners to Christ. 
Many have been induced by his eloquent appeals 
to become Christians, and Ins efforts have been 
successful in securing the moral and spiritual ele- 
vation of many. Not many years shall pass away 
ere "the silver cord shall be loosed and the wheel 
broken at the cistern," but though his long and 
honored life shall reach its peaceful close, the good 
he has accomplished shall never die. Through 
countless ages to come, and indeed until time 
shall be no more, the fruitage of some kind word 
spoken or some kind deed done will be borne in 
the hearts and lives of generations vet unborn. 



BRAHAM IirTCHlNGS, deceased, was one 
( ©yLl lj of the prominent pioneer citizens of Mich- 
* igan, and located in the West at a very 
early day. He w.is born in the j-ear 1809, 
and W.IS a native of Ulster County, N. Y., where 
he grew to manhood and was trained in the dail^' 
routuie of agricultural duties. He received his 
education in the schools of lister County, and in 
1835 married, soon after with his wife journeying 
to Cass County, ^lich. Locating upon the banks 
of Lilly Lake, our subject entered land from the 
Government, and, energetic and industrious, im- 
proved almost one hundred acres, bringing a large 
portion of the farm up to a high state of cultiva- 
tion. In 1845 Mr. Hutchings with his familj- re- 



moved to another location, settling in the woods 
three miles north of his former home. The one 
hundred and sixty acres of land was yet in a wild 
state, but soon yielded to the patient tilling of 
the soil and became a valuable homestead and an 
excellent piece of farming property. When Abra- 
ham Hutchings first settled in Michigan neighbors 
were few and far between. Game was abundant, 
but giadually disappeared before the advancing 
tide of emigration. 

Our subject was twice married. By his firet 
wife he had two children, both daughters, Slary 
and Susan. Entering the bonds of matrimonj' a 
second time, he married Miss Candace Grah.am, 
wlio resuled near Toledo, Ohio. After the arrival 
of Mr. Hutchings and his second wife in Michigan 
two sons were born unto them, Newton and Wal- 
l.ace, the latter of whom died in Washington City, 
while in the service of his country. Politically, 
our subject was a Republican and always took an 
active interest in both local and national affairs. 
He was a liberal and public-spirited citizen, ever 
ready to aid in matters of progress and reform, 
and enjoyed the esteem of all who knew him. His 
eldest and only surviving son, Newton Hutchings, 
was born in Cass County in 1836, and, reared upon 
the homestead, assisted his father in the work of 
the farm and attended the district schools of the 
neighborhood. Arriving at manhood, Newton 
Hutchings began life for himself, and in 1861 was 
married to Miss Mary Perkins. The husband and 
wife settled at once upon a farm, entering with 
energj; into the pursuit of agriculture. 

As the years passed Mr. Hutch ing* was prospered, 
and, adding to his possessions from time to time, 
w.as enabled to purchase the old homestead of his 
father, which was endeared to the son by the asso- 
ciations of boj'hood. Under his fostering care the 
acres have increased in value, and the farm, finely 
improved, is among the best in Cass County. iMr. 

I and Mrs. Newton Hutchings reared one son, Wal- 
lace, now in the employ of the Grand Trunk 
Railroad Compan}'. Like his father, Newton 

I Hutchings, is a member of the Republican party, 
and a stanch advocate of its principles .and plat- 
form. He has never been desirous for political pre- 

i ferment, but has held with ability various school 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



157 



offices and given earnest effort in behalf of educa- 
tional advancement. In 1864 Mr. Ilutcliings en- 
tere<J tlie seivicp of tlic Oovcnnneiit and enlisted 
in llie One Ihindieil and Seveiity-seventli Oliio 
I nfMntrv. With lii.s rejrinient lie went to the scene 
of eonlliet and remained in the South actively en- 
gaged in military dut^' until the close of the war. 
With the exception of the period of his enlistment, 
Mr. Ilutehings has spent his life in and adjaeent 
to his birthplace, and has long been accounted 
one of the most substantial citizens and prosperous 
agriculturists of Cass County. 



=m>^^<m^- 



^j. ALVIN K. .ULLSON. A marked feature of 
(l( _ the business operations of the merchants of 
^^^' IJerrien County is their enterprise, and this 
is one of the prominent characteristics of Mr. Jill- 
son, well known as the owner and proprietor of 
the largest mercantile establishment in Stevens- 
ville. Through enterprise and industry he has 
established a large and lucrative trade with the 
citizens of the place and the farmers of the sur- 
rounding countrj-, and is widel3- known as a man 
of reliable business dealings and excellent judg- 
ment. He gives stead}- employment to a cashier, 
book-keeper and a force of four clerks, and in his 
huge store keeps a complete line of dry goods, 
boots and shoes, groceries and hardware. 

The parents of our subject are .lob and Eleanor 
.lillson, the former being a native of Livingston 
County, N. Y., where he was reared and married. 
He engaged in farming pursuits in the Empire 
State until about 18,50, when he migrated to Mich- 
igan and settled in Sodus Township, Herrien 
( ounty. Purchasing a tract of unimproved land, 
lHM<lentilied himself with the growth and progress 
of the county and was numbered among its early 
settlers. As the j'cars passed by, he was enabled 
to realize more full}- the reward of his earlier ef- 
forts, and was known as one of the well-to-do men 
(if the township. However, in 1882, he removed 
further West and made settlement upon a farm in 



South Dakota, where he remained until his death, 
June 22, 18!»3. 

Aftei- locating in South Dakota, the senior IMr. 
.lillson was closely connected with the public 
affairs of Edmunds County, and in 1 81(1 and 1892 
was chosen to represent his fellow-eitizens in the 
State Legislature, being elected to that honorable 
position upon the ticket of the Independent party. 
He always maintained a deep interest in politics, 
and believed that the adoption of a free-trade pol- 
icy would be of material benelit to the countr}'. 
In his religions belief, he for man}- years held 
membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
He and his wife were the parents of six children, 
namelj': Anna, who is the wife of William Warner, 
a carpenter residing in Canada; Helen, a widow, who 
has conducted her husband's business at Eau Claire 
since his death in 1890; Mary, wife of James Paul, 
a merchant engaged in business at Eau Claire, Ber- 
rien County; Calvin E.; Lansing, a farmer of South 
Dakota; and Cornelius, also an agriculturist of that 
State. 

Upon the old homestead in Sodus Township our 
subject grew to manluxid, meantime attending the 
district schools and the Benton Harbor school. At 
the age of twenty-two he commenced to teach 
school in Lincoln Township, and followed that 
j)rofession for three years. After he discontinued 
that work, he entered the employ of his brother- 
in-law, P. Staplcton,a merchant of Eau Claire, Ber- 
rien Count}', and remained with him for two years. 
He then came to Stevensville, where he purchased 
the stock of goods owned b}' A. H. McMaster, and 
afterward added a complete assortment of dry- 
goods, making the establishment one of the most 
extensive in the county. On the 18th of June. 
1882, he took into the business P. Stapleton, the 
firm becoming C. E. Jillson & Co., and as such 
doing business until the death of Mr. Stapleton, 
; which occurred in September, 1890. Sir. Jillson is 
administrator of the Stapleton estate. 

April 11, 1883, Mr. Jillson was united iu mar- 
riage with Miss Jennie M., daughter of James A. 
Johnson, one of the prominent lesident.sof Berrien 
County. Mrs. Jillson was born in New York 
State, removing to Kalamazoo County, Mieli., in 
childhood, and soon afterward comin": to Berrien 



158 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



County, where she grew to womanhood. Their 
four children are named Orren B., Charles M., 
Pearl May and Katie. In addition to the store at 
Stevensville, Mr. Jillson also for one year con- 
ducted a branch establishment at Baroda, this 
count}', and shortly afterward purchased a one-half 
interest in a dry-goods store at Ovid, Clinton 
County, this State, the other member of the firm 
being F. E. Hazel. In political matters Mr. Jillson 
is a Democrat, and has filled vaiious positions of 
trust, having been Clerk of Lincoln Township for 
three terms, Township Superintendent of Schools 
for two terms, and a member of the Village Board. 



\f( OSEPH FORESMAN. Now in the twilight 
of his useful life, Mr. Foresman can look 
back upon his past life with tlie re.alization 
^^ that he has not lived or labored in vain. 
As the result of his energy he has surrounded his 
family with all the comforts of existence and has 
also smoothed his declining years. A man of 
wide travel and experience, he is an interesting 
conversationalist and can narrate many a thrilling 
tale of pioneer scenes and incidents of life in the 
mining regions of the far West. 

At present Mr. Foresman is a resident of section 
21, La Grange Township, Cass County. Pennsyl- 
vania was the State of his birth, and he was born 
in Lycoming County May 23, 181G, being the son 
of Samuel and Mary (Anderson) Foresman. The 
paternal grandparents were natives of Ireland, 
who emigrated to America and made settlement 
in Lancaster County, Pa., where Samuel Foresman 
was born. The last-named was reared on a farm 
in the Keystone State, .acquiring a good education 
in the district schools. Early trained to agricul- 
tural pursuits, he naturally chose the occupation 
of a farmer for his life calling, in addition to 
which he .also engaged in milling. He owned a 
mill in the county of Lycoming, and became 
widely known as an industrious, energetic man, of 
good business habits and excellent judgment. He 



was one of those men who courted no man's favor 
and feared no man's frown, as true to duty as 
the needle to the ))ole; honest and kind, resolute 
and noble. 

The next to the younger in a family of sixteen 
children, Josepli Foresman is the only survivor of 
the entire number. He was bereaved by the de.ath 
of his father when six years of age, and eleven 
years afterward he was orphaned by his mother's 
death. When not more than thirteen he com- 
menced to work by the month, and soon developed 
those traits of self-reliance and resolute purpose 
which have so largely contributed to his success. 
At the age of seventeen he began an apin-entice- 
ship to the trade of a blacksmith, which he fol- 
lowed for two and one-half 3'ears. At the expira- 
tion of his term of apprenticeship he removed to 
Logansport, Ind., where he was employed at his 
trade for six years. About that time he married 
Hester Wear, who bore him four children, Eliza- 
beth J., the wife of Levi Case, being now the only 
survivor. 

Coming to Michigan .as early as 1844, Mr. Fores- 
man settled three miles from Cassopolis, in Cass 
County, and purchased eighty acres of land, on 
which he established a home. For some time he 
conducted a blacksmith shop and did an extensive 
business among the peo|)le of the community'. In 
1847, at the opening of the Mexican War, he en- 
listed in Company F, First Michigan Infantry, 
Capt. Whitimoie, of Niles, commanding. With 
his company he marched to the seat of war and 
traveled throughout Mexico, although he saw no 
active service. Returning to Michigan, he was 
bereaved six months afterward by the death of 
his wife. In 1890 he married .again, choosing as 
his wife Mrs. Susan Moore, nee Scofield. 

In 18.50, Mr. Foresman removed to St. Joseph, 
Mo., where he remained for two years. Thence 
he went to California with a party of friends, the 
trip being made with four w.agons overland, and 
occupying nearly five months. At I'lacerville Mr. 
Foresman engaged in mining for four years with 
indifferent success, and later he went to the south- 
ern part of the State, where he followed his trade 
for two years. Then he went to British Colum- 
bia, where he remained for six years. On his re- 



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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



163 



turn to the United States he settled in Washing- 
ton and engaged in liirabering; lie also dealt in real 
estate for a period of twenty-three years, lie did 
not, however, feel content to make his permanent 
home in the far West, and his niind often reverted 
to his old lionie in Mieliigan. He linallj' de- 
cided upc)n retiirnini; hither, and accordingly in 
1890 he came back to Cass County and settled on 
the place where he now lives, and where, in all 
probabilty, he will spend the remainder of his life. 
The farm belongs to his wife. Politically, he is a 
Oeniocrat, and while residing in Wasliington 
served as Sherin" of Clallam County. 




'EORGE S. BASSETT. Benton Harbor con- 
tains a number of beautiful residences,which 
J in point of architectural design and attrac- 
tive surroundings rival the more pretentious 
homes of the city. One of the most elegant resi- 
dences in the village is that owned and occupied 
by the subject of this sketch. It is pleasantly lo- 
cated at No. 131 Brunson Avenue, and is a sub- 
stantial frameslructure, containing all the modern 
improvements and furnished with an elegance and 
taste betokening the relinement and culture of the 
inmates. 

The owner of this home. Mr. Bassett, is the sen- 
ior member of the firm of Bassett & Loring, deal- 
ers in real estate, wood and coal at Benton Harbor, 
and also insurance agents, rei)resenting a number 
of the best companies. The subject of this sketch 
was born in P.rown County, Ohio, on tlic 21th of 
August, 18 1(), and is the descendant of Knglish 
ancestors. His paternal grandfather, John Bassett. 
was a native of New York, where also the lather 
of our subject, Orin, was born. The latter settled 
at an early da}' in Brown County, Ohio, and then 
removed to Peoria, III., in 1817, and in 1881) came 
to Berrien County, Mich., wliere he now resides. 
His wife was a Miss Margaret Moore, .anrl was born 
in Virginia. 

George S. Bassett is the third son among nine 



children. He was only one year old when he ac- 
companied his parents to Peoria, III.; later he re- 
moved to La Salle County, 111., and pre|)ared for 
college at the Tonica High Sdiool. At the age of 
twenty years he entered Hedding College, at Ab- 
ingdon, Knox Counly, III., where he prosecuted 
his studies with diligence for some time. Ipon 
leaving the college he engaged in fanning and 
stock-raising, making a specialty of breeding line 
thoroughbred Hereford cattle, and conducting a 
general farming business with success. In the fall 
of 181)1 he disposed of his agricultural interests 
and soon afterward came to Benton Harbor, where 
he has since been engaged in the real-estate busi- 
ness. In the spring of 1893 he formed a partner- 
ship with B. B. Eldridge, under the firm name of 
Bassett, Eldridge tt Co., and did a large trade in 
wood and coal. In July, 1893, Mr. Eldridge went 
out of the firm. 

In December, 1871, occurred the marriage of Mr. 
Bassett and Miss Iluldali Fitch, the daughter of 
Charles Fitch, of Missouii. Mr. and Mrs. Bas- 
sett are the parents of two daughters: Nellie iM. 
and Lois A. In their religious belief, they are 
identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
and contribute with the utmost generosity to the 
various enterprises of that denomination. Politic- 
ally, Mr. Bassett adheres to the principles of the 
Re]iubli(an party, and always gives his infiuence 
to its support. 



/^OY W. IIENDHYX. Among the younger 
.. professional men who have already attained 
positions of iiillueiice is the prominent 
attorney-at-law whose name is here ])resented. 
Now a resident of Dowagiae. he was born in Cuba, 
Allegany County, N. Y., on the 2(lth of July, 1861, 
and is the son of James :ind ICunice (Tryon) Hen- 
dryx. The paternal grandfather, Nathan Hendrvx. 
was a native of New York, and in Madison County, 
that State, James Hendryx, father of our subject, 
was born. He grew to manhood in Allegany 



164 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



County, N. Y., and having been reared to farming 
pxH'suils, naturally chose agriculture as his life oc- 
cupation. A stanch advocate of Democratic prin- 
ciples, he was deeply interested in political matters, 
and in the Tilden campaign for Governor in 1874 
gave the weight of his influence to the Democratic 
candidate, of whom he was a warm admirer. In 
his farming pursuits he met with more than ordi- 
nary success, and as the result of his good judgment 
and untiring industry, attained a measure of pros- 
perity that falls to the lot of but few. His death 
occurred in 1875. 

The parental family' consisted of seven children, 
of whom live are now living. Coy W. was reared 
to manhood in Allegany Count3' and received his 
early education in the graded schools of Cuba. 
Later he entered Cook Academ3', at Havana, N. Y., 
and also for a time conducted his studies in the 
college at Newtown, near Philadelphia, graduating 
from the latter institution in 1878. He then en- 
gaged in teaching for two years and filled the 
position of Principal of the schools at Clarksville, 
N. Y. In April, 1879, he came to Dowagiac and 
entered the law office of Spafford Try on, where he 
continued his legal studies until he was admitted 
to the Bar in October, 1882. 

Opening an office in Dow.igiac, Mr. Ilendr^yx con- 
ducted his practice alone for a time, and in 1890 
formed a partnership with Frank L. Hammond, 
(now of Benton Harbor), continuing in that con- 
nection for one year. Since then he has been 
alone. His office is located in the Jewell Block, on 
. the corner of Front and Commercial Streets, in 
Dowagiac, and he conducts a general practice in all 
the courts of the State. In December, 1886, he 
was admitted to practice in the United States 
Court. A Democrat in politics, he has held the 
office of Circuit Court Commissioner, and in 1886 
was appointed United States Commissioner for tlie 
Western District of JNIichigan, which is a life posi- 
tion. 

In 1885 Mr. Hendryx married Miss Harriett 
Guilford, the daughter of Charles Guilford, a 
prominent farmer residing in Cuba, Allegany 
County, N. Y. Mrs. Hondryx was born and reared 
in Cuba, and completed her education in Alfred 
Universit}'. Three children have been born of this 



union: Ruth, Irene and Olive. Socially, Mr. Hen- 
dryx is a member of the Masonic fraternity and 
takes a very active interest in the work of his 
lodge, in which he has occupied many of the chairs. 
He is also identified with the Legion of Honor. 



OHN WALLACE. Among the business 
men of St. .Joseph engaged as dealers in 
lumber and builders' materials, Mr. Wallace 
is one of the most prosperous and enterpris- 
ing. He inaugurated this enterprise in 1881, and 
has since conducted it in such a manner as to com- 
mend himself to the approbation and patron.age of 
the people of the county. In addition to lumber 
and builders' materials, he carries an extensive 
stock of lath, wood, coal, etc., and transacts a large 
business in those lines. 

Mr. Wallace was born in Dundee, Scotland, 
March 7, 1835, and is a son of John and Maiy 
(Reed) Wallace, natives of Scotland. When John 
was six years old liis parents removed to Wayne 
County, Mich. His father was .-m honest, indus- 
trious man and followed the trade of a moulder. 
In Wayne Count}-, John entered the common 
schools and gained a fair knowledge of the "three 
R's." His schooling was limited, and his edu- 
cation was principally acquired in that vast school 
where all mankind are pupils, the school of ex- 
perience. Being a thoughtful reader and a close 
observer, he has become well informed upon all 
subjects of general interest, and his opinions upon 
matters of importance are valuable and frequently 
sought. 

At the age of sixteen Mr. AVallace was ap- 
prenticed to learn the trade of a m.achimst and 
was employed at that occupation for several years. 
Later he secured a position as engineer on the 
Lakes in a vessel that plied between St. Jose|)h and 
Chicago and between Buffalo, Detroit and Chi- 
cago. In 1881 he built a tug, which had a regular 
run on the Lakes and through which he made some 
money. About that time he embarked in the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



165 



lumber business, which he has conducted success- 
fully up to tlie present time. As a business man, 
he is (iccurato in inotliods, conscientious in liis 
dealings with all, and uniformly reliable. 

In every question of general interest Mr. Wal- 
lace is uotonly interested, but is well informed and 
entertains delinite opinions. In his political con- 
nections lie adheres to the principles of the Re- 
publican party, and is never better pleased than 
when he is able to aid in securing a great victory 
for the party. He has often been called upon to 
serve as Alderman of St. Joseph, and lias also filled 
with honor to himself the positions of Collector 
and Treasurer. He is a Director in the Union 
Ranking Company of this city, and is connected 
with other prominent enterprises of the [ilace. So- 
ciall}', his connections are with Occidental Lodge 
No. r)6, A. F. & A. M. 

The marriage of Mr. Wallace occurred in Feb- 
ruaiy, 1860, and united him with Miss Alice, 
daughter of .lames McMahon, a native of Irehind. 
Mrs. W.allace was born in Detroit, Mich., and re- 
ceived her education in the schools of Detroit and 
Chicago. Her marriage has resulted in the birth 
of ten children, whose names are: Lewis 1)., Will- 
iam G., Maude M.. .lames, Alexis J., Edith A., Roy 
F., Dudley K., .John, .Jr., and Alice \. The fam- 
ily home is in a beautiful residence on the corner 
of Elm and State Streets, in St. Josepii, and is one 
of the C(i/.y dwellings for vvhicli this city is noted. 



♦^^[ 



m^m 



!«]DM()N A. (UtAIlAM, .agent of the Gr.a- 
iiain ife Morton Transportation Coini)any, 

^ manager of t!io sleamor " May CJiaiiam," 
and owner of the Graham Docks at St. Joseph, is 
doubtless more widely known than any otiier resi- 
dent of this cily l)\' tiie lake. He is a native of 
Indiana and was born in the city of La Porte No- 
vember 11, 1811. Tracing his lineage back through 
two generations, we lind that his paternal grand- 
father was William Graham, who w;is of English 
descent, while his maternal grandfather bore the 



name of Phineas Nichols. Both were honorable 
and upright men, industrious and persevering, and 
were highly esteemed in the communities where 
they resided. 

The parents of our subject, John and Lucinda 
(Nichols) (iraham, were natives of New York, 
the former having been born in Chenango County. 
In his j'oung manhood ho emigrated to the West 
and, reaching Indiana, made settlement on a farm 
three miles from La Porte, where he resided a few 
years, and then moved to Ohio. Soon after he re- 
turned to Indiana, from there went to Illinois, 
thence to Iowa, and while the family remained in 
Iowa he made a trip to California. In 1804 he 
settled in Berrien Count}'. Aftervvards he re- 
turned to Boone County, III., and settled on a farm 
on which he died in 187.5. He was a [lublic-spir- 
ited and enterprising man of irreproachable con- 
duct and kindly disposition. 

The subject of this sketch spent his boyhood 
years in the several States above mentioned and 
at the age of twenty-one went to Elkhart, Ind. In 
1804, he .accompanied his father to Berrien Coun- 
tj', where he engaged in the lumber business. He 
built a sawmill five miles south of St. Joseph, of 
which he became Superintondcnt, and continued 
in that capacity until he sold the mill in 1HH2. 
During the same year he removc<l to the city of 
St. .Joseph and purchased the Morrison Dock, 
which he remodeled and rebuilt. L.atcr he built 
the steamer "May (Jrahani," which during the 
summer months plies the waters of the St. Jos- 
eph River between St. Joseph and Berrien Springs, 
carrying both passengers and freight. 

With various important enterprises of .St. Jos- 
epii Mr. (Jraham is closely identified and is the 
owner of a large amount of valuable property in 
this city. He is a stockholder and Director in the 
I'nion Banking Company, one of the solid finan- 
cial institutions of western Michigan. In the bus- 
iness circles of Berrien Coiinlv his name is a fa- 
miliar one, and lie is iiiiivcrs:illy esteemed as .an 
energetic man, loyal citizen and kind friend. 
While by no means pronounced in his political 
preferences, he nevertheless is devoted to the 
principles of the Republican party, believing its 
plalforiu l)est adapted to pioinole the general wel- 



166 



POETRAIT AND BIOGEAPHICAL RECORD. 



fare of the people. Sociall}', he affiliates with Bur- 
nett Lodge No. 19, I. O. O. F. 

The Graham residence on Main Street is an ele- 
gant and commodious home, containing every 
convenience to enhance the comfort of its inmates. 
It is presided over with charming hospitality and 
grace by Mrs. Graliam, who became the wife of 
our subject in 1869. She was formerly Edwina C. 
Bunker, of Hager Township, this county, and is 
the daughter of Nathaniel Bunker. The home is 
brightened by the presence of the only child of 
Mr. and Mrs. Graham, an accomplished young 
lady. May Belle. 




lYRON R. BEEBE. Pre-eminence is a goal 
most men strive to attain. No matter in 
what field, whether it be literature, art, 
science or commerce, the ambition of the 
true man will push him to such endeavor that his 
success shall stand out with glaring distinctness, 
and his position shall be one above all others. 
To re.Tcli the highest mark in any calling is in 
these days of rush and activity no e.asy matter. 
In the commercial world, particularly, it is most 
difficult. There competition is so great, so many 
men are striving for the almighty dollar and for 
fame, that the man who makes his mark high above 
his fellows is justly entited to great praise and to 
all honor and glory. He has won the prize only 
through true merit and by having energy and 
push. 

We are led to these reflections by a study of the 
career of Byron Beebe, who is one of the promi- 
nent merchants of Marcellus, and a member of the 
firm of Beebe <fe Beebe, dealers in dry goods and 
general merchandise. The father of our subject, 
Roswell R. Beebe, was a native of the Keystone 
State, born in Wilkes Barre on the 3d of October, 
1806, and the son of Gideon Beebe, who was a na- 
tive of Connecticut. The latter moved to Pennsjl- 
vania at an early d.ay and followed farming on an 



extensive scale until his death. He had four sons 
and two daughters who grew to manhood and 
womanhood, and one son, .Tohn, served in the 
Black Hawk War. The father of our subject was 
the youngest son. 

Roswell R. Beebe was but fifteen years of age 
when he moved to Huron County, Ohio, with his 
mother, and settled on the farm where he grew to 
manhood. There he married Miss Permelia Latham, 
who died at the end of six or seven j'ears, leaving 
three children, two of whom are now living, Gid- 
eon and Bruce. Mr. Beebe 's second marriage oc- 
curred in Huron County, Ohio, when he married 
Miss Marj' Young, a native of Huron County, 
and the daughter of Lazarous Young, who was born 
in Pennsylvania. The latter was one of the ear- 
liest settlers of Huron County, Ohio, and for some 
time lived with the Indians. He was the first 
man married in the county, and his child was the 
first white child born in what is known as the Fire 
Lands of Ohio. He was well acquainted with the 
famous Slocum family. Lazarous Young was the 
father of fourteen children, of whom Mrs. Beebe 
was the third in order of birth. 

The father of our subject followed farming, and 
in connection was engaged as a mason, following 
the trade in Cleveland and Sandusky until 1845, 
when he came to Michigan. He first located in 
Marcellus Township, on section 1, and bought 
partly wild land, on which he resided until 1881, 
when he moved to Marcellus. Here his death 
occurred on the 28th of April, 1893. His wife died 
April 29, 1890. He was one of the pioneers of the 
county, and became the owner of two bunded and 
sixty acres, but divided with his children, and 
owned but one hundred acres at the time of his 
death. Early in life he alfiliated with the Whig 
party, but later became a Republican. He was 
well known all over the county, was well respected 
by all. and w.as prominent in all affairs of import- 
ance in the count}'. Two children were born to 
his second marri.age: our subject, and Wealthy, 
who became the wife of William Carrier, and now 
resides on the old homestead in Marcellus Town- 
ship. 

Byron R. Beebe was born on the 20th of April, 
1845, in Huron County, Ohio, and wasabout three 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



167 



yeai-s of age when his father came to the Wolver- 
ine State. His 3-()Uthful days were passed on the 
old homestead, and his scholastic traiuinjf was re- 
ceived in the country schools of this township. 
On the 4tli of February, 1806, he married Miss 
Mary Ophelia Aldrich, who was the daughter of 
Lewis Aldrich. one of the prominent farmers of 
Flowerdeld Township. Mrs. Beebe was horn in New 
York State and died in lb69. Mr. Beebe's second 
marriage was to Miss Josephine D. Bucklin, daugh- 
ter of Pitt Bucklin. After his first marriage Mr. 
Beebe lived on the cikl homestead, which he car- 
ried on until 187.'S, wiien he removed to Marcellus, 
and was there engaged in the meat business for 
about six j-ears. He then resumed farming, but 
subsequently engaged in the agricultural-imple- 
ment business in Marcellus, which he carried on 
for over two years. 

In December, 1891, he engaged in his present 
business, buying out the (irm of Kester ife Arnold. 
This business is located o|)posite the bank on Main 
Street, and they have a nourishing trade. Besides 
this Mr. Beebe is the owner of two hundred acres 
of land, eighty acres on section 1, and one hun- 
dred and twenty acres in St. Joseph County, just 
over the line. He is the father of two children, 
one by his first and one by his second union. The 
elder, Clark L., is a member of the firm of Beebe 
& Beebe; and the younger child, Arthur L., is 
clerking in the store. Politically, Mr. Beebe is a 
Republican, and, socially, a member of the Ancient 
Free <fe Accepted JIasons. 



|^_ ENRY P. liOEIIM, proprietor of the Cham- 
jjr pion Mills and the feed store at No. 112 
^ West Main Street, in Benton Harbor, was 
born in \'aii Wert Count}', Ohio, January 4, 
1863, and in his infancy was taken to Indiana 
b}- his i)arents, Paul P.and Maiy (Hoffman) Boehm. 
The father, who w.as a man far above the average 
in intellect, was a native of Germany, having emi- 



grated to America about the year 1857. Ill 1875 
he removed to Michigan and settled in Sodus 
Townshii), Berrien County, where he operated the 
Champion Mills, built by David Rector. In his 
youth lie had learned the trade of a miller, and 
his operations in that line were more than ordin- 
arily successful. His death in 1886 was a loss to 
the communit}", in which he was known as a man 
of probity and iiobilit}' of character. His widow 
still lives and makes her home in Benton Town- 
ship, Berrien County. 

Henry P. is the fifth in order of birth among 
the surviving members of his father's family. His 
childhood years were passed in Indiana and Mich- 
igan, where he gained the rudiments of his educa- 
tion in the schools of the home neigliborhood. 
Early in life he learned the milling business of his 
father, and soon gained a practical knowledge of 
the business in which he has ever since engaged. 
For a time he rented and operated the Cowles Mill, 
on Pipestone Creek. 

Ill 1885, Mr. Boehm again returned to the Cham 
pion Jlills, and two j'ears later he purchased the 
property, and has since operated it witii success. 
The princi{)al products of the mill are corn and 
buckwheat. In April, 1893, he opened a feed store 
in Benton Harbor and has since transacted a largo 
business in that line among both the citizens of 
the city and the people throughout the surround- 
ing country. In 1892 he built a cider-niill in 
connection with the gristmill, and has since that 
time engaged in the manufacture of cider and 
vinegar, with an output of eighty barrels per day. 
As a business man, he displ.ays good judgment in 
his investments and superior executive ability. 
He has conducted his enterprises upon such meth- 
ods as have commended him to his customers, and 
richly merits the success which has crowned his 
efforts. 

The marriage of Mr. Boehm took [ilace De- 
cember 27, 1887, to Miss Katie F^nos, of Millburg, 
Benton Township, Berrien County, the daughter 
of Ira and Cornelia Enos. Mr. and Mrs. Boeliui 
have one daughter, Norva. A Democrat in his 
political belief, Mr. Boehm has never accepted offi- 
cial honors, preferring to devote liis attention tu 
bis bu.'iness. In all the relations of Hfe, social and 



168 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



commercial, his career has ever been m.srked by a 
higli standard of integrity, and the success which 
has crowned his wcll-cx>nducted efforts has been 
earned by tlie application of honorable principles 
to all his transactions. 



^i-^4^g{ 



I EORGE E. BISHOP. On Front Street, op- 

posite the Beckwith Memorial Building, in 

Dowagiac, the iiasser-by will oteerve the 
hardware store owned and managed by Mr. Bishop. 
Tlie building has a frontage of twenty-four feet 
and a depth of one hundred feet, and is three sto- 
ries in height, in addition to which a warehouse is 
utilized, 22x100 feet in dimensions, for a carriage 
K'j>ository. On the office door and second story 
mav be found a complete assortment of hardware, 
tinware, stoves and agiicultuial implements, while 
the upper tloi>r is used for a tinshop and storeroom. 
The establishtnent is the finest of its kind in the 
ci^unty. and steady employment is given to a force 
of five clerks. 

The gentleman whose energy has secured this 
desirable result, and has built up the extensive busi- 
ness now conducted under his name, was born in 
Genesee County, N. Y.. on the 12th of M.irch, 
1{?49. His father, Horace L. Bishop, was l>orn and 
reared in 2sew York, where he married Emmaline 
Allison, and after that important event he worked 
at his trade of carpenter and joiner in Genesee 
Count V. In 1855 became to Michigan and settled 
in Hillsdale County, where he purchased land and 
now makes his home. He and his estimable wife 
reared a family of six children, all of whom are 
still living. 

The paternal grandfather of our subject was 
Isaac Bishop, who was born in New England and 
was twice married, becoming the father of twentj- 
children who lived to mature years. Duinng the 
Kevolutiouai-y AVar he enlisted in the defense of 
the Colonies and served with valor and fidelity for 
a jiericKl of six years. With the army he endured 
all the horrors' of the winter at Vailey Forge, and 



participated in the battles of Cowpens, Stony Point 
and many of the decisive engagements of the war. 

At the time our subject came to Michigan he was 
six years old. He grew to m.anhood in Hillsdale 
County, where he attended the public schcH>ls. 
His first step toward self-support was to secure a 
position as clerk in a mercantile establishment at 
Allen. Hillsdale County, where he remained for 
two and one-half years. Later he clerked in Cold- 
water, Mich., for two and one-half years, and then, 
returning to Allen, he resumed his former position 
as clerk. He i-cmained with his old employer 
about seven yeai-s longer, and in 1881 came 
to Dowagiac, and in company with his brother-in- 
law, C. E. Dickinson, bought out the firm of W. 
E. Vrooman A- Co. After two yeai-s the firm of 
Bishop iV Dickinson dissolved partnership. C. 
"W. Vrooman buying out Mr. Dickinson, the title 
of the firm becoming Bishop it Vrooman. After 
eight yeai-s thus spent Mr. Bishop bought out Mi: 
Vrooman, in .January, 18i>l, and has since con- 
ducted the business alone. 

In 1877 c>ccurred the marri.ige of Mr. Bishop to 
Miss Jennie Dickinson, a sister of his former part- 
ner and the daughter of Higby Dickinson, a furni- 
ture dealer who died in 1876. Mr. and Mrs. 
Bishop have three children: Edith. Mary and 
Dickinson. A Republican in {X>litics, Mr. Bish- 
op has held the office of Mayor of Dowagiac. 
and served as a member of the Board of Education 
for six years. He was also Collector for Allen 
Township. Hillsdale County, for several years. 
Socially, he is identified with the Ancient Order of 
I'nited Workmen, the Order of Maccabees and the 
Modem Woodmen of America. 






'i gsv- 



-^ta' 



MOS JOJsES, the owner of a finely-im- 
LJ proved farm on section 24. La Grange 
J Township, Cass County, is a native of 
Ohio, having been born in Preble County 
on the I3th of August, 1820. He is of Welsh de- 
scent, his great-grandfather having been born in 
Wales and emigrating thence to America in the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



169 



old Colonial daj-s. He located in South Carolina, 
where the gi-aiidfather and father of our subject 
were born. Heing a member of the Society of 
Friends, he took no part in the Revolutionary 
War, but his sympathies were strongly enlisted on 
behalf of the Colonies. 

The grandfather of our subject, George Jones, 
was a son of George and Jane Jones, and was born 
in South Carolina. A farmer by occupation, he 
was also a well-read man and possessed an exten- 
sive knowledge of all subjects of general interest. 
After his marriage to Lydia Hobson, he removed 
from South Carolina to Georgia, where he lived 
for a short time, following the trade of a harness 
and saddle manufacturer. In 1802 he removed to 
Preble County, Ohio, crossing the Ohio River at 
Cincinnati, which then contained a solitary log 
cabin. Having accumulated some i)ropert3', lie 
came with Ins horses and other eflfects, and upon 
his arrival |)urcliascd a large tract of land, and 
also entered claims for his children. 

Later Grandfather Jones removed to Butler 
County and located at Somerville, on Klk Creek, 
where he erected a large saw and grist mill and 
also built the largest tannery in the State. He 
gave his personal attention to the management of 
all these enterprises, and was a man of splendid 
judgment and rare ability. His residence was a 
large brick structure, conveniently arranged, and 
supi)lied with all the comforts of life. He and his 
wife reared a family of ten children, namely: 
Henry, Charles, Elizabeth, Sarah, Lydia, George, 
William, Keziali, Nathan and Martha. Two of the 
family died in infancy. As did his father, he 
worked actively in the (Quaker Church and did much 
toward increasing its usefulness. He donated 
the land on which was erected a very large church 
edifice. 

In June, 1S2'J, Grandfather Jones came to 
Michigan and attended the land sale, where he 
purchased three thousand acres on Young's 
Prairie. In the fall of the same year he brought 
his family to this .State, also bringing with him a 
large drove of cattle and horses. On Dowagiac 
Creek he purchased a mill and one hundred and 
sixty acres of land, which he gave to tlie father 
of our subject. Being old and ((uitc portly, lie 



I was unable to walk an3' great distance, and there- 
fore kept a carriage and horses and drove over his 
farms ever}- da}-, giving to their management his 
personal attention. He died in 183.3 at the age of 
sixty-two jears. The widow passed away in 
1846. 

The father of our subject, Henry Jones, re- 
mained with his parents until twenty-three 3'ears 
of age, when ho married Miss Hannah, daughter 
of Amos and Esther (Low) Green. Amos Green 
was born in America, but was of English par- 
entage, and was a nephew of Gen. Nathaniel Green, 
of Revolutionary fame. His wife, Esther, was a 
lady of great culture and intelligence, possessing 
a love for reading and a retentive memory, 
which enabled her to store away in her mind an 
extensive fund of knowledge. She reached the 
advanced age of ninety and to the last retained 
her memor_y unijnpaired. 

After his marriage Henry Jones came to Michi- 
g.an and a year later took charge of the mill 
property mentioned above. During the remainder 
of his life he continued in the milling business 
and also operated a farm of eight hundred acres. 
Politically, he was a warm admirer of Gen. 
Jackson, and when he was elected to the second 
term as President, Mr. Jones afhliated with the 
Whigs, remaining with that parly until his death. 
His fellow-citizens frequently chose him to occupy 
positions of trust, and he served as one of tiie 
three County Supervisors. Unto him and his wife 
were born the following-named children: Esther, 
Lydia, Rebecca, Elizabeth, Amos, Phrebe, George, 
Hannah, Ilenr^', Abigail, Finley and Jesse. The 
only ones now surviving are Esther, Amos, (ieorge 
and Finley. Our subject's father packed pork in 
Cincinnati for three winters and took it to New 
Orleans on llatboats. 

The only schooling secured by our subject was 
in Ohio prior to the age of ten, and his education 
has been gained principally through extensive 
reading. In 1842 he married Miss Rebecca Hebron, 
who was born in Yorkshire, England, February 
27, 1824, and came to the United .States when 
eight years of age with her ])arents, William and 
Sarah (Bolmer) Hebron. Unto our subject and 
his wife were born nine children, as follows; 



170 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Sarah, tlie wife of Henry Miner; Elizabeth, who 
married William fShurle; Hannah, the wife of 
John Ward; Ruth, Mrs. Tlionias Armstrong; Henry; 
George, who died at the age of eighteen years; 
Delia, who married L. H. Lawhcad; William and 
Charles. 

After liaving conducted farming pursuits for a 
few years, Mr. Jones went to California, in 18.50, 
crossing tlie plains to the far West in company 
with a party of eleven and making the trip with 
two wagons. From tiie Missouri River ninet}' 
days were consumed in making the trip to Hang- 
town (now known as Placerville), Cal. Locating 
in that place, Jlr. Jones mined for six months, and 
was so successful in liis laljors that he made about 
$.'3,000 in five weeks. In March, 1861, he re- 
turned home via the Isthmus of Panama and New 
Orleans, spending forty-four days on the ocean. 
Once more in Cass County, he resumed his farm- 
ing operations and also engaged in milling and 
conducted an extensive lumbering business for 
seven years. Upon selling out that enterprise, he 
purchased four hundred and seventy acres, com- 
prising his present farming property-. He also 
owns large interests in mines in Lake City, Colo., 
and makes frequent trips to that .State. 



.^^0>. 



^^ BKL W. WELLS, President of the Wells- 
^1 \ "'n"''i» Company, and also President of 

///it the Union Banking Company of St. Jo- 
1^ seph, is a native of Canada and was born 

in the county of Prescott on the 6th of September, 
1840. His parents, A. AV. and Hannah (Cass) 
AVells, were also born in Canada, and the father 
followed the occupation of a merchant. In his 
boyhood the subject of this sketch attended the 
common schools. At the age of eighteen his 
school daj'S ended and he afterward assisted his 
father on the home farm. 

Upon starting out for himself, Mr. Wells was 
for a lime in the employ of George W. Eaton. In 



1866 he came to Michigan, and at Muskegon se- 
cured emi)loyment in a sawmill, where he remained 
several years. Later he went to Belle Plaine, 
Minn., and from there up to the head waters of 
the Mississippi River. In 1867 and 1868 he vis- 
ited St. Joseph and was so favorably impressed 
with the business opportunities presented here that 
he formed a partnersliip with W. W. Wilcox and 
H. C. Ward, under the title of A. AV. AVells & 
Co., and engaged in the manufacture of berry 
boxes. The business is now conducted under the 
firm name of the Wells-lligman Company, of 
which A. W. Wells is President, and J. Higraau, 
Jr., Secretary and Treasurer. The office and sales- 
room of the firm are located on State Street, while 
their factory and warerooins are on the corner of 
Water and Marsh Streets. This is said to be tlie 
largest factory in the AVest and is one of the most 
pros|ierous. 

In addition to this enterprise the company has 
a plant at Greenfield, Tenn., which was established 
in 1887; another in Memphis, Tenn., which was 
started in 1890; and a third at Traverse City, 
Mich., in all of whicli fruit baskets and boxes are 
manufactured. In 18'J2 they cut nine million feet 
of timber, principally cotton wood, bass wood and 
elm. Mr. Wells is also interested in the firm of 
Cooper, Wells & Co., which is engaged in the 
manufacture of hose, mittens, etc., employing two 
hundred and sixty hands, and turning out from 
five hundred to six hundred dozen hose per day. 
In connection with his brother Alpheus, our sub- 
ject is engaged in the mercantile business at Her- 
man, Minn. 

AVhen the Union Banking Company was organ- 
ized in 1883, Mr. Weils aided in the enterprise, and 
in March, 1893, he was made President of the bank. 
They do a general banking business, and he is well 
known as one of the shrewd financici's of western 
Michigan. He is the owner of a finely improved 
farm, consisting of two hundred and fort)' acres, 
located in Morris, Minn., and also owns the elegant 
brick residence which he occupies, and which is 
picturesquely situated on the lake front. A Re- 
publican in his political affiliations, he has been 
chosen by his fellow-citizens to occupy v.arious po- 
sitions of trust and honor. For two years he 



PORTRAIT AND iilOGRAPIUCAL RECORD. 



73 



served as Supervisor tif St. .losepli, nnd for Uiree 
3e!ir.s 111! was a luemher of llic School IJoaid. In liis 
social coiiiu'ctions he is ideiitilied with St. Joseph 
Lodge No. .")(;, F. it A. M. 

JaiHiai-3- 2«, 11S68, oectined llu^ niairiagc of A. 
W. Wells with Miss Melviiia IJ. (iales, of I/Oiignal, 
Canada, and the daughter of James (). and Eliza 
Mates. ■ Mr. and Mrs. Wells have three children, 
all of whom arc at home: Cornelia K., James Og- 
den and Clara. In social circles of St. Joseph this 
family is well known and highly regarded, and 
their i)Osition is among the foremost peo])le of their 
cominunitv. 




■#?• 



■^RANCIS JORDAN. In the peiusal of this 
^ir)) "volume the reader is doubtless impressed 
with the fact that it is not accident that 
helps a man in the world, bnt persistent energy' 
and unceasing industry. The life of Fraiicis Jor- 
dan affords an illustration of the fact that he who 
is shrewtl to discern 0[)portunities and quick to 
seize thcra will attain a high place in the regard 
of his fellow-men. A laborious, painstaking man, 
his has been a life of diligence, ambition, honor 
and success, and now as the sun of time is sinking 
toward the horizon of eternity, he is spending his 
days (|uietly and happily, somewhat retired from 
the active business cares that thronged other years. 
His home is in St. Joseph, where for a long time 
he was prominently connected with the finances of 
the city as an intluential and successful banker. 

Mr. Jordan is a native of the Island of Heligo- 
land, in the North Sea, which is now a part 
of the German Empire. He was born on the Gth 
of February, 1814, being the son of Carson and 
Anna Elizal)ctii (Franc) Jordan. The father was a 
lislier and general trader, who lived on the island 
until his death. Francis Jordan passed his boy- 
hood days in an uneventful manner in the land of 
his birth, and in his youth learned the trade of a 
ship-carpenti'r. Into that far-away island there 
fre(|uently came glowing reports of the fortunes 



awaiting emigrants from the Old World, and Mr. 
Jordan in his young manhood, with the strength 
and ambition of >outh, determined to cross ihc 
broad waters of the Atlantic and .seek a lioinc and 
fortune in the land beyond the seas. 

When he was ninteen years old, he went to .sea 
as ship-carpenter. The vessel on which he sailcfi 
was foundered off the coast of France, and the 
crew was taken to London by an American ship, 
and in that great city Mr. .Jordan arrived penni- 
less among strangers. He was hired to serve be- 
fore the mast on a British vessel, the "Ann, of 
London," until he could save enough money to 
buy new tools, after which he hired as ship-carpen- 
ter, and followed the sea for about live years. 

Our subject came to America in 18;38, starting 
from Liverpool. While on this journc}', the ves- 
sel went ashore, but finally reached New York, 
where our subject followed the occupation of ship- 
carpenter for five years. Removing from New 
York to Chicago in 1844, he embarked m his 
chosen occupation, and for twenty years worked 
at ship-building, meantime building a dry dock 
between Van Buren and Harrison Streets, in 1852, 
and filling other important contracts. He built 
two vessels in front of the old Lake House, and 
also- the boat "Favorite," which is still in service. 
He was Marine Inspector for the district of Chi- 
cago. In 1864 he came to St. Joseph and, pur- 
chasing a mill, operated it for a number of years. 
In connection with Henry M. Zekind, in August, 
1882, he organized the Union Banking Company, 
of which he was chosen President, and continued 
to fill that honored position until his retirement 
from business in March, 1893. However, he still 
retains his banking interests, and is one of the in- 
fluential financiers of St. Joseph. 

The marriage of Mr. Jordan occurred May 21, 
1840, in New York Cit3', and united him with 
Miss Anna A. Lemon, the daughter of Peter and 
Lydia (Asten) Lemon. Eight children were born 
of the union, of whom Frank, Charles, Alfred and 
a daughter unnamed are deceased. James is a 
resident of Chicago; Lydia is the wife of Capt. 
John H. Lee, a well-known real-estate man resid- 
ing in Benton Harbor; Orville has been Cashier of * 
the Fnion Banking Company of St. Josepli since 



174 



VOIITRAIT AKD BlOtaiAl'llIL'AL KECOliD. 



its oi-f^aiii/.iiUoii; niul (ic-'oii;*! Tra coiiiplelos tlio 
I'limily. In politics, ISli'. .lordaii was orii^iiially a 
Whig, ami tlicii :i l>c|iiilili(aii, Imt now votes in- 
(Icpcndi'iilly. Ilo is in s\tn|)alliy witli tim I'roiii- 
iiilrioni.sl-s, and JK'lic^vcs in coninicrcial ficedoni. 
AlllionLjli 111' coniniciiccd in Imsincss witli no 
means, lio lias acunnmlatcd a I'onifoitahio properly, 
ancl is now tlie owner of a nnniher of lots in St. 
.losepli, inrindini; a handsome icsidenei^ on one 
of its principal streets, as well as real eKtatc in 
Chiea'jo. 

In reviewinj; (he lite and career of Mr. .loidan, 
we find a man wlios(! ever_\' Inisiness act has hcen 
uniili'd liy the strictest iiitej;rity of chanu^ter, and 
it is said of him that his word has always lieen 
considered as i^ood as his bond, lie is a man en- 
dowed with stronfi' eonimon-sense, and takes n 
practical view of the atl'aiis of lite, heiii^' clear- 
headed, and now at the ripe a^^e of seventy-nine 
he talks with i^real loj^ie and tlneney npon snlijects 
of social, laisiiiess and national interest, lie is a 
freipient speaker in tlu; church, and his sermons and 
political speeches have always heon cli:iiaeteri/.ed 
by logical roasoninji;, as well as beini; pleaslnj^ 
and ehxpicnt in their (h'livery. 

Mr. .lord.'in and his estimable wife are nicmliers 
of the Methodist Episcop.'d Chnrcli, with which 
he lias been idt'iitilied since \ii\'>. l''orinaiiy years 
lie has tilled the positions of 'rrustec and Class- 
leader in the church, and is one of the most }j;en- 
eroiis eontribntors to its support. 



♦♦^^^Ki'^dS 



11. (lOODKNOlUUI. 1 11 traein;; the f^'cii- 
))) ealogy of the (!oodciion<;h family in 
.\iiierica, wc lind that the tirst settlers t'ame 
from Kiiyland and locntcd in Rhode Is- 
land. 'I'lie i^randfathcr of our subject, Joel tiood- 
enoiiiih, was born in that State, but at an early 
date moved to Clienanjio Coiiiity, N. Y. lie 
was then bnt a small boy, and he grew to manhood 
there, married and reared a gi)od-sized family. 
His son Joseph, father of our subject, was born in 




Chenaiiffo County, M.ay 15, 1810, and was there 
reared and (Hlueatcd. He w.as married in that 
county to Miss M;u\ 'I'ice, a natives of Montgom- 
ery County, N. \ ., born in October, 1811, and 
the daughter of l);iniel Tiee, of New York. 

After ni.'irriage, Joseph ( ioodcnoni;li and wife 
resided in ( 'heiiMiigo County for some time, and in 
18 l() made their way to Michigan, settling on sec- 
tion 21, ^'olillia Townsliip. This was all wild 
liinbei-land, and in the woods, amid an almost iiii- 
bidkcn wilderness, Mr. < Joodcnougli eri'cted a log 
cabin, in which he and his family resided until 
1852, when a substantial frame building was 
erected. Much time was spent in clearing the 
land of the liea\y limbei thatcovcred it, but Mr. 
(loodenough was persevering and soon had his 
farm in good shape. In the winter of !8;'i;! he 
sold out and moved to Center Towiislii p, on the 
same section, lie improved this place, erccti'd 
the buildings now occupied by his grandson 
1;m1|)Ii, and here passed the closing scenes of his 
life. His death occuikmI in October, 1871, and 
his wife received her liiial sunimons in the spring 
of 1H8:). 'I'liey were the parents of six children, 
four of whom grew to mature years and two liesidcs 
our subject are now living: Kelsey and Cli.auncy. 
Mr. and Mrs. tioodenoiigh held mcnibcrslijp ju tjic 
Advi'iit Church. 

l/ike muny of the piomiiieul men of the count v, 
our subject, is a luitive of the iMiipirt^ Stat-e, born 
in Cheiiangd County June 25, 18;!t). He re- 
mained in his native State and attended scliotil 
until liftecn years of age, when he came with his 
parents to Michigan, in which St.ate for two win- 
ters he attended the district scIkxiI. When twenty- 
one j'ears of .age he st.-irtcd luit for himself, and 
his (irst ventnrt? was to buy laud in N'olinia 'I'owii- 
sliip. On the 22d of I""ebriiaiy, 18(1.'!, he was mar- 
ried in Illinois to Miss Ainaiid:i Chiireliill, a na- 
tive of Steuben County, N. V., born M;ircli II, 
1811, and the daughter of David Churchill, of De- 
Kalb County, 111. 

Iveturniiig to Cass County, Mich., after his mar- 
riage, our subject settled on section 27, where he 
cleared forty :icres. I.atci he moved to the farm 
on which A. lirowii now lives, cleared a part of 
this, and in about 1871 moved to his present prop- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPIirCAF. RFXORD. 



175 



crty. Ili> isliiu- iiuw infliidct) one liundred and 
ten acres, after <lee(ling forty acres to liis son, and 
is in ii line sbile of culliviitlon. His fine resi(1ence, 
built in IHK2 at a c<^t of *l,GO(t, is of tiie bestcon- 
stniction and modern desijLfn. lie has been engaged 
cxc-iusi vcly in farming, and evcrytliing about liis 
place indicates to the beholder that he is progress-^ 
ive and thorough-going. To his marriage have 
[iiiii liorn six ciiildren: Oscar, who married Miss 
Iiicz Muff; C(;ra, who became the wife of Edwin 
roiichc^tt; Fred; Delia, wife of Coit Miner; Verna 
and Murl. 

Mr. ( ioodeiiougli is a member of the Latter-J)ay 
Saints denomination, taking a deep interest in it. 
lie is a mcmberof the Masonic fraternity', in which 
he has been .Junior Warden, and he wasalsoa mem- 
ber of the Inde|)endent Order of Odd Fellows. Ac- 
tive in politics, he isan ardent supporter of Repub- 
lican principles, and has been a member of the 
Hoard of Review. Ilis children have all received 
good district-school educations. Mr. Goodenough's 
brother. Nelson R., deceased, was prominent in lo- 
cal politics, and held the oflice of Road Commis- 
sioner, Justice of the Peace, etc. The other brother, 
Chauncy, held the oflice of Township Clerk. Mrs. 
Goodenough's brother, O. C. Cliurchill, of Chica- 
go, is a prominent lawyer and has his office at No. 
124 Dearborn Street. 



r *^=*^* 



rRVING V. SIIKRMAN, a well-known citizen 
11 and excellent business man, has for the past 
ilj thirty 3ears successfully engaged in the jewelry 
trade in Cassopolis, Cass County, Mich. He has 
also been the popular local agent of the Amer- 
ican Kxpress Co. for a period of twenty-one 
years, since 1891 has likewi.se represented the Na- 
tional Kxpress Co., and for eleven years has been 
the Manager of the Western I'nion Telegraph of- 
fice of Cassopolis. Sustaining the most pleasant 
and ])rofitable relati(»ns with the sevci-al corpora- 
lions, our subject has also thioiigh his prompt and 



courteous service given gn;.il salisfacliun to the 
general public. Mr. Sherman has spent almost his 
entire life within the limits of Cass Count)-, in 
which part of Michigan he was born October (i, 
1840. I. V. was the fourth of seven children 
born unto Elias 15. and .Sarah (Silver) Sherman. 
The father, a native of New York .State and bf)rn 
in 1803, was therefore in the prime of manhood 
when, in about 18.30, he emigrated from his child- 
hood home to Michigan and settled in Cassopolis, 
of which thriving village he was one of the early 
settlers, being counted among the most enterpris- 
ing jiioneer citizens. 

The mother of oUi- subject was a (Laughter of Ja- 
cob Silver, born amid the gi-anite hills of New 
Hamjishire. Mr. Sherman made his home in the 
West in 1830. and, a self-educated man with an am- 
bitious desire to adopt a profession, decided to 
study law. He attended the Stjitc University at 
Ann Arl)or, and was admitted to the Rar of Mich- 
igan in about 1828. He began the |)raclice of his 
profession with Alexander Red Held, the partner- 
ship prolitably continuing many years. Air. Sher- 
man, after a long life of busy u.sefulness, passed 
away in the fall of 188'J, aged eighty -seven years. 
The venerable mother of Mr. Sherman, yet surviv- 
ing, is eightj'-six years old. I. V. Sherman re- 
ceived the benefit of a good common-school edu- 
cation, and when sixteen years of age began to 
learn his trade as a practical jeweler. In 1860 ho 
bought a half-interest in a jeweliy store in Klk- 
hart, Ind., but after two years devoted to his tra<le 
there he returned to Ca.ssopolis, and in 1863 went 
to California and there pursued his profession for 
two years. Later he returned to Cassopolis and 
engaged in the jewelry business, the cares of which 
he has shared with his work as express and tele- 
graph agent. 

Fraternally, our subject is prominently con- 
nected with the Ancient Free cfe Accepted Ma- 
sons, and is a member of liackus Lodge No. 
55. Since 1874 he has been a.ssociated with 
Kingsbury Chapter No. 78, and is also one of the 
twelve Knights Templar of Niles Conimandeiy. 
Mr. Sherman has been one of the etlicient members 
(if the City Hoard of Trustees, and has given faith- 
ful service in behalf of local pr(^gressand im[)rove- 



176 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ments. Onr subject was rnanied in 1861 to Miss 
Diantha Allen, of Elkliart, Ind. The parents of 
Mrs. Sherman were residents of New York State, 
and there she was reared and educated. The esti- 
mable wife liore oiu- suliject a family, of whom two 
cliildren survive to mourn their mother's death, in 
1879. The two daughters of Mr. Sherman are 
Ellen E., Mrs. C. W. Taylor, now a resident of 
Dallas, Tex.; and Mildred A. Sherman, pursuing 
her studies in the Normal College at Ypsilanti, 
Mich. No man in Cass County is better known or 
more highly regarded than I. V. Sherman, who 
justly commands the esteem and confidence of a 
host of friends. 



-^ 



^^ EORGE Ml LLER. Among the attorneys of 
ill (_^ Benton Harbor prominent mention should 
^^^ be made of Mr. Miller, who for many j'ears 
has conducted an extensive practice in the various 
courts. His legal experience has been varied and 
has extended over a long period, so that he has 
gained a broad knowledge of every phase of the 
law. In all the positions of honor to which he 
has been called, he has served with eflicienc}' and 
won the golden meed of praise from his fellow- 
citizens. 

The Miller family originated in England, whence 
some of its representatives emigrated to America 
and settled in "S'irginia during the early years of 
its history. Frederick Miller, the grandfather of 
our subject, was a soldier in the War of the Revo- 
lution, enlisting with a regiment from his native 
State, the Old Dominion. Jacob F. Miller, our sub- 
ject's father, was born in Sevier County, Tenn., and 
during the second war with England, enlisted in 
the defense of the United States, serving with valor 
until peace was declared. The mother of our sub- 
ject, Die}' (Weaver) Miller, was born in Virginia 
and was a daughter of JIatthias Weaver, a native 
of the Old Dominion and a descendant of English 
ancestors. 

Mr. Miller spent his boyhood in Ohio, where he 



was born in Preble County, August 21, 1830. He 
gained the rudiments of his education in the com- 
mon schools, and later spent one year at the 
Waynesville Academy, located at Waynesville, 
Ohio. At the age of nineteen years he entered 
Antioch College, but did not remain until the 
completion of his collegiate course. His literary 
education concluded, he commenced to read law 
under the preceiitorship of Ebenezer Parsons, of 
Troy, Ohio, and after reading Blackstone and 
Coke for some time, he jjassed the required ex- 
amination and was admitted to practice at the Bar 
of the State at Dayton, Ohio, in the Superior Court 
July 12, 1852. He opened an ottice in Eaton, 
Ohio, for the practice of his professicni and re- 
mained there until 1859. Removing in December, 
1859, to Dowagiac, Cass County, Mich., Mr. Miller 
embarked in legal practice and very soon became 
favorably known asan attornej^. In IMarch, 1860, 
at Cassopolis, he was admitted to the Bar of Mich- 
igan, and subsequently admitted in Grand Raiiids 
to practice in the District and Circuit Courts of 
the United States. About 1874 he was adinilted 
to practice in the several courts of Illinois. 

In the year 1884 he went to St. Joseiih, and a 
year later came to Benton Harbor, where he has con- 
ducted a general practice up to the present lime. 
In politics he is a Republican. He has filled var- 
ious positions where abilit3- and good judgment 
were necessary, and has rendered etlicient and sat- 
isfactory service at every post of duty. He was 
elected Prosecuting Attorney of Cass County, en- 
tering upon the duties of that oflice on the 1st of 
January, 1868, and continuing in that capacity 
until the expiration of his term of service of two 
years. In 1890 iie was elected Justice of the Peace, 
but by virtue of the new city charter onl.y held 
office one year, and then by re-election served two 
years longer. 

During the Rebellion, Mr. Miller was one of the 
brave men who volunteered in the service of the 
Union. In 1862 he enlisted as a member of Com- 
pany L, Ninth Michigan Cavalr}-, and was mus- 
tered in and served as Captain of his company, 
which was incorporated in the Army of the Ohio. 
He took an active part in many of the most im- 
portant engagements of the war, and was woundec^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



177 



at the lialtle of Lexington, Ky. Maix'li 12, 1865. 
At tlio close of the war, lie was nuistered out of 
the serviee at Kiioxville,Teiin.,an<l retuined to his 
home with a record as a soldier of which iiis fam- 
ily and friends might well be proud. The com- 
mand to which Capt. Miller belonged was actively 
engaged during its years of service. Among the 
notable instances in which the rc^giment bore a 
part were the campaign after Gen. John Mor- 
gan through Ohio, and .Sherman's march through 
(Ie()rgia; they also took part in the battle atlJean's 
Station, besides about seventeen other engage- 
ments. Our subject now holds membership in 
(Jeorge II. Thom.as Post No. 14, G. A. H. 

On the '2i>l\\ of April, 1871, occurred the mar- 
riage of Mr. Miller and Miss Josephine Wood, 
who prior to her marri.age resided in Berrien 
Springs. She is the daughter of Warren Wood, of 
that place. Mr. Miller and his excellent wife are 
the parents of two children: Maude and Wendell. 
The latter graduated in the spring of 18i)3 from 
the lienlon Harbor High .School. 






■yC /^^K<^'KNlTS HULBITRD, Ji:., w.as born in Col- 
\ (I )l' Chester, Chittenden County, Vt., on the 23d 
^^^' of July, 1821, and died at his home in Ben- 
ton Harbor November I'J, 1883, at the age of 
three-score and two years. The record of liis hon- 
orable life is one which his friends may review 
with pride, and as an early settler and inlhiential 
citizen of Berrien County his name should be 
l)cr|)eluated through the generations yet to come. 
Through his entire life he maintained the high 
principles of honor, energy and industry to which 
he was reaied, and which secured for him the large 
measure of success that crowned his exertions. 

Our subject w.as the son of Orcenus and Larecey 
(Allen) Hulburd, the latter having been the first 
female child born in the town of Colchester, Vt. 
In the (ircen Mtiuiitain State lit passed his child- 
hood years and gained a fair education in the 
disti ict schools. Upon completing his studies, he 



served an apprenticeship at the trade of a carpen- 
ter and followed that occupation in Vermont for 
a number of years. During the great gold excite- 
ment, he was one of the number wlio maile the 
journey to the far AVest, seeking fortune in the 
mines of the Golden State. After remaining in 
California for three years, he returned to the East, 
ill 18.5,5, and made settlement in Lconid.as, .St. .lo- 
seph Count}', Mich., where he embarked in the 
milling business, continuing in that occupation 
for five years. 

Coming to I'.enton Harbor in 1800, Mr. Hulburd 
was identified with the early history of this vil- 
lage and was one of its influential men. Many of 
the first buildings erected here were his workman- 
ship and some of them are still standing. In ad- 
dition to carpenter work, he also took contracts 
for buildings, and became one of the most popular 
and successful contractors in southwestern Mich- 
igan. He continued .ictively engaged in business 
until his demise. In 1862 he engaged in building 
docks for the (iovernment in the vicinity of Lit- 
tle Rock, Ark. In politics a Democrat, he was 
alw.ays interested in public matters and was well 
informed upon all subjects of general interest. 
He was a nieml)er of the first School Board of Ben- 
ton Harbor, and through his energy much was ac- 
complished to promote the standard of education 
in the village. 

On the 26th of December, 185(1, Mr. Hulburd 
married Miss Nancy A. Kidd. She was born in 
Ilighgate, Vt., November 3, 1823, and is the 
daughter of David and Margaret (Hand) Kidd, 
natives of England. Mr. Kidd emigrated to the 
United States and settled first in Vermont and 
then in Rochester, N. Y., where he carried on mill- 
ing fourteen years. From Rochester he went 
back to Colchester, Vt., lived there ten years, then 
came West to Leonid.as, St. Joseph County, Mich., 
in June, 1852. He owned a llouiiiig and taw mill, 
there and considerable landid estate. He finally 
moved U> White Pigeon and theie died. His 
father, Jose|ih Kidd, was a Baptist minister in Ver- 
mont and the western part of New York State. 
The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Hulburd, Samuel 
Hand b\ name, w.as a native of England, .\ccom- 
pan3ing her parents to Rochester, N. Y., when 



178 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



a child, Mis. Hulburd was reared aud educated in 
that city. She was the unly daughter among 
eleven children, and bj' her marriage became the 
mother of two children, David K., a resident of 
Water Valley, Miss.; and Margaret L., wife of .Joseph 
Wright, of Milwaukee. In her home in the Hul- 
burd Block Mrs. Hulburd is surrounded by every 
comfort which can contribute to the happiness of 
life, and she is highly regarded by the people of 
the city. 



DGAR A. JACKS. In the several depart- 
ments of the paper manufacturing industry, 



E 

/I' — ^ Niles holds a position of special prominence 
among the leading cities of southwestern Michi- 
gan. Two of its most important manufactories 
are the Ohio Paper Company and the Niles Paper 
Mill Company, of both of which Mr. Jacks is Sec- 
retary. While the two plants are separate, thej"^ 
are conducted under the same management, and 
the m.ichinery is of the latest and most highly ap- 
proved designs, being impelled by three large Cor- 
liss engines and having fifteen immense boilers. 
The fuel used is crude petroleum, and steam is the 
motive power. Stead}' employment is given to a 
force of two hundred men in all the departments. 
The Niles Paper Company manufactures wrapping 
paper of every kind, aud tlie Ohio Paper Company 
makes a specialty of plain and fancy cardboard. 

Our readers will be interested in learning some- 
thing concerning the life of the man to whom the 
success of these enterprises is largely due. Edgar 
A. Jacks was born in the city of Milwaukee, Wis., 
February 23, 1851. His father, Alexander A., 
was a native of Pennsylvania, and came to Michi- 
gan in 1871 and located in Niles. Here he estab- 
lished a mill on the dam of the St. Joseph River 
immediately above the city. This was incorpora- 
ted under the name of the Niles Paper Mill Com- 
pany and was under his immediate personal super- 
vision from the time it was established until the 
date of his death in 1887, his specialty meantime 
being the manufacture of wrapping paper. His 



wife, Sarah A. (Sparling) Jacks, was a native of 
New York State and died in Niles. 

In the citj' of Milwaukee our subject gained the 
rudiments of his education, which were afterward 
supplemented by attendance at the Janesville 
schools and a private school taught by Rev. John 
Burling. At Janesville, Wis., he learned the trade 
of a jeweler and followed that business in Niles for 
a short time. In 187.3 he entered the paper mill 
to assist his father as book-keeper and secretary, and 
continued in that capacit}' until the death of his 
father, when he succeeded to the Presidency of the 
Niles Paper Mill Company. In 1890 he disposed 
of his interest in that mill, although he w^s still 
retained as secretary of the comi)any. During the 
ensuing year he became interested in both the 
Niles and Ohio companies and has since filled the 
position of Secretar}'. He is also largely inter- 
ested in the new mills at Allegan, Mich., of which 
he is Treasurer, and which manufacture wrapping 
paper exclusively. 

Aside from his business, Mr. Jacks has other in- 
terests that are important. He is Director in tlie 
Building and Loan Association of Niles and is a 
stockholder in the First National Bank of this 
city. Politically he is firm in his adherence to 
the platform adopted by the Repulilican party. A 
very important event in his life was his marriage, 
which occurred October 13, 1875, and united him 
with Miss Carrie II. Mallett, of Niles. Mr. and 
Mrs. Jacks have five children. With his wife, our 
subject holds memliership in the Trinity Episcopal 
Church, of which he is a \'estiyman. 



Ip^R. HIRAM W. RA 
I JJj professional men 
li^ the name of thi; 



^if?*. M TiTRAivr w. RAY. Prominent among the 
of Berrien C'ounty stands 
is iiopiihir and successful 
dentist of St. Joseph. Both in professional and 
social circles he occupies a position of influence, 
and his reputation as a skillful dentist is by no 
means limited to St. .loseph, for his patrons come 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



179 



for nijuiy miles around. While he has resided in 
Michigan for many years, he is not a native of this 
Slate, but was boni in La Fayette County, Wis., in 
tiie city of Darlington, the date of his birth being 
.March 1. 1847. lie is the son of .lolin and r,ucy 
(Wentworth) Ray. 

During the year 1823, wiien adventurous pio- 
neers from Eastern States were seeking homes in 
the new West, John Ray removed from Virginia, 
the State of his birth, and going to St. Louis pro- 
ceeded via boat to Galena, 111., where he made set- 
tlement. For three years following his arrival he 
was employed in the lead mines of Galena, but at 
tlie expiration of that time he removed to Willow 
Springs, Wis., and from there went to Darlington. 
He was a man of scrupulous honesty, whose char- 
acter was above reproach, and who in all the affairs 
of life displayed the qualities of true gentleman- 
liness and honor. Near Galena, 111., he was united 
i-n marriage with Miss Lucy Wentworth, a daugii- 
ter of Elijah Wentworth. She died in 1865, and he 
is also deceased. They were the parents of eleven 
children, eight sons and three daughters, of whom 
six arc living. 

The subject of this sketch passed his boyhood 
years at Darlington and in the vicinity of that place. 
After having conn)leted tiie studies of the common 
sciiools he entered Albion College, at Albion, Dane 
County, Wis., and prosecuted his studies in that 
institution for some time. On the 5th of De- 
cember, 18G5, he went to Galena, III., and there 
entered the dental olliee of Dr. James Krown, with 
whom he gained the rudimentary knowledge of 
his profession. Later he entered tiie I'liiladelphia 
Dental College and remained in lliat institution 
one year. 

Opening an olliee at Uellevuc, Iowa, Dr. Ray 
conducted a general practice there for :i period of 
three years. Meantime, in 1872, he married Miss 
Isabella, daughtc^r of William T. Wynkoop, a na- 
tive of New Yolk and foi' many yeais a leading 
merchant of licllevue. Mrs. Hay was lK)rn in 
Hellevue, Iowa. Dr. and Mrs. Kay have a family 
of three childreu, namely : William II. and Law- 
rence F., who are assisting their father in the of- 
fice; and Kittle Uelle. It is not as the result of 
luck or accident that the Doctor has attained a 



position of prominence in the city and county, 
he having located in St. Joseph in November, 1875, 
but what he is may be attributed directly to his 
patient exercise of industry and sound common- 
sen .se. 

Dr. Ra}' is a Republican in his political prefer- 
ences and has occupied positions of trust, among 
which may be mentioned the oHice of .\lderman 
and Citj' Recorder. Socially, he is a member of 
Occidental Lodge No. 56, F. & A.M.; Calvin Rrit- 
tain Chapter No. 52; Niles Commandery No. 12, 
K. T.;and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. 
His residence, a beautiful frame structure, modern 
in architecture and elegant in its exterior appoint- 
ments, is situated on Wisconsin Avenue and is one 
of the finest houses in the city. In their religious 
belief Dr. Kay and his wife are faithful members 
of the Congregational Church and are active in all 
the enterprises originated and carried on by that 
denomination. Dr. Kay is a member of the Mich- 
igan Surgical and Dental Association, and is rec- 
ognized as among the prominent men of his pro- 
fession in Michisran. 



J^3- 



♦i^l<^# 



ellARLES CIIKISTENSEN. Prominent 
among the business men of Henton Harbor 
stands the name of Mr. Christonsen, who is 
engaged here in the manufacture of pressed brick 
and tile, and is also a dealer in ice. Althoutrh this 
enterprise is of comparatively- recent inception, the 
accurate system upon which the business is con- 
ducted, and the close attention paid to every de. 
tail connected with the work, have ediiiliiiu'd to 
produce most .satisfactory results, and itma\ truly 
be said that the manufactory forms one of the 
most gratifying examples of success among the 
industries of Berrien County. 

A native of Denmark, our subji.'Cl was born 
April 22, 1851, and is the son of Christian Chris- 
tensen. His father, who w.as born in the land of 
the Danes, spent his entire life there and followed 
the occupation of a contractor. After lea\ iug 



180 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



school Charles learned the trade of a cooper, at 
which he served an apprenticeship of five years, 
receiving his board but no money for his services. 
When he reached his majority, realizing that Amer- 
ica offered better opportunities than his native 
land, he determined to emigrate hither and estab- 
lish his home in tlie land of the free. 

Accordingly, in 1873, Mr. Christensen took pas- 
sage on an American-bound vessel, and after the 
ship cast anchor in the harbor of New York he 
came direct from that place to Michigan and lo- 
cated in St. .Joseph, reaching that cit^}' with twenty 
cents in his pocket. There he at once commenced 
to work on a farm, and later secured employment 
on a railroad, where he worked for a short time. 
In 1876 he engaged at his trade of a cooper, whicli 
he conducted in St. Joseph for two years. Thence 
he removed to Bainbridge, Berrien County, and 
embarked in business as a manufacturer of staves, 
at the same time following the cooper's trade for 
six years. 

In 1887, Mr. Christensen organized the Benton 
Harbor Pickle & Vinegar Company and served as 
its Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer for 
four years. He then disposed of his interest in 
that enterprise and engaged in tiie real-estate bus- 
iness, !ind also as a dealer in ice, in both of which 
he is still interested. His attention, liowevcr, is nec- 
essarily largely devoted to the manufacture of 
pressed brick and tile, in which lie carries on a 
large and profitable business. By nature and train- 
ing he is peculiarly fitted for a successful business 
career, and undoubtcdh' he will attain a place 
among tlie foremost business men of southwest- 
ern Michigan. 

Wiiile he devotes his attention principally to 
the details of his business. Mr. Christensen keeps 
well informed concerning affairs of local iin|)ort- 
ance and the general issues of the day. In poli- 
ties he favors Protection and gives his influence 
and ballot to aid the Republican party. He and 
his wife have a comfortable home on JMorlon Ave- 
nue, where they liosi)itabl3^ receive and entertain 
their large circle of acquaintances. Mrs. Chris- 
tensen was in maidenhood Louisa Butzbach, and 
is of German parent.age. She is the daughter of 
Philip H. Butzbach, and was born in Bainbridge 



Township, March 27, 1880, becoming the wife of 
our subject. They had one child born to them 
which died in infancy. In their religious belief 
they are devoted members of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, with which tiiey are actively identi- 
fied. 



JHINEAS PEARL was numbered among the 
) enterprising pioneer citizens of Michigan, 
and from 1840 until the time of his death 

I \ was intimately associated with the growth 
and progressive interests of Berrien County. The 
parents of Mr. Pearl were natives of Wales, but 
early emigrated to the United States .and made 
their home in New England. Vermont was thetirth- 
place of our subject, and in the Green Mountain 
Stale he was reared and educated, and on arriving at 
mature years married Miss Fannie Hatch, daughter 
of Capt. Josiah Hatch, who faithfully served seven 
jears in the Continental army during the War of 
the Revolution. Josiah Hatch, by birth an Eng- 
lishniiin, detested King George thoroughly, exhib- 
iting his allegiance to his adopted country in the 
most pronounced fashion. He celebrated the 4tii 
of July in an especially enthusiastic manner, and, 
a man of broad intelligence and force of ciiar.acter, 
was a prominent and higlily-respected citizen. 
Our subject and his good wife were the parents of 
six children, who were in order of their birth: 
Lewis W.; Warren IL; Mary, wife of James Jack- 
w.ay, deceased; James; Adaline, widow of Selden 
Hill, residing near Benton Harbor; and George a 
citizen of Harper, Kan. 

Mr. Pearl emigrated with his wife and family 
to Michigan in 1833 or 1834, at which time most 
of the State was comparatively a wilderness. 
Some six years later, in 1840, he located perin.a- 
nenlly in Berrien Countj', where he profitably in- 
vested in land, at one time owning over four hun- 
dred .acres. A lifetime Democrat and an ardent 
admirer of Andrew Jackson, he actively- (lartici- 
pated in the public events of tlie d.ay and wiis 
deeply interested in both local and national issues. 





?» .<■■ 





PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



183 



Liberal s|)iiilc(), lie was always ready to assist in 
inattors of mutual welfare and when, after a life of 
linsy care and usefulness, he passed away, was 
niiiurucd as a kind friend and true citizen. His 
son, Lewis W., was a native of New York State, 
where our subject and his wife settled in a very 
early day. Lewis Pearl was born in 1815, and 
was but a child when he removed with his father 
and mother to another part of the Empire State, 
locating then in .leflferson County, where they re- 
mained until they journeyed, in about 1833, to 
Monroe County, Mich. In his new home Lewis 
I'earl followed the occupation of a carpenter and 
joiner, but in 1841 bought one hundred and sixt\' 
acres of land in Berrien County, and in the spring 
of the year entered upon the improvement of the 
acres located in the woods. lie spent many days 
and weeks with axe in hand, and through unvary- 
ing industry and excellent management has accu- 
niiilated three hundred acres of valuable property, 
in March, 1843, Lewis W. Pearl and Miss Juliette 
Kiios were united in marriage. Mrs. Pearl was 
the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. .lames Enos, old- 
time residents of New York, hut later well-known 
settlers of Michigan. Our subject and his wife 
were the parents of ten children, all of whom lived 
to adult age. Two sons, Fred and Kali)h, are 
successful commission merchants of Omaha, Neb. 
The other members of the family are all residents 
of Berrien County. In September, 1861, the name 
of Lewis I'earl was enrolled as a private in Com- 
pany 15, Twelfth Michigan Infantry, but, rapidly 
promoted for cllicient service, he rose from the 
ranks and became First Lieutenant, Captain and 
Major. Maj. I'earl was engaged in the Sixteenth 
Corps at Shiloh, participated in Ihe siege of 
Vicksburg, was in the Trans-Missouri Department 
in Arkansas and remained in active duty until the 
close of the war, being mustered out at Camden, 
y\rk., the troo|)s finally disbanding in ISOO. After 
the war the soldier, once more becoming a civilian, 
returned to the daily round of agricultural pursuits. 
Maj. Pearl is widely known and esteemed b^' a 
large ac(iuftintance. His residence, erected by 
himself, is one of the landmarksof Hcrrien County. 
Politically, he is, as w.as his father, a st;inch Dem- 
ocrat, and for nine years filled with ability the 



oHice of Supervisor of Benton Township, holding 
the position prior to the Civil War. He served as 
Chairman of the Hoard, and under his earnest and 
vpell-directed efforts many progressive interests 
and needed improvements were rapidi}' advanced. 
Fraternally, Maj. Pearl is a Royal Arch Mason, a 
valued member of the Ancient Free & Accepted 
Masons. A prominent factor amid the changing 
scenes of Michigan for more than half a century, 
Lewis AV. Pearl has, as an ui)right man and lo^'al 
citizen, received the high regard of all his fellow- 
townsmen. 

^-^ ^^ -4— 



'il?OSEPH P. TIIHKSHKR was born at Tun- 
bridge, Vt., March 16, 1831. His father. 
Dr. Leonard Thresher, was one of six sons, 
who, with three sisters, were children of .Jo- 
seph and Polly (Smith) Thresher, both having been 
born at StatTord, Conn., the father F'ebruary 22, 
1766, and the mother ,luly 17, 1767. The father 
was of Scotch- Welsh extraction and a son of one 
of three brothers who came to this country' at a 
date unknown. The name "Thresher" is said to 
have originally been synonymous with that of 
"Thatcher," and that Dr. Thatcher, the renowned 
theologian, about 1830 a resident of Boston, Mass., 
was a second cousin of Leonard Thresher. 

.Joseph Thresher and Polly Smith were married 
November 15, 1787, and soon after moved from 
Stafford, Conn., to Hrooklicid, \t., where their 
children were all born and,attained their majority, 
upon a large farm the father had purchased and im- 
proved from a native wilderness. The children 
were Stephen, born August 26, 1788; Alva, Novem- 
ber 18, 1790; Thaidvful, September 10, 1792; Polly, 
August 15, 1794; .Joseph, .Ir.,.Iuly 31, 1798;I-eon- 
ard, April 9, 1800; Mehitable, December 9, 1803; 
Daniel, Septemljer 27. 1805; and Samuel Alden, 
■lanuary 16, 1809. 

The mother of these children died on the old 
homestead September 13, 1H13, honored and loved 
b}' all. The father married for his second wife 
Miss Melison Orcul, Imrn in Soniersel, Conn., May 



184 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



21, 1767. The marriage took place at Brookfield, 
Vt., .January 10, 1815, and after the death of her 
revered hushand. March 11, 1833. she faithfully 
cared for the family, who greatly esteemed her. 
iShe died in 1835, at a date unknown to the writer. 
All of tliese children grew up on the homestead, 
and were married and settled on land in the neigh- 
borhood, with the exception of Leonard, the 
fourth son, and the father of our subject. He 
was fond of reading books and did not lake 
kindh' to farming. So much did he fear, when a 
boy, to see animals slaughtered, that when such 
work W.1S to be done, he was scut from home to 
some of the neighboi-s until the butchering was 
over. His education was that afforded by the 
district school, held in a log schoolhouse, and sup- 
plemented by excellent home instruction. His 
brother Alva was a proflcicnl instructor for that 
period, and well vei-sed in mathematics, and Leon- 
ard had his assistance. 

Leonard took up the study of medicine wlien but 
nineteen, and was assisted in this b^- Dr. Car[)eu- 
Icr. He married Maria Laribee, of Royalton, Vt., 
January 18, 1821. Her father had died when she 
was but five years old, and her mother subsequently 
married Alexander Edson, and later thej' moved 
Xv Standish. Canada East. JIaria had two broth- 
ei-s, Hiram and Lewis, both married, and a maiden 
sister, Belinda. The family were of French-Can- 
adian descent. Maria Laribee was regarded as a 
beautiful girl, and .as a wife and mother was greatly 
beloved. She died at Lowell, M.ass., August 18, 
1845. 

Eaily in life Leonard Thresher began what prom- 
ised to be a very successful business career. He 
built a dam at Tunbridge, Vt., .and utilized the 
water power it created by erecting woolen mills 
and other manufactories. He carried on a large 
business, but an unprecedented flood carried away 
the mills and dam, which, with other dis.astei-s, im- 
pelled him to resume his professional studies, which 
were prosecuted under Dr. Carpenter and also under 
Dr. Chandler, of Chelsea, Vt. He also read medi- 
cine with Dr. W.orren, of Boston, where he com- 
pleted his coui-se, and for a time was physician at 
the Mass,achusetts General Hospital, Boston. 

He published a small volume on medication, and 



after a long practice at Lowell, M,'iss., returned to 
his native State about 1862. then advanced in 
years, and w.as appointed physician during the Civil 
War to the Military Hospital at Monti)elier. The 
.arduous duties here told heavily upon him and, 
though long surviving them, they doubtless were 
the incipient cause of his death, Avhich occurred at 
Northfield. \r... July 31, 1886, he being at that 
tune eighty-six years old. He was a man of refined 
feelings, active synn)atliies and more than ordin- 
ary inteliigence, and w.as univei"sally esteemed by 
those who were so fortunate as to know him. 

There were born to Dr. Thresher and wife five 
children, nameh': Harriet D.. born at Tunbridge, 
Vt.. January 17, 1824, and who married Nathaniel 
Houston, of Northfield, Vt., at which place she 
died in 1881; Julius M., born at Tunbridge. Vt., 
September 11, 1825, who, from being run over by 
a team in childhood, w.as deaf and dumb, and who 
in due time was sent to the school for mutes at 
Hartford. Conn., where he graduated, and who is 
a bachek)r, still living; Mary, born at Tunbridge, 
February 1, 1826, and who died at the same place 
August 17, 1830; Joseph P., our subject, born at 
Tunbridge, M.arch 16, 1831; and Emily, born at 
Brookfield, Vt., January 17, 1835, and who died 
Octolter 28. 1839, at Cabbotsville. near Spring- 
field, Mass., where the family resided during the 
time Julius was at Hartford. 

The youngest son. Joseph P., remained at home 
during boyhood, a faithful student at the public 
schools, and for a time was under instruction at the 
Cabbotsville Academy, but, the family having 
moved to Lowell. M.ass., he continued his studies 
there a short tune and then entered into a busi- 
ness engagement with .Samuel Holiis, a leading 
merchant and real-estate operator, and remained 
with him four yeai-s. His father had hoped to in- 
terest him in the medical i)rofession. and urged 
him to enter the drug business he had purchased, 
but the young man could not form any liking for 
this field of .activity. On his father's removal to 
Boston, he went there and visited an intimate 
schoolfellow, who had become a m.achinist and 
worked at tlie Boston Locomotive Works, of Hink- 
iev i Drurv. There, by watching the perplexing 
trouble a workman had in borinsflue sheets,young 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



185 



'riiroslier lieeamc interested, and lin:ill.\- produced 
a tool fi)r doing the work that, had it been pat- 
ente(l, would have yielded him a fortune. In a 
short time he made a contract for doing the work 
at three cents per hole for the iron sheets, and five 
cents for boring in copper, and for more than a 
year he daily earned $7 and $8 per diem for a 
few hours' labor. The company found it neces- 
sary, however, to terminate the agreements, be- 
cause the completed sheets were far in advance of 
any other class of work. 

Mr. Thresher then visited his native State, 
through which the Central Vermont Road was be- 
ing built, under the presidenc}' of Ex-Gov. Charles 
I'ain, and, though physically unqualified for so 
heavy work, in preference to farm labor, which 
liarl been recommended for his health's sake, he 
bravely presented himself to the foreman of a set 
of track hands and asked for work. He received 
the contemptuous gaze of the "boss," who, 
shrugging his shoulders, told the young man that 
he could try his hand if he thought he could 
handle a tamping-bar and tamp the broken stones 
under the ties, "as yez sees the rest of 'em bys is 
doin'. Sure, and yez a l)roth uv a b3', any's how." 
The tami)-bar weighed fourteen pounds. It was a 
hot da^' in August, but the young man without 
hesitancy "shucked his store clothes" and went in 
to win. In an hour his hands were badly blistered, 
but he gave no sign of suffering. For some two 
or three days he kept pace with the Irishmen. 
Finally (). B. Reynolds, the road-master, came 
along, and, iiupiiring about the boy, directed him 
to report at the new station soon to be opened on 
the farm of Joseph Riford, with whom Thresher 
boarded. He did so, and the next morning he met 
there W. H. Cornwall, the Assistant Superintend- 
ent, who put him in charge of the place. These 
three men. Thresher, Reynolds and Cornwall, met 
for the first time, with no expectation that they 
would in later years become partners in a con- 
tract for heavy railw.ay work, which, as will l)e 
seen, did occur. Nor did an}' of the Riford fam- 
ly anticipate they would in the far distant future 
unexpectedly meet Thresher as a neighbor in a 
Western town. Hut such was the fact. This same 
Joseph Riford was one of the survivors of the ill- 



fated " Hypocampus, " that foundered between 
Benton Harbor and Chicago in 1867, because over- 
loaded with peaches, and some forty persons were 
lost. 

Mr. Thresher remained upon the Vermont Cen- 
tral nearly four years, at first being kept at new 
stations opened as the road was completed, till it 
reached Rouse's Point, N. Y., when he was returned 
to Montpelier, the cajjital of the State, as agent for 
a time. Here J. W. Ilobart, who subsequently was 
the General Manager for many years, was his clerk. 
Mr. Thresher was later promoted to be Assistant 
Master of Transportation, and on his resignation, 
President Pain volunteered to furnish him excel- 
lent letters of recommendation. It was on this 
road he first met the popular engineer, G. D. W. 
Hopkins, the brother of Miss Mar^' Hopkins, the 
lady he subsequently married. He resigned this 
last position in June, 1818. 

For a time Mr. Thresher was P.ay-Master for the 
contractors of the (ireat Western Railway, Canada, 
but he soon united his fortunes with his friends, 
Reynolds, Cornwall and Hf)pkins, .as one of the 
firm, and with them engaged in constructing the 
Summit section of the Marietta it Cincinnati Rail- 
road, now the Baltimore it Ohio, near Athens, 
Ohio, one of the most costly six miles of grading 
upon that expensively built road. It was here he 
first met Miss Hopkins, who had been visiting her 
brother's contractors u[)on a more westerly divi- 
sion of the road, and came to visit her older brother, 
Garrett De Wall and his wife, a lady Mr. Thresher 
had known in Vermont in hei- girlhood. Believing 
he had good promise of a competency in his con- 
tract, he entered into marri.age relations with Miss 
IIoi)kins, who he had found w.as an estimable and 
accomplished lady, the ceremony occurring May 
30, 1854. There were born to this union two sons 
and a daughter. George M., who was born at Chilli- 
cothe, Ohio, August 29, 1858, is married and lives 
in Chicago; Ilaltie D., born at Cincinnati Fur- 
n.ace, Ohio, July 4, 1860, mai-ried Porter I). Fitz- 
gerald, and resides in Chicago; and Frank L. was 
born on the 6th of January, 1863, at Cincinnati 
Furnace, Ohio. The latter w:is married at Minne- 
apolis, where he represented the I'ioneer I'ress of 
St. Paul, and later on organized the Daily Times of 



186 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Minneapolis, and was General Manager. George M. 
was llie Cliicago agent and cones pondeiit of the 
PharmaceuUcal Era, of Detroit. 

Mrs. Thresher was of a family widel}' known and 
highly respected. Her father was familiarly known 
as "Uncle Tommy," and her mother as "Aunt 
Hannah." They were long residents in Covert 
Township, near Trumansburg, N. Y., twelve miles 
north of Ithaca, and a couple of miles from Lake 
Canandaigua, where tliey owned one of the largest 
and best farms of central New York. 

Tliomas IIo|)kins was born in Putnam County', 
N. Y., and died at the old homestead June 11, 1870. 
His wife, Hannah, was a daughter of A. B. and 
Betsej^ Dickinson, of New York, and sister of Hon. 
Bray Dickinson, of Elmira and Hornby, N. Y., and 
prominent as a farmer and politician. He represent- 
ed his district twice in the Legislature, and under 
Lincoln was United. States Minister foreight j'ears 
to Nicaragua, where lie died. Mrs. Hopkins died 
at Trumansburg, N. Y., July 25, 1874. Their chil- 
dren were, Celia, born at Covert in 1819; George 
K., at Hornby, in 1821; Garrold DeWall,at Horn- 
by, in 1823; Eliza D., at Ulysses, in 1825; Everett 
A., at Ulysses, and who died at Benton Harbor, 
in Januarj', 1867; Jonathan, born at Ulysses in 
1829; Mar}' Ann, born August 31, 1831, who mar- 
ried J. P. Thresher, and died at Benton Harbor 
May 6, 1877, at the liomestead; Helen Jane, wife 
of Albert James, born at Ulysses in November, 
1835; Louisa, wife of Rev. H. G. De AVitt, born at 
Ulysses in 1837; and Annette, wife of Dr. John 
Bell, born at Ulysses in 1839. The children all 
seemed to develop, in a greater or less degree, con- 
sumption in one form or another. It was this 
dread disease that deprived Mr. Thresher of his 
life companion, one who possessed every attribute 
of a good wife, a loving mother and a faithful 
friend. The loss to husband and children, which 
was irreparable, had for its only compensation the 
knowledge of her virtues. 

Mr. Thresher was subsequentlv twice married. 
The second marriage was celebrated June 6, 1880; 
the third August 3, 1892, at Chicago, at the home 
of the bride, then Mrs. Belle M. Himes, whose 
first husband, J. L. Himes, practiced law nian>- 
years at Minneapolis, where he died August 2, 1881. 



Her father, Hon. Levi Kline, the able and well- 
known attorney and banker of Lebanon, Pa., was 
intimately associated with that renowned states- 
man, Simon Cameron. His death occurred in 1863, 
at the age of fifty-one years. Her mother, who 
died at their Chicago home in 1889, aged sevent^'- 
one years, was a woman of more than usual at- 
tainments, greatly' beloved by all, and who in the 
highest circles of societj' was esteemed for her em- 
inent Christian virtues and gracious social charac- 
teristics. 

Mrs. Thresher graduated after a six-3-ears course 
at Madam Emma Willard's Ladies' Seminary, Tro}', 
N. Y., as did her sister, Mrs. Lucius Colby, resid- 
ing in Chicago, where two brothers, Lee and Ebert 
Kline, are established in business. A third brother. 
Col. Jacob Kline, is an officer of the United States 
army, formerly stationed at Leavenworth, Kan., 
but recently appointed to the command at Platts- 
burg, N. Y., where he is instructor of the post, and 
where his interesting family resides. 

'J"he e(mfidence Mr. Thresher reposed in the bus- 
iness he had engaged in, that of railway construc- 
tion, though well founded, was destined to be dis- 
appointing. Mr. Cornwall was called to aid as 
Assistant Superintendent his brother-in-law, James 
Moore, who was managing the Michigan Southern 
& Lake Shore Railway. Mr. Hopkins was called 
to attend the work undertaken by Hopkins Bros. 
tt Ells, and Mr. Thresher was himself temporarily 
absent, he having gone to Cincinnati to buy sup- 
plies. At this juncture the railway directors, who 
had held the work under suspension for manj' 
months, as the funds were exhausted, inveigled 
Mr. Re3'nolds into a new contract, thereby abro- 
gating the original one, and so cutting off the 
damages that, under the old contract, were justly 
due. Mr. Thresher on arriving home and learning 
the mistake of his friend and partner, surrendered 
his interest without charge, for he foresaw the dis- 
aster Mr. Reynolds had so unwisely provided, and 
later on personall}- experienced. In a day or two 
Mr. Thresher, with his 3'oung wife, was making a 
fifty-mile drive over a miserablj' muddy road, 
through a sparsely settled and mountainous coun- 
tiy, to Chillicothe to accept a position in the gen- 
eral offices of the railway coinpaii\'. I'luler Siipt. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



187 



W. R. Arthur, l\[r. Thresher was aiipointed Gen- 
eral Pnsseiiiier and Freio;ht At^fent, and suhse- 
fiui'iitly,as the road was extended, became General 
Au;ent. Here he remained until 1857. 

lie invested in tlii^ slock of the Cincinnati Blast 
Furnance, and in 18;jH liecaine Secretary; but when 
lie Icarni'd tiiat, though owned by heavy capital- 
ists, there was an outstanding del)t of $131,000, he 
traded off his slock advantageously. The com- 
pany faik'tl and Mr. Thresher was appointed Re- 
ceiver. Under license of the Court, and with the 
approval of both creditors and slockliohlers, he 
made radical clianges in tlie works, by which the 
cost of smelting iron was greatly reduced, and in 
tiuee 3'ears was able to deliver the plant into the 
hands of the stockholders. 

In the mean time, business had called him to 
Chicago and Milwaukee, and thus he was afforded 
an opportunity to spend a d.ay with relatives at 
IJenlon Harbor. His health was impaired, and a 
fruit farm seemed to be ver}- inviting and to prom- 
ise the change needed. So in the fall of l.Sfi3 he 
came to Uentou Harbor, which was then com- 
[laralivjl}' unknown as a business center. He soon 
purchased of Elezia Morton and his son, the lion. 
H. C. Morton, their fruit farm, one of the oldest 
and most desirable properties to be had. On other 
lauds of these gentlemen near b^- was the famous 
"Cincinnati I'each Orchard," planted by Smith ct 
Howell, of Cincinnati, that in its lime yiehled two 
or three fortunes. Thresher received title to the 
purchase under dale of .lanuary 1, 1861. Later, 
two more purchases of contiguous lands were made. 
On these grounds a residence was built, and the 
premises became the ideal home, admired by all, 
and where for nearly thirty years was found by 
the visitor a generous and enjoyable hospitality. 
The house was burned in the winter of 18S(0-!I1. 

Henlon Harbor, originall}' named Lrunson Har- 
bor after Stern Bruuson, a pioneer promoter, was 
altempling to build a ship canal, and Martin Green 
and S. A. Willard, (if Chicago, had taken the con- 
tract. In promoting this work Mr. Thresher was 
soon earnestly engaged. Indeed, from the first 
he devoted himself to the upbuilding of the town. 
By the united efforts of the few who began the 
work, including such men as Hon. II. C. Mor- 



ton, Charles flull, Branson and his sons, the Hop- 
kins brothers, and others not now recalled, the 
town from year to year became more and more 
.active and of more importance. As a result, Mr. 
Thresher's lands, as earlj' as 1868, became of some 
value for residences and a portion was included in 
the tirst plat of the village. Every enterprise for 
promoting growth was fostered by Mr. Thresher, 
not only for Benton Harbor, but for her neighbor, 
St. .loseph. His first donation was $10 to. help bu}' 
a bell for St. .Joseph's Congregational Church. The 
highway bridge and various interests of .St. Joseph 
received his liberal donations. 

It is not with any wish to boast of or to pub- 
lish his generous deeds, but as a matter of record 
it m.ay be slated that the accurate accounts of his 
business he long maintained showed that to aid 
others and promote the public weal he made do- 
nations from 1864 to 1870 amounting to over 
$3,600. 

Before settling at Benton Harbor, he had as- 
sisted the Hopkins brothers to bu}' a portable steam 
sawmill, to be operated in the heavy timber stand- 
ing near town. They were unsuccessful and called 
on Mr. Thresher lo take the property and pay off 
the debts. He did so, and after paying every dollar 
and establishing a successful business, he returned 
the property to them. About this time the Bap- 
tist denomination began to build a small church at 
Heath's Corners, near town, and later built on a 
lot purchased in St. Joseph a lecture room, where 
services were held, proiiosing, ineanlimc, to add lo 
the structure a line brick church in the near fu- 
ture. JMr. Thresher opposed these efforts, on the 
ground that Benton Harbor was likely lo become 
a more important business center, and should have 
the church, the numerical and finaiudal strength 
being here. A resolution to this effect was holly 
contested at a meeting in the dining-room of the 
village hotel, but it was carried by a majority of 
three, and as a result an elegant brick structuie 
was built at Benton Harbor, to which he contrib- 
uted $1,000 or more. 

While managing the Hopkins' Mill, Mr. Thresher 
found iiy his frequent trips to and from Niles, a 
distance of twenty-five miles, the inconvenience of 
being dependent solely on water transportation, 



188 



PORTRAIT AND BIO(iRAPIIICAL RECORD, 



aud he determined to attempt to secure a railway. 
He wrote to tlie Chicago press the lii-st articles as 
to the value ol' securing an extension to that city 
of the then Canada Grand Trunk, and opened 
correspondence with C. J. Bridges, the man- 
aging Director. Later he made a trip to Mon- 
treal alone, to confer witli tlie Grand Trunl< people, 
and still later, in company witli I. W. Willard, of 
Paw Paw, and Hon. A. H. Morrison, of St. Joseph, 
he again visited tiie office of the managing Direc- 
tor at Montreal. Ultiniatel}' he organized the 
Chicago & Michigan Grand Trunk Railway Corn- 
pan}', and was clioseu its Secretary. After Mr. 
Shan ley, Chief Engineer of tlie Grand Trunk Sys- 
tem, iiad completed a survey of tlie Western Divi- 
sion, and 5^50,000 had been expended, tlirough jeal- 
ousy the road was lost to this locality, and a longer 
line by ten miles was built via South Bend. 

Mr. Thresiier at this time drew the bill autlior- 
izing the voting of a tax in aid of railway con- 
struction, and spent considerable time at Lansing 
securing its enactment into a statute. He also 
wrote part of the prospectus of the road, in con- 
junction with Mr. Bancroft, of Port Huron. Mr. 
Thresher at once took up the work of getting the 
Elkhart Road, organized a company', of which he 
was Secretary, and from which position he retired 
when President Frank Muzzy insisted upon wasting 
¥l.^),000 at Benton Harlior in a vain attempt to build 
the line upon local resources, most of the loss fall- 
ing upon Benton Harbor people. This was ten 
years prior to its final construction. Resuming his 
efforts when the late Hon. J. H. Wade, of Cleve- 
land, purchased the Cincinnati, Wabash A' Michi- 
gan Railroad, then completed to Goshen, Ind., Mr. 
Thresiier wrote him in regard to facilities here for 
lake traffic, and organized the C. W. A' L. M. R. R., 
and was chosen Secretary and Director. He la- 
bored hard to get this line, now known as the "Big 
Four," and succeeded. 

Meantime, Hon. A. H. Morrison, of St. Joseph, 
who, on finding be had lost the Grand Trunk, had 
built a local road from New Buffalo to St. Joseph, 
having secured funds from Boston through his 
friend, Hon. James F. Joy, President of the Mich- 
ig.an Central, commenced the extension of his 
line to Grand Rapids, and undertook to secure 



from Mr. Thresher ten acres of land owned b}' the 
Hopkins estate, and located across the Paw Paw 
River, a mile from the business center of the town. 
Here he proposed to est.ablish a station, to which 
]\Ir. Thresher demurred, for the reason that the road 
could be reached from Benton Harbor as easily as at 
St. Joseph, without donating an3tliing, and there 
would be no diversion of her business interests, as 
would ensue if a railway center were created on 
the land Mr. ]\Iorrison wanted. To this Mr. Alor- 
rison answered by ordering Mr. Conley, his engi- 
neer, to go ahead and build upon the Sand Hill 
route, near the lake shore. This left the little vil- 
lage of Benton Harbor out in tlie cold. 

Mr. Thresher was then publishing the village pa- 
per, but, returning to his office, he made an all 
day and all night task of getting ready to leave 
home; and taking with him tabulated facts as to the 
business already centered in his village, hastened 
to cutch the train at St. Joseph, his purposes and 
destination known to no one but himself. On reach- 
ing Detroit, he had audience with Mr. Joy, who 
was surprised at the statements, and said he had 
never been informed of the facts, but agreed to 
send some one, a stranger, to both St. Joseph and 
Benton Harbor to verify or disprove the state- 
ments. Ten days later he wired Mr. Thresher to 
come to Detroit, and at this meeting a contract 
was made that, notwithstanding the difficult}' of 
changing the alignment upon which the bridge 
across the St. Joseph River was being built, the road 
should touch Benton Harbor. Mr. Joy's proposi- 
tion was that $16,000 be raised within one week's 
time. Mi'. Thresher returned and vigorously 
pushed the work, and at the last hour wired §15,- 
800, to which came the answer: "You've done 
well; keep on." The road was secured. 

It will be seen from the foregoing that Mv. 
Thresher has had an active life. During all this 
time at Benton Harbor he carried on his fruit 
farm until the burning of his residence in the win- 
ter of 1890-91, since which time he has made his 
home at the Hotel Benton. The property is now 
held for residence purposes. 

If evidence is still needed of his industry, it may 
be said that during the winter of 1863 and 1864 
he purchased wheat, which he had milled, and sold 



PORTHAIT AM) I!l( i(;WAl'H'CAL RECORD. 



189 



tlic flonr the next summer. Meantime lie was 

liiuldinsjf n lioiiio. In lH();"),lio tiinled in ever<;:ieen, 
fruit trees, etc., and establi-siied tlie .lolinson- 
'I'lireslier liarrel and fruit packajje manufactory. 
Tlii.s was the tir.st steam |K)\ver in town, aside fiom 
(Ircen's sawmill and dred!>:e. It was sold to Darch 
it Co., who lost it by lire. In 1867 he was elected 
Assistant Superintendent of the Chicago Si Lake 
Michigan Transportation Company. In the suui- 
mor of I8G8 he was in the fruit conimis.-<ion busi- 
ness at Chicago with M. (i. Lani()ort and Albert 
'I'liompson. In 1888 lie became a parliicr with 
( apt. A. Hobbins,and stocked the llourmill which 
Kirh3' ct Sons iiad exhausted their ready means in 
building. In 1868, also, he purchased the I'alla- 
iliiiiii of S. ,1. Merchant, who had been given a bo- 
nus to start the i)a|)er a short time i)revioiis. Un- 
der Mr. 'riiresher's management it became the lead- 
ing pa|ier of the counl\-. He sold it in 1872 to 
Alvin Slurtevant, formerly of the Ohio Stale Jour- 
nal, Columbus, Ohio. In 1872, Mr. Thresher pur- 
chased of .1. Stanley Morton his drug stock, and 
carried on the business until 1877. Meantime he 
was appointed Postmaster by President Crant, and 
served out the term with the highest credit. 

In 1871 he was appointed Administrator for 
Michigan for the Hopkins estate. In 1867 he 
was Secretary of the St. Joseph Valley Railroad 
Company. In 186'J he made a contract with Mr. 
.loy and raised the required donation that gave 
Henton Harbor the Chicago it West Michigan Rail- 
road, notwithstanding the op(K)sition of the Presi- 
dent and St. Joseph. From 1870 to 1880 he labored 
to get the Cincinnati, Wabash ct .Michigan Railroad 
and linally succeeded. From 1878 to 1880 he 
traveled in Texas, New Mexico and Arizona, then 
for a year engaged in the real-estate business at No. 
102 Washington Street, Chicago, the firm being 
Thresher, Young k Sheldon. In 1882 he again 
purchased the Palladium, which he published un- 
til 1886. In that year he organized the Benton 
Harbor Flour Purifier Company, and later organ- 
ized the Renton Harbor Plow Company. In 1887 
he was appointed to close up the business of the 
unfortunate Benton Harbor Church and Office 
Furniture Com])any. In 18!)0 he assisted to or- 
ganize, and until 181(2 was Assistant General 



Manager of, the Benton Harbor Improvement As- 
sociation. He united with the Baptist C'hurch in 
1867. Though an earnest and active Republican, 
he never held an elective oiKce except that of 
Townshij) Clerk for a. short time. 



\L^. ON. EDWARD R. SPENCER, a retired agri- 

i|, culturisl and prominent citizen of Dowa- 
giac, Cass Count}-, Mich., is a lifetime resi- 
)J dent of the State and county, and was born 
in Wayne Township on the 28th of March, 1812. 
His paternal grandfather, Jacol) Spencer, em igraled 
from New England to New York in a very earlv 
day, and, locating in IMadison County, soon be- 
c.'ime idenlilied with the interests of the Empire 
State, which he made his permanent home. Among 
the children who clustered about the fireside of 
(Trandfather Sjiencer was the father of our sub- 
ject, Joseph Spencer, a native of Madison County, 
N. Y., born on the old homestead August 27, 
1811. Reared and educated amid the scenes of 
childhood. Father Spencer there arrived to matu- 
rity and was united in marriage with Miss l.aura 
Foster. The newly-wedded couple settled at lirst 
upon a farm near their early as.sociations, but 
later joined the tide of travel Westward, and in 
1837 removed to Michigan and were numbered 
among the pioneers of Wayne Township, Cass 
County. 

Locating eighty' acres of (iovernment land. Fa- 
ther Spencer added to the size of his original home- 
stead by the i)urchase of eighty additional acres, 
and made his home on a small clearing, literally in 
the heart of the Michigan woods. Industrious, 
upright and energetic, he devoted himself to the 
cultivation of his land, and after a life of busy 
usefulness passed away February 27, 1880. Five 
children blessed the hearts and home of Joseph 
and Laura Spencer, four of whom lived to years 
of maturity, and three yet survive. The latter 
are Edward R. Spencer; Mrs. Francis Hungerford. 
of Lawrence, Kan.; and Mrs. Helen Bell, wife of 



190 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



James Bell, a prominent fruit-grower near Dix- 
on, Cal. Although not an active politician in 
the common acceptation of the word, Joseph Spen- 
cer always took a deep interest in both local and 
national affairs. In early life a Whig, lie after- 
ward joined the Republican ranks, and was an 
earnest advocate of "the Party of Reform." Dur- 
ing the greater part of his life he was prominentl}' 
connected with church matters, and actively as- 
sisted in the location and upward progress of the 
lirst Methodist Episcopal Church established in 
Wayne Township. As an early citizen and pio- 
neer settler his efforts were generously given in 
behalf of religious and educational adva*icement. 
His excellent wife, who survived him until 1890, 
was a devoted Christian woman and also a valued 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

Our subject in childhood received instruction 
in the district schools of his home neighborhood, 
but afterward enjoyed the advantages of study in 
an educational institution at Niles, Mich. While 
attending school in the latter place, the Civil War 
broke out, and, promptly answering to the call ol 
duty, Mr. Spencer enlisted in Com])any A, Nine- 
teentli Michigan Infantry. He entered tlie service 
of the Government as Corporal, and remained in 
active duty from 18()2 until the close of the war, 
when he was mustered out, June 10, 18G5, and 
particiimted in the grand parade and triumphal 
review in Washington. Our subject while sharing 
the dangers and privations to which his regiment 
was constantly exposed was captured, March 5, 
1863, near Thompson's Station, Tenn.,aud imme- 
diately taken to Libby Prison, where he was held 
for one month, and then sent to Annapolis. The 
health of Mr. Spencer was seriously impaired and 
it was not until a year later that he rejoined his 
regiment, which accompanied Sherman on the 
famous march to the sea. July 20, 1864, Mr. Spen- 
cer took part in the decisive engagement of Peach 
Tree Creek, and with his regiment was among the 
first to victoriously enter Atlanta. The war ended, 
our subject returned to the old homestead, where 
he engaged in agricultural pursuits, but in a brief 
time resumed stud^', attending school for one term 
in Decatur, Mich. 

In 1866 Mr. Spencer was united in marriage 



with Miss Frances E. Rich, daughter of Eli Rich, 
a prosperous resident of Decatur, and a well-known 
contractor and builder. Mrs. Spencer passed away 
in 1888. She was the mother of three children, 
two of whom yet survive, ]5eulali and Bernice. 
Fred E., the only son, died at Ann Arbor, March 
22, 1891. He was a young man of great promise, 
.and was pursuing a course of study in the dental 
department of the Michigan University. October 8, 
1891, Mr. Spencer a second time entered the bonds 
of matrimony and was wedded to Lura M. Def- 
endorf, daughter of Harmon Defendorf, a success- 
ful business man, and for years a leading lumber- 
dealer and manufacturer of sash, doors and blinds, 
of Dowagiac, Mich. Prominently connected with 
the Republican party, Mr. Spencer has occupied 
with honor and fidelity many important positions 
of public trust. As School Director and School 
Inspector he materially aided in educational in- 
terests, and gave to the duties of Supervisor of 
Wayne Township faithful and efficient care. In 
1888 our subject was elected to the State Legis- 
lature, and in 1890 was re-elected. During his 
tvvo terms of official service, Mr. Spencer, as a mem- 
ber of important committees, gave universal satis- 
faction to his constituents. He was Chairman of 
the Committee of Means, and was also a mem- 
ber of the Committee of Enrollment, and was one 
of various other deliberative committees, by whom 
his suggestions and amendments were esteemed and 
honored. 

Fraternally, Mr. Spencer is connected with the 
Grand Army of the Republic and the Ancient Or- 
der of United Workmen, and has held the chief 
office of the Modern Woodmen of America. He 
is a member and Trustee of the Congregational 
Church, and is ever read}- to assist in the good 
works of that denomination. Financially pros- 
pered, our subject is the owner of one hundred 
and scvent3'-five acres of Land, embracing the old 
homestead, which is under a high state of improve- 
ment, and one of the valuable farms of Wa3'ne 
Township. With the exception of two years, dur- 
ing which time Mr. Spencer engaged in tlie paint 
and oil business in Kansas City, Mo., he has con- 
stantly resided in JMicliigan. Since 1889 his home 
has been in Dowagiac, where he now purposes to 




■in^ 







PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



193 



einlwrk extensively in the cold storage business. 
Bringing to tiiis new enterprise tlie cliaracteristic- en- 
ergy and liusiness ability wliicli have distinguished 
iiis course in life, Mr. Spencer cannot fail to win 
success in his present undertaking, and will carry 
with iiiin into iiis business the best wislies of a host 
(if (ild-liuu' fiiends and acfpiaiiitances. 



f^. ON. CALVIN BRITTAIN POTTER, attor- 
Ij. uey-rtt-lfiw and an intluential citizen of St. 
\j^ Joseph, was born in Brown villo, .Jefferson 
^) County, N. Y., .July 1.^, 18:^7. He is the 
grandson of Maj.-Gen. Calvin Britlain, of .Jeffer- 
son Count}', N. Y., and the nephew of Maj. Cal- 
vin Brittain, who was delegate to Congress from 
the 'I'erritory uf Michigan, memberuf the conven- 
tion that framed the constitution of Michigan, 
member of the House of Representatives. State 
Senator, Lieutenant-Governor, and original pro- 
prietor, with others, of tlie town of St. Joseph. 

Wlien about one year old our subject was 
brought b}' his parents, Frederick A. and Isabella 
(Brittain) Potter, to St. Joseph, Mich., and in 
1839 was taken from this city to tiie county of 
Jefferson, Wis. There lie received a common- 
school education and grew to a sturdy, self-reliant 
maniiood. His literary studies finished, he entered 
the law school at Albany, N. Y., in 18;")9, and in 
May of the following }'ear was graduated with the 
degree of Bachelor of Laws. Among his class- 
mates was the Hon. William F. Vilas, United 
States Senator from Wisconsin. After leaving the 
law .school, Mr. Potter studied in the otlice of 
.Judges Wright and Ivol)iiison, Albany, N. Y., until 
18(il. 

In .June of the above-named year, shortly after 
the first shot had been fired on Ft. Sumter, Mr. 
I'otter enlisted in the services of his eouatry, be- 
coming a member of Company B, Eighteenth New 
York Infantry. With his regiment he marched to 
the front and participated in many of the deci- 
sive engagements of the war. At the first battle 
of Bull Run he was captured by the enemy and 



held a prisoner in Richmond until January, 18(12, 
when he was freed in the first exchange of prison- 
ers. He participated in McClellan's campaign on 
the Peninsula, and narrowly' escaped ca[)ture at 
Gaines' Mills. In all the campaigns of the Army 
of the Potomac he bore his part as a patriotic, 
valiant soldier, doing all in his power to preserve 
the Old Flag. In June, 1863, he was honorably 
discharged, at the expiration of his term of enlist- 
ment. 

Purchasing a scholarship iu Eastman's Commer- 
cial College at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., Mr. Potter 
entered that institution a short time after his re- 
turn from the war and conducted his studies with 
diligence and success until September, 1863. How- 
ever, he could not be content while the safety of 
the Union was endangered, and his patriotic spirit 
urged him to re-enlist for service in the army. 
This time he became a member of the Fifty-second 
New Y'ork Infantry, and under the command of 
Gen. Grant participated in the campaign from the 
Rapidan to Petersburg. In July, 1864, while in 
front of Petersburg, he was commissioned Second 
Lieutenant in the Forty-fifth United States In- 
fantry; and in Januaiy, 186.'), he was promoted to 
the rank of First Lieutenant. In the assault on 
Ft. Harrison he was wounded by a shell, but for- 
tunately the injuries, while painful, did not jirove 
serious. At the expiration of his period of enlist- 
ment, he was honorably discharged, in November 
of 1865. In January of the following j'ear lie 
was again commissioned Second Lieutenant, but 
did not accept. 

Returning to Eastman College, Mr. Potter re- 
maincil there until June. 18()0. when he returned 
to St. Joseph, Mich., and commenced to [)ractice 
law, the firm name Jjcing Winslow k Potter. 
Later he was in |)artnership with a brother for 
about fifteen years, the title of the firm being Pot- 
ter & Potter. In 1872 he removed to Kalamazoo, 
this State, and for one year conducted a general 
legal practice in that city, being in partnership 
with Hon. Henry F. Severens, present Judge of 
the United States District Court for the Western 
District of .Michigan. In 1873 he returned to St. 
Joseph, where he has since devoted his attention 
to practice in the courts of the city and county. 



9 



194 



PORTKAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



At various times Mr. Potter has been chosen to 
occupy positions of trust and responsibilit}' within 
tlie gift of liis fellow-citizens. In 1874 he was 
elected a member of the House of Representatives 
and cast the deciding vote which defeated Mr. 
Chandler and elected Mr. Christiancy to the United 
States Senate. He served for one terra as a mem- 
ber of the Democratic State Central Committee. 
He was the Democratic candidate for Prosecuting 
Attorney, Judge of Probate Court, and Judge of 
Circuit Court, but, Berrien County being strongly 
Republican, he suffered defeat with the remainder 
of the Democratic ticket. He has served St. Joseph 
as City Attorney, and his services in that office 
were important, especiallj' from April, 1891, to 
April, 1892, when he was largely instrumental in 
securing the system of water works and the elec- 
tric street railway for the city of St. Joseph. 

On the corner of Church and Pleasant Streets, 
St. Joseph, Mr. Potter Las an attractive and ele- 
gant residence. He was married in February, 
1868, to Miss Julia A. Dougherty, of Berrien 
Springs. The3' have four sons, and with the eld- 
est the firm of Potter & Potter is continued. 



-^^ 



E^^^ 



ylLLIAIM H. COULTER, the popular and 
eflieient Sheriff of Cass County, Mich., is a 
native of the State, and was born in How- 
ard Township October 10, 1842. Reared upon 
the old Michigan homestead, he was early trained 
in the everyday duties of the farm and, arrived at 
manhood thoroughly versed in the tilling of the 
soil, continued in that vocation and has long been 
known as one of the most successful and well- 
posted agriculturists in Cass County. Our subject 
was the third of four children who blessed the 
pioneer home of James and Ann (Wilson) Coulter. 
Margaret, the eldest daughter, is now Mrs. Eph- 
raim White, of Howard Township. She resides 
upon the old homestead, where she has passed 
nearly her entire life. John F. has made his home 
in the farther West, and lives in Russell, Kan. 



Sarah A. is Mrs. James Douglas, of Xenia, Ind. 
Our subject completes the list. These sisters and 
brothers, reared and carefully educated in the 
home of their cliildhood, have self-reliantly at- 
tained to mature age and wortliily occupy posi- 
tions of usefulness and influence. 

The father, James Coulter, was a native of Cin- 
cinnati, Ohio, and there passed the days of boy- 
hood. Energetic and enterprising, he removed 
with his wife to the newer country of Michigan, 
and in 183.5 settled on the farm where, after 
years of peaceful toil, he died respected and es- 
teemed by all who knew him. Tlie mother was 
born in Clinton, Ohio, but her father, Amos Wil- 
son, and her paternal grandfather, John Wilson, 
were natives of New Jersey. She passed peace- 
fully away May 18, 1893, after a residence in this 
county of fifty-seven years. 

The life of our subject has been closely identi- 
fied with the history of Cass County, its rapid 
growth and its numerous progressive interests. A 
man of liberal spirit and broad ideas, he has aided 
in educational advancement and been foremost in 
the |)romotion of public improvements. Finan- 
cially i)rospered, he owns about three hundred and 
eight acres of fine farming land, mostly under a 
high state of cultivation and well improved with 
excellent barns and a substantial and commodious 
dwelling. 

January 4, 1865, William H. Coulter and Miss 
Abigail Vary were united in marriage in Howard 
Township. Mrs. Coulter was the joungest of the 
three daughters of Benjamin O. Vary, who with his 
estimable wife was born and reared in the State of 
New York. The two sisters of iVIrs. William Coul- 
ter are Sarah U., now Mrs. John V. Coulter, and 
Miss Melissa Vary. The Vary family were, like 
the Coulters, among the early settlers of the 
count}', and, well known, commanded the high re- 
gard of a host of friends. Our subject has alw.ays 
taken a deep interest in national affairs and is ac- 
tively interested in local issues. Elected in the fall 
of 1892 to the responsible office of Sheriff of Cass 
County, he has been equal to all the demands of 
the position, discharging his daily round of duty 
with able fidelity. January 1, 1893. he made his 
permanent residence at the county seat and has 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPmCAL RECORD. 



195 



since given his entire time to iiis official work. 
Surroundc-d by life-time friends and associations, 
lie enjoys the conlidenia! of the coinniiinity and is 
iiMiiiliercd among the substantial citizens and rei)- 
icscntalivc men of Cass ('(>unly. 




AVID ( . TllICKSTUN, a representative 
business man and well-known citizen of 
Cassopolis, Cass County, Mich., has for a 
number of years extensively engaged in 
tiie lumber interests of his part of the Slate. He 
is a native of Pennsj'lvania and was born on the 
"itiih of May, 18.50, in Crawford County. His par- 
ents, David and Nancy (Erwin) Thickstun, made 
their iionie in the old (Quaker Stale, and there 
reared their family, of whom David C. was the 
youngest. His maternal grandfather, Robert Er- 
win, was one of the pioneer settlers of Crawford 
County, and, a man of sterling character and reso- 
lute will, successfull}' met and overcame the didi- 
culties and privations incident to pioneer life. 
Hi^ared and educated in the paternal home and 
trained to habits of energetic industry, our subject 
attained to manhood iu Cassewago, I'a. Realizing 
the larger opportunities offered young men in the 
newer localities of the West, he came to Michigan, 
settled in Lapeer and obtained employment with 
J. L. Berringer <fc Co., prominent lumber dealers 
of that locnlity. Mr. Thickstun spent two years 
in Lapeer, engaged with the same company, who, 
a|)preciating his services, then sent him to repre- 
sent their lirm in a new field. 

Ai)ril 1, 1878, Sir. Berringer, having bought out 
the desirable lumber plant of McConnell it Son, 
situated in Cassopolis, made our subject manager 
of this branch of the business, and for nearly two 
years he satisfactorily continued to conduct the 
alTairs as manager, but in January, 1H81, buying a 
half-interest, he became a partner in the profits of 
the house. In the fall of 1882 Mr. Thickstun was 
enabled by prudent management to buy the re- 



maining interest of the Berringer Company, and 
since that time has developed the business into 
one of the largest in this part of the county. In 
addition to the large line of lumber, sash, doors 
and shingles carried, he also deals in coal, and is 
in fact the only one handling the ''black diamonds" 
in Cassopolis. 

Our subject was married about one year after 
his location in Cass County, December 1, 1879, to 
Miss Hattie M. Rogers, of Detroit, Mich. The 
Rogers family were old and highly esteemed resi- 
dents of Decatur, Alich., for inanj' years and have 
in that locality a wide circle of friends and ac- 
quaintances. The pleasant home of Mr. and Mrs. 
Thickstun has been blessed b^- the presence of two 
bright and intelligent daughters, Elnora and Irma. 

In fraternal association our subject occupies a 
high place in the order of the Ancient Free A' Ac- 
cepted Masons. He is a valued member of Backus 
Lodge No. 55, and was Treasurer of the same 
for about ten years. He is also a member of 
Kingsburj' Chapter, of which he has officiated as 
High Priest for the past three terms, and has like- 
wise been Secretary of the chapter. Mr. Thick- 
stun is connected with Niles Commandery and 
is one of the twelve Knights Templar who affiliate 
there. Politically, he is a strong Democrat, and 
without being desirous of office is ever interested 
in both local and national issues. He is a liberal 
and public-spirited citizen and has ably aided in 
forwarding needed improvements and logal enter- 
prises. 



/^ HARLES MILLER, dealer in real estate at 
[ll ^_ St. .Jo.seph, and formerly Oil Inspector of 
^^^ Berrien County, was born in New Orleans, 
La., December 1, 1845. He is the son of .Joseph 
and Catharine (Minger) Miller, both of whom were 
born in German}-, and emigrated thence to the 
United States, settling in New Orleans. After re- 
siding in that city for a number of years, the fam- 
ily returned to Germany, when Charles was about 
five years of a<re. He continued to live there un- 



196 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



til he was eleven years of age, attending the 
schools in tiiat country. About 1856 the family 
left Germany and removed to Indianapolis, where 
the husband and fatlier departed this life in 1874, 
the mother passing away in 1861. 

Our subject accompanied his |)arents in tiieir re- 
moval to Indianapolis, and there grew to mature 
years. In the common schools of that city he ac- 
(juired a good knowledge of the English language 
and an excellent practical education. At the age of 
fourteen, he accompanied a gentleman named An- 
drews to (iermany, and visited Ludwig, London, 
Paris, Havre and Monheim, remaining about one 
year. Returning to America, he learned the trade 
of a miller at Indianapolis. At the time of the 
survey for the line of the Chicago & West Michi- 
gan Railway, he was a member of the corps of sur- 
veyors that laid out the route. In the spring of 
1867, he returned to work in the St. Jose[)h Flour- 
ing Mills, and in 1870 he was appointed head 
miller, in which capacity he remained for ten 
years, giving excellent satisfaction to the proprie- 
tors of the concern. He started in business for 
himself in 1880, when he embarked in the grocer3', 
crockery and silverware trade in St. Joseph, and 
conducted the establishment with the greatest 
etliciency until 1889, when he sold the stock. In 
1891 he was appointed Oil Inspector of Berrien 
County for a term of two years. He has been 
identified with the public affairs of St. Joseph 
ever since he became a citizen of the place. In 
politics, he is a Democrat and advocates the prin- 
ciples of that party first, last and all the time. His 
fellow-citizens, recognizing his capabilities, have 
called hill) to positions of honor and trust, and his 
services have been eminently satisfactory. In 
1886 he was elected Treasurer of the city of St. 
Joseph for a term of one year, and was afterward 
re-elected, serving until 1888. Later he was 
elected Supervisor of the township, and still occu- 
pies that position. 

Mr. Miller has a pleasant residence on Langley 
Avenue, where, in the societ}- of his wife and chil- 
dren, he finds a delightful recreation from the 
cares of business. His wife, whom he married May 
20, 1874, was formerly Miss Maiy Berg, and is the 
daughter of Simon and Anna Maria (Johns) Berg, 



residents of St. Joseph. Mr. Berg was born in Ba- 
varia, Germany, whence he emigrated to America, 
and at first located in Chicago, remaining in that 
city for a number of years. In 1850 he came to 
St. Joseph, and here resided until he passed away, 
December 28, 1883. Mrs. Miller was born in Lake 
Township, Berrien County, Mich., November 11, 
1851. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are the parents of 
seven children: Simon C. and Jose|)h J., who are 
manly youths of seventeen and fifteen years, re- 
spectively; Katie M., who is eleven years of age; 
George N., Ellen M., Charles W. and Mary M., the 
latter a bright and interesting child of two years. 
The family worships at the Catholic Church, of 
which Mrs. Miller is a devoted member. Mr. 
Miller holds fiaternal relations with Occidental 
Lodge No. 56, A. F. <fe A. M., at St. Joseph. 



-^^ 



/// 



ALVIN M. EIJICK, President of the Excel- 
sior Gas Company at Benton Harbor, and 
one of the prosperous business men of this 
city, was born in Athens, Tenn.. on the 30th of 
November, 1849, being the son of Samuel and 
Sarah (Carter) Edick, natives of New York State. 
His father, shortly after his marriage in the F.m- 
pire State, removed to Tennessee to take charge of 
an iron furnace at Athens, and resided in that 
place for five years, when he died. At the time 
of his demise he was in the prime of life, with 
every promise of a successful and prosperous 
business career, and his untimely death was 
mourned not only by his immediate relatives, but 
also by his large circle of acquaintances. His wife 
survived him many years and passed away in 
Michigan, in October, 1878. 

The eldest of a family of four children, the sub- 
ject of this biography accompanied his half-brother 
to southern Illinois in his childhood, and resided 
in McLeaiisborough until he was fifteen 3ears old, 
meanwhile enjoying excellent educational advan- 
tages in the schools of that place. At the age of 
fifteen he became a clerk in the general store of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



197 



A. V. Gardner, at Albion, Midi., mid lomaincd in 
tliat position for a nnn)I)cr of y(^:iis. The year 
1871 witnessed his arrival in IJenton Harbor, 
whore he occupied a clerical position in the em- 
ploy of Branson A- .Tolinson. Later he clerked in 
the hardware store of I'lall Bros., of St. Jose|<h, 
for two years, after which he was employed by 
that lirni to lake charge of a branch store in Ben- 
ton Harbor, conducting that establishment for 
five years. 

In the meantime Mr. Edick became interested in 
the Alden Kvaporaling and Canning Company, of 
which he was Secretary and Treasurer for ten 
years, or until the factory bui-ned down. lie then 
purchased the interests of the other stockholders, 
anil, re-organizing the enteri>rise under the name 
of the .Mden Canning Company, has continued its 
manager until the present time. It is largely 
througii his efforts that the concern has acquired a 
priiminent position among the indusliies of Berrien 
County. In 1881, he emliarked in llie hardware 
business, .issociating himself with A. ^'ilH•ellt, un- 
der the firm name of Kdick A' \' lucent. Eighteen 
months later the firm name was changed to Edick 
S; Piatt, and under that title the l)usiness was 
conducted about two years, when our subject pur- 
chased Mr. Piatt's interest and has since conducted 
the enterprise under the title of C. M. Edick. 

The hardware establishment is complete in all 
its appointments. The store is '25xl'2.5 feet in di- 
mensions, and there is also an annex, 25x80 feet. 
The stock includes a complete assortment of shelf 
hardware, i)aints, oils and farming m.acliinery, and 
the uniformly' accurate methods upon which the 
business is conducted have secured for the jiro- 
prietor a large and steadily growing trade. Mr. 
Edick IS also a stockholder and Director in the 
First National Bank of Benton Harbor. What he 
lias and what he is m.ay be attril)uted to his own 
arduous exertions, for when he commenced in 
business he had no money capital or inlluential 
friends, but by i)erseverance and good judgment 
he has become well-to-do. 

While Mr. Edick is not a jiartisan nor radical in 
his political preferences, lie gives his intluence to 
the Republican party and favors its candidates 
witli his ballot. In his social connections, he is 



identified with the Masonic fraternity, being a 
member of Lake Shore Lodge No. 298. He was 
married December 6, 1882, to Miss Mary F. Baley, 
who at that time was residing in Benton Harbor, 
hut is a native of New York. In social circles Mr. 
and Mrs. Edick occupy a prominent position, being 
numbered among the inlluential and popular resi- 
dents of Benton Harbor. 



•^1^ 

"^^5^ 







'^ ENRY W. IIARWOOD, a leading citizen 
and representative agriculturist, whose fine 
homestead, one of the oldest farms in 
Cass County, Mich., is attr.actively located 
upon the banks of Pleasant Lake, Ontwa Town- 
ship, is a native of his home county and was 
born within three miles of Edvvardsbtirgh Feb- 
ruaiy 22, 1847. His parents were Thomas and 
Sarah (Hopkins) llarwoo<l. The paternal grand- 
father, John Ilarwood, was a son of Thomas Hat- 
wood, who with two brothers, John and .lasper, 
emigrated to Ameiica in Colonial days. Thomas 
and John settled in Delaware, and Jasper located 
in Maryland. Thomas was a presperous tiller of 
the soil and improved a valuable farm upon his 
homestead in Delaware, rearing one child, a son, 
John. This son w.as educated and married in his 
native State, passing his entire life within its 
borders. He was opposed to slavery and never 
held any of the blacks in bond.age except .as he 
paid fines and redeemed them when imprisoned. 
Grandfather Ilarwood accumulated a handsome 
estate, and was a man of note in his section of 
the country. His wife was a Miss Talbert, a 
Christian lady and a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. Three children blessed the old 
home: John, Thomas and .lasiier. The grand- 
father of our subject died at fifty-five years of 
age, his wife having long before preceded him 
to the better world. The family property was in- 
herited by the eldest, and the other two left home 
to make their way in the world. John and .lasper 
died in Delaware. 



198 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Thomas Ilarwood was born in Delaware in 1808, 
and in 1845 removed to the West and located in 
Cass Count3', Mich. He made the journey from 
his old liome bj' wagon, and was six weeks on the 
waj-. He wintered two years in Milton Township, 
and then entered forty acres in Jefferson Town- 
ship, which he partially improved and then sold. 
He soon afterward purchased two hundred and 
twenty acres three miles north of Edwardsburgh, 
which he cleared and flnely cultivated. He passed 
away upon this homestead in the spring of 1879. 
He was a Class-leader of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and was also one of its efficient Trus- 
tees. A stanch Democrat, he gave able service 
as Justice of the Peace, and, a public-spirited cit- 
izen, was liberal in his support of the Union dur- 
ing tiie late war. The mother of our subject, a 
native of Maryland, was tlie daughter of John Hop- 
kins, a blacksmith by trade, who participated in 
the War of 1812, and assisted through his skill 
in handling the tools of iiis trade. He was a de- 
vout man and a member of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, and died in Maryland after rearing 
a large family. The four sons were Nathaniel, 
William, John and James. The daughters were 
Sarah, Elizabeth, Mary, Ann and Levica. Great- 
grandfather Frederick Hopkins was a teacher all 
his life, and on account of being crippled was un- 
able to perform hard labor. The Hopkins are of 
English ancestry. 

Mrs. Sarah (Hopkins) Harwood died in October, 
1891, in her eighty-fourth year. She was the mo- 
ther of six stalwart sons, and was twice married. 
Her first husband was Jonathan Primrose, to whom 
she bore one son, William .1. The five sons of 
Thomas Harwood were John, who died on the 
homestead; James, of Mississippi, where he owns 
a large plantation; Jacob W., of Medical Lake, 
Wash., who was the first to discover the medicinal 
qualities of the water and manufacture a powder 
from boiling water called Medical Lake Salts; 
Henry W. and Thomas .l.,of Neliraska; and Jacob, 
who .served in Coinp.any H, Thirtieth Michigan 
Regiment. Henry W. received a good common- 
school education in his home neighborhood. 

In the fall of 1864, our subject, then only sev- 
enteen years of age. enlisted in the Thirtieth 



Michigan Regiment, and served at Detroit. He 
was mustered out in July, 1865, at the close of the 
war. Arrived at his majority, he was employed 
by the Louisville Transfer Company, and remained 
in their service four and a-half years, for two years 
of the time being Assistant Superintendent. Mak- 
ing his home again in Michigan, he purchased the 
eighty acres of his present farm, to which he 
afterward added until he has in his homestead 
one hundred and fifty-one acres. Mr. Harwood 
is a man of liberal spirit and is independent in 
local politics, giving his vote to the best man, but 
he supports the National Republican ticket. He 
has refused political office, preferring to do his 
duty as a simple citizen. 

Our subject was united in marriage in 1887, 
with Miss Maggie Breeee, daughter of Jacob and 
Sarah (Wilson) Brecce. The estimable wife passed 
away in 1889, aged thirty-.seven. She was a mem- 
ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church and a sin- 
cere Christian woman. Her death was mourned 
by all who knew her. Mr. Harwood is a Trustee 
of the church, and is active in all good work. 
A long-time resident of his present locality, he 
has been intimately associated with the growth 
and rapid progress of Cass County, and, a man of 
sterling integrity, commands the confidence of 
the entire community of Ontwu Township. 



,a^ PENCICR B. VAN HORN. In enumerating 
^^^ the prominent business establishments of 
\\\J_jf) Benton Harbor, mention is invariably' 
made of the store owned and conducted by 
Mr. Van Horn. The Iniilding is convenientl}' and 
centrall}- located for purposes of trade, and is 
admirably adapted for the display of a fine stock 
of drv goods, notions and carpets, having a front- 
age of twenty-five and a depth of one hundred and 
twenty-five feet. The stock is large and very 
completely as.sorted, and as the proprietor main- 
tains the most favorable relations with producers, 
he is able to keep his stock up to the very highest 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



199 



standard of ([uality and to give llie people every 
advantage in prices. As a consequence of tliese 
facilities, combined with fair dealings, lie has es- 
tablished an extensive bnsiness and holds a prom- 
inent position among the leading merchants of 
Sou til western M ichigan . 

A native of Berrien County, Mich., our subject 
was born March 15, 1847, and is the youngest of 
four children of Jacob and Kuphemia (Kinsey) 
Van Horn, natives of New Jersey. The father, 
who was a farmer by occupation, removed with 
his family to Berrien County-, Mich., in 18.'57 and 
located on a farm four and one-half miles east of 
Benton Harbor, whore he conducted general agri- 
cultural and stock-raising pursuits. In 18G5 he 
came to Benton Harbor, where for a number of 
years he conducted a boot and shoe business. He 
died in this city in IMGS. His widow survived 
him for a number of years, dying in Benton Har- 
bor in 1880. 

Until eighteen years of age the subject of this 
sketch resided on the lK)ine farm, meantime at- 
tending the district schools and also carrying on 
his studies in the St. Joseph High School for two 
years. His mercantile experience commenced with 
a clerkship in the store of Alviii Burridge, of Ben- 
ton Harbor, after wliich he was employed by 
George Rice, and later by the firm of Pitcher & 
Jones, remaining in the latter position two years. 
He was then emitlo^ed by H. iM. Zekind, of St. 
Joseph. He was economical and industrious, and, 
careful!}- saving his earnings, he was enabled to 
start in business for himself. In 1878 he em- 
Imrkctl in the dry -goods business at Benton Har- 
bor, and a few years afterward added a large as- 
sortment of carpets to his stock. 

Novemlier 1, 1870, Mr. \ an Horn was united in 
marriage witli Miss Julia Ogdeii, of Benton Har- 
bor, her parents, Stausbery and Ruth A. Ogden, 
having been long-time residents of this city. 
One child has blessed the union, Lucy O., who is a 
student in the city schools. The family residence 
is a comfortable abode and is ))leasantl3' located on 
the corner of Ogden and Kmpire Avenues. In 
politics Mr. \'an Horn is a ])roiiiinent Republican 
and has served as Alderman from the Second 
Ward for several years. Socially, he is a member of 



Lake Shore Lodge No. 298, A. F. A- A. M.; Calvin 
Brittain Chapter No. 72, R. A. M.; and he joined 
Niles Commandery No. 12, K. T., but has since 
changed his membership to Malta Commandery, 
recently instituted at Benton Harbor. 



•^^ 



^^ 



^ HRISTOPHE 
ll^' chant residir 



HRISTOPHER S. BOYLE, a retired mer- 
ing in Benton Harbor, was born 
in the city of New York on Christm.as 
Day, 1829. He is the son of John Boyle, a na- 
tive of Ireland, and a pioneer of Webster Town- 
ship, Washtenaw Countj-, Mich., who settled on a 
farm near Ann Arbor in May 1836, and there re- 
sided until his death, in October, 1870. The 
mother of our subject bore the name of Bridget 
Quirk, and was born in the Province of Munster, 
County Tipperaiy, Ireland. Her fatlicr, Daniel 
Quirk, served for twenty-one years in the British 
army, and died in the Kmerald Isle. Mr. Boyle 
was also born in the I'rovince of Munster, County 
Tipperary, Ireland. 

At the age of six years our subject removed 
with Ills parents from New York to Michigan, 
where he grew to manhood on his father's farm in 
Washtenaw County. In the spring of 1852, he 
joined the Argonauts who wiue journeying West- 
ward to seek their fortune in the new El Dorado. 
Driving live yoke of cattle, he nuide the long jour- 
ney from St. .loseph. Mo., to Placerville, Cal., in 
one hundred and twelve days. U|)on arrival at 
his destination, he engaged in gold-mining and 
also for a time worked in a sawmill. In February, 
185.5, he returned via the Isthmus of Panama to 
New York City, and thence came direct to Wash- 
tenaw County, Mich. 

After working on a farm in Washtenaw County 
for one year, he went, in the spring of 1856, to 
Osawatoniie, Kan., but iclurned in a few weeks. 
On his reliirii he removed to Watervliet, Ber- 
rien County, Mich., and there secured employ- 
ment in a sawmill, remaining in that position 
for two years. Later he worked on a farm in 



200 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL- RECORD. 



Bainbridge Township, engaged as a tiller of the 
soil for three years. In the spring of 1861 he re- 
moved to St. Joseph, and for one \'ear was pro- 
prietor of a meat-market there. In the spring of 
18(52 he opened a meat-market in Benton Harbor, 
which he conducted for five years. Then, dispos- 
ing of that business, he opened a grocery store, 
and soon gained a large and profitable trade with 
the people of Benton Harbor. In January, 1890, 
he closed out the business and retired from active 
labor. He is the owner of valuable real estate in 
the city, including his residence on the corner of 
Territorial and Fourth Streets. 

Politically, Mr. Boyle is a Democrat. For two 
terms he served as Trustee of the village, and in 
the spring of 1892 he was appointed Sewer Com- 
missioner, which position he still holds. He is a man 
who takes an intelligent interest in local affairs 
as ■well as in mattere of general importance, and 
has decided opinions upon all subjects of the day. 
Socially, he is identified with Lake Shore Lodge 
No. 298, A. F. & A. M.; Calvin Bnttain Chapter 
No. 72; and the Council at St. Joseph. His mar- 
riage took place on the 31st of March, 1S.")7, and 
united him with Miss Carolina Scherer, a native of 
German}-, and a daughter of David Scherer. Mr. 
and Mi-s. Boyle are the parents of two sons and 
one daughter: William ('., David C. S. and Car- 
rie H. 




EWIS STORMS. It is with pleasure that 
we trace the history of those of the early 
^ pioneers of Berrien County who have per- 
severed through trials and hardships and have at 
last reached the point where they can enjo}' the 
wealth and prosperity which right!}- belong to 
them. In the life of the gentleman whose name 
heads this sketch, we find such a history, and the 
popularity that belongs to such a man is the just 
meed which his neighbors are glad to paj- to his 
worth and work. 

This representative pioneer of Berrien County, 



who resides on section 32, Niles Township, is a 
product of the Empke State, born in Cayuga 
County, February- 23, 1818. His parents, vSamuel 
and Clarissa (Hill) Storms, were natives also of 
the State of New York, and there they were mar- 
ried. Following this they located in Centreport, 
where the father followed his trade of carriage- 
maker, continuing this until about a j-ear previ- 
ous to his death, when he bought a farm near 
Arcade, N. Y. There he died when about sixty 
years of age. His wife lived to be about eighty- 
six years of age. They were the parents of ten 
children, our subject being fourth in order of 
birth. 

Lewis Storms remained with his parents until 
eight \"ears of age, and then went to live with .an 
old Presbyterian deacon bj' the name of Hamilton, 
and remained with him until about twenty years 
of age, working on a (axm. Later he worked by 
the month for one year near .Syracuse, N. Y., and 
then, in 1844, came direct to Michigan and located 
in Berrien County. He engaged in chopping 
wood and clearing land, working bj- the month, 
and received $10 per month for his services. 
Right in this county, working by the month, 
Mr. Storms laid the foundation for his subse- 
quent prosperous career. The usual experience 
of pioneer life marked his boyhood, and he early 
decided that farming was his vocation. Although 
he did not have a cent when he first came to this 
county, he was possessed of a wonderful amount 
of push and pluck, and at fii-st worked almost 
every wa}' to make an honorable living. He 
bought horses, matched them, and then sold them 
at a profit. Later he bought a farm of eight}' 
acres, all wild land, settled on this and began 
making imjirovements. 

He chose his wife in the person of Miss Lydia 
Baker, daughter of Nathan Bjiker. and took his 
bride to the log house he had erected on his farm. 
He cut the logs and built the house himself, and 
he and his young companion began housekeeping 
in a very modest way, their furniture being of the 
simplest description. He partly cleared this farm, 
but subsequently moved on the farm where he now 
lives. This farm consists of two hundred and 
fifteen acres, the most of it under cultivation, and 



pcjrtrait and biographical record. 



203 



is one of the finest rural liomes in the township. 
Ml-. Storms has every reason to be proud of the 
fruits of his Labor and of tlie energy and good 
judgment lie lias displayed in the management of 
his tine farm. He is a self-made man in all 
that the words imply, and all that he has ac- 
cumulated has been the result of industry and 
economy on the part of himself and his estimable 
lady. 

As the years passed by there gathered around 
his hearthstone two biight c^hildren, Edmund B. 
and Martha, the latter now the wife of Fred 
Young, of Nile* Township. Mr. .Storms' political 
views bring him into action with the Republican 
party, and he has great faith in the principles pro- 
claimed by that party. He held the ollice of 
County Treasurer for some time and has held 
other positions of importance, such as Supervisor 
and Township Treasurer. 



#^i 



,\l-^ ON. ALONZO PLUMMER, Mayor of Ben- 
)j] ton Harbor, and one of the successful at- 
torr.eys of southwestern Michigan, is a 
native of Maine, having lieen born in 
Ilarlland, Somerset County, on the 18tli of Feb- 
ruary, lf^i'2. His parents, William and Fannie 
((iordon) Pluramer, were likewise natives of 
Maine, the former being a sou of William Plum- 
mer, of UanviUe, that State. The boyhood 3'ears 
of our subject were somewhat uneventfully passed 
in the place of his birth, where he acquired the 
rudiments of his education in the common schools, 
and subseqiieiitl\- pursued his studies in .St. Al- 
ban's Academy. 

When about twenty 3'ears of age Mr. Plumnier 
enlisted for service in his country's defense, and 
on the 1st of March, 18C2, his name was enrolled 
as a private in the Fourth Maine Batteiy, as- 
signed to the Armj' of the Potomac. On the 9th 
of February, 1861, he was promoted to the rank 
of Second Lieutenant in Company A, Thirtieth 
United States Colored Troops, and in Jul^- of the 



following year was again promoted for gallantry 
and bravery becoming First Lieutenant, in which 
capacity he served until the close of the war. His 
command belonged to the Army of the Potomac. 
Among the important engagements in which he 
participated may be mentioned those of Cedar 
Mountain, the second battle of Bull Run, .South 
Mountain, Antielam, battles of the Wilderness, 
and the siege of Petersburg. He was present at 
the capture of Ft. Fisher, N. C, January 12, 1865, 
and the capture of Wilmington, N. C, as well as 
numerous minor engagements, in all of which his 
conduct w.as meritorious. 

After having been honorably discharged at the 
close of the war, Mr. Plummer returned to his 
old home in Maine. Soon afterward he entered 
the Albany (N. Y.) Law School, from which he 
was graduated in May. 1866, and during the 
same year he w.as admitted to practice at the Bar 
of the State of New Y'ork. He immediately came 
West and, locating in Minneapolis, conducted an 
extensive pr.actice both in that city and St. Paul 
until April, 1869, meantime gaining the reputa- 
tion of being a skillful and well-informed legal 
practitioner. Returning to the Fvist, he sojourned 
in Boston, Mass., until 1870, when he came to 
Benton Harbor, and has since been identified with 
the history of this place, being one of its most 
prominent public men and successful attoi'nej'S. 

On August 12, 1867, occurred the marriage of 
Mr. Plummer to Ellen I). Hawkes, of New Y'ork, 
the daughter of Aliijah and Louisa Hawkes, na- 
tives of Maine. Two children have been born to 
bless the home, Edith and Harry, in whose edu- 
cation Mr. Plummer and his wife have spared 
neither expense nor time. As has lieen already 
stated, Mr. Plummer is one of the most intluential 
of Benton Harbor's citizens, and has been one of 
the most important factors in the growth of the 
place. In the spring of 1893 he was elected 
Mayor of the city, and is now holding that posi- 
tion, doing much to secure municipal reforms and 
improvements, and laboring etTectively for the 
advancement of the pl.ace and the best interests 
of the citizens. He is an active member of 
George H. Thomas Post No. 14. (!. A. R., and as 
one of the brave soldiers to whom we owe the 



204 



POitTRAlT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



preservation of the Union is entitled to tlie grat- 
itude of all wlio love tiieir country. In politics he 
IS a stanch Repulilican and is recogniztnl as one 
of the leaders of the party in this portion of the 
State. 



-^ 



^^EORGE F. SILVER, a prominentcitizen and 
III (— able agricultuiist of Ontwa, Cass County, 
^^|( Mich., has held with efficiency various offi- 
cial positions of trust, and is widely known as a 
man of sterling integrity and fine business attain- 
ments. Mr. Silver was born January 9, 1835, in 
Newport, Sullivan County, N. H., and was the son 
of Oren and Abigail (Fifleld) Silver. The paternal 
great-great-grandfather of our subject emigrated 
from Scotland to New England, and in New 
Hampshire, the great-grandfather, John Silver, is 
supposed to have been born. He was by trade a ma- 
son, and, a man of enterprise, journeyed to Michi- 
gan in a very early day and died in his new home 
at over four-score years and ten. His good wife 
also |)assed away in Michigan, at about the same 
age. Tliey were members of the Episcopal Church, 
and were upright and conscientious in the daily 
work of life. Fraternally, Great-grandfather Sil- 
ver was connected with the Ancient Free & Ac- 
cepted Masons. The venerable couple were the 
parents of a large family of children, and reared 
to maturity Jacob, Josiah, John, Jeremiah, 
Joan, Abiel, Margaret, and Benjamin, who is the 
only survivor and now resides in Kensington, 111. 

The paternal grandfather, also John Silver, was 
a New Hampshire farmer, and in about 1850 
located in Ontwa Township, Cass County, Mich., 
and he died at the age of seventy-five years in 
Sullivan County, N. H. He was a minute-man 
in the War of 1812, and was a leading member of 
the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons. Until 1840 
he was a Democrat, but then became a Whig, and 
later joined the ranks of the Republican party. 
Twice married, he first became the husband of 
Judith Colby, the mother of one child, Oren. The 
first wife dying in New Hampshire in the year 



1820, he again married in New Hampshire. While 
in New Hamiisliire he kept an hotel and owned a 
stage-line. He farmed in Jlichigau and, energetic 
and industrious, was prospered. He was a sincere 
Christian man and a valued member of the Epis- 
copal Church. He was also a member of the An- 
cient Free <fe Accepted Masons and had mauj- warm 
friends within and without that ancient order. 
Tlie father of our subject, Oren Silver, was born 
upon the old homestead among the Granite Hills 
of New Hampshire, December 8,1812. He- had 
arrived at mature years before he made his home 
in the West. He first came to F^dwardsburgh in 
September, 1835, and journeyed from liis New 
England home by canal and lake to Detroit and 
thence b}' stage to Cass County. 

Father Silver followed the business of an hotel- 
keeper for six years in Michigan, and then re- 
turned to New Hampshire with a team and re- 
mained one 3'ear. At the ex])iration of a twelve- 
month he drove slowly back to Michigan and 
bought an eighty-acre tract of land two miles 
southeast of Edwardsburgh. In about 1846 Oren 
Silver settled where Dr. Sweetland now resides, the 
property then being owned hy Abial Silver, who 
was Land Commissioner. He was Commissioner 
when the State capitol was laid out, when the ca[)- 
ital was located at Lansing. In about 1850 the 
father of our subject bought forty acres where he 
resides and to which he has since added, now 
owning one hundred and fifty acres, all under ex- 
cellent improvement, with a handsome and com- 
modious residence, substantial barns and out- 
buildings. In starting out in life, the main capi- 
tal of Oren Silver was youth, amt)ition and energy, 
which, coupled with good judgment, have aided 
him toelimbupthe ladder of life. He is in religious 
belief a Sweden lioigian, and is fraternally a Free 
Mason. His only child is George F. 

Our subject was reared upon a farm, received 
his education in the district scliools of the neigh- 
borhood, and has always made his home with his 
parents. Ho has run a thresher for thirty-four 
years, and has held with ability several impor- 
tant offices of the township. He is now Clerk, 
and as Supervisor aided in local progress and im- 
provements. Although ho (lid not enlist in the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



205 



late war, lie served for a time as a teamster in 
'IViiiu'ssee and Mississippi, working for the Oovern- 
moiit. lie is a Democrat and is active in politics, 
lie is a valued member of the Ancient Free & Ac- 
cepted iMasons and belongs to the chapter. Mr. 
Sdver was united in marriage .June 6, 1802, with 
Miss Sarah .1. llane^', of Ontwa Township, Cass 
County, Mich., and a daughter of Charles and 
.lane (Smith) Ilaney. Mr. Ilaney emigrated from 
Baden, Germany, in 1836, and, arriving in the 
United States, came to Cass County, INIich., where 
he entered and improved eighty acres of land and 
survived until .January, 1892. A wife and five 
children monrneii his death. Mrs. Haney was a 
native of Pennsylvania, and was the daughter of . Ja- 
cob Smith, a pioneer of Cass County, who located 
in this part of Michigan, in Ontwa Township, in 
alMiul 1821). He died on his homestead, respected 
by all who knew him. ISIr. Smith was of direct 
(lerman descent. 

Our sul)ject and his estimable wife were 
blessed by the birth of five children. Isabelle, 
the eldest, died at two years of age. Belle is the 
widow of Charles Flint. Mar^' died at two years 
of age. Dora and Benjamin survive. Mr. and 
Mrs. Silver have spent their years among the asso- 
ciations of youth and enjoy the esteem and confi- 
dence of the large acquaintance of their lifetime, 
and in the social and benevolent work of their lo- 
cality, they lend ready aid, being both liberal in 
sentiment and public spirited in action. 



^lEOUCE W. .JONKS. Without the confi- 
dence of the public the fate of a bank 
is sealed. In order to inspire trust there 
must be solid capital and oHicials of established 
reputation. Minor institutions spring up, employ- 
ing outward show of wealth, and thereby deceiving 
the simple, but solid, reliable business men are not 
taken ill by out^side sheen and bold pretense. They 
dcman<i the evidences of resources and liabilities 



and the character of these. Knowing the founda- 
tion to be secure, then they confidently entrust 
their money and repose faith in the elliciency and 
honest}' of those having charge. 

There is something refreshing and inspiring in 
contemplating an institution like the Exchange 
Bank at Marcellus, for it is one of the most conser- 
vatively conducted financial institutions of Cass 
County. The owner and proprietor, George AV. 
Jones, is an honorable and careful man and one 
who is very popular and resjiectcd m financial and 
social circles. Ho has a large burglar-prof)f safe of 
the very latest improved pattern, and the vault is 
fire proof. The bank is in a very llattering con- 
dition, as is shown by Mr. .Jones' books at the close 
of business .June 30, 18i)3. 

Rksoukm'ks. 
Real Estate, ... - |G32.')() 00 

Farm Products, .... 170(100 

Live Stock, . - - - 'JOO 00 

Loans on Real Estate. - !ji2501.'j Ofi 
Loans on Collateral, - 114 71 97 

Other Loans and Discounts, 10722 21 80209 27 
Stocks and Bonds. - - - 500 00 

Safe, Furniture and Fixtures, - 1800 00 

Due from other Banks, |i77(i9 05 

Checks and other Cash Items, 1170 20 
Gold Coin, - - - 1842 50 
Silver Coin, . - - 579 49 

Legal Tenders, Bank Motes 

and Coin Certificates, 5082 00 16449 24 



Total, 



ElAI'.lMI'lKS. 



Specified Time Deposits, 
Call Certificates of Deposit, 
Deposits subject to Check, 
Bills Payable, 
Net Worth, 



*i 164808 51 



*423e0 48 

11971 54 

13770 74 

2000 00 

94699 75 

- *164808 51 



Total, .... 

Courteous and attentive niljcialsand clerks afford 
ready service upon such as may have business with 
the bank, and every possible care is t'lken that 
everything shall be dispatched without delay, yet 
thorouglilv. 



206 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Mr. .Jones is a product of tlie IJuckeye State, 
born in Preble County April 3, 1824, and comes 
of Welsh extraction on the paternal side, his great- 
great-grandfather having left that countr\- for 
this at a very earlj- period. George .Jones, the 
grandfather of our subject, was a native of Georgia, 
as was also the father of our subject, Henr}- .Jones, 
whose birth occurred about 1790. The grandfather 
married Miss Lydia Hopson, and reared his family 
in Ohio, to which State he came in 1807. He left 
a large family of children. Mis sou Henry was 
about seventeen years of age when he moved with 
his parents to Ohio, and he was there married to 
Miss Hannah Green. Following his marriage he 
located in Preble Count}-, Ohio, and was one of 
the early settlers tiiere. Agricultural pursuits 
were his principal occupation, and he became one 
of the foremost farmers. About 1830 he moved to 
Michigan, settled in Penn Township, Cass County, 
and entered and bought large tracts of Govern- 
ment land, owning at the time of his death between 
eiglit and nine hundred acres. He brought a large 
amount of fine stock with liini to Cass County, and 
they had a hard time to live through the first 
winter. There were few farmers in the township 
at that time, timber covered the face of the country, 
and Mr. .Jones and family fully realized the pri- 
vations and hardships experienced by early settlers. 
Twelve children were born to his mairiage, but 
only three besides our subject are now living, a 
daughter and two sons. Esther, widow of John 
Nixon, resides at MarccUus; Amos resides two 
miles north of Cassopolis; .and I^hineas resides on 
Young's Prairie. Those deceased were named: 
I^ydia, Kebecca, F^lizabeth, Phcebe, Hannah, Henry, 
Abigail and Jesse. The father of these children 
was reared among Quakers and was a man of more 
than ordinarj' intelligence. Formerly a Whig in 
politics, later in life he voted the Democratic 
ticket and attiliated with that party until his death, 
which occurred in March, 1851. He was a fine 
man physically, large and well proportioned, and 
very seldom ill. For one term he was County 
Commissioner and he also filled the ottice of Town- 
ship Supervisor, as well as other township offices. 
George W. Jones was about six j'ears of age 
when he came with his parents to Cass County, 



Mich., and in this county he received a limited 
education in the common schools. Much of his 
time in youth was passed in assisting his father 
clear the farm, and most of his education has been 
received by reading and experience. Deer and 
other wild animals abounded at that time, and 
Indians were common. On the 24th of December, 
1853, he was united m marriage witli Miss KmmaB. 
Siierman, daughter of Elias R Sherman. The 
latter came to Michigan at an early date, was 
Judge of the l^robate Court for some time, and 
helped to la^' out the town of Cassopolis. He 
became the owner of two hundred acres of land, and 
was an inlluential citizen. Mrs. Jones w.as born in 
Cassopolis and died at her home in Marcellus in 
1870. 

Our subject's second marriage was to Miss Lizzie 
Osborn, daughter of Nathan Osborn, who was a 
real-estate dealer, and one of the pioneers of St. 
Joseph County, Mich. He was Circuit Judge of that 
county and held other positions of importance. He 
was a native of Connecticut, but liis daughter, Mrs. 
Jones, was born in St. Joseph County, Mich., 
and received her education there and at .Soutli 
Bend, Ind. After his first marriage, Mr. Jones 
located on Young's Prairie, purchased and in- 
herited from his father's old farm one hundred 
and sixty acres of timber and prairie land, and 
remained on this until 1867, when he nH)ved to 
Cassopolis. Later he came to what is now ALar- 
cellus, bought a farm of two hundred and eleven 
acres, the present site of that town, and he and a 
few other gentlemen laid out this place. Mr. Jones 
then engaged in a real-estate business and was also 
engaged in bu\ ing and shipping live stock. The 
latter he still follows. In 1877 he established the 
G. W. Jones Exchange Bank of Marcellus, and this 
bank has ever retained the confidence of the public 
in the highest degree and is in every respect a 
model financial institution. Mr. Jones is now the 
owner of over seven hundred acres of land, most 
of which is in a fine state of cultivation, besides 
considerable vahialile vill.age property. 

Four childien have been born to this union: 
Frank S., who is engaged in the lumber busi- 
ness; Carroll S., Cashier of the bank, riKirri(>d to 
Miss Bessie, daughter of Andrew F. Caul, a 



PORTRAIT AND BIOORAPHICAL RECORD. 



207 



prominenl f.-iinuT and Supervisor of the town- 
sliip; Henry Hi^-l, now in liis faliier's bank; and 
Vera May, who is attending the school at ^lar- 
t'eilus. I'olitically, Mr. .lones is a Democrat. He 
is a strong lenipcrant'c man atid takes a great deal 
of interest in that movement. He huilt the large, 
liandsome residence where he now lives in 1886, 
at an expense of about ?!.'), IIOO, which has a liot-air 
furnace, and iiot and cold water in every part of 
the house. To make it still more pleasant and 
cheerful, there are three grates, and as it is fur- 
nished with taste and good judgment, no pleasanter 
lioiiie can be found in the county. In 1890 he 
built tlie laige stone-front bank building which he 
now owns. It is sui)plied with hot and cold water, 
is finished in liard wood, and is one of tiie finest, 
for tlie size of the town, of any in the State. 



*+^§ 



^1|' SAAC N. GARD. No tiiemc is more agreeable 
|{ to the biographer than that of the pioneer 
!\\ limes, and the life-story of one who has passed 
through that trying period and has made his waj- 
to comfort and pros|<crity tlirough hardships and 
privations, is of interest to every one. In those 
early days tlie settlers had little to assist them in 
the way of implements, but their strong hands and 
sturdy independence overcame all ditliculties. 

Mr. (laid was born in Union County, Ind., .lul}' 
".(, 1827, of the marriage of .Jonathan (lard. When 
but two years of age he was brought by his par- 
ents to the Lake State, and was reared on the old 
homestead in Cass County. I'util twenty-four 
years of age he remained under the |)arental roof 
and during that time he attended the log school- 
house of those days, wlieri; he was taught the 
"three R's, reading, 'riting and "lithmetic." On 
the 12th of November, 18;')!, he married Miss 
Nancy Shaw, a daughter of Richard and .lulia 
(Saundei-s) Shaw, the father a native of N'irginia, 
born in 1801, and the mother of Maryland, horn 
in IHOI. Mr. and Mrs. Shaw removed to Ohio 
when young, were married there, and later came 



to Michigan, where thej' settled in Ross County. 
From there they removed to Ft. Wayne, Ind., l)ut 
two years later returned to Michigan. The3' set- 
tled in Penn Townshii), this count^^ for a few 
3'ears, but subseciuenti}' moved to Little Prairie 
Ronde, Volinia Township, where they made their 
home for a number of years. Ilcr death occurred 
in 1856, and he followed her to the grave in 1872. 
Eleven children were born to them, six of whom 
are now living. Mrs. Gard was second in order of 
birth, and w.as born in Ross County, December 10, 
1828. She w.as but four years of age when brought 
to Michigan. 

Immediately after his marriage, Mr. Gard set- 
tled on section 28, Volinia Townshii), and began 
to improve his farm, remaining there four years. 
In 1856 he settled upon his present farm, and here 
he has continued to reside. He is the owner of 
one hundred and eighty-live acres, one hundred 
and thirty acres under cultivation, and in 1856 
he erected a substantial and commodious house. 
For six years he was interested in a sawmill, but 
since then he has been engaged exclusively in 
mixed farming. He raises a good grade of stock 
and excellent draft horses. His marriage resulted 
in t!ie birth of four children, three of whom are 
living. Julia E., widow of R. L. Van Ness, is the 
mother of two children, Newton and Arietta; 
Orley A. married Edward Fulton, and is the 
mother of three children: Blanche L., Lcona A. 
and Carl (i., and resides at home; and Edgar .1. 
married Miss Flora Warner, who bore him tine 
child, Dana. Emily is the one deceased. 

Mr. Gard holds membership in the A. II. T. A., 
of which he has been a member for forty years, be- 
ing Secretary and Treasurer for several years, and 
he is also a member of the Volinia Farmers' Club. 
His children all received good educational advan- 
tages, Edgar being educated at A'alparaiso Normal 
School and in the High School at Decatur, Mich. 
The daughters have taught school in this town- 
ship, and are also proficient in music. In politics, 
he was formerly a Whig, but since 18.')() he h.is 
been a stanch Republican, in which party he takes 
a deep interest. He has been a delegate to every 
county convention for thirty years, has been jury- 
man oftener than any other man in the township, 



308 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and has been Township Clerk. He did not serve 
during the Civil AVar. but iwid a sulxstitnt* #850. 
Although he coninienc*d with very little of this 
world's goods — a sjian of horses, a cow and some 
land — ho worked early antl lale to get a footing, 
and finally became one of the sul^stautial men of 
the county. The first Uix he i>aid on pei^mal 
pi-oi>erty was eighteen cents. For many yeai'S he 
and his wife lived in a log house and uudei^tootl 
thoroughly the trials and privations of pioneer 
life. Mrs^. Gard"s father w.-is svn active politician 
and held ottioe. 



w 



. ALI.ACE C. EOWARUS. Csishier of the 
Leo Brothers A- Company Bank, of Dowa- 
giac, was born in Kalamazoo, Mich.. No- 
vember 4. 18(>i». At the age of two yeai^ he was 
t^eu by his |«»nfnts to Schoolcraft, this Slate, and 
shortlv aftcrw,<ird to Dowagiac. where he grew to 
manhood, developing the traits of self-reliance 
and manly independence that have contributed 
largely to his success. In the common schools of 
l")owaeiac he laid the foundation of his education, 
and later entered the High School at this place, 
graduating in 1888. While attending school in 
the winter season, his vacations were always use- 
fuilv employed, and in the summer of 1888 he oc- 
cupied a clerical position in Sherwood 's drug store, 
of this city. 

During the session of 1889 Mr. Edwards held 
the position of Clerk in the State Senate. In No- 
vember. 1889, he was appointed to the important 
(Kfcition which he now holds in the Lee Bros, 
vt Co.'s Bank. A man of close observation, 
keen insight and intuitive perception, he is well 
qualified for the satisf.ictory discharge of his offi- 
cial duties, and both his superiors in office, as well 
as the general public, place ihe greatest confidence 
in his reliability, honor and ability. Politically, 
he advocates the principles of the Republican 
party, to *hich he gives his unwavering support. 



At the present time he is filling the position of 
Deputy Ti-easurer of Cass County, of which his 
father. T. J. Edwards (^whose sketch is presented 
on another page of this volume), is the Treasurer. 
Socially, he is a prominent member of the order 
of Knights of Pythias. 

The lady who, on the 22d of June, 1892, be- 
came the wife of Mr. Edwai-ds. was Bannie L. El- 
der, a beautiful and .iccomplished young lady, who 
is held in the highest esteem in the social circles of 
Dowagiac. She is the daughter of Capt. John El- 
der, a prominent citizen of Lansing. Mich.; who 
for a number of years served as United States 
Commissioner of Pensions for a district in Ohio. 
Mrs. Edwards was born and reared in Linsing. 
Mich,, and received a good education in the union 
schools of the capital city, graduating from the 
High School of that place in 1889. Afterward slie 
entered Oberlin I'niversity, at Oberlin, Ohio, 
where for one yeai- she carried on her studies in 
the Conservatory of Music. She then entered the 
litei-ary department of the State University of 
Michigan, at Ann Arbor, where she i-emained for 
one year. The l>est advantages iK>ssible were 
given to her, and as she availed herself to the ut- 
most of every opix>rtunity offei-ed. she h.is gained 
broad liierarv culture and knowiediie. 






^Y OSEPH W. HAUSER. Throughout Berrien 
County this well-known fruit-grower of St. 
.loseph Township occupies a position among 
the most successful and progresive of our 
tiermau-American citizens. In the best sense of 
the word he is truly self made, having through 
his untiring exertions and good judgment risen 
from an humble rank to a foremost plac-e in 
his community. To-day. as the result of his in- 
telligent efforts, he is the owner of one of the 
finest fruit farms of the township, and is num- 
l>ered among the men of means in the county. 

The fruit farm belonging to Mr. Hauser con- 
sists of forty-five acres, the entire tract being 



PORTRAIT ANii BimiHAymCAh RECORD. 



209 



planted willi various varieties of fruits. He lias liic 
place sulidi vided as follows: two acres planted to 
apples, ten to peaches, ten to pears, two to clier- 
rie.s, two to (piinees, r>ne-lialf acie to plums, one to 
strawberries, eleven to hlaekberries, four to rasp- 
berries, two to currants and gooseberries, an<l ten 
U) grapes. At the time of locating here he found 
a few grape vines, apple trees and blackberiy 
bushes, but with that exception no attempt at 
improvement had been made. In the cultivation 
of fruit he exercises sound common-sense, and 
the result is that his fruit is second in quality to 
none other raised in the county. During the sea- 
son of 18'.)2 he raised about one thousand bushels 
of peaches, which averaged in selling %1 a bushel, 
and about one hundred and fifty bushels that sold 
for *1..00 a bushel. 

A native of Germany, our subject was born in 
llesse-N:issau, May 11, 1843, and is the son of 
Jacob and Klizaheth Ilauser. His father was born 
ill Steinbach, flcrman}', and w.-is reared to the life 
of a farmer, following .agricultural operations 
throughout his entire career. A man of [ironii- 
neiice in his community, he wjis elected to the po- 
sition of Alderman of Steinbach, in which otiice 
he served for several years. He was also Treas- 
urer for a number of years, and served as a mem- 
ber of the Land Appraisement Committee of the 
county. In his religious convictions he was a 
Uoinaii Catholic. His property in Germany con- 
sisted of thirty acres, which in that country was 
considered a large farm. 

In the [larental family there were eight chil- 
dren, all being sons, and all of whom reached ma- 
turity. Five of the number are still living, viz.: 
William, a farmer residing in Steiiiliach, (Germany; 
.J.aeob, who occupies the old homestead in Ger- 
many; .Joseph W.. of this sketch; fieorge, a resi- 
dent of London, England, and a baker b3' trade; 
and Philip, who follows the occupation of a turner 
at Lawrence, Mass. The deceased bore the names 
of .John, Adolph W. and Frantz. .loseph \V. was 
reared on the old home place and at the age of 
lifteen was apprenticed to learn the trade of a 
wagon-maker, paying $72 (in Prussian money) for 
the privilege of learning and serving an appren- 
ticeship of two and one-half years. At the expira- 



tion of that time he worked for six months at his 
trade, and subsequently traveled throughout the 
entire southern portion of Germany, following his 
trade at various places for three years. 

Being then drafted into the army, Mr. Han.ser 
served in the ranks from the 29th of March. 1864, 
until the 2.'5d of November, 18CC. At the expira- 
tion of his term of service, he worked for six 
months in the employ of the man under whom he 
had learned his trade. In 1867 he emigrated to 
the United States, and after a sojourn of three 
weeks in New York he came West to Chicago, 
where he was emi>loyed at his trade for three 
months. He was similarly employed in Hanover 
and Brunswick, Ind., but returned to Chicago after 
an absence of a half-year. Nine months later he 
came to Benton Harbor, Mich., and, opening a 
shop, conducted a successful business as a wagon- 
maker for nine months. 

Meantime Mr. Ilauser liarl established a home 
of his own. On the 7tli of .lauuaiy, 186'J, he was 
united in marriage with Miss Frances Paczkow- 
aka, a native of Poland, whose birth occurred 
Decenilier 4, 1851. Twelve children were liorn 
of the union, of whom eight are now living, viz.: 
.lohn ,J., who is twenty-two years of age (1893); 
.Joseph N., nineteen; Francis Philip, sixteen; 
Mary Elizabeth, thirteen; Elizaljcth Catliarina, 
eleven; Frances, nine; George Peter, seven; and 
.Jennie Annie, four. The children are being given 
ever\' educational advantage possible. The eldest 
son was a student in Benton Harbor College, while 
Joseph has been conducting his studies in the 
same institution for three years. 

From Benton Harbor Mr. Ilauser removed to 
.St. Joseph, where he opened a shop and was en- 
gaged in the wagon-maker's business for one 3'ear. 
Disposing of the shop to Samuel L. Hennon, he 
remained in the employ of that gentleman for two 
years, after which he was in business for himself. 
From 1872 until 1884 the enterprise was con- 
ducted under the name of Hauser A- Mc.Mullen, 
and afterward Mr. .McMullen retired and our sub- 
ject continued in business alone. Upon selling 
out to Walker <t Schnieder, he purchiused the place 
where he has since resided. He is a man of prom- 
inence in his community and is an influential Re.. 



210 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



publican. B^or two years lie served as Alderman 
of St. Joseph, and is the i)resent Assessor of his 
school district. He and his family are identified 
with tlie Roman Catholic Church. 



(^^\ EELY McCOHl), an inliuential business 
^^^ man of Benton Harbor, is engaged in the 
vUfi)) rn-in^'f^cture of brick and tile in this city 
in connection with E. H. Ferguson, and 
they own one of the largest plants in south- 
western Michigan. Since the inception of this en- 
terprise in 1888, it has enjo3'ed a steady growth 
and an increase in volume from year to year, until 
there is now a dailj' output of sixty thousand 
brick, which, being of excellent quality, find a 
ready sale in the home market and elsewhere. In 
their brick plant they have all the requisite ma- 
chinery and appliances, including the latest im- 
provements and most modern inventions. Two 
years after tiie establishment of the brick plant, 
they added maciiinery for the manufacture of tile, 
which they make of the various sizes up to eight 
inches. 

Our subject was born in Cook County, 111., near 
the city of Chicago, June 15, 1853, and is a son 
of John and Harriet (Paddock) McCord. His par- 
ents were natives of New York State, whence they 
removed in early life to Illinois, and, settling in 
Cook County, were there married. Ujjon a farm 
in that county' the father engaged in general agri- 
cultural pursuits, making a specialty of stock- 
raising, in which he met with fair success. The 
home he there established was his until he was 
called from earth in 187.3. His widow survived 
him for a number of years, her death occurring in 
Cook County in 1887. 

The parental family consisted of eight children, 
five sons and three daughters, Seely being the 
third. Five of the number are now living. Our 
subject spent his youth upon the farm, where he 
assisted his father in the usual routine of agricult- 



ural labors, and in the intervals of work prose- 
cuted his studies in the district school. Later he 
took a commercial course at Br3'ant & Stratton's 
Commercial College in Chicago. Upon starting 
out in business for himself, he went to AVoodson 
County, Kan., where he and a brother purchased 
four thousand acres of land, and for three ^ears 
engaged in raising sheep on their ranch. At the 
expiration of that time, they returned to Cook 
County, 111., having met with more tli.an ordinary 
success in their undertaking. 

In 1883, coming to Benton Harbor, IMr. McCord 
embarked in the fruit business, and, buying a good 
farm, engaged in raising peaches and other fruits. 
At one time he gave considerable attention to 
general farming, and still carries on agricultural 
pursuits to some extent. In 1892 he started a 
dairy, and now has forty milch cows on his place. 
He is the owner of valuable real estate in Benton 
Harbor, and has platted an addition to the southern 
part of the cit}', also a thirty-acre addition in the 
eastern part of the city. The latter he has laid 
out in desirable lots for dwellings, and the prop- 
erty is especially valuable on account of afford- 
ing a fine view of the lake as well as the city. For 
a residence for his family he erected an elegant 
brick structure, but later sold the property to 
Dr. Martha Stevens, who utilizes it for a sani- 
tarium. 

Together with (ieorge J. Edgcumbe, our subject 
founded the Normal and Collegiate Institute, which 
was conducted successfully until 1892. Then, in 
connection with S. A. Bailey, Rev. C. B. Patterson 
and S. H. Edgcumbe, he filed jmpers of incorpora- 
tion, and the name was changed to the Benton 
Harbor College and Normal, which is now recog- 
nized as one of the solid institutions of learning 
of the State. From the establishment of the col- 
lege Mr. McCord has been its devoted friend, and 
has contributed liberally both of his means and 
time to its support. He also took an active part 
in the organization of the first Presbyterian Church, 
December 9, 1892, of which he is an inliuential 
member and Trustee. 

May 25, 1878, occurred the marriage of Mr. 
McCord to Miss Abbie J. Brewster, of Blue Island, 
111., daughter of Rev. W. H. Brewster, and who died 




■ ^ (JlyL^t^/i^. Txt.A,-v_Xy 



^S^ nAA^croX.!' 




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



213 



on llie Gill of AiH-il, 1887, leaving four children: 
Alice, 151:iine, C'atlieiine and (Irace. Mr. McCoid 
was again married, .lune 21, 18'.)2, choosing as his 
wife Miss Maude, daughter of Col. II. K. and Eli/.a- 
hclh (Arndt) Eastman, of Benton Harbor. The 
family residence is attractively situated on Terri- 
torial Street. In his political preferences Mr. Mc- 
Cord h.is always given his sympathy and sup- 
port to tiie Hepulilican party, and is a man who 
takes an intelligent interest in all projects calcu- 
lated to promote the welfare of his fellow-citizens. 



-^-=^m>^^'m 



?Sy=r- 



i— 



l^ ON. ORVILLE W. COOLIDGE, Judge of 
the Circuit Court, and one of the most in- 
fluential citizens of Niles, was born in 
•)) Edwardsburg, Cass County, on the 9th of 
October, 1839. The family of which he is a distin- 
guished member was among the early settlers of this 
Stale and has been largely instrumental in promot- 
ing the progress of this section, having labored to 
secure its advancement along the lines of business 
and i)rufessional growth. 

Among the eminent men of IMichigan, the name 
of .ludge 11. H. Coolidge will be i)erpetuated 
through generations yet to come, and his memory 
will ever be revered as that of a noble man, talent- 
ed attorney and wise judge. It would be well, 
before giving further attention to the biography 
of the son, to narrate briefly the events which gave 
charaeler and distinction to the life of the father. 
II. II. Coolidge was born in Massachusetts, and there 
spent the years of his earlj' boyhood. He was ed- 
ucated at Amherst College, and in 183G he came 
to Mic'iigan, and thenceforth his life was closely 
interwoven with the history of this Slate. 

For many years .Judge Coolidge practiced the 
legal profession in Berrien and Cass Counties, and 
his reputation as a lawyer was such that he enjoyed 
the entire confidence of all his fellow-citizens. In 
1H(>7 he was a menilier of the Constitutional Con- 
vention of Michigan, in which responsible position 
he rendered etlicient service. He was elected Judge 

JO 



of the Second Judicial Circuit, and in that lofty 
place displayed the possession of abilities of no 
common order. After a useful and honored career, 
he was called from earth in 1 872, at the age of 
seventy-nine 3'ears. His wife, whose maiden name 
was Sara A. Mead, was born in Dutchess County, 
N. Y., and accompanied her parents to Michigan 
in 1837. 

The subject of this biographical notice passed 
his youth in Cass County, where he gained a com- 
mon-school education. In 1859 he entered Beloit 
College, at Beloit, Wis., and there pursued the 
studies of the classical course for two years. At 
the beginning of his junior year lie entered the 
State University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, where 
he remained until he completed the studies of the 
literary course, graduating from the institution in 
18G3. lie had resolved to become an atlorne3',and 
in order to thoroughly (jualify himself for that 
profession he entered the law department of Har- 
vard College, from which he graduated in 1865. 

Returning to Niles, our subject formed a legal 
partnership with his father, and the connection 
continued until the death of the latter, with the 
exception of six years, which time the father was 
on the Bench. In 1870 he was elected Prosecut- 
ing Attorney of Berrien County and served in that 
position for two years, lu 1890 his fellow-citizens 
bestowed upon him the highest office in their gift, 
that of Mayor, and his service in that position was 
so eminently satisfactory to both political parties, 
that in the following year he was elected to the 
same oflTice without any opposition. During his 
term of office many municipal reforms were insti- 
tuted and man}' much-needed improvements were 
made. In the spring of 1893 he was chosen .ludge 
of the Second Judicial District, being elected on 
the Republican ticket over Thomas O'llara, tlu; 
Democratic nominee. The Judge is well nualilied 
for the successful discharge of the duties of the 
position, being a man of keen discrimination, 
large talent and judicial bent of mind. 

In addition to his legal and judicial labors, the 

Judge served in 1892 as President of tlie State 

I Savings Bank of Miles; he is also a stockholder 

and Director in the Citizens' Bank of Niles. All 

measures having for their object the improvement 



214 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of the city or the welfare of the citizens meet with 
his hearty and enthusiastic support, and no resi- 
dent of Niles is more devoted to its welfare than 
he. His residence is one of the most beautiful in 
the place, beinw a large, substantial structure with 
a well-kept lawn ornamented with shade trees. 
This attractive home is presided over by his wife, 
whom he married in 1867 and who was Miss Katie, 
daughter of Moses Pettengill, of Niles. 



•^^ ^ i@;^@! ^ ^^^ 



BENJAMIN Y. COLLINS, since 1834 one 
of tlie pioneer settlers and representative 
(^W)i)l business men of Niles, Mich., has for 
^>:=i^' nearly three-score years been a prominent 
factor in the upward progress and development of 
enterprise in his home locality. Our subject is a 
native of Delavvare and was born in Milford, Kent 
Countv, March 14, 181 4. His parents were Thomas 
and Sophia (Candy) Collins. The father was also 
a native of Milford, Del., but the paternal grand- 
father, Thomas Collins, was born in Maryland and 
was of direct Irish descent. The mother was born 
and reared in Delaware, where her father, William 
Candy, was a prosperous farmer. The Cand^s 
were of English descent and, honest, hard-working 
citizens, commanded the respect of all who knew 
them. The father and mother of our subject were 
united in marriage in their native place and made 
their home amid the scenes of their youth. Thomas 
Collins engaged in his trade of a brick-mason un- 
til the close of his life, at the age of thirty-nine 
years. After his death the mother came to Niles 
and died here at three-score years and ten. 

Nine children blessed the old home in Milford. 
Sarah, the eldest, died in Missouri; William died 
in Kansas: Thomas is likewise deceased; James 
passed away in 30uth; Sopiiia, now a widow, re- 
sides in Chicago; Benjamin Y. is our subject; 
John S. lives in Miiton Township, Cass County; 
Mary is Mrs. George N. Bond, of Chicago; James A. 
is a well-known citizen of St. Joseph, Mich., and is 
in the shoe business. Our subject, the sixth child 



and fourth son, was reared and educated in his 
birthplace, and was early trained into habits of 
industr}' and self-reliance. At twent}' years of 
age, having served an apprenticeship at tiie busi- 
ness, he began for himself as a manufacturer of 
shoes. Later, deciding to try his fortunes in the 
West, he came direct to Niles by team, and in 1834 
went to work for J. Staler in the shoe business. Af- 
ter remaining six months with Mr. Staler, he en- 
gaged in the same line of trade for himself, and, 
meeting with success, built the first three-story 
frame building in Niles. Mr. Collins began his 
business on a small scale, but his sales rapidly in- 
creasing he was forced to employ at one time 
twelve shoemakers, and profltabl3- continued in 
the same business for eighteen j-ears. 

In 1851, Mr. Collins conrmenced the manufac- 
ture of brick, .and for a-quarter of a century pros- 
perously handled the product of his kilns and 
yards, and the last brick he ever made was used in 
building up Chicago after the terrible fire of 1871. 
For that purpose he filled one order for three hun- 
dred tliousand brick. In 1871, our subject ret! icd 
from the active cares of daily business and al- 
lowed himself the needed rest after years of con- 
fining employment. Mr. Collins has built thirty 
houses in Niles and has valuable property within 
the town, and also possesses a number of farms. 
In 1845, our subject and Miss Helen Robinson 
were united in marriage at the residence of the 
bride in New York Cit3-. Of the three children 
born unto Mr. and Mrs. Collins two died in 
infancy; one, a son, William B., survives, who 
is a traveling salesman, with headquarters at 
Grand Rapids. He is married and is the father 
of two children. Lucile was born on the same 
da}' and month as our subject, March 11; Helen 
is the youngest. The estimable mother of these 
young daughters was Miss Bacon, a native of 
Niles, of which city her father, Samuel J. Bacon, 
was an old and highl}' esteemed resident. Mr. 
Collins cast his first vote for Martin A'an Buren, 
and has affiliated with the Republican part}' ever 
since the war. During his long years of faithful 
and enterprising citizenship, our subject has effi- 
ciently held important positions of trust, and 
in the early days was a member of the Village 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



215 



Council. He is not connected witli any society, 
and has devoted liinisclf mainly to the demands of 
his private hmsincss interests. In his pleasant 
home, the aliode of hospitality, he receives many 
<ild-tinu' fiicnds, who together recall the struggles 
and triumphs of pioneer days. 



=^ 



''f' 



AMKS V. ROND is a member of the firm of 
Uoss ct Bond, dealers in real estate and 
loans, and insurance and general commis- 
sion agents at Dowagiac. He is a native of 
Michigan, born near Dexter in Washtenaw C'ountj^, 
November 22, 1844, being the son of lloUis and 
Kniily (Faxton) Bond. His father was born in 
New England, and after his marriage to Miss 
Kliza Faxton removed to Genesee County, N. Y., 
settling near IJome, where he bought land and 
engaged in farming. Some years afterward he 
moved to AVashtenaw County, Mich., and located 
in Scio Townshii), where he purchased a farm. 

The first wife of Ho His Bond died in New York, 
leaving two children, Josiah and Thomas, both of 
whom grew to manhood. Josiah was killed in the 
battle of Gett3'sburg; Thomas also enlisted in the 
war, and from the effects of wounds received in 
battle died two 3ears later. Both sons were non- 
commissioned officers. The second marriage of 
HoUis Bond was to Kmily Faxton, a sister of his 
first wife. This lady was born in New York State, 
and died on the 2S)lh of March, 1893. Five chil- 
dren were born of the union, four of whom still 
survive. Benjamin Franklin enlisted during the 
late war and died from consumption, brought on 
by exi)Osure while in the service of the Union. 
The surviving members of the family are: Theo- 
dore, who lives on a farm one and one-half miles 
from Dowagiac; our subject; Elizabeth, who makes 
her home in Dowagiac; and Edward, a civil en- 
gineer and contractor, residing in Watertown, N. Y. 

In 1853 Hollis IJond removed from Washtenaw 
to Cass County, Mich., and settling in Wayne Town- 
ship resided there until his death. Politically, he 



was a Whig and an Abolitionist, and was one of the 

organizers of the Republican |iarty in this county. 
Our subject came to Cass County with his parents 
at the age of seven years and grew to manhood 
here. In 18C8 he was united in marriage with 
Miss Harriett, daughter of Ferris Fletcher, a native 
of Vermont, who settled at an early day in Cass 
County. After his marriage Mr. Bond located on 
a farm in this county and continued to reside 
upon that place for eighteen years. In 1886 lie 
came to Dowagiac and embarked in the grocery 
business in partnershi]) with Charles Amsden, the 
(Inn name being Bond ik Amsden. The partner- 
ship was dissolved four yeais later, and Mr. Bond 
then opened the business in which he now engages. 
He and his wife are the parents of one child, 
Verna E. Another daughter, Ruth, was taken 
by death at the age of two A'ears. 

Politically, Mr. Bond is a Republican, and is in- 
fluential in the party. He was a member of the 
City Council for one term and also served as 
Treasurer of Wayne Township for one term. So- 
cially, he is a Royal Arch INIason and a Knight 
Templar, and is the [iresent Treasurer of the Ma- 
sonic lodge of Dowagiac. All nie.asures having 
for their object the promotion of the interests of 
the city receive the cordial supjiort of Mr. Bond, 
who is one of the public-spirited and enterprising 
citizens to whom Dowagiac is indebted for its 
rapid progress. 



l' EFFERSON OSBORN, one of Cass County's 
leading horticulturists and one of the earli- 
! est pioneers of the township of Calvin, was 
born in Wayne County, Ind., near Rich- 
mond, January 2, 1821, a son of Josiah and INfary 
(Barnard) Osborn. Josiah Osborn was born in 
Tennessee in March, 1800, and was next to the 
eldest in a family- of sixteen children. His father, 
Charles Osborn, was twice married, there being 
seven children by the first and nine by the second 
marriage. Charles, the grandfather of Jefferson, 



216 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



was born in North Carolina, August 8, 1775, and 
was the son of Daniel and Margaret Osborn. 

The ancestry of the Osborn famih- came from 
Wales. The exact date or the name of the original 
emigrant is not within reach of the writer, but the 
fact that Charles was born in North Carolina in 
1775, and that his father, Daniel, was also born in 
that Slate, would seem to indicate that it must 
have been early in the eighteenth century- that the 
family became identified with the liistor^' of the 
State. Back to the most remote date to which we 
have been able to trace them, we find that the Os- 
borns were prominent Quakei'S and very influ- 
ential in that societj-. Grandfather Osborn was 
the most noted of all the family. Early in life he 
showed his devotion to the faith of his forefatiiers, 
and while his parents were people of moderate 
means, he applied himself to his studies and through 
his own exertions became a very learned man. 

At the age of twenty-three years Charles Osborn 
was united in marriage with Sarah Newman. In 
1808 we find him in Tennessee, one of the most 
powerful and eloquent Quaker preachei-s of his 
day and generation. He was a most pronounced 
Abolitionist, and in 181-1 he took a bold stand for 
the aboUtion of human slavery; in fact, he ad- 
vocated with tongue and pen the immediate and 
unconditional emancipation of the slaves, and 
was the first man in the I'nited States to dare 
to take such a stand and publicly advocate it. 
This departure on his part created wide-spread 
constern.ation throughout the entire country, but 
more especially in the South. So determined was 
he on this course that it caused a division in his 
own (the Friends') church, and two years later, or 
in 1816, he was so persecuted for upholding his 
views that he was compelled to leave Tennessee. 

With his family and those of his church who 
upheld him, Charles Osborn went to Ohio and set- 
tled at Mt. Pleasant, where he established a paper 
called The Philanthropist., which was the first paper 
ever established to advocate the emancipation of 
the slaves. He did not meet with a very hearty 
endorsement of his plan in Ohio, and three years 
later we find him and his followers wending their 
way to Indiana and locating in Wayne County. 
There he not only preached the Gospel, but con- 



tinued to publicly advocate the emancipation of 
the slaves, and his sermons, lectures and newspaper 
articles were published far and near and in nianj' 
cases most severely criticised, but he was nothing 
daunted. He kept right on in what he believed 
to b(! right .and in what he hoped to see accom- 
plished in his day. 

In 1832 Charles Osborn made an extended tour 
of the Old World, ostensibl}' in the interest* of 
his church, but more likely it was to work up a 
feeling against human slavery in his own " free " 
land, and in this wa}* to add strength to his jjosi- 
tiou on this all-impoi-tant question. He remained 
abroad for a year and a-half and then returned to 
Indiana and continued his work in that State un- 
til 1842, when he came to Michigan, locating in 
Vandalia, Cass County, where he remained until 
1848. He then returned to Indiana and located 
at Clear Lake, in Porter County, where he lived 
until his death, December 29, 1850. The ambition 
of his life had been to see the slaves free, but he 
died without witnessing the fruits of his labor, 
though still confident that the daj- of emancipation 
was not far distant. He knew much of the workings 
of the so-called " underground railroad " and was 
known to have kei)t one of the stations inside of 
which a runaway slave was safe. When he jiassed 
awa3' the negro lost a true friend, the church an 
eloquent preacher, and the countrj- an able and 
forcible writer; j'et his writings were not all ap- 
plauded and were sometimes bitterly condemned, 
still they had much to do with the final emancipa- 
tion of the slave. 

As above stated, Charles Osborn was twice mar- 
ried, his first wife being Sarah Newman, who bore 
him six sons and one daughter. .James, the eldest, 
was prominent as a teacher; Josiah, the father of 
our subject, was a mechanic; Lj'dia married Eli 
Newlan, who was an influential preacher in the 
Quaker Church; .John was well known as one of 
the leading horticulturists of his day; Isaiah was a 
preacher in the Society of Friends; Elijah fol- 
lowed the occupation of a farmer; and Eliliu also 
engaged in farming pursuits. The mother of this 
family died in Tennessee, and Mr. Osborn after- 
ward married Hannah, the daughter of Elihu 
and Sarah Swain, leading Quakers of Tennes- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



217 



see. She bore liim nine children, four ihiughters 
and live sons, as ffiliows: Narcissa, Cyntliia, Gid- 
eon, ( liaih'S X.. I'aiker, .k)i(lon, IJonjamin, Sarali 
ami Anna, all of whom were engaged in the ordi- 
nary pursuits (jf life. .lordon is living in Cass- 
opolis; Anna married .lesse Kast and resides in 
I'.iifhauan, Micli.; Charles and I'arker iiiako their 
lionic in Clinton County, Ohio. 

.losiah Oshorn, the father of the subject of this 
skeleh, was a cabinet-maker by trade, a man of but 
ordinary education but well informed. He was a 
prominent member of the (,>uaker Chui-ch and like 
Ills father was a most pronounced Abolitionist. It 
was not his privilege either to see the cinaiici|)ation 
of the slaves, as he died in 18G2, during the prog- 
re.ss of the Civil War. lie married for his first 
wife Miss Mary, the daughter of I'riah and Kliza- 
betli (Macy) Barnard. The Barnard and Macy 
families were natives of the Island of Nantucket, 
an<l were of English .ancestiy. By ocenpati(jn they 
were sea-faring men and whalers. The mother of 
our subject was born in Ohio October 19, 1800. 
Her father was born at Nantucket on the 27th of 
August, 1761; her mother, who was the daughter 
of Joseph and Mary M.acy, was born at Nantucket 
October 11, 1763. 

The family of Mr. and Mrs. Macy consisted of 
ten children, as follows: Jethro, who was born on 
Christmas Day, 1782; .Joseph, whose birth occurred 
in 1781; Love, December 31, 1786; Hannah, in 
1788; Elizabeth, M.arch 26, 1790; Anna, M.iy 28, 
1791; George, Sei)tember 7, 1798; Mary, October 
19, 1800; William, .lune 29, 1803; and John, 
March 2, 1806. Josiali and Mary (Barnard) Os- 
born were the parents of seven children. The eld- 
est, Elisoii, married Martha East, who died leav- 
ing two sons and two daughters. They now live 
in Missouri, where he is engaged in the occupa- 
tion of fanning and is a prominent member of 
the Quaker CMiurch. .lefferson, the next in or- 
der of birth, will be mentioned more fully further 
on in this sketch. Leander, the third child, mar- 
ried Mary Helen Beal,and they have two children, 
both boys. He is a graduate of the Chicago Medi- 
cal College and a successful physician at A'andalia, 
Cass County, Mich. Obid married Jane Taylor, 
and aftei her death he again married, choosing as 



his wife Miss Priscilla Glass; they have had three 
children, only one of whom is now living. Their 
home is in \'an Buren County, Mich., where Mr. 
Oshorn is engaged as a farmer, although in early 
life he followed the profession of a schf)ol teacher. 
Louisa married Alonzo Evans; Angeline became 
the wife of James Oron; Charles chose for his wife 
Miss Mary Glass, and now lives at Flureka, Kan., 
where he is a successful stock-raiser. 

The mother of these children died in Cass 
County in 1851, and the father afterward married 
Eliza Malory, a native of the State of Vermont. 
There were no children by this marriage. After 
the death of Mr. Osboru, in 1862, his widow re- 
turned to Poultney, Rutland County, Vt, where 
she now makes her home. The gentleman whose 
name heads this sketch came to Michigan from 
Indiana in 183.5, when he was eleven years old, 
and settled with his (larents in C'alvin Township, 
Cass County. What education he received w.as in 
the schools of Indiana prior to removing to Michi- 
gan, for the advantages in this i)art of the State 
were limited in those days. He had to hel|) clear 
up the farm in the then heavily liinl>ered country, 
and experienced the hardship incident to life in a 
new country. 

At the age of twcnly-lhree Jeflferson ( >sborn 
married Frances Tharp, the daughter of Levi and 
Nancy Tharp, pioneers of Michigan and members 
of old N'irginia families. After his marriage he 
located on a farm near his father's home and just 
south of where he now lives. His wife died in 
1851, leaving two children. LeRoy, who was born 
June 15, 1848, was educated at Niles and Ann 
Arbor, Mich., and now lives in Cassopolis. He 
married Miss Lydia E. Chess, and the}- have three 
children: Don V., Louis J. and Robert. Clara E. 
was born January 21, 1850, and was educated at 
Niles. She died at Jack.sonville, Fla., in May, 
1888, where her father had taken her, hoping that 
the change of climate would benelil her health. 

In 1853 Mr. Osborn married .Airs. Su.sanna (East) 
Osborn, the daughter of Joel and Sarah East. Her 
father was boin in (Jrayson County, Xa... Septem- 
ber 26, 1802, and was the son of William East, 
likewise a native of the Old Dominion and a 
member of a well-kiiou ii (^u:iker family. Joel East 



218 



PORTRAIT AND BIO(:iRAPIIICAL RECORD. 



was a leading preacher in the Society of Friends, 
and went to Tennessee from Virginia and from 
there to Richmond, Ind., where Mrs. Osborn was 
born October 10, 1829. Her mother, whose maiden 
name was Sarah Bulla, was born in Wayne County, 
Ind., in 1809, her parents, Thomas and Susanna 
Bulla, being members of an old North Carolina fam- 
ily. The East familj' was represented in Calvin 
Township during the very first days of its develop- 
ment. Mrs. Osborn was a widow at the time of her 
marriage to our subject, having formerly been the 
wife of his uncle Benjamin, the youngest son of 
Charles Osborn. Benjamin Osborn died in vSep- 
tember, 1849, leaving one child, a daughter, Cj'n- 
thia Ann, who afterward married an Englishman, 
George Pullen, and now resides in Calvin Town- 
ship. Mrs. Osborn came to Michigan with her 
parents in 1832, when she was but three years of 
age, and has lived in Cass County ever since. 

Two children have been born of the second 
union of Mr. Osborn. Mary Frances, who was 
born December 8, 1853, married Irving Mitchell, 
Superintendent of Schools at Milwaukee, Wis.; 
they have no children. Frank Russell, whose birth 
occurred on the 7th of September, 1858, married 
Miss Mary Lee, and is now a successful orange- 
grower at De Land, Fla. The three children born 
of this union all died in infancy and the wife and 
mother passed away in the spring of 1893. 

Like his father, grandfather and great-grand- 
father, the subject of this sketch was formerly an 
Abolitionist. His lirst vote was cast in that partj', 
and like his forefathers he was known to have been 
a "director" in the great "underground railroad." 
In 1854 he was elected County Treasurer of Cass 
County' and filled the ofHce most creditablj' for 
four years. He has also served as County Super- 
visor, Township Treasurer, and was for more than 
twenty years a Justice of the Peace. Upon the 
organization of the Republican party he cast in his 
lot with that organization and from that day to 
this has been a most ardent supporter of its princi- 
ples. 

Mr. Osborn's life occupation has been that of a 
farmer and horticulturist. In 1867 he went to 
Niles, where he resided for some years while he 
was educating his children. Upon his return to 



Cah'in Township, some seventeen years ago, he lo- 
cated on the farm where he has ever since resided 
and where he and his most estimable wife are 
spending their declining years, surrounded bj' all 
the comforts of life in their pleasant home. They 
have ever adhered to the religion of their forefa- 
thers and are most exemplaiy members of the So- 
ciety of Friends. Many years ago Mr. Osborn be- 
came a member of the Masonic fraternity, which 
is a little out of the usual order of the (Juaker 
Church, yet not prohibited in later years. 






^(•f •5'4**5*b 



''♦•5-*+F 



OTIS BIGELOW, dealer in pianos, oi'gans and 
musical merchandise at Dowagiac, has spent 
his entire life in the city where he now re- 
sides, and was born here on the 18th of August, 
1854. In his boyhood he was a student in the 
schools of Dowagiac, where he carried on his stud- 
ies until within one year of completing the course. 
He learned the trade of an upholsterer inChicago, 
after which ho returned to Dowagiac and was em- 
ployed here for a time. In 1873 he went to Chi- 
cago in order to take lessons on the pipe organ, and 
acquired great proficiency- in that art. A practical 
and skilled musician, he served fifteen years as 
leader of the Dow.agiac Cornet Band and was the 
organizer of the Bigelow Orchestra (now known 
as the Opera House Orchestra), and is a cornet 
player of more than ordinary ability. He has in- 
structed bands at various places throughout the 
country. 

In 1886, Mr. Bigelow established a branch store 
at Niles, but two years afterward removed the stock 
here. In his business he has built up a large trade, 
and through his energy, ambition and push has 
gained a well-merited success. He devotes his en- 
tire attention to the details of his business. In 
1878 he was united in marriage witli Miss Anna, 
daughter of .Joseph S. Tultle, a leather and lumber 
merchant of Niles. Of this union there was one 
child, a son who died in infancy. Politically, Mr. 
Bigelow is a Republican and maintains a deep 



PORTRAIT AND liJOGKAril'CAL RECORD. 



219 



interest in public affairs. In liis religious belief 
he is a Congregationalisl and for a nuinl)er of 
years he has been organist in the clnircli at 
Dowagiac. 

Among the prominent business men of Dowagiau 
is Harvoy Bigelow, father of our subject, who is 
engaged in the furniture and undertaking busi- 
ness at that place. He was born in Half Moon, 
Rensselaer County, N. Y., on the 4th of .luly, 181G. 
His father, Harvey Bigelow, Sr., a native of Con- 
necticut, resided for a time in Half Moon, whence 
he came to Michigan in 1843 and, settling at La 
(Irange, Cass County, remained there until his 
death, which occurred about 18G1. Harve3' Bige- 
low, Jr., was reared in New York and came to Mich- 
igan in 1837, locating in La Grange, Cass County. 
Having learned the trade of a cabinet-maker, he 
einl)arked in that business at La Grange and fol- 
lowed that occupation for fourteen years. 

At Hartford, Conn, in September, 1839, occurretl 
the marriage of Harvey Bigelow to Miss Rosina 
Hurlbut. The young couple came at once to Mich- 
igan and resided in La Grange until the death of 
the wife, after two years of wedded life. There was 
no issue by this marriage. Two years later Mr. Bige- 
low returned to Connecticut, and was married to 
Laura M. Hurlbut, sister of his first wife and daugh- 
ter of Jared Hurlbut. He returned to La Grange 
in 1843 and conducted a furniture and undertak- 
ing business. In 1851 he came to Dowagiac, where 
he now carries on an extensive business as a furni- 
ture dealer and undertaker. By his second wife he 
had four children: Charles IL, who is a traveling 
salesman; Herman M., a contractor at Olympia, 
Wash.; Harvey S., a photographer at Dowagiac, 
and the suljject of this sketch. 

One of the pioneer business men of Cass County, 
Mr. Bigelow had the first cabinet shop in Cass 
County as well as in Dowagiac. Starting in life 
without means, he has been able through indu.stry 
and energy to accumulate a competency. However, 
he has had his share of misfortunes. In 1881 his 
store was burned to the ground, entailing a loss of 
*20,(>()0, the savings of his lifetime. But undaunted 
by this niisfortuiie ho started bravely at work again 
and succeeded in a short time in regaining a sub- 
stantial footinu ill the commercial world. A man 



of excellent habits, he has never used tobacco and 
is strictly tem|)erate. In his political belief he is 
a Republican. Since boyhood he has been identi- 
fied with the Congregational Church and has served 
as a Deacon for manj' years. 



\l-^ ENRY' M. LEE. The banking house of 
■■ Lee Bros. & Co. is numbered among the 
most prominent financial institutions of 
southwestern Michigan, and as its business 
affairs are conducted upon a substantial and con- 
servative basis it has gained the confidence of the 
|)ublic to a degreee not usually enjoyed. The 
management of the bank is in the hands of the 
subject of this notice, and associated with him in 
business are his father, Ciiauncey T. Lee, and his 
brother, Fred E., Kate Beckwith Lee and Sarah H. 
Lee. 

A resident of this .State throughout his entire 
life, Mr. Lee was born in Edwardsburgh, Mich., on 
the 28th of October, 18.5(i, being the son of Ciiaun- 
cey T. and Sarah H. (Lockwood) Lee, of whom 
further mention is made elsewhere in this volume. 
At the age of two years he was brought by his 
parents to Dowagiac and has since made his home 
in this cit_v. In the public schools of this place he 
laid the foundation of his education, which was 
afterward supplemented b^' a course of study in 
Buchtel College, at Akron, ( )liio. Later he entered 
Sniithson College, at Log;uisi)ort, Ind., from which 
institution he was graduated with the Class of '76. 
His literary studies completed, Mr. Lee returned 
to Dowagiac and embarked in the grocery busi- 
ness, to which he later added the drug trade. For 
ten years he conducted an extensive and profitable 
business in these lines, becoming well and favor- 
al)Iy known among the people. In 1887 lie formed 
a parlneiship with C. T. Lee, F. E. Lee and Sarah 
H. Lee in the banking business, the linn being 
known as the Lee Bros. & Co. Bank. The}- began 
business in the block oiipositc their prcscnl loca- 



220 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



tion, and after remaining in that place about six 
years removefl, in March, 1893, to their present 
house. 

The marriage of Mr. L'ee occurred in 1876, and 
united him with Miss Cora, daughter of William 
Bridges, an extensive farmer and prominent stock- 
raiser of Putnam County, Ind. Mrs. Lee was born 
in that county and received an excellent educa- 
tion at Smithson College, being a lady of culture 
and intelligence. She is the mother of one child, 
Helen. While Mr. Lee devotes his attention 
principally to his banking business, he also main- 
tains a warm interest in all measures to promote 
the welfare of his fellow-citizens, and, politically, 
.advocates the principles of the Republican party. 
In his social connections he is identified with the 
Masonic fraternit.y. 

Tiie banking house of Lee Bros. & Co. is worthj' 
of more than passing mention. Their room is 
located in (he corner of the Beckwith Memorial 
Building, Dowagiac. The furniture and wood- 
work are of mahogany, the floor of mosaic, the 
finishings and wainscotting of Tennessee marble 
and the metallic work of Jai)an coppered. Tlie 
entire effect is most pleasing to the eye, present- 
ing a combination of quiet elegance and superb 
appointments not to be seen elsewhere in Dowagiac. 
The "Hall" safe is of the very latest approved pat- 
tern, while there is also a large brick vault. Tlie 
capital stock of the bank is ^4<l,()00, and the es- 
timated worth $300,000. 



_=] 



"SI 



^+^ 



eL. SHERWOOD, a leading and enterprising 
citizen, for twentj'-livc 3'ears prosperously 
engaged in the drug business in Dowagiac, 
Cass Coiiiit-yi Mich., has during his life of busy 
usefulness held important otlicial positions of 
trust. Our subject was born at Waterford, Erie 
County, Pa., September 4, 1837, and was one of 
the five children who blessed the home of P. W. 
and Aurilla (F'rye) Sherwood. The father was a 
native of Oneida County, N. Y., but removed with 



his family to Pennsylvania when only a boy. 
The mother was born in Vermont, and her an- 
cestry for many generations had dwelt in the 
Green Mountain State. Her father was a clergy- 
man of the Methodist denomination and w.as a 
sincere and devoted Christian man, laboring for 
the welfare of others. Mr. Sherwood received his 
early training and education in tlie schools of his 
home locality, and was yet in his ciiildliood wlien 
he began self-reliantly to fit himself to success- 
fully make his own way in life. 

At twelve years of age our subject went to Or- 
leans County, N. Y., to learn the drug business, and 
remained in that part of the State until 1859, when 
he located in Union City, Pa., and, opening a 
drug store, entered into business for himself. He 
prosperously conducted the store in Union City 
until 1868, and during his nine j'ears of residence 
was the efficient Mayor of the city for two terms. 
While in Union City he was also appointed Post- 
master under Lincoln, and discliaiged the duties 
involved with executive ability. In 1868, he 
came to Dowagi.ac, and established himself in the 
drug trade, and since then, empl03'ed in handling 
the same line of goods, has built up a fine business, 
one of the best in Cass County. Our subject was 
for a long time the popular Postmaster of Dow- 
agiac, acceptably caring for the local mail during the 
second term of President Grant. He was re-ap- 
pointed Postmaster by President Hayes and served 
with faithful abilit}^ in that official capacity for a 
period of ten years. 

In 1861, C. L. Sherwood and Miss Mary Wood, 
of Murray, Orleans County, N. Y., were united in 
marriage. Mrs. Sherwood was a daughter of Dr. 
E. and Selinda (Gibson) Wood. Her father w.as 
born in New Y'ork State, and the mother w.as a 
native of Malone. IMr. and Mrs. Sherwood are 
prominent in the social world of Dow.agiac and 
enjoy the esteem of a large circle of acquaintances. 
Our subject has ever been in jiolitical affiliation a 
stalwart Republican, especially active in promot- 
ing the interests of the "Party of Reform." He 
is a public-spirited citizen, full}' in accord with 
the progressive movements of the da}^, being well 
posted in local and national issues. 

Mr. Sherwood is one of the substantial repre- 




W^i^ 



■^. 



1* 



;] 





r^ 



^*^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



223 



sentalive nion of Cass County, and has used liis 
utmost endeavor to build up the various interests 
and progressive enterprises of Dowagiac. For 
years fraternally associated with tlie Ancient Free 
it Accepted Masons, lie is a valued member of 
Peninsula Lodge No. LM4. lie belongs to Keystone 
Cliapter No. 36 and is one of the twelve Knights 
Templar of Niles Commandery. Me is also connected 
with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the 
Knights of Honor and the Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows, being High Priest. 



•{•^•i-^E* 



ST/_^ ON. WILLIAM SMYTHK FARMER was 
born in Charleston, ftlontgomery County, 
N. Y., May 24, 1815. In the district 
schools of that daj- he acquired a practical 
education, and at the age of seventeen he entered 
a country store in Minaville as clerk, and was 
later similarly engaged in Fulton ville, Montgomery 
County, N. Y. In 1839 he formed a partnership 
with his former employer, Hcnrj- P. Voorhees, and 
embarked in a general mercantile, grain and lumber 
business. Coming to lierricn Count}^ Mich., in 
December, 1848, he settled in the woods of Pipe- 
stone Township and commenced opening a farm 
in the heavy timber, clearing one hundred acres a 
year for the first three years. This work he has 
continued, until on his farm of some sixteen hun- 
dred acres over one thousand acres have been 
changed from dense forests to cultivated fields. 

To the cultivation and man.agement of his farm, 
Mr. Farmer has given his personal attention and 
has devoted the place to the growing of grass and 
grain, and tiie raising of cattle, horses and sheep. 
At the same time he lias been engaged in the 
purchase and sale of real estate on his own account 
and as agent for oliiers. An active [)articipator 
in all public improvements, he procured the estab- 
lishment of the first mail route from Niles to St. 
.losepli, on Ihe north side of the St. Joseph River, 
via Eau Claire, Pipestone, Sodns and ilenton Har- 
bor (giving to Eau Claire its name). .Mr. Farmer 



was one of the originators and incorporators of 
the Elkhart & I>ake Michigan Railroad, and spent 
time and money to secure the opening of the 
Cincinnati, Wabash A Michigan Railroad via Elk- 
hart to lienton Harbor. Having ))ro|)erty interests 
in IJenton Harbor, he estal)lished his residence there 
in 1881, and entered with his .accustomed energy 
into all measures having for their object the pros- 
perity and moral advancement of the city. 

Before becoming a voter, Mr. Farmer had decided 
views on the political questions of the time. Being 
a general reader, a student of histoiy, a close 
observer, he reasoned from cause to effect and 
became an advocate of the American, or Protection, 
policy, casting his first Presidential vote for Ilenr}' 
Cl.ay. Assuming as a fundamental [)rinciple that 
every man has a right to himself, he has alwaj'S 
been opposed to slavery, but could see no wisdom 
in a political anti-slavery party. Acting with the 
Whigs (as the party nearest in accordance with his 
views), he cast his vote for Henry Clay in 183(1, 
William Henr}' Harrison in 1840, Henry Cl.ay in 
1844, Zachary T.-iylor in 1848, and ( Icn. Scott in 
1852. 

On the organization of the Republican party in 
1856, Mr. Farmer united with it, endorsing most 
fully its principles, and acting with it to the present 
time. As a member of the committee on the Elec- 
tive Franchise in the Constitutional Convention 
of 1867, he favored the extension of the suffrage 
without regard to r.ace or sex, and in the commit- 
tee of the whole moved to strike out the word 
"male" from that article. It was stricken out by 
vote of the committee, but restored by the final 
action of the convention. Of firm convictions, 
zealous for principles, believing that [)arty organi- 
zation is necessary for the successful carrying for- 
ward of principles, Mr. Farmer has worked and 
voted for the nominees of his party, rnwilling 
to incur political obligations or hamper his free- 
dom of action, he has steadily refused to be a 
candidate for oflice (with two exceptions). During 
the War of the Rebellion, from a feeling of duty, 
and anxious to care for the families of the absent 
soldiers, he accepted the odice of Supervisor of his 
township. Again, at the urgent solicitalioii of 
friends, he consented to the use of his name as a 



224 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



candidate for the Constitutional Convention of 
1867. Berrien County being entitled to tliree 
delegates, Mr. Farmer was nominated on tlie first 
ballot, with four candidates in the field. At the 
election there was but one vote cast against him in 
his township of Pipestone. 

October 16, 1862, Mr. Farmer married Miss Han- 
nah Deuel, who. at that time was a resident of 
Urbana, Ohio. Three children were born to them, 
two sons and one daughter. Their elder son 
died in early ciiildhood, leaving to them the 
daughter, Sara L., and son, Koseoe D. Mr. Farm- 
er's paternal grandfather was of Norman-P>nglisli 
birth, was e(luealed in Germany and married a 
German. About IT/JO be emigrated to the United 
States and settled in New Jersey, a few miles from 
New Brunswick. Holding a commission in the 
Continental army, he left his family to the care of 
his slaves. When the British troops occupied New 
Brunswick, the slaves deserted the family and load- 
ed themselves with chickens for the "red coats," 
but on the evacuation of the cit}' by the British, 
the "darkies" were very glad to come home. 

The father of our subject, Samuel Farmer, was 
born in New .Jersey in 1780, and removed to Mont- 
gomery County, N. Y., in 1809. During the fol- 
lowing year he married Huldah Burton, and died 
in Brookl3'n, N. Y., in 1837. His wife was born in 
Charleston, Montgomery County', N. Y., in 1790, 
and died in Berrien County, Mich., in 1883. Judali 
Burton, her paternal grandfather, held a Major's 
commission in the Continental armj^ His ances- 
tors were of English origin and were among the 
earliest settlers of the Hudson River Valley. Her 
maternal ancestors (the Smythes) were among the 
early emigrants from England, and settled in the 
Connecticut Valley, where they endured the pri- 
vations incident to pioneer life. On one occasion 
their buildings were burned and stock destroyed 
by the Indians, the family saving their lives by 
hiding in the forest. 

At a meeting of a State Convention of the Pat- 
rons of Husbandrj' at Lansing Mich., December 
14, 1876, Mr. Farmer, being Chairman of the 
coniniittee on resolutions, drew up the resolutions 
which were adopted by the committee and ratified 
by the convention. It may here be proper to state 



that Ml'. Farmer was in favor of the resumption 
of specie payments by the Government, and the 
resolution which followsshowed that he anticipated 
the action of the Secretary of the Treasury by one 
year. 

Article 6tli. Resolvkd That, recognizing the 
fact that a mixed currency, that of the lowest value, 
will be the circulating medium, we therefore 
recommend that the precious metals (gold and 
silver) should be placed on an equality as legal 
tender; and that the Government should not 
discredit its own paper by refusing to receive it 
at any time or for any purpose. 

It may be well to state for the benefit of the 
present reader that gold was required by the 
Goverment for custom dues, and silver was not a 
legal tender in sums above $5. 

Recognizing man's freedom of choice and action, 
}'et holding him closely accountable for the result 
of his action ^Ir. Farmer is an Arminian in principle 
and for some years has been an active member of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church. For the last four 
years he has acted as Secretary of the Board of 
Trustees of the Niles District, and in 1878 was 
with the Rev. S. T. Cooper the building committee. 
That committee planned and erected an auditorium' 
or tabernacle building on the Crystal Springs 
Camp Ground, which is said to be the best of the 
kind in the Slate, seating about four thousand 
people. Mr. Farmer, believing that success is the 
result of properly applied effort and labor, and the 
present the time for action, has adopted as his 
own the motto on the Farmer family crest, "It is 
time." 



. QC ^ 



"oS- 









\fl STAN LEY MORTON, Secretary and Treas- 
urer of tlie Excelsior Gas Company and one 
of the wealthy and progressive citizens of 
' Benton Harbor, wjis born in this city on the 
16th of September, 1850, and has p.assed his entire 
life in the place where he now makes his home. 
His father, Hoiiry C, was born in tlie State of Now 
York in 1817, being the son of Eleazer Mortou, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL RECORD. 



225 



one of Denton Harbor's pioneers. Henry C. set- 
tled licre as early as 1834, and soon became closely 
connected with tlie progress of the place, wit- 
iK'ssinji- its development from a tiny liamlet, with 
primitive surroundings, to a thriving city with all 
the conveniences of modern life. He was instru- 
mental in projecting and Ituildiug the ISenton 
Harbor (anal, and likewise contiibutcd of his 
money and assistance to many other important 
enterprises. Now at an advanced age, lie resides 
in IJenton Harbor, passing the twilight of his hon- 
ored life somewhat retired from active business 
cares. His wife, vvho bore the maiden name of 
•Josephine Stanley, died in 18."j9, leaving four sons, 
only one of wiiom is now living, J. Stanlej', the 
subject of this biographical notice. 

Our subject passed iiis boyhood days in Benton 
Harbor, where he conducted his studies in the com- 
mon schools piior to the .age of fifteen years. He 
then secured a position as clerk in a general store, 
where he remained for four years. At the early 
.age of nineteen years he engaged in the drug busi- 
ness, opening a store, which he conducted until 
187:5, when he disposed of the business. 

The enterprise in which Mr. Morton next be- 
came interested w.as that with which his name has 
for years been inseparably connected. Forming a 
parlnershi|) with .John H. Graham, under the firm 
name of Graham, Morton ik Co., he became inter- 
ested in a steamboat line between Chicago and 
Ik'uloii Harbor. In 1880 the name of the firm was 
changed to the Graham it Morton Transportation 
Company, and as such carried on an extensive 
business, both in passenger and freight trallic, un- 
til 18',Kj, when Mr. Morton retired from the com- 
pany. For several years prior to withdrawing 
from the business, he had served as Secretary and 
Treasurer of the company. 

After retiring from the transportation company, 
Mr. Morton, in comiiany with C. M. Edick and J. 
Stevens, purchased three-fourths of the stock of 
the E.xcelsior Gas Company from Peter English, 
of Iieiiton Harbor. Since that time our subject 
has held the iM)sition of .Secretary and Treasurer 
of the company. For several years he has held the 
position of Xicc-Prcsident of the First National 
IJank of Benton Harbor, and is also President of 



tiie Stevens it Morton Lumber Company, and 
Treasurer of the Alden Canning Company. One 
of the organizers of the Benton Harbor Improve- 
ment Company, he has been prominently coiiueclod 
with this enterprise since its inception, and has olli- 
ciatcd as its Secretary for the past two years. 

The marriage of Mr. IVforton took place .hine 21 , 
1871, to Carrie Heath, of lien ton Harbor, the daugh- 
ter of .Salmon F. and .lulia Heath, residents of this 
city. The family residence is a substantial struc- 
ture, located amid beautiful surroundings. In ad- 
dition to this home Mr. Morton has other extensive 
and valuable property interests, and is the owner 
of the tract of land which he has recently platted 
in city lots, it being known as Morton <fe Stevens' 
Second Addition to Benton Harbor. In his social 
connections he afliliates with Lake Shore Lodge 
No. 298, A. F. & A. M. In politics he is a stanch 
Republican. 



%. 




^ L. GEORGE, a well-known business man 
of Benton Harbor, conducted a tlour- 



'^^ ishing boot and shoe establishment for 
almost a score of j'ears. Being a gentleman of 
superior business attainments and experienced in 
mercantile pursuits, the methods he adopted com- 
mended him to the favor and patronage of the 
people of Benton Harbor and the surrounding 
country. In his store w.as found a large stock, 
including in its selection every grade and qual- 
ity of goods for ladies', men's or children's wear. 
The owner of the establishment gave to it his close 
personal supervision, so that in every detail the 
business was reliable. 

The famil}' of which our subject is a worthy 
representative originated in England. His pater- 
nal grandfather, Timothy George, was born in 
New Ham|)shire, which State was also the birth- 
place of Woodbridge George, father of our subject. 
He was one of the brave soldiers in the War of 
1812, and was also one of the pioneers of St. Jo- 



226 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



seph, Midi., where he made setllenieiit in 1842. 
His wife was Sarah Fariar, a native of Jefferson 
County, N. Y., and the daughter of .losiah Farrar, 
of Vermont. The parental family comprised six 
children, W. L. being the third. 

Born in Jefferson County, N. Y., June 24, 1829, 
our subject gained a fundamental knowledge of 
the "three R"s" in the common schools of the home 
neighborhood. At the age of twelve he accom- 
panied his parents to St. Joseph. When fifteen 
years old he went sailing, securing a position as 
cook on a vessel on Lake Michigan. From that 
humble position he worked his way upward, and 
was promoted through successive offices to the 
position of Captain of "The Mariner." a vessel 
that plied the waters of Lake Michigan between 
Chicago, St. Joseph and Muskegon. After ten 
j'ears of life on the Lakes, Capt. George retired 
permanently therefrom. 

Having been seized with the "gold fever," our 
subject went to California in 1851 and engaged in 
mining for two years, after which he returned to 
Michigan, with more experience, if not more gold. 
He owned land in Bainbridge Township, Berrien 
Countv, and there he settled, entering upon the 
routine of a farmer's life. His agricultural oper- 
ations proved quite successful, and lie continued 
thus engaged until 1867, when he innchased a 
fruit farm near the village of Benton Harlior and, 
locating on this place, he embarked in the busi- 
ness of fruit-growing, which he has continued up 
to tiie present time. In 1877 he opened the boot 
and shoe store mentioned above, and which he has 
recently sold. 

In politics a stanch Repulilican, Capt. George 
served as Supervisor of Benton Harl)or for four 
years, and is now filling the position of Alderman 
from the Second Ward, having been elected to 
that office in 1893 on the Republican ticket. So- 
cially, lie is identified witii Lake Shore Lodge No. 
298, A. F. 6; A. M., and Calvin Brittain Chapter, of 
St. Joseph. On the 28th of August, 1851, he mar- 
ried Miss Ravina Pitcher, of Watervliet, Berrien 
Countj-, tlie daughter of Andrew Pitcher, who 
removed from New York, his native State, to Michi- 
gan in 1844 and settled In Berrien County. The 
union of liie Captain and his estimable wife was 



blessed by the birtli of three children: Cora, who 
married George Owen and resides in Chicago; 
Lina E. and Florence E., who are with their father. 
The devoted wife and motiier died at the family 
home in Benton Harbor December 11, 1887, leav- 
ing a void in the family circle that can never 
b(^ filled. The sweet and cheerful life she lived, 
her constant interest in the welfare of ail around 
her, her zeal that lost sight of self in tr3'ing to 
contribute to the happiness of others, and her 
lovely Christian character, endeared her to all who 
knew her. 






!>^^<l 



LIJAH S. B. VAIL. Though passed from 
tlie scenes of his former activity, Mr. A'ail 
still lives in the hearts of the host of warm 
personal friends to whom he was endeared. His 
demise was widely mourned, for he had an exten- 
sive acquaintance throughout Berrien County and 
was highly regarded as a successful and public- 
spirited business man. Such a life as his may well 
serve as an example for the young to emulate and 
the aged to admire. A brief review of its most 
salient features will therefore be appropriate in 
this volume. 

In the city of New York our subject was liorn 
September 30, 1821. His father, Charles Vail, was 
a native of Westchester County, N. Y., and was 
the son of Thomas Vail, likewise a native of the 
Empire State. The paternal ancestors were of 
English birth, and members of the family were 
represented in America during the early Colonial 
days. The motiier of our subject w.as known in 
maidenhood as Nancy Totten and was also a de- 
scendant of Englisii ancestors. Elijah .S. B. S|)ent 
the years of his boyhood in New York City, where 
he was a pu|iil in the |iiiblic schools and acquired 
a practical education. 

In 185.J Mr. N'ail removed to Wisconsin, where 
he located in La Crosse and embarked in business 
as a real-estate agent. He laid out an addition to 
the cit}' and in other ways aided in promoting its 



PORTRAIT AND CICGRAl'IIICAL RECORD. 



227 



growth. In IS6I lie removed from La Crosse to 
St. .Ios(^|>li, aii'l lu'ie eommcucud in business as a 
fruit-grower. He continued on the s.anic place 
engaged in raising fruit until his death, RIareli 18, 
I88(;. Since liis demise liis widow has conducted 
the business u|i(in liei property, and as she possesses 
excellent judgment and eneigy she has made a 
success of the undertaking. She owns fifty-three 
acres and gives especial attentu>n to raising pears, 
fie.'iehes and berries. 

This estimable lady was formerly Miss Helen V. 
Uussell and became the wife of iMi-. \:u\ Novem- 
ber 2',), 18()6. She is the daughter of Samuel and 
[{ebeeca (.Jennings) Russell, bfith of whom were 
natives of New York and early settlers of Berrien 
County. Mrs. Vail was boin in St. .Joseph and re- 
ceived an excellent education in the .schools of this 
place. .She is a cultured and relined woman. She 
has two sons and one daughter: Alfred T., resid- 
ing in Chicago, and Grace and I'aul R., who re- 
main with their mother at home. In politics, Mr. 
\'ail was a Democrat. 




ON. EZEKIEL C. SMI'lll. In recording 
the lives of the pioneers of Cass County, 
and perpetuating for coming generations 
»^ their useful and honorable examples, men- 
tion should be made of Mr. Smith and his estimable 
wife. In the Pioneers' Society they have acquired 
considerable i)roniinence on account of being the 
oldest couple in the organization. Both were born 
in 1811, and their combined ages are one hundred 
and sixty-four years. At the annual meeting of the 
association in 18112 they Vv'ere awarded an elegant 
clock as a prize for being the oldest married couple 
on the grounds. 

Now a retired farmer residing on section 3, 
Howard Township, Cass County, Mr. Smith was 
born in Erie County, N. Y., ten miles south of 
Buffalo, June 6, 1811. His father, Amasa Smith, 
was l)orn in Rhode Island in 1771, whence he was 
taken by his parents to Vermont at the age of 



eighteen months, and from there he went to Erie 
County, N. Y., at a date in the settlement of that 
conntrj' so early that there was only one white 
family in IJuffalo. He served valiantly in the 
War of 1812, as did his father, Ezekiel Smith, in the 
Revolutionary War. The mother of our subject, 
whose maiden name was Candace Brown, was born 
in Rhode Island in 1770, and when seventeen j'cars 
of age accompanied her parents to Vermont. In 
that State she married Ama.sa Smith, but shortly 
afterward removed to Erie County, N. Y., in 1805, 
and located ten miles south of Buffalo. 

Removing to Michigan in 1835, the family lo- 
cated in Ca.ss County and entered a tract of Gov- 
ernment land in Howard Township. During the 
following year the wife and mother died, and the 
bereaved husband then moved to Ohio and from 
there to Iowa, where he died in 1865, aged ninety- 
one years. Of his nine children, seven grew to 
manhood and womanhood, and four are still living, 
namely; Zenas; Ezekiel, our subject; Lucy, the 
widow of Calvin Kinney, of Minnesota; and. Sarah, 
the wife of Daniel Patridge, of Iowa. Our sub- 
ject is the sixth child and third son in the parental 
fan)ily. He was reared in his native [dace, receiv- 
ing a limited education in the home schools. 

January 11, 1832, Mr. Smith married Miss Laura 
Parmelee, who was born in Erie County, N. Y., 
May 29, 1811, being the daughter of Lemuel Par- 
melee. The latter was born in Rhode Island in 
1780, and was reared in Vermont, being a school 
teacher in his youth. He also engaged for a time 
as a vocal teacher. His principal occupation 
throughout his entire active life was that of a 
farmer. He traced his lineage back to three broth- 
ers who came from Scotland in an early day and 
established homes in America. The mother of Mrs. 
Smith bore the maiden name of Sarah Brown, and 
was the daughter of Luther Brown, a native of 
Vermont. There were eight children in the Par- 
melee famil}', five sons and three daughters, .Mrs. 
Smith being the second in number. 

In 1835 Mr. Smith came to Cass County and 
located upon the farm where he has since resided, 
entering from the Government two hundred and 
forty acres, for which he paid 1 1 .25 per .acre. At once 
after settling here he erected a log house, 18x22 



228 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



feet in dimensions, and cut the logs used in build- 
ing the cabin. This was well furnished for those 
early times, and contained the only cook stove then 
in tlie whole township. Mr. Smith was the fortunate 
owner of one yoke of oxen and one cow. and also 
had ^15 in cash. Nor was his wife less industrious 
than he. AVith deft lingers she made neat gar- 
ments for the neighbors, and in this way was an 
important factor in the household economy. As 
time passed by they reaped the reward of their 
labors and gradually gained a goodly amount of 
this world's riches. Better than that, they became 
known and loved as honorable, upright, kind- 
hearled and industrious people, of whom it could 
truly be said that the world was better for their 
having lived. 

Two daughters and three sons came to bless the 
home, and of this family we note the following: 
Ellen F., formerly a school teacher, is now at home 
with her parent*: George P., a successful farmer, is 
engaged in cultivating one hundred and sixtj' 
acres in Benton County, Mo.; Albert B. is a farmer 
of Hall County, Neb.; Dr. Jerome A. is a practicing 
physician of Warren Count\-. Tenn.; and Julia L. 
is the wife of .John J. Doane, an extensive and 
successful farmer of Newberg Township. Cass 
County. The farm belonging to our subject con- 
sists of three hundred acres, one hundred of 
which are in timber and one hundred and twenty 
are planted to grain. This large propert\' has 
been accumulated by Mr. Smith solelj- through his 
own exertions, seconded by the active assistance 
and sympathetic help of his good wife. 

A Democrat from boyhood, Mr. Smith has served 
:xs Justice of the Peace, and was filling that posi- 
ti<^n at the time Michigan was admitted into the 
l"nion. He was an incumbent of that office for a 
period of thirty-six years, after which his son 
Jerome held the office for four years, so that the 
same set of books remained in the house for forty 
years. In 1849 he was elected a member of the 
State Legislature and served satisfactorily and 
efficiently. He was Supervisor of the township 
for many yeai-s, also filled the positions of School 
Inspector. Road Commissioner, and all town- 
ship offices but that of Clerk. Notwithstanding 
their advanced a^e, he and his wife are hale and 



strong, in the enjoyment of good health and the 
full possession of their mental faculties. As will 
be seen from the above date of marriage, Mr. and 
Mrs. Smith passed their sixty-first anniversary 
January 11, 1893. 



4^ 



m 



ILTON P. WHITE, M. D., a skillful sur- 
geon and successful general medical prac- 
titioner of Dowagiac. Cass County, Mich., 
has won a high place in the regard of the 
community by his constant and unflagging devo- 
tion to the duties of his profession. Our subject 
began his able career as a phj'sieian in his birth- 
place, Volinia Township, Cass County, Mich., 
where he was born December 19, 1852. Dr. White 
is of Southern descent. His father, John White, 
was a native of South Carolina and was reared 
and educated in the liome of his childhood. Am- 
bitious and energetic, he came to the North when 
only a young man of eighteen. Thoroughly self- 
reliant and carefully trained into habits of indus- 
trious thrift, he was well fitted to begin the dailv 
work of life. By trade a blacksmith, he engaged 
in that occujxition all his days, and combined with 
the work of the anvil the labor of agricultural 
pui-suits, and was one of the most thorough and 
practical farmers in his region of the country. A 
representative American citizen of sterling iuteg- 
rit3-, he led a life of busy usefulness up to the 
time of his death, in 1865. 

The mother of Dr. White was in maidenhood 
Miss Hannah Baker, daughter c)f Nathan Baker, a 
native Pennsylvanian and a prominent member of 
the Quaker sect, who brought his family up in a 
rigid observance of the tenets and belief of that 
religious denomination. The home of John and 
Hannah (Baker) White sheltered six sturdy sons, of 
whom our subject w.<is the youngest born. Reared 
in the township of Yolinia, he attended the dis- 
trict school of the neighborhood and there laid the 
firm foundation of study afterward completed by 
a course of instruction in an excellent academ\ at 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



229 



Valparaisff. Sii|i|ilementing his English education 
in tlic iiiglici- liraiR'lics with a inofcssional course 
of study. Milton 1*. While oiileivd the medical 
dcpartnicnt of the N'oilh western Universitj' at 
Chicago, and, graduating in l.SHO in medicine and 
surgery, was launelied ui)on his career in life as an 
M. 1). Returning to Wakelee, about one mile from 
his hirlhiilace in Volinia Township, he at once be- 
gan the practice of medicine among the .-icciuaint- 
ances and associations of youth, anci for seven 
years went the professional rounds, enduring the 
hai'dsiiips and discomforts of a c<)unlry doctor. 

In the fall of l.ssd. Dr. While removed to Do- 
wai^iac, and in the seven years past has acipiired a 
large and rapidly- extending |)iaclic(' and has been 
prominently associated with Ihe social and public 
interests of his present home. I'pon September It, 
IS.si. Dr. Millon While and IMiss Rose K. Carman, 
of .Schoolcraft. .St. .Iosci)h County, were united in 
marriage. The accomplished wife of our subject 
was one of ten children, all f)f the brothers and sis- 
ters living to adult ago. Her father, W. 1'. Car- 
man, was a [)rt)si)erous general agriculturist and is 
yet surviving, at the advanced age of eighty-three 
years. Iler mother, Mrs. Lydia (Townsend) Car- 
man, is also living, the venerable husband and 
wife having spent fifty-three years together. The 
l)leasanl home of Dr. and Mrs. White has been 
blessed 1)\' the birth of two children, llaker T. and 
Ruth White. Although not actively interested in 
politics, our subject is a true American citizen and 
ev(!r casts his vote in behalf of local and national 
advancement. 



■ > I I ' i p .H»^*.i 



|^E>'RY i\I. ZKKIND was b(,rn in Toland on 
I* New Year's Day, lH:i."), and passed his 
school days in his native country. At the 
age of sixteen years he emigrated to the 
United States, landing in the city of New York, 
and thence he traveled through several States. 
For about two years he sojourned in White 
Water, Wis. He then went to California and re- 



mained there twelve years, part of the time en- 
gaged in mining, but most of the time in merchan- 
dising. On returning from California, he estab- 
lished a store at Sun I'rairie, Wis., which he con- 
ducted for a period of about three years, meeting 
with good success. In 1809, he moved his family to 
St. Joseph, Jlicli., where he started a dr3'-goods 
store, under the firm name of Phillips & Zekind. 
This connection continued for a few years, and 
later the linn name became Zekind & Katzenstein, 
Mr. Phillips selling his interest. Two years after, 
Mr. Zekind purcha.sed his partner's interest and 
continued the business under the title of H. M. 
Zekind. He remained thus occupied until his de- 
mise, which occurred on the ITlli of February, 
1892. 

A man well known for the honesty and integ- 
rity which characterized his transactions, Mr. Ze- 
kind, from a small beginning, built up a large and 
profitable business. In every sense of the word he 
was a self-made man and earned prosperity by de- 
serving it. He was justl}' regarded as one of the 
most substantial and refuesentative of the citizens 
of St. .Joseph, and always exhibited a deep inter- 
est in the welfare and advantement of the place. 
His fellow-citizens held him in the highest esteem 
and freiiuently elected him to [lositions of trust. 
He served as Mayor of St. .loseph for one term, 
and also filled the position of Alderman, and while 
the incumbent of these offices he rendered ellicicnt 
service, being instrumental in securing many mu- 
nicipal iniprovcments. 

In national aft'airs, Mr. Zekind w;is in favor of 
the principles advocated by the Republican party, 
but in local matters he uniformly su|)|)orted the 
man whom he deemed best (lualilied for the ollice 
in question. His social connections were with the 
Masonic fraternity. Occidental Lodge No. ;")(!, of 
which he was Master for several years, and was 
Treasurer of the lodge at the time of his decca.se. 
He was also a member of the Crand Lodge of 
the State, and was identified with Calvin Rril- 
tain Chapter, R. A. M., of which he was High 
Priest for several years. The Independent Order 
of Odd Fellows also counted him as one of its ac- 
tive members. He aided in the org.-iuization of 
the I'nion liankin;,^ CompauN of Si. .loseph and 



230 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



was one of its Directors for many years before his 
death. A wide-awake and public-spirited citizen, 
he took an active part in all enteiprises calculated 
to benefit the city, and his energy contributed not 
a little to its success. 

The wife of Henrj- M. Zekind bore the maiden 
name of Carrie Silverman and was born in the city 
of New York, a daughter of Sidney and Bella (Fra- 
liech) Silverman. She is a lady of culture and 
refinement and occuiiies tlie elegaiit residence erec- 
ted by her husband shortly before his decease. 
Their union resulted in the birth of six children, 
five now living: Albert A., Bella R., Samuel M., 
Fannie and Sidney. Samuel M., tiie third in tlie 
family, has succeeded to the management of his 
father's mercantile business, and through his en- 
ergy and good judgment maintains the high char- 
acter of the establishment. 



=1.5 



".{..{..j..^^^^^ 



^l^^REDERICK COLLINS, the well-known 
— jfcj) dealer in real estate and residence property 
[ at St. Joseph, was born in Portage Countyi 
Ohio, January 19, 1842. His father, Dr. L3'man 
Collins, was a native of New York and an earl^^ 
settler of Ohio, who in 1860 came to St. Joseph 
and engaged in fruit-growing. lie made a spec- 
ialty of raising peaches and was also quite suc- 
cessful with other fruits. A man of great energy 
and force of character, he was prominently identi- 
fied with the best interests of tliis citv, and his 
death, which occurred here in 1881, was deeply 
mourned by his friends and associates. His wife 
was known in maidenhood as Harriet Wliittlescy, 
being tlie daughter of the Hon. Elisha Whittlesey, 
Comptroller of the United States Treasury during 
the administration of President Lincoln. She was 
born in Canfield, Malioning County, Ohio, and 
died at St. Joseph during the month of December, 
1892. 

Tlie only surviving members of the family are 
tlie subject of this sketch and his sister, the widow 
of O. B. Dickinson. The flrst-nained grew to 
manhood in Portage County, Ohio, where under 



the careful guidance of his parents he was trained 
for a position of usefulness and honor in the bus- 
iness world. Leaving the old home, he sought 
the city of New York and there secured a clerical 
position in a hat manufactory. After sixteen 
years thus spent, on account of ill health he left 
the citj' and came West to St. Joseph, where he 
purchased a fruit farm and engaged in the culti- 
vation of fruits. The change of occupation and 
the outdoor exercise proved so beneficial that he 
soon recovered his former physical health. 

Forming a partnership with W. A. Preston, un- 
der tlie firm name of Preston tt Collins, our subject 
embarked iii the lumber business, and engaged 
with considerable success in the manufacture and 
sale of building material and lumber. In 1891 he 
disposed of his interest to Mr. Preston, and since 
that time has devoted his attention and capital to 
the real-estate business, in which he has gained 
prominence as well as material success. He has 
laid out what is known as the Preston <fe Collins 
Addition to St. Joseph, containing some of the 
most desirable building lots in the city. He has 
also platted another addition, known as the Collins 
Addition, upon which he has erected a number of 
comfortable dwellings. Not long ago he moved 
into a commodious and elegantly furnished resi- 
dence, fitted up in an attractive and modern st3'le, 
and embellished with all the conveniences and 
improvements. Here he and his wife are tran- 
quilly and happily passing their da3's, and here, 
with the most cordial hospitality', they welcome 
their man^' friends. 

The marriage of Mr. Collins took place in 1865, 
and united him with Miss Harriet C, daughter of 
William W. Whittlesey, of Canfield, Ohio. One 
daughter, Ellen W., was born to bless the union; 
at the present time she is a teacher in the Chicago 
schools. She is a well-educated and highly' ac- 
complished j'oung lad^', and is a successful teacher. 
Mr. Collins is interested in educational matters and 
has served on the School Board for some time. He 
IS also a member of the Board of Water Commis- 
sioners. In politics he affiliates with the Repub- 
licans and advocates with enthusiasm and fidelity 
the principles of the party. Socially, he is identi- 
fied with Pomona Lodge No. 281, A. F. & A. M. 



.^ 






% 




•^^-^ 




T/oyrAk^t-^ (-^^^ f 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



233 



lElBEN D. l'ARKI':U, M. D. One of the 

loveliest homes in St. Joseph is the elegant 
iAs \V and commodious residence owned and oc- 
\^ cupied by Dr. I'arkei. It is beautifully 
located on the bluff, commanding a line view of 
the lake, and in its interior appointments, as well 
as its exterior appearance, is a model of its kind. 
It is a frame structure, of modern architecture, 
and contains all the luxuries of a city home, to- 
gether with the advantages to be derived from 
rural life. Surrounded hy all the comforts of ex- 
istence and ministered to by loving- hands, tiie Doc- 
tor is passing the afternoon of his useful life 
somewhat retired from the cares of business and 
professional work which formerly engaged his at- 
tention. 

A native of New York, Dr. Parker was born in 
Lima Township, Livingston County. August 31, 
1821. the descendant of English ancestors. His 
father, Elisha B., was born in \'ermont, the son of 
•Joseph Parker, .-md in his ^oulh learned the trade 
of a carpenter and joiner. He married Miss Alice, 
daughter of Reuben Davis, of New York, and in 
1829, accomiianied by his wife and faniil}', re- 
moved to Jlichigan and settled in Washtenaw 
County, twelve miles from Ann Arbor. He was a 
pioneer of tiiat place, and remained one of its in- 
tluential citizens and successful farmers until his 
death, which occurred in 1819. His wife, who 
survived him, removed to Niles, Berrien County, 
and there passed away at an advanced age. 

Our subject is the second in order of birth 
among five children, three sous and two daugh- 
ters, who comprised the parental family. He 
passed his boyhood years on the home farm and at- 
tended the district schools, and also for a time was 
a student in a select school. Upon completiug his 
literary education, he commenced to read medi- 
cine with Dr. Markham, of I'lymoutli, ^Vashlenaw 
County, and afterward pursued bis medical studies 
under the preceptorship of Dr. Olds, of ISalem, 
Mich. He opened an ollice and practiced for a 
short time in W.ashtenaw County, and later en- 
tered the Western Medical I'niversity, at Cleve- 
land, Ohio, froni which institution he was grad- 
uated in 184.'). 

Forming a partnership witli Dr. JIathews, of 
U 



Redford. Wayne County, Mich., the young Doctor 
conducted a general pr.actice in that village from 
184G until 1852. In the latter year he came to St. 
Joseph, and. opening an ollice, soon became known 
as a successful general practitioner. As a physi- 
cian he commanded the confidence of the general 
public, and also of his professional brethren. In 
the diagnosis of cases he was accurate ai(d success- 
ful, while in their treatment he dist)laycd to an 
eminent degree the possession of those qualities 
which secure for a physician the highest success. 
In 1880 he retired from active professional work, 
and h.as since devoted his attention to looking af- 
ter his extensive interests. He is the owner of 
considerable valuable property, including a fine 
farm near Benton Harbor, and his residence prop- 
erty in St. Joseph. 

December 23, 1869, occurred the marriage of 
Miss Clarinda Searles and Dr. R. D. Parker. The 
bride was the second daughter of StephenSearles, 
a ijrominent citizen of St. Joseph. She is a lady 
possessing in a rare degree the qualities of heart 
and mind which win and retain friends, and in 
the truest sense of the word she h.as been her hus- 
band's helpmate. The Doctor and Mrs. Parker 
have an adopted daughter, Effie May. The Doc- 
tor is interested in all the important issues of the 
age, and in his political belief is a stanch advocate 
of the Republican party. He served for two years 
as Trustee of St. .Joseph, and has been chosen to 
fill other important official positions. 



^^?=^EORGE R. IIKRKIMEK, M. D., a practicing 
'|( — ; physician and surgeon of Dowagiac, was 
^^^^'. born in Niles, this State, on the 17th of 
July, 18()0. He is a lineal descendant of the fa- 
mous Gen. Herkimer, whose services in the War 
of the Revolution have immortalized his name in 
the history of our country. The paternal grand- 
father of our subject, .Jacob Herkimer, was born 
and reared in Herkimer County, N. Y., and after 



234 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



his marriage engaged in farming there. As enrlj' 
as 1830 be came to Michigan, and thenceforth his 
life was closely connected with the development 
of Berrien County, where he made settlement. 
Upon land entered from the Government in Ber- 
trand Township he remained until bis death. 

A native of Herkimer County', N. Y., Michael 
Herkimer, father of our subject, was a child of four 
years when he was brouglit to Michigan by ills 
father. In Bertrand Township, Berrien County, 
he passed his youthful d.ays and aided liis father 
in clearing the home farm. Early in life he be- 
came familiar with agricultural pursuits, and while 
his educational advantages were limited, he became 
a well-informed man, possessing intelligent opin- 
ions upon the public issues of the time. For his 
wife he chose Miss Jane, daughter of Abraham 
Hoag, one of the earliest settlers of Michigan, who 
came here from Syracuse County, N. Y., in 1835. 
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Herkimer set- 
tled on the Herkimer homestead, and there re- 
mained until severed by death. The husband and 
father passed away in 1880, and eleven years after 
his demise the widow came to Dowagiac, where 
she makes her home ivith George R. 

Of the four children comprising the family 
three grew to maturity, as follows: Julia, who 
makes her home with our subject; John, who cul- 
tivates the old home place; and our subject. 
Walter is deceased. The father of this family was 
prominent in i)ublic affairs and influential in the 
ranks of the Democratic party. He held the ollice 
of Collector of the county, and served as Super- 
visor and Clerk of his township a number of terms. 
In religious matters he was interested and zealous 
. and was an active member of and liberal contrib- 
utor to the support of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. George K. was reared on the old home 
place in Bertrand Township and was the recipient 
of excellent educational advantages. After com- 
pleting the course of stud}' in the home schools, he 
went to Niles and from there to Albion (Mich.) 
College, where he conducted his literary studies 
for a period of three years. 

Our subject commenced his medical studies un- 
der the preceptorship of Dr. M.N. Avery, of Niles, 
and somewhat later entered the medical depart- 



ment of the State University of Ann Arbor, where 
he remained for two 3'ears. He was graduated 
from the Hahnemann Medical College at Chicago 
in 1890 and immediately afterward came to Do- 
wagi.ac, where he has since conducted a general 
practice. Fraternally, he is a prominent member 
of the Modern Woodmen of America, the National 
I'niou, the Order of the Maccabees and the 
Knights of Pythias. In his political afflliations he 
is a Democrat. His office is located in the Lee 
Block, where he has a pleasant suite of rooms, well 
equipped with surgical instruments and the appa- 
ratus neccssar}' for professional use. He estab- 
lished a home of his own in 1891, at which time 
he married Miss Carrie, daughter of W. N. Frost, 
a retired farmer residing in Dowagiac. 



^. 



"SI 



^+^[ 



Ti LLEN BRUNSON, a member of the well- 
({(•i'/yi known tirin of Hovey & Brunson, proprie- 
1\ tors of a carriage repository and dealers 
in horse-furnishing goods and agricultural 
implements at Benton Harbor, Mich., is a native 




of Elkhart County, Ind., born October 21. 1837. 
His father, Sterne Brunson, was originally from 
the Empire State, born in Cayuga County, but was 
a i)ioneer of Indiana, purchasing Government land 
within two miles of the present city of Elkhart. 

In the year 1857 Sterne Brunson and family 
moved to Benton Harbor, where he purchased about 
two hundred acres of good laud, which is now the 
site of Benton Harbor. He was instrumental in 
projecting the building of the Benton Harbor 
Canal, which was named Brunson Harbor, and 
which afterward, after man}' local fights and Leg- 
islative acts, with much cost to Mr. Brunson, was 
changed to Benton Harbor. He was a very pub- 
lic-spirited man and took a prominent and sub- 
tantial part in the development and improvement 
of Benton Harbor. The canal, which has been of 
inestimable value to Benton Harbor, was his idea 
lirineipally, and his means were liberally advanced 
to get it in its present condition. For some time 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



235 



Mr. linins^on wn.s associated with Martin (ircen, 
wlio .stood shoulder to shoiddor witii iiiin in ;ill 
eiilorprise.s for the iniiirovi'niunl of tlic city. Mr. 
Hninson was one of tiie foremost men of Benton 
Iliirhor, niuJ in his de;itii, wliicii occiirred in April, 
1870, the eily lost one of its most inlluential citi- 
zens. Honored and respected liy all, he left a host 
of warm friends. 

Mrs. ISrunson, whose maiden name was Sarah 
.Shank, was born in the Keystone State, hut when a 
girl went with her |)areiits tf) Indiana. Later, she 
came to lienton Harhor, and there the closing scenes 
of her life were passed, her death occurring in 
187'.t. Five children were horn to her marriage, 
four .sons and a daughter. Allen IJrunson, the 
fourth child in order of Inrth, [lassed his youth in 
Klkhart, I nd., and secured a good practical educa- 
tion in the common schools. After removing with 
his parents to IJenton Harhor, he was for a time 
engaged in fruit-raising, but he subse(|uently laid 
out in lots the land his father had purchased, and 
sold several acres of this. 

In 1862 he formed a partnership with .T. L. 
Winans and engaged in the hardware business, the 
nrm being known as Brunson & Winans. A few 
years later Mr. Winans sold his interest to Guj- 
.Johnson, father-in-law of our subject, and the firm 
title was changed to Brunson & Johnson, thus con- 
tinuing for several years. After quitting the bus- 
iness, Mv. Brunson turned his attention to farming 
and followed this successfully for five years. In 
1892 he formed a partnership with William C. 
Hovcy, under the firm name of Ilovey ife Brunson, 
and they are dealing quite extensively in horse- 
fuiiiishing goods and agricultural implements, 
etc., beside which they have a carriage depository. 
Their place of business is in Oakwood Block, on 
I'ipcstone Street, and being men of energy and 
integrity, they are extremely |)opular in trade cir- 
cles. Mr. Brunson has ever taken a deep interest 
in the building up of the town and has been, and 
is, a liberal contributor to all laudable enterprises. 

February 1, 1858, our subject was married to 
Miss Mellissa .Johnson, of Klkhart, Ind,, and the 
daughter of Guy .Johnson. One child has been 
born to this union, Ida, who is the wife of l^Iark 
Wood. A Republican in his political views, Mr. 



Brunson h.as ever advocated the princii)les of that 
party. He served one term as Alderman and has 
held other positions of note. Socially, he is a 
member of the Independent Order of Oild Fel- 
lows, and is the only surviving ch;irter member in 
this vicinity of Benton Harbor Lodge No. 132, A. 
F. A A. M. 



V_ 



r 



=* 



\i7 D.TOMPKINS, M. I)., an able and widely 
known physician, located in Cassopolis, 
^ Cass County, since 1848, and who has for 
fifty-three 3'ears constantly continued the practice 
of his profession in the same part of Michigan, 
ina\' with truth he numliered among the faithful 
medical pioneers of the State. Dr. Tompkins, who 
is to-day one of the oldest and most highly re- 
garded practitioners of Cass Count\', was born in 
Litchfield, Oneida County', N. Y., February 15, 
1817. He was a son of F^lijali and Minerva (Bar- 
ber) Tompkins, who removed with their family 
from the Empire State to Ohio in 1832. The par- 
ents made their permanent home in the Buckeye 
State and gave to their children all the benefits of 
an education which their means afforded. Our sub- 
ject, havipg completed his course of studies in the 
higher branches of an English education, decided 
to adopt a profession, and began to read medicine 
in Portage County, Ohio, in 1837, giving his en- 
tire time for three years to the preparation for 
his future responsible duties as a physician. 

Dr. Tompkins began the practice of medicine 
in Ohio, when only tvventy-one years of .age, and, 
enjoying success, remained in his first location for 
four j'ears, then moved to Logan Count3', Ohio, 
and there practiced his profession four years. He 
finally decided to make a change of residence, and 
journeying to the farther West came to Cassopolis, 
where he was cordially received and soon entered 
into a prosperous and rapidly extending field of 
labor. As a family' friend and physician he was 
welcomed into the homes of the early settlers, 



236 



PORTKAIT AND BIOGRAIHICAL RECORD. 



who appreciated liis unwearied and valuable serv- 
ice, cheerfully given alike in pleasant and stormy 
weather. Our subject availed himself of the ben- 
efit of a course of lectures in Rush Medical Col- 
lege and graduated from tliis institution in 1852. 
lie has kejit himself abreast witii all tlie progress- 
ive methods of the day, and throughout his long 
professional career has been more than ordinarily 
successful, winning his way upward to a practice 
second to none in Cass County. 

During the Civil War, Dr. Tompkins, in the 
month of August, 1862, enlisted as Assistant Sur- 
geon of the Nineteenth Michigan Regiment, and 
remained in the service until 1863, when he was 
forced to resign on account of ill health, and, 
having returned to his home and recuperated, 
again resumed his former practice. Our subject 
is fraternally associated with the Ancient Free & 
Accepted Masons and is a valued member of Backus 
Lodge and is also connected with Kingsbury Chap- 
ter. For man3- years Dr. Tomjikins was a stal- 
wart Republican and cast his first vote for Presi- 
dent for William Henry Harrison. Since the 
Hayes administration our subject has identified 
himself with the "Party of the People," and is a 
stanch defender of the principles of true Dem- 
ocracy. Aside from all political preferences. Dr. 
Tompkins is thoroughly public-spirited and, a 
leading citizen of Cassoi)Olis, has with earnest 
effort given valuable assistance in the forwarding 
and promotion of the best interests of Cass County. 
A friend to educational advancement and local 
enterprise, he has worthily done his part as an 
early settler of the State, and may with satisfaction 
review his record as a neighbor, friend, citizen .and 
physician. 



IDGAR H. FERGUSON, senior member of 
firm of Ferguson ct McCoid, manufac- 
irs of building brick and tile at Benton 
Harbor, is one of the 3'oung business men of the 
city, who, while securing a competency for him- 




self, has also materially aided in promoting the 
growth and developing the resources of this sec- 
tion of the State. He is a native of Michigan, and 
w.as born in Lenawee County, January 10, 18,53, 
being the son of Henrj' and Lydia (Dennison) 
Ferguson. The father was a native of Kssex 
County, N. Y., and in an early day acooni|ianied 
his parents to Michigan, where lie died in Berrien 
County in 181)2. The paternal grandfather, Henry 
Ferguson, was born in New York, and died in 
Lenawee County, Mich.; the maternal grandfather 
of our subject, Stephen A. Dennison, w.as also a 
native of the Km|iire State, and died in Michigan 
in 1878. 

The subject of this biographical notice was 
reared to manhood in Lenawee County, Mich., 
where he w.as a pupil in the public schools. At 
the age of eighteen years he enteied the Adrian 
Business College, from winch institution he was 
graduated in 1871. Thus well e(iuip|)ed for the 
active labors of life by the training he had re- 
ceived both at home and in school, ho entered 
upon a conunercial career. For eight years he en- 
gaged in the buj ing and shipiiing of slock from 
Lenawee Count}', Mich., to Chicago, meeting with 
considerable success in that undertaking. in 
1881 he came to Benton Harbor, where he en- 
gaged in the manufacture of brick in i)artnersliip 
with O. 1). Dennison. Four years after the incej)- 
tion of the business, our subject purcluased his 
partner's interest, and in 1885 formed a partner- 
ship with Seely BlcCord, which still exists. 

The firm of Ferguson ife McCord is one of the 
most prosperous in southwestern Michigan, and 
engages extensively in the manufacture c>f build- 
ing brick and tile, Mr. Ferguson being the General 
Manager, Secretary and Treasurer of thecomi)any. 
It is largely due to his energy and tireless exer- 
tions that the establishment has won the enviable 
reputation that it possesses among other manufac- 
turing corporations. While his business interests 
demand close attention on his part, he neverthe- 
less is actively interested in public affairs, and, po- 
litically, adheres with energy and enthusiasm to 
the principles of the Republican party. His fel- 
low-citizens have frequently elected him to posi- 
tions of trust and honor, in all of which he has 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



237 



served to the satisfaction of his constitucnls. In 
1891 lie was elected Alderman of the city from 
the Fourth Ward, and in tliat oflicc was able to 
render efficient services in behalf of his fellow- 
townsmen. 

Ai)rii 2!t, lH7r>, occurred the marriage of Kdgar 
II. Fer<;uson to Miss M. .hiiiett Coh-, who at tliat 
time resided in Lenawee County, Mich., and is a 
daujfliter of S. P.. Cole, also a native of Lenawee 
County, Midi. .Mr. and Mrs. Fergnson are the 
parents of tlirce sons, whose names are Lynn A., 
Hariy M. and Carlton E. The family residence is 
a neat and comfortable house located on Stevens 
Avenue and Territorial Street. In his social con- 
nections, Mr. Ferguson is identitied with the 
Knights of Pythias and the Hoyal Arcanum, being 
))rominently identified with both these organiza- 
tions. Mrs. Ferguson is a member of the Method- 
ist Churcli. 




r» ILLIAM CONRADT. One of the best im- 
r proved farms in Berrien County is located 
in Puchanan Townsiiip and comprises two 
hundred and seventy -eight .acres, all under splen- 
did cultivation with the exception of fifty-eight 
acres. The place is embellished with substantial 
structures, eac^h admirably adapted to Ihe purpose 
for which it is intended. The improvements 
noticeable arc the result of energy and indus- 
try on the part of the owner, Mr. Conradt, who 
for man\' years made his home on this farm. In 
lh!)3, however, he came to Puchanaji and now re- 
sides in this village. lie still gives his personal 
attention to the management of the pl.ace, and su- 
perintenils it with the skill and discretion which 
have always characterized his efforts. 

A native of Germany, Mr. Conradt was born 
near Stuttgart, \Vurtemberg, May 26, 1843. His 
father, Andrew Conradt, was likewise horn in 
Wurtemberg, and w.as a farmer by occupation. 
I'pun ciiMung to America in ISIC), he locate(l in 



Buchanan Township, Berrien County, Mich., and 
after operating as a renter for a time, purchased a 
farm on section 20. There he remained until his 
death, at the age of fifty-eight years. His wife, 
whom he had married in Germany, was Freder- 
ieka Ilagley in her maidenhood, and she died at 
the age of sixty-four. They were the parents of 
eleven children, eight of whom are now living, 
our subject l>eing the eighth in order of birth. 

At the age of three years William Conradt was 
brought by his parents to America, and grew to 
manhood in Puchanan Township Perrien County. 
His father being a poor man, he was obliged to 
aid in the support of the family, and his educa- 
tional advantages were very meagre. Their first 
house was made with poles and covered with bark. 
He .assisted in clearing the home farm and early 
became familiar with agricultural |)iirsuits. Soon 
after the outbreak of the war he enlisted as a 
member of Company K, Twenty-fifth Michigan 
Infantiy, and was ordered to the front in l^(J'2. 
He participated in many of the hard-fought bat- 
tles of the war and served with valor and fearless 
lo3'alty to the cause of the I'nion. His service 
covered a period of three 3-ears, lacking one 
month, and while he fortunately escaped any seri- 
ous injuries, he was slightly wounded in the left 
band by a minie-ball at the eng.agement near 
Kenesaw Mountain. (Ja. At the close of hostili- 
ties, in .Inly. 1865, he was honorably discharged at 
Jackson, Mich., and was mustered out of service at 
the same place. During part of his term of ser- 
vice they were obliged to live upon corn in the 
ear, with sciircely any other provisions. 

Returning to Puchanan Township, Mr. Coniadt 
resumed his farming duties, and soon afterward 
took unto himself a helpmate. Li 1866 he mar- 
ried F'redericka Ilagley, a native of (lermany.and 
they became the parents of the following-named 
children: Alfred, William .L, Jacob F. and Ida 
(deceased). Alma and Andrew M. The second 
marriage of Mr. Conradt took place in 1881 and 
united him with Miss Amanda Andre, a native of 
Pennsylvania. Their union has been blessed by 
the birth of four children, whose names are: Mary, 
Emma M., Jay A. and Clem C. F'roin the time of 
his return fioin the war until IS'.).'!, Mr. Conradt 



938 



I'oiM'UAir Axn r.UM": Kvwiiimi. ijF.(\)rxM\ 



hnt> ooiitimiouslv ro.sidotl \\\Hn\ liis I'nrm in Kiu'h- 
luum 'rowiiship, with lluM-xct'iitioti of four iiionlhs 
s|>oiit in ('Mlit\>riiiti. 

Ill ivlijiioiis wtu'k Mr. I'Diinult innintnins nil iiu- 
intomiptvil intorost Mini is idoiitilttHl willi Mio 
l'!v!uii;olitnl Assoi-intioii, hoMiy iMU' of it.-i Tiiistoos 
tuul linviii^' t'onnorlv sorvoiJ as SuporintviuK'nl o( 
its Siimlav-soliool. In Ills politii-s In- is ii lu'|ntli- 
liciiu mid 1ms lilliil llu' juvmhom ol' l';ilhiiii»sU'i- of 
Itiiohttiiiiii Townsliiii. In ivn'iirti to sooinl i'ohiuh'- 
tiiuis ho is notivoly nsstuMJitoii with thi> Moilorii 
\\ ooiiini'ii of Aiiioiiort, hoiiiit !> iiuMuhcr iif Willinia 
IVnvtt I'ost No. 2vf. i;. A. K. 



-^v^<-^ 



m 



I OSlM'll now M AN. Althoiiuh .•> number of 
I voni's litivo (ijissihI nwnv sinoo Mr, liowin.'iii 
il.i>tu'tiHl tliis lifo, ho still livosin (hf honrUs 
^(^y i>l ni:oiv frioiuls to whom ho \V!\s omlo.-uvd. 
Not oulv in l>oiiti>n lljirhor, i>f whii'h ho w.-isti rosi- 
iloui, I'ui thnniii'hout thoontiro CMUinty of liorrion, 
ho hiui :» roiuitiUioii for |>rol>itv, honor tuul iiulus- 
trv oqvuiUotl hv low !inil o\iH-llod hv iH>no. Tlui 
it<iHml of his lifo. of his (viliont fH>i"sovor!UUH> in 
spito iif i>l>st!»olos ;m(l his uinvoiiriotl oiioisjy in his 
oluKson voo!»tiou, m;>_v sorvo to stiinulnto llioso lo 
wliom tho |>;vth of lifo hns prosontotl inoro thoins 
lh.>»u r(>sos. 

l nu.ndt* h«s oiMilrihutotl itoi ((uotji to tho intolli- 
sjont oilixonship of ovir iintion, niul nmonj; tho 
uiitivos of tho l^Hioou's Ooiuinion whohiivo soiii;ht 
homos in tho luilt^d St.-itos inny Iv moMti>>noil tho 
subjwt of U»is skptoh, who was Ihmii in Ont«rit>in 
ISl 1, His fathor, (Miristijui l>ow imui, w;is ;» luUivo 
»>f roniisvlvMnin, who in o.-uly lifo ivim>vod to 
(':tntu\:« an«l mnrriod a Miss Woavor, .U»so|>h liow- 
mnn was iv.-xivd iu Ont,>>rii>, ivitMYina !> ^x>nnm>n- 
solu>ol o»luo!»titn\ and sjniniui; a piiu'tionl kni>wl- 
tnljjii* of tho dntios of !>s>rioMUuK>l lifo. \\ lion 
oluHXsinj; :» irado, ho dividod upon o.'upontrv, and 
sorvod an appivntuvship at that tmdo. wliioh ho 
followtHl with s»uv«»ss, 

111 lSlU> Ml. Uowiiiaii oaiuo to lioiiloii ll.-irhor 



and orootod a ntimhor of tho lirst buildiiii;s in tho 
villant>, soino of wliioh still st4Uid. llo did an ox- 
loiisivo linsiiioss in oontraoliiii; and bnililinij. and, 
boinj"; suooossfnUaifuimilatod a oonsidon>blo nnHuinf 
of this world's sjoods. Nor was his siioooss moroly 
a llnanoinl ono, for in addition tomonoy ho yaiiiod 
the jjoiul-will of his nssoointos aiul won a hiuh 
plnoo in tho ronard of his larsjo oirolo of aoiiuainf- 
anoos. I'olitioally, ho was a Kopnblioan.iuitspokon 
in his viows, Inif ho was iiof solioitous fiu' ollioial 
honors, proforriiisj tho iiiiiotiido of domostio lifo, 
iinhara.ssod by piiblio dntios. .Sooi.-iUy, ho was 
idontillod with l>onfon Lodj-x^ No. 1S2, 1. O. O. K. 
Tho marriajjo of Mr. Hownmn to Miss Sjirah 
liiohiuond took plaw April IS, 18U>. Mrs. r>ow- 
mnn is tho daa>>hlor of C'harlos and Laviiia 
(Marsollo) Riohmond, nativos of Now York, whoro 
sho was alsi> bom. Tho iiiiion was bU'Ssod by tho 
birth of ono son !>nd one daiijrhter, Charles K. and 
.\ddio I.., both of whom ix>side in l»onton Harbor. 
Tho family was tlooply boroavod by the death of 
Ihe hnsKand and father, whieh »HV>irrod .'it iho 
home on Ihittaiii Aveniio (iii .Inly l,"*. ISSI. 



-5^==«3^|.i-^ 



s ^ 



^f A.\li:s M. I'Kl 111. All iniluontial pivsition 
I nmon^it the farmers and sttX'k-i-aisers of 
Cass l\>unty is ooonpiod by the siiiwssfnl 
aji'rioultiirist with win. vso name we intitulutv 
this sketch, and who is the owner of line farming 
pn>porty looated on swtion !,">, Milton ■l\>wnship. 
llo is a nati\o of (.'ass (."onnty, haviiiij been lH>rn 
in Milton Township ,\pril 38, 18S7. In his Ih\v- 
luH>d ho attondoil soliool t,-\us;ht in a log house 
near his homo, and j»assod his vaeations in the 
usual ix>utine of farm work. For tJiree yeai's he 
and his bix>tlier Henry ran a thivshinir maohino. 
and in 18,">;' ho assiiiiuHl the inaiiai;vmoiit i.>f the 
i>ld lionu\»Uwi. 

.\ftor his ni,««rriai;v, whioh iH\'iirix-d on the :J:?d 
of .\pril, 18iU>, Mr. Truitl anil his y»>nnjj wife 
i>>mnuMuvd housekeeping in what had formerly 
Ivon tho Kar-i\>v>m of his father's lu'tol. a biiildinvj 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



239 



of rude coiisliiic1if)n :\n<\ few eon venicnccs, wliicli 
still stands on Mie farm. In 18GG he removed to 
another farm and fur a lime enfjagcd in llie man- 
nfaelure of brick, some of wliicli may he se^-n in 
his substantial, two-story residence, built at a cost 
of ^3,600, and containing eleven rooms. After 
completing his house, he graded the lawn and 
planted a number of ornamental trees and shrubs, 
thus adding to the beauty of the place and 
materially eniiancing its value. At the time he 
located here, the land yielded eight bushels per 
acre, but through proper fertilization and culti- 
vation, the same land now yields an average of 
twenty-eight bushels an acre. 

Removing to Kdwardsburgh in 1H7.S, Mr. Tiuilt 
engaged in the agricultural implement business 
for four years, meanwhile handling all kinds of 
machines and doing a prolilable business. lie 
became identified with the welfare and [irogress of 
the village, being one of its property holders and 
also a Director of the Berrien Count3- Mutual 
File Insurance Company. However, the failure 
of the Cincinnati, Wabash A- Michigan Railw.a3' to 
pass through ICdwardsburgh caused its immediate 
decline, and, learning the road would pass through 
his farm, IMr. Triiitt returned to his former home 
in llic country and for a time superintended the 
farm. 

Being a strong working Democrat, Mr. Truitt 
received the appointment of Deputy Revenue 
Collector, Second Division uf the Fourth District, 
including eight counties. He occupied this posi- 
tion for four years, liis .services being entirely sat- 
isfactory to the people. At various times he has 
been engaged in different kinds of Imsiness, and 
has made a specialty of raising blooded horses, 
being successful in this enterprise as in others in 
which he has been interested. His farm consists 
of two hundred and lifly-live acres, and Ihrough 
it passes the Michigan Division of the "Big Four" 
Hailroarl, with a station about twenty-live rods from 
the residence, known as Tiuilt 's Station, in honor 
of our subject's father, who named the township 
Millon, after his native town in Delaware. 

At the present lime Mr. Triiilt is (illic'iating :is 
.lll^tl(■(• (if the Peace, which position he has tilled 
fill twelve years. He is a charter iiieiiilier uf the 



Orange at Niles, and has been identilied with the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows since Iwcnt^'- 
one years of age. He is one of the oldest members 
of Si. Peter's Lodge, at Fdw.'irdsburgh,and is also 
a Knight Templar, holding membership with Niles 
C'omi"nandery No. 12. He is a charter member and 
has served as President of the Patrons of Industry 
of Milton Township. Having been transferred to 
the Alliance, he was elected President of that o:-- 
ganizatioii and is still one of its active members. 

The lady who for more than thirty' 3'ears has 
been the devoted helpmate of our subject bore the 
maiden name of Margaret P. Hicks, and was born 
in Niles in 1831). Her parents, John and Lettie 
(Nieve) Hicks, were natives of England and were 
married in Niles, Mrs. Truitt being their only 
child. She was orphaned in infancy and was 
reared by her uncle, Pen-}' Hicks. An amiable 
woman, she is held in high esteem l)y the people 
of the community, who ap|)reciate and recognize 
her mau3' estimable (lualilics. 

We cannot close tlii.s sketch without mentioning, 
in brief, some of the important events in the life 
of Peter Truitt. father of our subject, and for 
many years one of the most prominent men in 
Cass Count.y. He was born in Slatter Neck, 
Sussex Count\-, Del., February 7, 1801, and was a 
son of Langford and Esther A. (Sliocklcy) Truitt. 
His father being an agriculturist, he w.as reared on 
a farm and had few opportunities for self culture. 
February 25, 181',), he married Mary .Simpler, 
whose father, Milby, was a soldier in the Revolu- 
tionary War and the War of 1812. They had 
live children: .lolin M., Elizabeth C, Henry P., 
David T. and Langff)rd. The wife and mother 
died in April, 1828, and some two years later Mr. 
Truitt married Isabel, daughter of .lames and Mary 
McKnitt. 

On the 17th of .Iiiiic, I8;il, Mr. Truitt, with his 
family, iiii'ived in the then tcnilory of Michigan, 
the journo>' by team having occupied forty-four 
days. Having entered eighty acres of land near 
the center of the i>reseiil town of Millon, ho 
erected a double log house on what .some three 
years later proved to be a wrong description of 
laml. and learning that a Mr. O'Dell had started 
for the land ollicf at While Pigeon to enter it, he 



240 



POxCTRAlT AXD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



started iu the nigbt for the otlice and had the satis- 
faction of outstripping his competitor and secur- 
ing the coveted prize. Being located on the old De- 
troit and Chicago stage road, he soon commenced 
keeping a tavern, which became famous for its 
many comforts. It was called the White Oak Tav- 
ern, because of an immense white oak tree that 
threw its branches over the house, as if inviting .ill 
to partake of the cheer to be found therein. He 
also filled the office of Postmaster at this place. 

In an early day Peter Truitt ojjened a store at 
Bertrand and sold goods for a time, and then 
moved his stock to Milt-on Township, continu- 
ing business for two years longer. This proved 
a very disastrous enterprise, for he lost so he.ivily 
by the decline of goods and "wild-cat" money, 
then in circulation, that all his pro[>erty except 
his land was swept away. This, however, did not 
discourage him. and he bravely set about repair- 
ing his fortune, and at his death, which oc- 
curretl December 29. 1881, he possessed fifteen 
hundred acres of rich farming land, which was 
divided up among his seven heire. He was a 
shrewd business man. and his Large accumulation 
of property was the result of his industry and 
perseverance, combined with good business judg- 
ment. For half a century he lived on the farm he 
first selected, and not only witnessed but assisted 
iu transforming an almost unbroken wilderness 
into one of the finest and most beautiful agricul- 
tural districts in the West. 

Politically. Mr. Truitt was first a Whig, and 
then a RepuWicin. He held several township 
offices, including that of Justice of the Peace. 
When fourteen years of age he united with the 
Methodist Chuix-h and was a zealous Christian. 
Before a church building was erected in this 
county, religious services were frequently held in 
his house, which was the home of the ministers. 
When old age and disease had blinded his intellect 
so that all things earthly had faded from his mind, 
on the subject of religion it was as bright and 
clear as an oasis in a sandy desert, and so 
remained until his death. His wife, after coming 
to this county, united with the Methodist Church 
when it had but ten membei's. By his second wife, 
who died about 1834. he had two children: Mary 



J. and Esther A. By his third wife, who depfirted 
this life in 1841, he became the f.tther of onechild, 
James M.. the subject of this sketch. His fourth 
wife wfis Mrs. S.ai-ah (McKnitt) Lane, their union 
being a childless one. 



^^ 



Jbsg. 



^^ 



^5=!»^^E0RGE E. BEDFORD. Energy and vigi- 
lance are among the essential qualifications 
for a successful agriculturist, and few men 
possess these good points in as great a degree as 
George E. Bedford, who now has a charming rural 
home on section 28, Silver Creek Township. Cass 
County. Mich. His estate now includes three 
hundred and sixty acres of l.ind, most of it im- 
proved with buildings of the best construction and 
modern design. He is a son of the Empire State, 
and is of English ancestrj- on the father's side, de- 
riving much of his energy and foresight from that 
source. He w.isborn in Onondaga County. Febru- 
ary 5, 1837, to the marriage of George and Ann 
(Smith') Bedford. 

The elder Mr. Bedford was reared on a farm in his 
native country, and e.irly in life became familiar 
with all the duties required on the same. He was 
left fatherless when but a boy. but after his mother 
married again young Bedford found his stepfather, 
who was an overseer on a large farm, one of the 
best of men. His own father had been an English 
soldier and was present at the siege of Gibraltar. 
George Bedford. Sr.. made his home with his 
mother until he had reached mature years, but at 
an early age began life's battles for himself. As 
might naturally be supposed, he began his career .is 
.in agriculturist, and that continued to be his chief 
calling in life. 

After his marriage to Miss Ann Smith, which 
occurred in his native country, he took passage for 
America and reached this country without disaster 
in the fall of 1835. Being without means and a 
stranger in a strange land, he went immediately 
to Syracuse, X. Y.. and in Onondaga County 
found work as a farmer and gardener for alK^ut six 





/y-T^Lyi^ 




l/^D^^C-n^^T-^cZ^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



243 



yp.'ii's. Tomptcd l)y the ricli promises lield out 
liv the tliPii new State of Mioliigaii, he moved his 
l:iiiiily tliere in the fall of 1841, and at the time 
of ills death was one of the oldest residents of 
Silver Creek Township, Cass County'. All his life 
was spent in the peaceful pursuit of farming, and 
he was well and favorably known throughout the 
county. 

The eight children born to his marriage were 
in the order of their births .as follows: George 
E., our subject; Ilattie, wife of .John Williams; 
IM.iriah, wife of Gilbert Conklin; John; Martha, 
wife of George Hawks; Edith, wife of Michael 
(Jarret; Jane, now deceased, the wife of .lohn 
Hawks; and Alice, wife of Charles Conklin. The 
parents of these children were consistent members 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church and all their 
lives contributed generousl}' to its support. He 
died on the 28lh of February, 1889, and she too 
passed aw.ay a few days later. 

George E. Bedford received his schol.astic train- 
ing in the district schools of Cass County, and as 
he was but four years of age when his parents 
settled in Jlichigan, all his recollections are of this 
State. He remembers distinctly the primitive log 
house in which his parents first settled, and how 
wild and unbroken the country was at that time. 
He remained with his parents until their deaths, 
and is now the owner of an excellent farm. He 
h.as never married. In [tolitics he is a Democrat. 



I ' I I 



IMEON BELKNAP, M. D., of Niles, was 
^^^ torn in the village of Barnard, Windsor 
j; Count\-, Vt., October 16, 1837. His ances- 
tors on the paternal side emigrated from 
England to America at an early period in tlie 
history of the Colonies, and made settlement in 
the Green Mountain State, where our subject's 
father, Seymour, and his grandfather, Simeon, 
opened their eyes to the light of d.aj'. The mother 
of our subject was Lydia, daughter of Sylvanus 
C'ampbell, and a native of XernioMt, lier ancestors 
being of Scotch origin. 



The Doctor's early boyhood da\s were passed in 
the Green Mountain State, and he fitted himself for 
college in the school at Newbury, Vt. At the 
conclusion of his literary studies, he entered upon 
the study of medicine, which he carried on under 
the preceptorship of Dr. Huntington, of Roches- 
ter, \t. At a somewhat later period he l)ecame a 
student in the medical department of the State 
University of Vermont, from which institution he 
was graduated in June of 1860, afterward spend- 
ing one j'car in hospitals in Boston, Mass. Open- 
ing an office at Rochester, Vt., he commenced the 
practice of his profession in that village, forming 
a partnership with Dr. W. M. Huntington, his 
preceptor, and gradually gaining a large and 
profitable practice. 

In 1873 the Doctor located in Niles, which he 
believed offered a favorable opening for a physi- 
cian. Subseciuent events justified his decision 
and [)roved the wisdom of his opinion, for he soon 
was in command of as much practice as he could 
give his personal attention to. For eleven years 
he was in partnership with the late Dr. E. J. Bo- 
nine, the firm title being Honine d- Belknap. Some 
two years previous to the death of Dr. Boiiine, 
our subject formed a partnership with his son, 
Fred R. Belknap. To his profession he brings the 
stores of a well-trained mind, great physical en- 
durance, and abilities of an unusually high order. 
It is not strange, therefore, that he h.as attained 
success, and that through his own tireless exer- 
tions, unaided either by circumstances or infiuen- 
tial friends, he has gained a place among the fore- 
most practitioners of southwestern Michigan. 

The marri.age of Dr. Belknap occurred in 1862, 
and united him with Miss Addie M. Rice, who at 
that time was a resident of Cincinnati, Ohio, al- 
though Vermont was her native home. Her fa- 
ther, Uriah Rice, was a prominent man in Cincin- 
nati, and for seventeen years filled the position of 
Superintendent of Schools of that city. The Doc- 
tor and his wife are the parents of two sons, Fred 
Rice and Simeon, .Jr. The first-named is a grad- 
uate of Bellevue Hospital College, New York, and 
after completing his medical stuilies he spent one 
year in Berlin, London and other European cities, 
where he had flic advantages of study under the 



244 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



most eminent ph^'sicians and siii'jjeons of this cen- 
tury. In his social connections, our subject is 
prominently identiSed with St. .Iose|)li ^'alley 
Lodge No. 4, A. F. it A. M., in which lie is an active 
worker. He has been a member of the American 
Medical Association since 1865; of the JNIichigan 
]\Icdical .Society since 1877; of Kalamazoo Acad- 
emy of Medicine since 1880; also of the Pan 
American Medical Congress. He Las been United 
States Pension Examining Surgeon for fifteen years, 
and is now Secretary of the Hoard at Niles; a 
member of the National Association of Railway' 
Surgeons; and Surgeon of the Michigan Division 
of the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago it St. Louis 
Railroad. 












"iflESSE S. EAST, tiie owner of a highly cul- 
tivated farm situated within the corporate 
limits of Buchanan, was born in Richmond, 
Wa^'ne County, Ind., .Tune 2, 1829. The 
ancestry of the famil3' is traced to iCiigland, 
whence some of its representatives emigrated to 
America in an early day and located in Virginia. 
In that State Grandfather William P^.ast w.as born. 
That State was also the birthplace of James East, 
father of our subject, who removed thence to Ten- 
nessee and made settlement in Blount County. 

Anna .lones was the maiden name of the mother 
of our subject; she was born in Tennessee, and 
removed thence in her girlhood to Richmond, 
Ind. Her father, .Jesse Jones, was, it is supposed, 
a native of Tennessee, and was of Welsh descent. 
The parents of our subject were married in Wayne 
County, Ind., where they located on a farm and 
resided about seven yeai-s. Thence they came to 
Cass County, ]\Iich., and settled on a farm in Cal- 
vin Township, the deed to which was signed bj' 
President Jackson. On that place the father died 
in 1888, when in his eighty-fourth year. The 
wife and mother still lives on the old homestead, 
which she owns. Although now (1893) in her 
eighty-ninth year, she still retains full possession 
of her mental faculties, and is in fair health. 



Ill the family of James and Anna East there 
were four daughters and six sons. The sons at- 
tained to manhood, but two of the daughters died 
when young. In this family our subject is the 
third in order of birth. At the age of thrt'C years 
he was brought to Michigan, where he acquired 
his education in the subscription schools of the 
district. He was about twenty-one years old 
when, in 1850, he married Anna B. Osborn. This 
lady is the daughter of the well-known Charles 
Osborn, who was born in North Carolina, became 
a preacher in the Society of Friends and won re- 
nown as the publisher of the first anti-slavery pa- 
per in the United States. The mother of Mrs. 
East was Hannah (Swain) Osborn, who was born 
in Tennessee. Mr. Osborn was twice- married, be- 
coming the father of eight children by his first, 
and nine children by his second union, and of 
that number Anna B. was the youngest. One of 
her nephews is ten 3ears older than she, and oth- 
ers are about her own age. 

Immediately following his marriage, our subject 
located in Cass County, INIicli., and cultivated a 
farm in Calvin Township. Afterward he removed 
to Vandalia, in the same county, and engaged in 
the milling business, being for a time employed on 
a salary and later becoming one of the proprietors. 
Upon moving to Niles, Mich., in 1868, he found 
employment in a Uouring-mill. Returning to 
Cass County in 1884, he bought a farm and cul- 
tivated it for six months, when he removed to 
Vandalia, in the same county, and resided in that 
village for two j'ears. He came to Buchanan in 
1887 and bought the sixteen-acre tract where he 
now lives. He and his wife are the parents of 
three sons: Ch.aries A., James F. and William W., 
the two first-named residing in Buchanan, and the 
latter being in business in Chicago. 

In .addition to the property which he occupies, 
Mr. I'.ast owns a sulislantial and commodious resi- 
dence in Buchanan, and has mone}- loaned at in- 
terest. His financial position, therefore, is one of 
independence and imiiortance. In his social affili- 
ations, he is a Mason, and is identified with the 
Blue Lodge in Cass County. Wliile he is not a 
member of any religious organization, he is gen- 
erous in his support of deuominational work, and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



245 



contributes liberally to the various enterprises orig- 
inated t)y tlie rresbvlerian Church. In politics, 
he is a Republican, and lias served as Townsliip' 
Treasurer and School Director in Cass County. 




MLLIAM R. ROUGH. One of the bcst- 



r/ linown and nn>st pros|)erous of the nianu- 
y/'^l facturing firms of JJerrien County is that 
of Rough IJros., of which William R. and Solomon 
Rough are the individual members. The promi- 
nence attained by tiieir wagon works among the 
business enterprises of Buchanan is due in a large 
measure to the perfect system witli which thej- 
conduct business and their excellent judgment. 
Since the inception of the enterprise in 1879, the 
firm has enjoyed a steady increase of trade, and 
tlic merit of tlieir stock and the close attention 
paid b^' them to all details of the business have 
caused their enterprise to become a successful one. 
The senior member of the firm is a native of 
Juniata County, Pa., and was born on the 8th of 
December, 1832. His father, David, and his grand- 
father, Joiin Rougii, were also natives of Penn- 
sylvania, and tlie latter, who was a farmer bj' oc- 
cupation, came to Berrien County in 1848, and 
located in Buchanan. Here he died at the age of 
seventy-two years. His wife bore the maiden 
name of Anna Riioads and was born in Pennsyl- 
vania, of German descent. They were the parents 
of five children, namely: William R., of this sketch; 
.Solomon; George H.; Sarah, wife of Peter Womer; 
and Kliza, Mrs. A. C. House. 

At the time Mi-. Rough came to Berrien County 
he was seventeen years old. He was reared on a 
farm and enjoyed common-school advantages. 
From boyhood he was interested in farming and 
made it his occupation until 1879, when he em- 
barked in business as a wagon manufacturer. 
From the first, as has already been stated, he was 
successful in his efforts, and now enjoys a well- 
earned reputaiion as a prosperous business man. 



One hundred men are given steady employment 
in the wagon works, in addition to which the 
firm has n large number t)f traveling men through- 
out the Jlississippi ^'alley. 

Politicallj- Mr. Rough is a Democrat. He has 
served as Justice of the Peace for twenty years 
and as Treasurer of Bertrand Townsliip for one 
year. In 1890 lie was elected to the position of 
President of the village and was re-elected for 
three consecutive terras. Religiously he is a mem- 
ber of the Evangelical Association in Buchanan 
and is one of the Trustees of the church. His 
propertj' interests are extensive, and he is the 
owner of considerable real estate in Berrien 
County. His landed possessions aggregate six 
hundred acres, all under cultivation, and sub- 
divided into farms, from the rental of which he 
derives a fair income. 

In 1853 Mr. Rough married Miss Mary A. Rough 
and they became the parents of two children. Both 
the children and the mother are deceased. The 
second marriage of our subject took place Decem- 
ber 8, 1892, and united him with Miss Kate J. 
Barnliart. This estimable lady was born in Penn- 
S3ivania and was there reared to womanhood. 
She is a lady of great worth of character and is 
highly regarded by her acquaintances. 



_^1 



^+^P-= 



"^ 



^^, HESTER C. MORTON. In all Cass County 
(l( there is perhaps no home more beautiful 

^^J/J than that of Mr. Morton. This rural al)ode 
is ()leasanlly situated in Wayne Townshi|),and has 
all the accessories which can enhance the comforts 
and heighten the pleasures of life. The homestead 
comprises four hundred acres of land, of which two 
hundred and fifty have been placed under excellent 
cultivation. The residence, a commodious struc- 
ture and comfortably furnished, was erected in 
1866 at a cost of $4,00(1 and conbiins all the modern 
conveniences. 

The owner of this pleasant home is a member of 
a family represented early in the history of Mass- 



246 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



achusetts, whither people by the name of Morton 
emigrated as early as 1620 and settled in Salem. 
Among the descendants of those sturdy pioneers 
may be mentioned the names of Hon. Levi P. Mor- 
ton, formerly Vice-President of the United States; 
Hon. Marcus Morton, ex-Governor of Massachu- 
setts; and J. Sterling Morton, of Nebraska. The 
grandfather of our subject, Ambrose Morton, was 
born In 1756 and served with valor during the en- 
tire period of the Revolutionary AVar. He followed 
farming pursuits until his death, which occurred on 
the 8lh of Januaiy, 1832. His wife was Sarah 
Tollman, a member of an old Puiitan family, and 
they became the parents of six children, all of 
whom are now deceased. 

The father of our subject, Ambrose Morton, was 
a native of Stoughton, Mass., born August 12, 
1788, while his mother was Sarah Cotton, who was 
born in A'ermont April 2, 1796, being the daugh- 
ter of Willard and Mercy A. ((Tallup) Cotton, na- 
tives respectively of Vermont and Connecticut. 
The parents of our subject were married in James- 
ville, Onondaga County, N. Y., August 16, 1818, 
and for a time resided in what was then the town- 
ship of Ponipey, later Lafayette Township. In 
1836 they sold their farm with a view to coming 
to Michigan, but instead of doing so, bought a farm 
in Onondaga Tovvnship, Onondaga Count}', where 
they lived for twelve years. Finally they removed 
to Skaneateles Township, of the same county, 
where the father died April 8, 1863. The mother 
survived him many years, passing away February 
23, 1879. They were the parents of twelve chil- 
dren, eight of whom are now living. At one time 
they were Universalists in their religious be- 
lief, but at a revival conducted by Dr. Newman 
the}- were converted to the Methodist Church. 
Politically, Mr. Morton was at first a Democrat, but 
in later life became an advocate of the principles 
of the Free Soil party. A man of patriotic nature, 
he served with valor in the AVar of 1812. 

In the township of Pompey, Onondaga County, 
N. y., the subject of this sketch was born February 
18, 1822. He was reared to manhood upon the 
home farm, receiving his education in the common 
schools and in Onondaga Academy. At the age 
of twenty years he commenced to teach school, and 



followed that profession for a time. In 1844 he 
came to Michigan and worked at such occupations 
as were open to him. For two months he wasem- 
l)loyed as a clerk in Constantine, Mich., and as 
soon as the season opened he engaged to work at 
accounts in the mill, but after having a hemorrhage 
of the lungs, he resigned his position. In 1847 he 
took up eighty acres where he now lives. The land 
was wholly unimproved and consisted of timbered 
openings. Mr. Morton at once began the work of 
improving the place and during the first j'ear he 
I'esided there he planted twenty acres to wheat. 
For a series of winters he engaged in furnishing 
ties for the Michigan Central Railroad, which was 
then being built through Cass Count}'. 

In his farming operations, Mr. Morton started 
with wheat and corn and engaged in raising pigs. 
During the late war he seeded the land to clover 
and also for a time raised sheep. Later he engaged 
in wheat-raising, and afterward devoted his atten- 
tion principally to cattle and horses. During the 
past few years he has divided his attention equally 
among sheep, swine and cattle. Socially, he has 
been identified with the Patrons of Industry and 
the Farmers' Alliance, and has served as Treasurer 
of the County Alliance, and was the first presiding 
officer in the subordinate lodge of the Patrons of 
Industry. Always taking a deep interest in educa- 
tional matters, he served with etliciency as a mem- 
ber of the School Board and as Superintendent of 
the township schools. In politics a Democrat for 
many years, he has lately identified himself with the 
Peojjle's party, which he aided in organizing. For 
ten years or more he has filled the office of Justice 
of the Peace. He was active in the organization 
of the Agricultural Society at Dowagiac and has 
held official positions in both the county and city 
societies. 

January 11, 1849, .Air. Morton married Miss 
Mary Ludlow, who was born in Ohio, September 
30, 1830. Her parents, Micajah and Juliana (Bar- 
ney) Ludlow, were natives of New A'ork State and 
became early settlers of the AVestern Reserve, Ohio, 
whence in 1837 they removed to Michigan and set- 
tled in AVayne Township, Cass County. Mrs. Mor- 
ton was educated in the common schools of Ohio 
and in the district schools of Michigan, the near- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



247 



est school Iwina; six or seven miles from lier home 
for a number of years. Of the seven children born 
of this union, five are now living, as follows: Mar- 
cus I,., who was born January 3(1, 1H50, married 
I'armelia Kelly, and with liis wife and nine children 
resides in Van Buren County-; Julia M., who was 
born September 2!), 1855, is the wife of E. I\I. Lud- 
low, of Harvey, 111., and the mother of live children; 
Carson I)., who was born September 24, 1859, mar- 
ried Mary (!. McKwen,and with his wife and child 
lives in Harvey, III.; Kditli Ma^', who was born 
October 2, 1861, married Seneca K. Gajje, of Dowa- 
giac, and they have two children; Mar^' E., born 
April 1, 1864, is the wife of S. P. Ball, of Wayne 
Township, and they are the parents of two chililren. 






x^ VRUS C. KYTIIEU. In looking back upon 
(|[ ^L the ancestors of our subje(-t, it is found that 
^^>7 he is descended from sturdy Welsh stock, his 
great-grandfather, Daniel Rythor, having passed 
his entile life in Wales. Daniel Ryllier, Jr., son 
of the latter, was also bttrn in that country. I)ut 
shortly after the Hevolutionary War he and two 
of his brothers crossed the ocean to America and 
located in the Old Bay State. There he married 
Miss Miuy McKec. In connection with the sad- 
dler's trade he also followed farming, and con- 
tinued the latter until his death, he being acci- 
dentally killed by a falling tree. He was a sol- 
dier in the War of 1812. 

His son, Elkhauah Ryther, was born in Massa- 
chusetts in 17!t5, and grew to manhood in that 
State. From the early age of eleven he made 
his own struggle for a livelihood, and when old 
enough enlisted in the War of 1812 as a |)rivate. 
Although he began earning his own living at an 
early age, he remained under the parental roof un- 
til after the war and learned the trade of wheel- 
wright and carri.age-builder. From his native 
State he went to Bcansville, Canada, and was there 
married to Miss Catherine Corwin, daughter of 



Samuel Corwin, and of English descent. Sliort'y 
after his marriage Mr. Hyther moved to Niagara 
County, N. Y., and after farming there for a 
short time returned to Canada. He settled in 
London and operated a machine shop for several 
years. 

Ill 1838 he moved to Berrien County, Mi(li., 
entered (iovernment land, and in connection with 
farming ran a sawmill for a number of years. 
About 1852 he went to .Jackson County, Iowa, and 
in 1871, after the death of his wife, he returned to 
Michigan with his children. He found a comfort- 
able home with our subject and died there in 1884. 
He and his wife were for many vears members of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church and contributed 
freely of their means to its support. In earl^^ life lie 
was a Jackson Democrat, but under Pierce's admin- 
istration he became a Republican, remaining with 
that party the remainder of his days. He reared 
a family of four children, as follows: Edgar, 
deceased; E. A., deceased, who was the wife of 
Thomas Bennett; Cyrus, our subject; :ind Noble 
E., now a resident of the State of Washington. 

The original of this notice was born in Niagara 
County, N. Y., in 18;}(), and received a fair ed- 
ucation in the common schools. He began life 
for himself by renting land, and when twenty- 
three years of age he was married to Miss Eliz;i- 
betli E. Chamberlin, a native of New Hampsliiro, 
ill which State her parents were also born. Nine 
children blessed this union, two of whom died in 
infancy. The remainder were in the or<lcr of their 
births, as follows: Mary E., deceased, who was tlu; 
wife of L. I. Church; Catherine C, who married 
Oscar W. Phel[)s; Hale E.; Rebecca C, wife of 
Charles Nye; William C; Thaddeus \'.; and Anna 
L., wife of R. Jessup. 

Mr. Ryther Ijought land in Berrien County at 
the time of his marriageaiid after a short residence 
in Iowa returned to that county, where he 
remained until 188-'$. He then came to his present 
home and here he has since reiiiained. He is the 
owner of eighty acres of imiiroved l:iiid, ;iii<l 
actively follows the occupation which he has 
chosen. In politics a Republican, .Mr. Kyther 
held a number of ollicial positions in I'.errien 
County and has ever been enthusiastic u) his sup.. 



248 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL RECORD. 



port of all public eni.erpiises. Himself and Mrs. 
Ry tlier are members of the Congregational Church. 
Mrs. Rytber's parents, John A. and Mary 
(Clough) Chamberlin, were natives of tlie Granite 
State. John A. Chamberlin was tlie sou of IMoses 
and Rebecca (Abbot) Chamberlin, also natives of 
New Hampshire, and the former of English descent. 
Mary Clough was tlie daughter of Jeremiah and 
Mary (P^oster) Clougli,and Rebecca Abbot was the 
daughter of Amos Abbot, who was born in New 
Hampshire. The latter was the son of Amos Abbot, 
who came to Massachusetts from England, but 
subse(iuently settled in New Hampshire. Mrs. 
Ryther's great-grandfather Foster was in the first 
Continental Congress, and Grandfather Chamberlin 
was a major in the Revolutionary War. The 
latter had a brother. Gen. Tieiijamin Chamberlin, 
in that war. 



\t/OHN HIGMAN, Ji;., a leading business man 
of .St. Joseph, is Secretary and Treasurer of 
the Wells-Higman Company, manufacturers 
of baskets, berry boxes and fruit packages 
of every variety. He was born on a farm in the 
town of Caton, Steuben County, N. Y., March 1, 
1853, and is the son of John and Clarisa B. (Brown) 
Higman. The father, an industrious and enter- 
prising man, is a farmer of Steuben County, where 
lie has made his home for many years. Tiie early 
school days of our subject were spent in much the 
usual routine of farmer lads, alternating work on 
the farm during tlic summer seasons with attend- 
ance at the neighboring school in winter. After 
completing the course of study in the district 
school, he entered the union scliool at Corning, 
N. Y., from which he was graduated at the age of 
twenty years. 

Coming to St. Joseph in 1873, Mr. Higman ac- 
cepted a position of clerk in the First National 
Bank of this city, of whicli liis brotlier, W. E. Hig- 
man, was at that time President. However, he re- 
mained in the bank a few months only, after 



which be formed a partnership with A. W. Wells, 
H. C. AVard and AV. W. Cooper, and embarked in 
tlie manufacture of fruit baskets and boxes. For 
a number of 3'ears he had charge of the sales de- 
partment and spent much of his time on the road. 
In 1883 he bought Mr. Cooper's interest and took 
charge of the financial department. In 1889 the 
business was reorganized as a stock company, 
known as the Wells-Higman Company, since which 
date Mr. Higman h.as been Secretary and Tieasurer. 

The compan}' has four basket plants, including 
tlie one in St. Joseph. The others are in Mem|)liis 
and Greenfield, Tenn., and Traverse City, ISIich., 
with branches at Benton Harbor and elsewhere. 
In 188',) new plants were started in the South, and 
in all of these branciies stead}- employment is 
given to about four hundred men. Tlie Traverse 
City plant eiTH)loys as high as two hundred hands, 
and has every modern convenience for the manu- 
facture of fruit packages. Mr. Higman takes a 
deep interest in all enterprises tending toward the 
improvement of St. Joseph, and is a liberal contri- 
butor to all projects calculated to facilitate its 
progress. He has been a member of the School 
Board for about ten years. Formerly he filled the 
position of Secretary and Treasurer of Plank's 
Tavern, which has been sold to other parties and 
is now known as Hotel St. .losepli. He gave a 
great deal of time in securing the Vaudalia road 
for St. Joseph, securing the right of way, besides 
otherwise assisting the project. He was President 
of the Board of Trade of St. Joseph for two terms. 

In 1877 Mr. Higinan married Miss Metta B., 
daughter of A. P. Barlow, of St. Joseph, and their 
union has resulted in the birth of tive daughters 
.and two sons. Mr. Higinan is at present serving 
as Trustee of the Children's Home of St. Joseph, 
and for years h.as been Chairman of the Board of 
Trustees of the First Baptist Church at Benton 
Harbor, and Superintendent of the Sundaj'-school. 
He owns valuable dock property on the St. Joseph 
River, also a line residence surrounded by ten 
acres of good land, and a tract of one hundred and 
fortj'-six acres on the lake front northwest of Ben- 
ton Harbor, a famous resort known as L. L. Gap, 
which is now being developed. He also has large 
real-estate interests in Sioux City, Iowa, and 



rORTRAlT AM) lilO(JliAl'IllCAL RECORD. 



249 



>[iniic:i|)olis, Minn. 15\- nature lie is gifted with 
lini' I'nciiiwTiu'iils and llicse lie lias cultivatci) to the 
utmost. Ills various enterprises are guided by 
prudiMieo, and intd his daily labors lie throws his 
individiiai u|iriglitnoss and <'iu'rgy. (lualitics which 
are the jjjlory of every man's chaiaeler and life. 



|K()H(;K .M. KI NOSBURY. an eiiler[)iising 
business man and a leading dry-goods mcr- 
ehanfof Cassopolis, Cass County, INIich., is 
a native of the State and county, and was born in 
the town of La Grange, April 2.'), \HC>2. The fa- 
ther of our subject, Asa Kingslniry, was one of the 
noted men and repiesiuitative [jioneers of the 
frontier days. Earnest, energetic and of superior 
business attainments, he was well fitted to cope 
successfully with the privations incidental to a 
new country, and with zeal entered into the ad- 
vancement of local interests. Asa Kingsbury was 
a native of .Massachusetts and possessed the in- 
flexible will and determination of character iii- 
hereiil in many of the dwellers of New England, 
lie readil}' discerned the broader 0|iportuiiities of 
the new States and Territories, and in 18.'i3 jour- 
neyed to the then far off State of Michigan. In 
1834 he located in Cassopolis, and from this latter 
date was constantly identified with the upward 
progress and rapid development of Cass County. 
To Ills encouragement and kindly aid many of the 
earl}' enterprises of Cassopolis owe their existence. 
In 185.0, answering to the demands of daily 
business, the father of our subject established in 
Cassopolis a private bank, and with financial abil- 
ity conducted the same until the First National 
Bank of Cassopolis was incorporated, in 1871, Mr. 
Kingsbury being one of the founders of this mon- 
eyed institution. During the rcniaining years of 
his life Asa Kingsbur}' continued the President of 
the bank. Uniformly prospered in all his business 
undertakings, he tlirovc steadily, and had acquired 
a large property at the lime of his death, lie passed 



away, his death mourned as a public loss by all w1k> 
knew him. U|)right, manly and intelligent, he 
fulfilled every duty of life which came in his way 
and was a true friend, a public-spirited citizen and 
a financier of a high order of ability. Our sub- 
ject, (ieorge M., enjoyed excellent educational ad- 
vantages, and for live years attended the Union 
School at Jackson. When nineteen years of age 
li(! engaged in the dry-goods business, the firm 
name being Mcllvainc, I'helps and Kingsbuiy. 
Within the past thirteen years numerous changes 
have taken place, and the business, increasing its 
proportions annually, is now conducted under the 
auspices of Kingsbur}', llanington il- Smith. 

\ 3ounger brother of our subject, David I,., 
now has an interest in the firm, of \vlii<'h (ieorge 
M. has been the real head and active financier for 
many years. Our subject has for the past four 
years been a Director in the bank over whose 
board his father was so long the incsiding otlicer. 
Mr. Kingsbury, always a busy man, never slights 
any [uiblic duty entrusted to his care, and as the 
rresidenl of the School Hoard has exerted his in- 
fluence in behalf of as high a grade of instruction 
and scholarship as is attainable in the schools of 
Cassopolis. As a member of the Board of Trus- 
tees and as Treasurer of Cassopolis for six years, 
he has given to his fellow-townsmen eflicient serv- 
ice in matters of mutual welfare, and is known 
throughout Cass County as a practical and liberal 
citizen. IVjIitically, our subject is a strong Demo- 
crat, and has ably represented his party on various 
occasions, and was sent as a delegate to the Na- 
tional Convention which convened in Chicago in 
181)2. 

Fraternally, Mr. Kingsbury is a valued mem- 
ber of the Ancient Free it Accepted Masons, 
and is a Knight Templar. He is High I'ricst of 
Kingsbury Chapter, which was named in honor 
of his revered father. On the 18lh of October, 
1882, George M. Kingsbury and Miss Estelle 
Powell were united in marriage. Mrs. Kingsbury 
is a daughter of Frank and Mary (llatf) Powell, 
old residents of Dowagiac, Jlich. The estimable 
wife of our subject is one of live sisters, accom- 
plished ladies, who occupy high social i)ositions, 
and arc well known and esteemed by a large cir- 



250 



PORTRAIT AND HIOGRAPinCAL RECORD. 



cle of friends. The be.iulifiil home of Mr. and 
Mrs. Kingsbury has been blessed by the biitli of 
one daughter, Lottie. Prospered as was his father 
in earlier days, our subject is numbered among 
the wealthy residents of Cass County, and has ac- 
cumulated a handsome competence. Aside from 
other valuable |iro|>erty, lie owns the fine bank 
building, one of the best business structures in 
Cassopolis. 



I>^^^^^ 



iTL^. (>RATIO <;. SAMSON. One of tlie pioneer 
farmers and business men of Berrien is the 
gentleman whose name introduces this no- 
V tice, and who is a prominent resident of 
the village of Buchanan. As the result of energy 
and perseverance, he has acquired extensive prop- 
erty interests, and is now the owner of two hun- 
dred and fort3' acres in Buciianan Township, Ber- 
rien Count}', ten acres within the corporate limits 
of tlie village of liuchanan, and two farms in Van 
Buren County, one having one hundred and 
tvventy acres, and the other consisting of eighty- 
acres. 

In Kingstown, Mass., our subject was born on 
the 7th of July, 1812. His father, George W., 
was born in Massachusetts in December, 1781, and 
in his youth was a sailor, shljjping as mate from 
Boston to all the foreign ports. He was not more 
than seventeen years of age when he was captured 
by the French, and was their prisoner for one year. 
After his marriage he located on a farm in Massa- 
chusetts, remaining there until 1812, when he 
removed from tiie Bay State to New York and 
settled in Homer, Cortland County. For a time 
he followed agricultural pursuits, but in 1827 lie 
became the proprietor of an hotel, and was land- 
lord of hotels in various ))laces until he retired 
from business. On the 4tli of Fel)ruary, 1868, he 
died at Homer, N. Y., being at that time eiglity- 
seven years old. 

The paternal grandfather of our suljject, Simeon 
Samson, was born in Kingston, Mass., August 1, 



1730, and served during the entire period of the 
Revolutionary War, never receiving a cent for his 
services. He filled the position of Captain on a 
privateering vessel during the Revolutionaiy 
War. The family originated in England, and its 
representatives have been prominent in their var- 
ious communities for generations past. The 
mother of our subject, Hannah (Shaw) Samson, 
was born in Middlebury, Mass., August 17, 1782, 
and died October 22, 186.0. Iler father, John 
Shaw, was a native of Massachusetts and traced 
his ancestry to England. 

The thirteen children born to George W. and 
Hannah Sanison were named as follows: Simeon, 
John Shaw, George W., Deborah C, Mary E., 
Lorenzo T., H. G., Isaac M., Maria, Asenath P., 
Barclay-, Hannah S. and Hannah (thesecond). Our 
subject started out in life for himself at the ago of 
nineteen jears, and for a time was employed at 
any occupation he could find. After working in 
an hotel for a short period, he sailed for the lianks 
of Newfoundland on a fishing tour, hoping thereby 
to materally benefit his health. He remained tliere 
until September, 1834, when, with health greatly 
impit)ved, he returned to Cortland County, N. 
Y., where he engaged as a peddler of dry goods. 
For seven months he traveled through the sur- 
rounding country in his wagon, and then accepted 
a cleiical position in a general store at Cazenovia, 
N. Y., where he remained until December, 1835. 

On the 2Gth of April, 1836, Mr. Samson started 
for JNIicliigan, making the trip via the canal to 
Buffalo, thence by steamer to Detroit, and fiom 
there to Berrien County, Mich., arriving at Niles 
in June. In that city he secured a situation as 
clerk ill the store of J. C. Larimore, with whom 
he remained until September of the same year. 
He then ac'ce|>ted a similiar position with the firm 
of Slater cfe Enos, of Niles, and later, when the 
partnership was dissolved, our subject accompan- 
ied Mr. Slater to Elkhart, Ind., and was eini)loyed 
in his store at that place. AVhen the business was 
closed out there, ]Mr. Samson returned to his 
former position as clerk in Mr. Larimore 's store, 
and remained in that establishment until Decem- 
ber, 1837. 

In company with Frederick Howe (who after- 




'^)^c^^ 



PORTRAIT AND P.FOORAI'IIICAL liECOHD. 



253 



wind hcunino liis I'allic-r-in-hiw), our subject went lo 
Ti'xn.s, iiih) upon his leturji to iMiuliigiiii stayed in 
NIK'S only temporarily, soon lenioving lo Wiscon- 
sin and (ipciatinij; a farm there. Upon locating in 
licrrion C'ountA', he hought a farm consisting of 
one hundred and sixty acres in Hertrand Town- 
shij), and made his home on that place for about 
four years. After selling that farm, he pur- 
chased sixty acres in lUichanan Township and 
has added to his original purchase until he is now 
th(! owner of two hundred and forty acres in- 
cluded in that f:irm. In KStiO he removed to his 
present homo in IJucliaiian. 

August 2t), l<S4.'5,Mr. Samson married Miss Ade- 
lina E. Howe, who was born in Cortland County, 
N. Y., and was there reared to womanhood. They 
are the parents of six children, namely: Marie, 
who is at home; George W., residing in Buchanan; 
Emma E., who is also with her [)arents; Lunette, 
who married W. -Jennings; and Jennie, wife of F. 
Sturtevant. 



-^1 



/^ IIARLES COLBY. In the death of this 
(ll n gt^itlcnian, which occurred February 28, 
^^/ 1892, Benton Harbor lost one of its fore- 
most business men and most popular citizens. He 
was born in Ogden, Monroe County, N. Y., in 
1829. His father, Col. Eastman Colby, was a na- 
tive of Salisbury, N. IL, born in 1785, and was for 
twelve years a commanding ollicer in the New 
York militia, I'esigning from the service in 1822. 
In 1804, before a single house stood on the site of 
the now flourishing city of Rochester, he settled 
in Monroe County, N. Y.,and there established his 
permanent home. He was one of the founders of 
the Baptist Church at Rochester and otliciated as 
Deacon for many yeare. His death occurred at 
Ogden in 1859, and he was followed by his wife 
during the ensuing year. She bore the maiden 
name of Hannah Niles, and was a woman possess- 
ing many excellent traits of character. 

The subject of this biographical sketch spent his 

12 



boyhood years in the county of his birth, whence, 
at the age vf twenty-one, he removed to Wiscon- 
sin and located at .Janesville. There he essayed 
his first business venture, going into the milling 
and nursery business, and soon acquired a local 
reputation as a man of unusual ability. Year 
after year added to his success, until in 18G0 he 
disposed of his milling and nurser}' interests to 
good advantage. Changing his residence to Cob- 
den, 111., he purchased a forty-acre fruit farm and 
settled down to the quiet life of a horticulturist, 
and tiie nianufacturo, in a modest way, of fruit 
baskets. 

Farming was congenial to one of Mr. Colby's 
nature, and he consequently dropped that feature 
of his business enterprises. Removing to Benton 
Harbor in 18C(i,lie devoted himself entirely' to the 
manufacture of fruit baskets and crates. He was 
among the lirst to engage in that industry in Ben- 
ton Harbor, and conducted the business success- 
fuU}-. In 1886 he formed a partnership with 
Myron Hinkly. and five years later the firm name 
was changed to the Colby-Ilinkly Company. The 
demand for their goods had a yearly increase, 
owing in no small degree to Mv. Colby's faculty 
of making and retaining friends during his busi- 
ness trips. 

Socially, it would be difficult to say too much 
in Mr. Colby's praise. He was a favorite among 
both old and young, and no gentleman of thirty 
was a more enthusiastic factor in adding to the 
enjoyment of his friends than was this old gentle- 
man of sixty-three years. He was one of the con- 
servative school of business men, and believed it 
better to attain prosperity gradual!}- than to enter 
the field of speculation in the hope of becoming 
suddenly' wealthy. Conseipiently his business 
prospered and grew solidly. His business meth- 
ods were honorable and his business friends legion. 

Politically, Mr. Colby was a Republican. While 
never aspiring to official honors in his party, he 
was a stanch and faithful worker. So pronounced 
were his political opinions that he might almost 
be called a radical Republican, and his party could 
always depend upon finding him where he could do 
the most good. He was very fond of hunting, and 
it was his custom every year after the business 



254 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RKCORD. 



season had ended to lake a trip to the nortliern 
part of Michigan and there enjoy tlie sport of 
hunting deer. 

In lt<52 Mr. Coll))- married Miss Emily J. HoU 
brook, who was born in Catskill, N. Y. Her foster 
parents, Ira and Margaret B. (King) Miltimore, 
were natives of New York State and died in Wis- 
consin. Mr. and Jlrs. Colby were the parent* of 
four children, two of whom are deceased. Those 
living are: Emma, the wife of Homer Portman, re 
siding in Benton Harbor; and Charles P.. who lives 
with his mother. The family residence is pleas- 
antly located on the corner of Pipestone and 
Colby Avenues and is one of the most attractive 
homes in the city. 



^^EORGE S. CLAPP is a son of Silas and 
jll' ,__, Esther (Risley) Clapp, who went from 
^^^ Hartford County, Conn., to the Western 
Reserve, then often called New Connecticut, in 
Ohio. In Columbia, in Lorain County, the subject 
of this sketch was born on the 16th of June. 1834. 
In 1846 the family moved to Berea, near Cleve- 
land, that the children might have the advantages 
of education in the then new institution, now 
known as Baldwin Tniversity, and where he re- 
ceived his education. His college society was 
the "Philozetian." and he was one of its foundei-s. 

Our subject's choice of the legal profession w.as 
made early. He practiced in Justice Courts quite 
a time before he was admitted, and had the swing 
in his section of Cuyahoga County, his opponent* 
often being attorneys from Cleveland. He for- 
mally entered his name .is a stude'nt-at-law with 
Loren Prentiss in Cleveland, but pursued his studies 
at home, except for a few weeks in 1856 in the office 
of Hon. Stevenson Burke in Elyria. In 1856 he 
was admitted by tlie District Court, sitting in 
Cleveland, to practice law. 

Originally a Democrat, as a consequence of the 
Kansas-Nebraska struggle, he went with a host 
more like him into the Republican party. He 



made speeches for Salmon P. Chase for Governor 
in 1855 and in 1857, and for Fremont for Presi- 
dent in 1856. He relates how in 1857, at a meet- 
ing, the audience were all of the opposition ex- 
cept two, and an attempt was made by a veteran 
Democrat to down the youngster by interruiititnis. 
The speaker, however, worked his opponent on to 
the right ground, and then made his argument so 
vigorous and conclusive from his opponent's own 
oracles, that he completely silenced the o])position 
and had the floor to himself uninterrupted until 
he closed in his own good time. In 1872 he was 
a delegate to the National Republican Convention 
at Philadelphia, when Gen. Grant was re-nomin- 
atcd. Eber B. Ward and Hon. AVilliain A. How- 
ard were among the other delegates. 

In 1860 he moved to Mt. Vernon, Ohio, and 
was editor of the Knox Oniiily Express for a few 
months. He returned to Berea in 1861, and in 
1862 removed to St. Joseph, Mich, He at once 
entered into active practice and has followed 
the legitimate profession of the law ever since. 
From 1870 there have not been many important 
trials in IJerrieu County he has not been engaged 
in. In the judicial campaign just closed, a list of 
cases i-eraoved to the Supreme Court from the Sec- 
ond Judicial Circuit was published; it shows over 
a hundred cases in which Mr. Clapp was concerned. 
He says he had fair luck — that he lost only about 
a quarter of them. Not aspiring to be known 
as a criminal lawyer, he has probably tried more 
criminal cases than any other lawyer in the cir- 
cuit. His particular delight is in real-estate liti- 
gations. Of that kind he has had a large share. 
Among his cases he successfully defended the title 
of the two leading Protestant churches in St. 
Joseph to their church property, and that of tbe 
city to the magnificent boulevard overlooking the 
lake. 

In 1882 he lemoved to Niles from St. Joseph, 
and his position is among the foremost of the at- 
torneys in the Second Judicial Circuit. He is .i 
successful trier of cases, and is considered a success- 
ful .advocjile, but he never depends upon his abilities 
alone. He carefully prepares every case, is indus- 
trious and painstaking, and earns his victories by 
hard work, and when defeated takes it in good 



PORTliAIT AND .'ilOGRAPIllCAL RECDRD. 



255 



grace, that the case was too much for him. He is 
jealous for the honor of iiis piofession, spurns 
tricks and suhteifuiies, and niaintains and acts on 
the helief that no man is more in iionor hound to 
he tionest and a gcnllenian, than is the hiwyer. 
lie has served a pretty good time, but sa3-s he ex- 
pects to stay with the hoys aljout twenty-live years 
longer, before he will confess being a veteian. 

Socially, he is idontilied with the Masonic orders, 
including the coiiunaiidcry. lie was married to 
Helen S., daughter of S. W. I'errj-, of Ellyria, Ohio, 
Se[)teraber 18, 18/)(). They are the parents of 
thiee daughters. Carrie L. is the wife of Dr. S. C. 
\'an Antwerp, of X'icksburgli; Esther K. and Elea- 
nore H. are twins, the former now being the wife 
of Harvey C. Reeson, a scion of one of the oldest 
families in Niles. 



\Tr^USSELL M. JONES, a retired merchant resid- 

Li^ ing in Henton Harbor, was born in .lelTerson 

\> ^'<J""^yi^- ^ -1 September 15, 1830, and is the 

son of Russell .M. and Olivia (Smith) Jones, 

both of whom were natives of New York State. 

The father, whose occupation throughout life was 

that of farming, was a son of Russell Morgan Jones, 

and traced his lineage to England. The mother 

of our subject was the daughter of David Smith, 

and was also of substantial English stock. 

In the parental family there were eight children, 
five sons and three daughters, Russell M. being 
the second in order of birth. Three of the number 
are now deceased. The boyhood years of our sub- 
ject were passed in the county of his birth, where 
for a time he conducted his studies in the district 
schools. Later he entered Union A<;ademy, where 
he iirepared for college. Entering L'nion College at 
New York, he pursued his studies in that institu- 
tion with perseverance and untiring ai'dor until 
his graduation in 1860, after which he eng.aged 
for a time in teaching. 

In June, 1862, Mr. Jones enlisted as a member 
pf Company E, Tenth New Yoik Heavy Artillery, 



and, made Second Lieutenant in .September of 
that year, was assigned to the Army of the Po- 
tomac. As a jjart of the heavy artillery arm of 
the service, they were stationed in the defenses of 
Washington, and afterwards did duty in the 
trenches of Petersburg as infantry during the last 
siege, until thecajiilulalion. lie with his coinmaiid 
bore an lionoral)le pail in many of the engagements 
of the Army of the Potomac, the principal of 
which were at Cold Harbor, Bermuda Hundred, 
the campaign of the Shenandoah \'alley, etc. 
October 27, 1863, Mr. Jones was promoted to the 
rank of First Lieutenant, which rank he held until 
the close of the war. In July, 1865, he with his 
regiment was mustered out, at the close of the war. 

Our subject returned to New York, and en- 
gaged in teaching in Jefferson County. He was 
united in marriage with Miss Jane, daughter of 
William and Eliza George, of Ft. Wayne, Ind. 
The date of this event was the 18th of June, 
1865, and it was celebrated at Williamsport, Pa., 
Mr. Jones being there on a leave of absence from 
the army. In the fall of 1865 he moved AVest to 
Ft. Wayne, Ind., and began reading law in the 
ollice of Morris .V- Wordeii, after which he entered 
the law department of the I'niversit}' of Michigan, 
at Ann Arbor, but on account of failing health he 
was obliged to discontinue his legal studies before 
completing the course. 

From Ft. Wayne Mr. Jones removed to Benton 
Harbor, where he eng.aged in fruit cultiu'e for about 
six years. He then formed a partnership with 
Ileniy L. Pitcher, under the firm name of II. L. 
Pitcher & Co., and in this connection eng.aged 
in the drj'-goods business. Two years afterward 
George F. Sonner was jidmited to the partnership, 
the title of the firm being changed to Pitcher, 
Jones it Sonner. 

A few years after this connection was entered 
into, Mr. Pitcher disposed of his interest to the 
other members of the firm, who continued the 
business under the name of Jones & Sonner. They 
gained an' extensive reputation for honorable 
methods of dealing and the superior quality of 
their stock, and had a ver}' profitable trade. In 
1889, the partners closed out and retired from 
business, although Jlr. Jones and Mr. Sonner still 



256 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



retain the ownership of the hriek block and other 
valuable real estate. Mr. Jones is the owner of 
other valuable real estat*. and is now engaged in 
buying and selling property. 

A stanch Republican in politics, Mr. .Joues has 
never lieen solicitous of office, preferring to devote 
his entire attention to his business. However, in 
1893, he was elected Alderman of the Third Ward. 
Socially, he is identified with Lake Shore Lodge 
No. 298, A. F. A- A. M.. and Calvin Brittain Chap- 
ter Xo. 56, R. A. M. Mr. and Mrs. .Tones have had 
born to them two sons: Henry Russell, who died 
February 10. 1871, aged about a year and a-lialf: 
and Maurice Lindley .Jones, who is now a student 
at the Michigan MiningSohool, at Houghton, who 
will graduate .is a mining engineer in the Class of 
'94. Mrs. .Jones is a member and one of the most 
active workers of the Congregational Church. 
The family residence is situated at No. 121 Wash- 
ington .Street. It is the abode of hospitality, and 
in it the genial host and hostess are accustomed 
to frequentlj" welcome and pleasantly entertain 
their many personal friends. 




EN. GEORGE T. SHAFFER has recently 
retired to his farm in Calvin Township, 
a^ County, from the position of Com- 
missioner of the Land Office of Michigan, which 
he has filled with marked distinction for years. 
A native of Ohio, he was born near Springfield, 
Clarke County, October 9, 1822, and is the son of 
Peter Shaffer, who was born in Rockingham 
County. Va.. January 10, 1791. The paternal 
grandfather, Abraham Shaffer, was a G^erman by 
birth, and came to this country with his parents, 
whose names we have been unable to secure. 

The family settled in Virginia, where Grand- 
father Shaffer became well and favorably known 
among the citizens of the Old Dominion. He was 
a man of liberal education and considerable abil- 
ity, and by trade was a gunsmith. Although liv- 
ing in a slave .State, none of the familv ever owned 



I 



slaves, in fact, without exception they were op- 
posed to human slavery. Abraham Shaffer mar- 
ried a German lad^- and they had six children, 
namely: .T.ieob, Abraham, Sarah, Peter and Henry 
(twins'), and David, all of whom with the eseei> 
tion of Henry attained to maturity and reared 
families. Henry died when quite young. The 
men of the family possessed sterling worth of char- 
acter and were principally eng.aged in farming 
pursuits. Jacob and Abraham died in Ohio; Sarah 
married Henry Smith, in Clarke County, Ohio, 
and one of her sons. Maj. Joseph Smith, became a 
wealthy merchant and in an early day came to 
Michigan, where he served as Major of the Slate 
militia. An active jxilitician in the early history 
of this Stiite and a stanch Democrat throughout 
his entire life, he served as a member of the Mich- 
igan Legislature and occupied other positions of 
prominence. He died in Cassopolis about 1879; 
his mother died in this county about 1848. David 
Shaffer came to Michigan in 1829, but removed 
thence to Iowa in 1854 and died on a' farm in that 
State. 

Peter Shaffer, the father of the General, was 
born in Virginia, as stated above, and accompanied 
his father to Ohio about 1810, settling on land not 
far from the city of Springfield. Peter and a 
brother cleared .ind cultivated the land, white 
their father followed his trade of a gunsmitli. 
While he had an excellent German education, 
Peter Shaffer had a somewhat limited knowledge 
of English. He was one of the best mathematicians 
of his da3" and was a man of more than ordinary 
ability and of indomitable will, alwaj^s accom- 
plishing what he started out to do. His wife was 
known in maidenhood b}- the name of Sarah 
Thomas, and was born in Pennsvlvania, being a 
daughter of George Thomas, a native of tlie North 
of Ireland and of Scotch ancestry. Mr. Thomas 
accompanied his parents to this country when a 
mere child, and at the age of eighteen enlisted as 
a soldier in the Revolutionary War. serving 
throughout the entire period of the conflict until 
its close. His father and the father of Gen. George 
Thomas, who distinguished himself in the Civil 
War, were brothers and were named no doubt 
after George Thomas of Revolutionarv fame. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



257 



Having received a liberal education, he was rather | 
ill advance of the young men of his time, and in 
oaily life followed the profession of a teacher. 

The father of our subject was usually known as ! 
"Captain," having received the title from his ser- 
vice as Captain of militia in Ohio, and he also 
served in the War of 181-2. In 18-28 he came to 
Michigan and purchased a tr.act of land in what is 
known as Young's Prairie, after which he returned 
to C)hio. In the spring of 1832, he brought his 
family to this .State and bought five or six hun- 
dred acres of land where Gen. .Shaffer now lives, 
lie also engaged extensively in the lumber busi- 
ness and owned and operated sawmills. He aided 
in the organization of Calvin Townshii) and was 
one of its first ollicers. For twenty years he filled 
the position of .Justice of the Pe.ace,and also served 
as .Supervisor and Clerk of the township, being 
one of the foremost men in the community. After 
having attained to a ripe old age, he passed awaj-, 
.Inly 1.'5, 1880, on the pl.ace now owned by our 
subject. His wife had departed this life in 1851, 
nearly thirty years prior to his demise. 

Tli(>re were seven children in the parental fam- 
ily, the General being the fifth. The}- arc sketched 
as follow-s: Alcy married Leonard Keen, and died 
in .leffersou Township, Cass County, in 1889. 
Peter, her son, enlisted in the service of the Lnion 
during the late war, and, losing his health in the 
.service, died after the close of the war. Mary 
died in 1834, when a young lady. Henry went to 
California in 18;-)(), and died there in 18.')L Nancy 
mairiod William T. Reed, and after having reared 
several children, died in Newberg Township. Her 
husband and son Henry .served in the Civil AVar 
and both died while in the Atlanta campaign. 
Sarah married John Keen and makes her home in 
C.assopolis. Abraham, during the groat gold ex- 
citement in the West, went to California in 18.50, 
returning six j'ears later. In 185!) he again sought 
the Pacific Coast, and came Kast once more in 1863. 
He now makes his home in Colorado, and is widely 
known on .account of having invented several 
pieces of farming machinery. 

We have now given a brief outline of the fam- 
ily from which (len. Shaffer sprang and of the 
more proiniin.'iit members of the famil\ , but it is 



to the General himself that our space must be 
given most largely, for he has had a most notable 
career. A modest, genial gentleman, with the 
record of a hero and a variegated experience such 
as falls to the lot of few men, the once sturd}- 
form is a trifle bent now, and the hair is turning 
white, but the grasp of the right hand is still as 
strong and cordial as when its owner emjiloyed it 
in rocking a gold pan in the Californian placer 
mines away b.ick in the '50s, or swung his sword 
for the charge on Southern battlefields. Teacher, 
farmer, miner, merchant, hotel-keeper, r.anchman, 
soldier, prisoner of the war in the Libby hell, then 
farmer again for a score of years, and afterward 
for a number of years holding an important office 
in the State Capitol at Lansing, and now living in 
retirement on h.is farm, this, in a few words is the 
story of the life of Gen. Shaffer. It is the story 
of a brave man and one of indomitable pluck be- 
sides. 

Most men who afterward Iwcome distinguished 
manage to be born in Ohio, and the General is no 
exception. He came to Michigan from Ohio with 
his father in 1832 and aided in clearing a heavily 
timbered farm, also worked with his father in the 
lumbering business. He attended the pioneer 
schools of the day about tn-o or three months e.ach 
year, and thus p.assed his 3'ears up to his majority. 
He then for two years w.-is a student in a select 
school at Kdwardsburgh. Early in life he devel- 
oped a taste for music and became ])rolicient in 
bolh local and instrumental music. These he 
taught, in adrlition to which he filled the duties 
of pedagogue in a district school until the spring 
time of 1850, when the stories of the wonderful 
gt>ld discoveries drifted across the great .American 
desert and set the pulse of the whole continent 
throbbing. 

Among the scores of adventurous Wolverines 
who joined in the life and death liuiit for the 
shining metal, was a little groiii) of brawny ^oung 
fellows from the vicinity' of the Shaffer homestead, 
and our subject was one of these. IJy the time 
the little party reached Council Bluffs and was 
ready for the [lerilous oveHand journey across 
deserts and mountains, it was increased to about 
ninety in uiimlicr. The ipialities that afterward 



258 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



raised George T. Shaffer from the ranks to the 
position of Brigadier-General were already stirring 
in his blood, and by a unanimous vote he was 
chosen Captain of the expedition. Under iiis 
vigilant and soldierly leadership his party was 
conducted tlirough the Indian country over moun- 
tains and across deserts in perfect safety, and four 
months after tlicy left Cass County he marched 
them into a California mining camp, subsequently 
named Placerville. The next four years were 
filled with romantic and thrilling experiences, and 
Gen. Shaffer has a rich fund of quaint stories con- 
cerning old mining days and tells them with un- 
conscious eloquence. 

From placer mining, Gen. Shaffer conducted a 
trading-post and a hotel, also operated a ranch in 
the Sacramento Valley, his brothers Henry and 
Abraham being interested with him. In the spring 
of 1858 he cleared up his business in California, 
and returned to Michigan via the Isthmus of 
Panama and New York. Soon after his return to 
this State, he married Miss Alcy Jane Carmichael, 
to wliom he was betrothed previous to liis journey 
to the far West. He intended to return to Cali- 
fornia, but his father, broken in liealth, urged liim 
to buy the old home farm and remain there until 
his father's leave of life should end. This he did. 

A few years later, when the Civil War broke 
out and the country had need of all her loyal 
sons, our subject enlisted in Company A, Nine- 
teenth Micliigan Infantry, of which he was chosen 
First Lieutenant. lie was live times promoted for 
bravery, gallant service and strict attendance to 
duty. Tiie last tiuie, March 13, 1865, he was pro- 
moted to the rank of Brevet-Colonel and Briga- 
dier-General of United States Volunteers for his 
gallantry in the Atlanta campaign of 1864, and at 
tlie battle of Wise's Fork, N. C, three days previ- 
ous to his promotion. Among the important en- 
gagements in which he participated were those of 
Thompson's Station (Tenn.), Resaca, Cassville, 
Dallas, Golgotha Church, Twin Mountains, Culp's 
Farm, Kenesaw Mountain and the siege of At- 
lanta. 

At Thompson's Station Gen. Shaffer was taken 
prisoner and was thrown in Libby Prison, where 
he was conlined for two months before he was ex- 



changed. At the battle of Culp's Farm he was 
wounded in the right thigh. His wounds were 
dressed on the field and he remained with his com- 
mand until after the battle of Kenesaw Moun- 
tains, when Gen. Sherman issued orders for his 
command to prepare to march, and, there being no 
ambulances to carry the sick and wounded. Gen. 
Shaffer was obliged to go to the rear. This was 
the only time in his four years' service he was in 
hospital or off duty. He remained there less than 
thirtj' da3's and then returned to his command 
against the protest of the hospital surgeon. For 
six weeks thereafter his wound w.as daily dressed 
on the field. His regiment, the Twenty-P^ighth 
Michigan, was retained in the service for more 
than a year after Lee surrendered, during which 
time Gen. Shaffer held several important posi- 
tions. 

For a time Gen. Shaffer was in command of the 
post at Shelby, N. C, and subsequently was in 
command of the posts at Goldsborough and New 
Berne. He relieved Biigadier-General W. IX Har- 
den from the command of the district of Raleigh. 
Aside from his duties as commanding officer of the 
district and post of Raleigh, he was President of a 
military commission, also of a general court mar- 
tial. Like thousands of other brave men he dropped 
the sword to grasp the plow handle once more, 
and settled down to the quiet life of a farmer 
again. For many j'ears he devoted his time largely 
to contributing to the comfort and happiness of 
his aged father during the closing years of his 
life. 

The General remained quietly on the farm until 
his party, looking around for good material for the 
State offices, turned its eye upon the farmer Gen- 
eral, and he was elected Commissioner of the Land 
Office. From the duties of this important office 
he had just retired when tlie writer called upon 
him at his extensive farm in Calvin Township. 
It is a gallant record, but through it all its maker 
has remained the same unaffected, kind, courteous 
gentleman. Mr. and I\Iis. Sliaffer have three chil- 
dren, two daughters and one son. Their older 
daughter, Sadie S., is teaching at Birmingham, 
Mich. Ruth daughters were educated in the State 
Normal, and are ladies of great culture and fine 



PORTRAIT AND BICGKAPIIICAL RECORD. 



259 



musical eriiic.itions. The son, William T. Sliprman, 
was ediicateil in tlic High School ;il C'nssoijolis, 
and for a tinu' was book-kec[)cr in the land ofBce 
under his father, and is now on the home farm. 
Politically, the General is a Democrat, as were his 
father and grandfatiier before him. In his social 
connections he aHiliatcs with the Knights Tem- 
plar. 




IjURGKTTK L. DEWKY. In all Cass County 
there is no business establishment that, in 
quality of stock and facilities for the prompt 
supi)ly of goods of every description, sur- 
passes or even equals the nourishing enterprise 
conducted by the well-known firm of Dewey & 
Defciidorf, of Dow.agi.ac. Their store contains a 
complete Stock of dry goods and carpets, and is 
witiiout exception the largest in th(! county. The 
firm occupies two storerooms, with the upper tloors 
and basement, and employs a force of five clerks 
and a cashier. Tlieir l)iiilding has a frontage of 
forty-four feet, witli a depth of eighty feet, and the 
large plate-glass windows add to the attractiveness 
of the store, as well as furnish a splendid [tlace for 
the display of goods. 

The senibr member of this linn was born in 
Oneida County, N. Y., on the 13lh of October, 
181;'). A brief mention of his ancestors will be of 
interest to our readers. His grandfalhcr, Harry 
Dewey, was born in Connecticut, but reniuved from 
that State to New York, where he settled in ( )iieida 
County and purchased a farm. Of his union with 
Miss Harriet lUiss two sons and two d;iuglilers were 
born, namely: Lambert li., father of our subject; 
Henry, a resident uf New York Mills. Oneida 
County, N. Y.,and now (18',):?) eighty-one years 
old; Mrs. Fannie Sturlcvant, who resides in Del- 
avan, Wis.; and Maria, who died at the age of 
twenty years. Grandfather Dewey followed the 
occupation of farming until his death, which oc- 
curred in Oneida County, N. Y. 

Lambert H. Dewey, father of our subject, was 



born in Oneida County, and upon attaining to 
manhood married Miss Delia A. Storey, the daugh- 
ter of Alvin Storey, a prominent and extensive 
farmer of Oneida County. Her grandfather, Ca|)t. 
Enoch Storey, served .as a Captain during the Rev- 
olutionary War, and died when over ninety-five 
years of age. After his marriage Mr. Dewey lo- 
cated in Walesville, Oneida County, where he en- 
gaged in tilling the soil. A prominent man in 
public affairs, he served as Justice of the Peace, 
Collector of the country, and Postmaster at Wales- 
ville. In 18.59 he came to Marcellus Township, 
Casis County-, Mich., and, purchasing some unim- 
proved land, devoted his attention to its cultiva- 
tion. In 18()I he removed to Porter Township, 
Van Bureii County, Mich., and ra.ade his home upon 
an improved farm there for ten yeais, when he 
came to Wayne Township, Cass County, and lo- 
cated on a farm. After having resided there for 
ten or more years, he came to Dowagiac, where he 
now lives retired, having attained to the advanced 
age of seventy-seven years. Since the organization 
of the Republican party, he has been one of its most 
devoted champions and has served his party with 
loyalty and zeal. Religiously, he is an active mem- 
ber of the Christian Church. 

At the age of fourteen years, the subject of this 
biographical notice accompanied his father to 
Michigan, where he conducted his studies for some 
time. In 18()4-65 he attended Eastman's Business 
College, at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., graduating from 
that institution in 18()5. Upon his return to 
Dowagi.ac he accepted a clerkshiii in the general 
store of Jones <fe Gibbs and remained with that firm 
until 1873, a period of eight years. He then 
formed a partnership with Alarvin I)cfen<lorf and 
Daniel Lylc, the title of the linn being Dewey, 
Defendof &■ Lyle. Ipon the death of Mr. L> le in 
1887, his place in the tirm was assumed by Eu- 
gene Lyle, who retired one year later, and since 
that time the business has been conducted under 
the name of Dewey iV Defendorf. 

October i;{, 18()7, occurred the marriage of P.. L. 
Dewey to Miss Saiali E. (ireen, who was born in 
Poughkeepsie, N. Y.,but removed thenco at the age 
of nine years .and located with her father, William 
H. (ireen. in liattle Creek. Mr. and Mrs. Dewey are 



260 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



tlie parents of three children, namely: Harry B., 
who is engaged in tiie hardware business at P^lre- 
iio, Okla.; Hattie Free and Fred L., who are at 
home. The elder son married Miss Lizzie Pettee, 
of Osage City, Kan., the daugliter of S. B. Pettee, 
a business man residing in Elreno, Okla. One 
child lias been born to bless this union, a son named 
Marshall Hurgette. 

A man of strong convictions and decided opin- 
ions, Mr. Dcwe3' believes that the principles of the 
Republican party are best calculated to promote 
the progress of the nation, and he accordingly 
gives his unw.avering support to the party of his 
choice. For one term he served as Mayor of the 
city and he is at the present time a member of the 
Board of Kducatiou, with which he has been con- 
nected for twenty years. Socially, he is a Royal 
Arch Mason and has been Secretary of the lodge 
at Dowagiac. In his religious belief he is a Con- 
gregationalist and is a Trustee of the church here. 



[^ 



-S) 



^+$ 




THOMAS J. EDWARDS, Treasurer of Cass 

County, and a prominent business man of 
'^' Dowagiac, was born in Ann Arbor, Mich., 
June 23, 1844. He is of direct English descent, 
his parents, Thomas and Louisa (Kellott) Edwards, 
having both been born in Leicestershire, England. 
The father learned the drug trade in his native 
laud, and after his emigration to America, in 1837, 
followed that business in Ann Arbor, Mich., from 
1842 until the time of his death, in 1859. After 
the death of liis first wife, which occurred in 1851, 
lie was again married, choosing as his wife Jliss 
Elizalieth Edwards, his first cousin. Seven chil- 
dren resulted from the first marriage, and three 
were born of the second union, all of whom are 
now living. The father of this family was very suc- 
cessful in his business, and being a man of shrewd 
foresight and sound judgment, he attained a prom- 
inent position among the moneyed men of Ann 
Arbor, and at his deatli left a fortune to his fam- 
ily. While not an active partisan, he always dis- 



plaj-ed an intelligent interest in public affairs, and 
was a stanch Democrat. 

Little of unusual interest occurred to individ- 
ualize the life of the subject of this sketch i)rior 
to the commencement of the Civil War. hi Au- 
gust, 1861, he enlisted as a member of Company 
C, First Michigan Infantry, and at the expiration 
of his term of enlistment w.as mustered out, in 
November, 1864. Afterward he re-enlisted in the 
Ignited States service, serving with the same com- 
jiany and regiment as before. He was mustered 
out on the 9th of July, 1865, after having served 
altogether a period of four years lacking one 
month. He took an active part in forty-seven en- 
gagements, being in all the important engage- 
ments of the Army of the Potomac. He was 
wounded in the battle of Malvern Hill on the 1st 
of July, 1862, and was taken to the hospital at 
Philadelphia, where he remained until his recov- 
ery. In the Peninsular campaign he saw consid- 
erable active service. Throughout his entire mili- 
tary life he displayed the possession of valor, cour- 
age and energ3', and in the thickest of the fight 
his cool intrepidity never failed him. To such as 
he the Union owes a dclit of gratitude that can 
never be repaid. 

Returning to Michigan, Air. Edwards located in 
Ypsilanti, where he served an apprenticeship at 
the trade of a marble-cutter, and followed that oc- 
cupation for ten years, part of the time in Ypsi- 
lanti. In 1872 he came to Dowagiac and cm- 
barked in the marble and granite business, which 
he still conducts, having established a lucrative 
trade and built up an extensive business. His 
marriage, which occurred on the 10th of Septem- 
ber, 1868, united him with Miss Mary S. Cad_y, 
the daughter of Charles and Fidelia (Carter) Cady, 
her father being a farmer of Ypsilanti. She was 
born and reared in that city, and has spent her 
entire life in Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Edwards 
have two children: Wallace V., Cashier of Lee 
Bros. & Co.'s Bank, at Dowagiac; and Myrta L., 
who is at home. 

Politically, our subject is a Repuljlican, and is 
so positive in his opinions as to be considered 
radical. In State and national |)olitics, he takes a 
deep interest, and has himself figured prominently 



PORTRAIT AND BIOORAPHICAL RECORD. 



263 



ill tlie public life of tlie comiminity. lie served 
as AlflcriiKiu for six \ears, and was prominent in 
the City Council. In the fall of IHIH), lie was 
elected County Treasurer, and two years later lie 
was re-elected, being the present incumbent of the 
office. In the Grand Army of the Republic he en- 
joys considerable prominence, and was tiie first 
Conimandcr of II. C. Gilbert Post No. 47, at 
Dowagiac, having filled that position for five suc- 
cessive years. He has l)een a Chairman of the City 
Republican Committee, also a member of the 
Countj^ Republican Committee. Identified with 
the Masonic order, he has served as Master of the 
lodge. High Priest of the chapter, and is a member 
of tlie commandery at Niles. He is also connected 
with the Modern Woodmen of America and the 
Ancient Order of United Workmen, being an ac- 
tive member of these societies. 



.^^EORGE E. SMITH. This influential busi- 
lll ^ — , ness man of St. Joseph is a dealer in real 
^A^sJJjj estate and also devotes csjjecial attention 
to loans and collections. He is highly respected 
among the people of this city by the Lake, and, 
being a thoroughly practical man in all depart- 
ments of his business, he enjoys a steadily growing 
prosperity, which is the result of merit. St. Joseph 
is progressing rapidly to a front rank among the 
cities of Michigan, and its real estate is constantly 
increasing in value. As the natural result, the 
business in which Mr. Smith is engaged has as- 
sumed proportions hitherto undreamed of, and 
has attained an importance which in former j'ears 
it did not possess. 

Mr. Smith is a native of Connecticut and traces 
his ancestry through a long line of worthy and 
brave men to Old England, whence at an early 
period in the .settlement of the United States his 
prf)genitors emigrated hither and established 
homes for their families. Josiali Smith, the grand- 
father of our subject, was born in Connecticut 



and did valiant service during the period of the 
Revolutionary War. Josiah Smith, Jr., father of 
our subject, was also a native of the Nutmeg .State, 
and died in January, 188.S. The mother of our 
subject was Betsej', a daughter of Daniel Lock- 
wood and a native of Connecticut. 

At Stamford, Fairfield County, Conn., George 
E. Smith was born on the 21tli of March, 1838. 
His boyhood was uneventfully spent in his father's 
home, and much of his time was given to his 
studies, which he carried on in the common schools 
and later at a private boarding-school. Upon 
leaving school, he aided his father in the farm 
work and continued thus occupied for ten years. 
It had always been his desire to travel and gain 
the broad information which comes from contact 
with people of other countries. As soon, there- 
fore, as he was able to do so, he left home and 
traveled extensively throughout the United States, 
Cuba and Canada. 

Coming to St. Joseph in August, ISfil, Mr. 
Smith opened a grocery and hardware store, and 
conducted a prosperous business for twelve months. 
That peaceful occupation was broken in upon by 
his enlistment, in August, 1862, as a member of 
Company li, Seventh Michigan Cavalry, in which 
he served as Quartermaster-Sergeant about two 
years. He participated in many of the hard- 
fought engagements of the Civil War, and among 
the battles in which he took active part raa_v bo 
mentioned those of Gettysburg, Ilagerstown, Coal 
Harbor, the Wilderness, Cedar Creek, and numer- 
ous other engagements of minor importance, 
though not less hazardous to life. At the battle 
of Cedar Creek he was wounded and again in the 
Wilderness, but fortunately' his injuries did not 
prove serious, and in June, 1864, he was promoted 
to the rank of First Lieutenant and assigned to 
Company A, same regiment. At the exiiiration of 
his term of enlistment, in 1866, he was mustered 
out at Jackson. Mich., with an honorable record as 
a soldier. 

Returning to St. Joseph, Mr. Smith engaged in 
merchandising for a number of years, and at the 
same time operated a sawmill and dealt in lumber. 
He was also interested in llic maiiufacture of fruit 
baskets, an entoiinise which he conducted until 



264 



rORTEAlT Alii} lilOGliAPlIICAL RECORD. 



1891 and then sold out. Through these vaiied 
industries, he accumulated a coinpetencv and, 
wliat is better, the reputation of being an honor- 
able man in business and fair in his dealings with 
all. In his political sympathies, he is outspoken 
in his preferences and pronounced in his support 
of the Democratic party. He was elected Presi- 
dent of St. Joseph Council one year and was Coun- 
cilman several times. He was a member of llie Board 
of Education for ten years. Fraternally, he is con- 
nected with Occidental Lodge Xo. 56, F. it A. M. 
The pleasant residence of Mr. Smith is located 
on Broad Street, and is presided over by his wife, a 
lady who possesses many charms of character. 
She is the daughter of Warren and Sarah E. (Lag- 
ley) Chapman, residents of St. Joseph, and has 
made her home in this eit^- since a child, where in 
maidenhood she was known as Belle Chapman. 
She was born in New Market. Rockingham Co., 
N. H. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Smith was 
celebrated December 16, 1868, and has been blessed 
by the birth of two children: Olive C, who grad- 
uated, the 30ungest of her class of nine, in the St. 
Joseph High School, and also graduated from 
the Benton Harbor College, after which she at- 
tended Wellesley College for two years; and War- 
ren Cliapman. who after leaving High School at 
St. Joseph spent a year at the Agricultural Col- 
lege at Lansing. Mrs. Smith is a member of the 
Universalist Church. 



ENRY ALDRICH, a successful pioneer ag- 
riculturist of Cass County, Mich., has for 
thirteen years resided upon his valuable 
homestead in Ontwa Township, and, arriv- 
ing within the borders of the State a young man of 
twenty-five, has in his Western home witnessed the 
remarkable change of more than a half-century. 
During this length of time, he has been intimately 
associated with the progressive movements and 
various enterprises of the county, aiding gener- 
ously in the promotion of mutual welfare. Our 



subject wjis born in SmithSeld, R. L, May 5, 1813. 
He was the son of James and Hannah (Comstock) 
Aldiich. Grandfather Nathan Aldrich lived and 
died in Rhode Island, and devoted his days to 
tlie occupation of a farmer. He was of English 
descent, and in leligious belief a Quaker. His 
faniilj- of children consisted of James, Nathan, 
Simon, Thomas, Sayles .Scott, and Esther. The 
brothers and sister, with the exception of Nathan, 
reared families of their own. who occupied positions 
c>f influence. 

The father of our subject, James Aldrich, was 
born in Rhode Island, March 29, 1786. By trade 
a carpenter, he also engaged in the tilling of the 
soil. In 1815, he went to Monroe County, N. Y., 
and thence removed to Evans. Erie County, where 
he bought and improved a farm. In 1834, the father 
came West and purchased a farm in Michigan, 
and in 1835, with his family, made his home r.ear 
Niles. In 1837, he bought one hundred and sixty 
.acres on section 12, Milton Township, and in 
1841 he located on a farm west of Niles. In the 
fall of 1857, he removed to Prcscott, Wis., where 
he passed away March 14, 1858. His widow re- 
turned to Niles, Midi., her former home. During 
his career of bus3- usefulness, James Aldrich oc- 
cupied positions of official trust, and with great ac- 
ceptability served as Supervisor and Justice of 
the Peace. He was a Whig in early life, and later 
voted the Republican ticket. In faith he w.as. 
like his ancestors, a Ouaker. 

The mother of Mr. Aldrich was also a native of 
SmithBeld,and was born January 5, 1792. She was 
the daugliter of Henry Comstock. who died in 
Rhode Island. The maternal grandfather married 
twice. His first wife, Hannah Green, became the 
mother of several daughters and three sons. Mrs. 
Hannah (Comstock) Aldrich died in 1884 or 1885, 
and was mouined by all who knew her. Henry 
Aldrich was educate<l in the district schools of his 
native State, and at the age of twenty-one be- 
gan to work for himself chopping and splitting 
rails. In 183G, he |iurchased one hundred and 
sixty acres of land In Elkhart County, Ind., but in 
1837 he returned to Michigan, to which State he had 
accompanied his parents in 1834. He next inves- 
ted in eighty acres in Milton Township, to which 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



265 



he later added forty acres, and finally increased 
his homestead by tlie purchase of a-quarter of a 
section, and partially improved the fine farm of two 
Inindrod and eighty acres. Later he bought one 
hundred and twent}' acres in Ontwa, which has 
since been his permanent home. Upon this prop- 
erty, now under a high state of cultivation, he 
erected in 1881 a handsome and commodious 
residence, the homestead being one of the most 
valuable in this part of the county. 

Mr. Aldrich has occupied witii able fidelity 
various township ollices, and as Supervisor has 
materially aided in the advancement of local im- 
provements. He cast his first vote for William 
Henry Harrison, and, once a Whig, has long aOil- 
iatcd with the Republican party. September 7, 
1810, Henry Aldrich and Miss Elmira Treat were 
united in marriage. Mrs. Aldrich was a native of 
Erie County, N. Y., and was born February 13, 
1821. She was the daughter of Timothy and 
Louisa (Bentley) Treat. Grandfather Thomas 
Treat participated in the Revolutionary War, and 
after many years passed away in Erie Count}^ 
N. Y. His wife was a Strattan, and belonged to 
the Methodist Episcopal Church. Timothy Treat 
was born in Franklin County, Vt., March 30,1786. 
He removed to Erie County, N. Y., and there 
enlisted in the War of 1812. In 1834, he emigra- 
ted by wagon to Cass Count}', Mich., and was 
three weeks making the journey. He bought 
forty acres in Milton Township, and two }'ears 
later he settled in Silver Creek Township, where 
he improved eight}' acres. In 186'.l, he went to 
Elk Grove, Cal., where he died March 29, 1875, a 
Universalist in belief. In political aflilialion he was 
a Ucmociat, and after the Kansas troubles was an 
ardent Republican. Twice married, his first wife 
bore him Sullivan Treat, and in 1859 died in Cali- 
fornia. The second wife was the mother of twelve 
children, eleven of whom were reared to years of 
maturity. The sons and daughters were, Fidelia, 
Almiia, Ruby, .lames I!., Louisa, Ira H., Willard W. 
and Wallace W. (twins), Horace J. (who enlisted 
in Michigan, and was killed at Shiloh). I-ucy A., 
Nancy .1. and Anianda. The brothers and sisters, 
with one exception, reared families, who have oc- 
cupied positions of usefulness and intliience. 



Louisa (Hentley) Treat was the daughter of 
James Bentley, who was born in Vermont and died 
at.a good old age In New York. He served in the 
Revolutionary War with bravery and was a true 
patriot. The Treats were of English origin, and 
the ancestors of the Bentle\'s were of Scotch de- 
scent. Our subject and his estimal)le wife have 
been blessed by the birth of five children. Alpha 
is the wife of Harvey L. Drew, of San Bernardino, 
Cal. James M. enlisted in Comiiany M, Fourth 
Michigan Cavalry, and died at Lebanon, K}'. 
Levi M. died at San Bernardino, Cal., his death 
occurring about two years ago. fieorge B. passed 
away at twenty-one years of age at home. Jasper 
A. was the youngest. Mrs. Aldrich is a Close- 
Communion Baptist and with her family has ably 
assisted in the good work and benevolent enter- 
prises of her home locality. For fifty-six j'ears 
our subject has beeii^an inlluential factor in the 
advancement of Cass County, and is universally 
esteemed as a public-spirited citizen. 



.^==0. 



|.,ILLIAM J. KELSEY, M. D., one of the 
successful medical practitioners of 
Cass County, Mich., began the wearing 
duties of his profession in Cassopolis in 1865. 
Remaining constantly in the same place of resi- 
dence, he has for nearly thirty years gone his daily 
rounds amid sunshine and storm, and is widely 
known as an able and skillful physician, enjoying 
a large and lucrative i)ractice. Dr. Kelsej' was 
born in Niagara County. N. Y., August 20, 1839, 
and was but an infant when his parents removed 
to their new home in the West. Our subject was 
one of the four children of James and Maiy 
(Corapton) Kelsc}'. The father, a native of New 
England, was born in the town of Haddain, Miil- 
dlesex County, Conn. The paternal giandfather, 
James Kelsey, an energetic and excellent business 
man, was also of Connecticut birth and was largely 
interested for many years in the st(»ne ([uarries of 




266 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



his part of Middlesex Count}-. Tlie Kelsey family 
were among tjie pioneer settleis of Connecticut, 
the ancestors of our subject having emigrated 
from England but fifty years after tlie " May- 
flower " landed at Plj'mouth Rock. Father Kel- 
se}' earl}- jounie3-ed to the State of New York and 
there made his home for many j-ears, but finallj- 
settled in La Grange Township. Cass County, 
Mich., in 1839. 

Dr. Kelsey received his primarj- education in 
the schools of La Grange Township, and also en- 
joyed the benefit of a classical course in the Bap- 
tist College at Kalamazoo. He studied in the 
medical department of the State University at Ann 
Arbor, and later completed his preparation for the 
duties of his profession at Rush Medical College, 
Chicago, from which celebrated institution of 
learning he graduated in the Class of '65. From 
that time tlie life of our subject lias been de- 
voted to the demands of a widely-extended prac- 
tice in Cassopolis and the adjoining country. 
Taking a high place in the ranks of the profession 
of medicine. Dr. Kelsey has for more than a score 
of years been an active member of the American 
Medical Association, and is also a member of the 
Cass County Medical Societ}-. Our subject was 
Pension Examiner under the first administration 
of President Cleveland, and has always been closely 
identified with all the social and progressive inter- 
ests of Cassopolis. 

In his political aHlliation our subject is a 
pronounced Democrat and a most ardent advo- 
cate of the principles of his party. Ever inter- 
ested in local and National issues, he has been 
the efficient Chairman of the Democratic Count}- 
Committee. Dr. Kelsey is a prominent member 
of the Ancient Free A- Accepted Masons, affili- 
ating with Backus Lodge, Kingsle}- Chapter and 
Niles Commandery. Our subject was united in 
mariiage September 25, 1876, with Miss Calista, 
daughter of Henry Tietsort, of La Grange Town- 
ship, this count}-. Mrs. Kelsey was one of the five 
children of her parents, old-time residents of the 
State. One son, James H., has blessed the home of 
our subject and his estimable wife. This son, a 
promising young man, is now a student at the 
Cassopolis High .School, and has before him the 



prospect of a briglit future. Worthily performing 
the daily duties of his life, given mainly to the re- 
lief of suffering humanity, Dr. Kelsey has well 
earned the esteem and respect accorded to him by 
all the residents of Cassopolis and the surrounding 
country, and is known as a liberal-spirited citizen, 
ready to aid in all matters of public welfare. 



^>^^« 



W^UFVS BRUNSON. At a time when the 
lli^ present thriving village of Benton Harbor 
/*».\Vi existed only as a dream in the minds of a 
'^^ few enthusiasts, Mr. Brunson came to the 
present site of the place and, purchasing property 
here, embarked in business as a nurseryman and 
fruit-grower. Since that time his history has been 
that of the town, and he has prospered with the 
prosperity of the place and gained influence with 
its growth. It may e.isily be understood that he 
is deeply interested in the progi-ess which it has 
already made materially and socially, and his ac- 
tive assistance may always be relied upon in pro- 
jects originated on its behalf. 

Born in Elkhart County, Ind., June 24, 1833, 
the subject of this notice is the son of Sterne and 
Sarah (Shank) Brunson, natives respectively of 
Ontario County, N. Y., and Pennsylvania. On 
his father's side, Mr. Brunson traces his ancestry 
to England, and the family was early represented 
in Connecticut, where Grandfather Reuben Brun- 
son was born. On the home farm in Elkhart 
County, Ind., our subject grew to a sturdy and 
vigorous manhood, .icquiring a practical educa- 
tion in the "temi)les of learning" in the neighbor- 
hood, but spending his time principally in aiding 
his father in the work of developing and improv- 
ing the land. 

At the age of twenty-two years, Mr. Brunson 
came to the present site of the village of Benton 
Harbor, where he purchased seventy-six acres, 
running from the corner of the present water basin 
to Brittain Avenue, and from there eight}- rods 
east. Oa this place he planted orchards of peaches. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGHAPinCAL RECORD. 



267 



pears and small fruits, and at the present time 
raises fruits on as large a scale as anyone in tlie 
(■(lunty. Three and one-half acres are planted to 
the very finest kinds of strawberries, which lie 
raises cxttMisively and ships principally to Chi- 
cago. He has inaile of his business a science, 
studying closely how to secure the best results 
from every acre of ground, and keeping abreast 
with every advance in the domain of lunliculliue. 
The lady who on the 18th of .luiie. 18G1, be- 
came the wife of Mv. Uruiison was Miss Sara J. 
Stotts, of Lima, Ohio. She is the daughter of Ja- 
cob Slolls, a native of Hancock, Ohio, who went 
to Australia in 18."),5, and has since resided there. 
Ill ISIH he rediiiied to America and visited Mrs. 
lininson at HeiiUin lhul)or. Three children were 
born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Brunson: 
Stenie, who resides in Chicago; Zoradia and Alvin 
11., wiio are at home with their parents. In their 
religious belief Mr. and Mrs. Ilninson are Univcr- 
salists, and hold membership in the church of that 
deiioniinatioii at Heiittm Harbor. Politically, Mr. 
I'.ninson gives his inlhience and ballot to the prin- 
cijiles and candidates of the l\e|)ublican party, of 
which he is a (inn adherent. 



^^1 



i:b/ 



m 



]IBS()X p. WOUDEN. Among the [ironii- 
- nent furniture dealers in the thriving little 

^j village of Marcellus is 0. P. Worden, who 

is also engaged in the real-estate business and farm- 
ing. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio, July 15, 
lH()l,to the marriage of Ira and Melissa (Pio- 
bosco) Worden, both natives of the Empire State. 
The father was but a child when his parents left 
New York State for Ohio, and lie grew to mature 
years near Cleveland. His youthful days were 
spent in assisting on the farm and in attending 
the common sclioc)ls, in which he received a fair 
education. After his marriage to Miss Probosco 
he went to Grand Rapids, Mich., and about 1866 
engaged in farming. Later, he embarked in the 
boot and shoe business ami continued in this bus- 



iness for twelve j-ears in Charlotte, Eaton County, 

Mich., or until his death, January 22, 1877. His 
wife is now a resident of Charlotte, Mich., where 
they made their home for many years. Mr. Wor- 
den was a Republican in his political views and a 
man possessed of an unusual amount of good 
business acumen. He held membership in the 
Methodist Episcopal Church for many years and 
took a deep interest in all its affairs. In his polit- 
ical predilections he was a stanch Heiiulilican, ad- 
vocating the principles and platform of that party 
with much entliusiasni. 

Four of the five children born to this worthy 
couple are now living: Lizzie, wife of Mr. \'an 
Tears, who is a traveling salesman for a clothing 
house; Lillian, a teacher in the public schools at 
Schoolcraft, Mich.; and Noia, who is a book-keeper 
in Charlotte, Mich. Our subject was reared in 
Charlotte, and there received a fair education, at- 
tending school until sixteen years of age. After 
this he was engaged in business in Charlotte for 
four yeais, and then came to Marcellus, where he 
was engaged in the furniture and undertaking 
business. He started out in business on a small 
scale, his capital being about ^'.'iOO, and since that 
time he has built up a very good business. 

He has a large store, 132x22 feet, and carries a 
very large stock of the very best goods. He has 
three hearses, and takes charge of all the details of 
funerals entrusted to his care, suppl3'ing crape and 
all the necessaries, while his charges arc moderate. 
He has coffins and caskets of all grades, etc., and 
his perfect ■ knowledge of his business and his 
pleasant, genial manners have made him a favor- 
ite with all. He was married in the year 1881, to 
Miss Ida King, a native of Cass County, and the 
daughter of Josiah King, who was for many 3"ears 
a veiy prominent farmer of this county. Mrs. 
Worden was educated in this county, and was 
a lady whose many estimable qualities endeared 
her to all. She died on the llth of July, 1883, 
leaving one child, Ira, who died the same year. 

Jlr. Worden 's second marriage occurred in 1892, 
to Miss Kate King, sister of his lirst wife, and they 
now have a very pleasant home in this city. Po- 
lilicall}', Mr. Worden is a Democrat, and has held 
a number of township oflices, being Township 



268 



PORTRAIT AND EIO(n{APmCAL RECORD 



Treasurer for two years and Trustee of the town 
for some time. He is a member of tlie Ancient Free 
it Accepted Masons and is interested in all their af- 
fairs. Mr. AVorden owns a farm two miles from 
.Marcellus, two hundred and forty acres, all well im- 
proved and in a good state of cultivation. He 
raises stock and grain. For some time he has been 
interested in the Worden A: Shellito Addition to 
the village of Marcellus, aud of one hundred and 
thirty-six lots in the addition onfe hundred and 
twenty have been sold. He has also been en- 
gaged iu bu3-ing and selling real estate and has 
done well at that business. Public-spirited and 
enterprising, he takes a deep interest in an^-thing 
that has for its object the growth and advance- 
ment of the town or county. 



«^ 



^^ 




G. ANTISDALE. One of the finest resi- 
dences in Benton Harbor is "Oak wood 
Place,'" which is beautifully situated on 
Michigan Avenue and commands a line 
view of tlie lake. The well-kept lawn and at- 
tractive surroundings invariably- cause the pass- 
er-by to pause in admiration, and visitors to the 
city are always shown this place, lu this charm- 
ing home, Mr. and Mrs. Antisdalc and family re- 
side, and here they extend a charming hospitiility 
to their hosts of friends. 

At present a real-estate dealer in Benton H.ar- 
bor, Mr. Antisdale was formerly a resident of C)hio, 
and w,is born in Geauga County, that State, March 
li), 1830. His father, George W. Antisdale, was a 
native of Ontario County, N. Y., and died July 
19, 1887, in Chagrin F,alls, Ohio. The paternal 
grandfather was also named George W., and was 
born in the Empire .State. The mother of our 
subject was known in maidenhood as .Sallie Gree- 
ley, and was a cousin of the famous Horace Gree- 
ley. She is still living, jiast eighty 3ears of .ige. 
Our subject attended the common schools of Geauga 
County, Ohio, and after completing his studies he 
engaged in teaching, following that profession for 



a short time. Afterward he purchased a farm and 
carried on agricultural pursuits with success, be- 
coming known throughout his community as an 
enterprising and efficient farmer. 

In 18G9 Mr. Antisdale sold his property, and in 
1870 removed to Michigan, locating in Benton 
Harbor and opening a mercantile establishment. 
He engaged in merchandising for eight years. He 
then became a wholesale dealer in fruit and veg- 
etables. In 1887 he opened a carriage repository, 
and in addition sold farm imi)lements. During 
the following year he erected a substantial brick 
building on Pipestone Street. In 1891 hesoldout 
his mercantile interests. The building hasafront- 
.age of forty-eight and one-half feet, is seventy-two 
feet deep and three stories in height, being con- 
sidered one of the finest business blocks in the city. 
He also owns a business house on West Main Street. 
In politics Mr. Antisdale is a Republican, and has 
served for four terms as Mayor of Benton Harbor. 

At Chagrin Falls, Ohio, September 6, 1851, oc- 
curred the marriage of Mr. Antisdale with Miss 
Miranda Stone, who at that time was residing in 
Geauga County-, Ohio. She was the daughter of 
Nathaniel Stone, of Ohio. She died in 1870, leav- 
ing two sons, Nathaniel H., now residing in Chi- 
cago; and Royal S., whose home is in Geauga 
County, Ohio. The present wife of our subject, 
with whom he was united April 23, 1871, was Mrs. 
Nancy A. Burridge, nee Brunson, an estimable 
lady, who occupies a leading position in the 
social circles of Benton Harbor. Mr. Antisdale 
served as President of the Berrien County Horti- 
cultural Society for thirteen consecutive years, and 
was President of the Berrien County Agricultural 
Society for five years. At this writing (1893) 
he represents Berrien County in the fruit depart- 
ment for the Michigan exhibit iu Horticultural 
Hall at the World's Fair, having been appointed by 
the State Commission to procure fruit for exhibit. 

In this connection it will not be inappropriate 
to present in brief the principal events in the life 
of Sterne Brunson, familiarly known .is the"fatlier" 
of Benton Harbor, and who was the father of 
Mre. Antisdale. Born in Genesee County, N. Y., 
in 1812, he was the son of Reuben and Nancy 
(Calhcart) Brunson, and was descended from Eng- 



PORTRAIT AND lilOGRAPIlICAL RPXORD. 



269 



lisli ancestors. During the year of his birth, the 
family removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, where they 
reniaineri for liiree years. From that city tliey 
pioccedcil to Wayne County, Ind., and made that 
tlieir home for three years, the father being en- 
gaged in the nursery business and also as a fruit- 
grower. From Wayne Count}' the family removed 
to Elkhart. Ind., where the}' resided until 18;")!). 

In IH.')'.t Sterne Hrunson came to the pre.sent 
site of Henton Harbor, and soon after his arrival 
conceived the idea of building a town on the east 
side of the St. Joseph River, and of cutting a canal 
from the river to the jnesent site of Benton Ilar- 
btii. lie originated and organized the movement, 
and through his sole instrumentality the canal was 
put thro\igli, and the town was given the name of 
Ihunsou Ilarlior, the name being subsequently 
changed to lienton Harbor. Later he retired and 
gave his attention exclusively to the care of the 
property he had accumulated. He was a man of 
great public spirit, in politics a stanch Republican, 
and served as Mayor of Benton Harbor. He do- 
nated the lot where the Central School now stands, 
and aided every movement which had for its ob- 
ject th(> improvement of the place. Socially, he 
was idonlitied with Benton Lodge No. 132, 
I. (). O. F. 

.\|iril 27, I82(i, Mr. I'lrunson married Miss Sa- 
rah, daughter of John Shank, a native of I'ennsyl- 
vania, who died at Indianapolis, Ind. Mr. and 
Mrs. Brunson liecame the parents of six children, 
as follows: Lewis, deceased; .lohn, Nancy A., Ru- 
fus, Allen and Horace, the latter being a resident 
of Chicago. In their religious belief, the parents 
were members of the Univer-salist Church. Mr. 
Brunson passed away in April, 1878, at the home 
of his only daughter, Mrs. Antisdale. His widow 
survived hiin for a number of .years, and died in 
August, 1886. at Mrs. Antisdale's home. 

Nancy A. (Brunson) Antisdale was born in 
AVayne County, Ind., on the 28th of October, 18;i0, 
and is the daughter of Sterne and Sarah (Shank) 
Brunson. l)eeeml)er 8, 1811), she married Alvm 
Burridge, a native of Vermont and a son of John 
Burridge, of the Green Mountain .State. Mr. and 
Mrs. lUuridge moved to Benton Harbor in 18()2, 
and here he was engaged for a number of years in 



general merchandising and fruit-growing. He was 
lost on Lake Michigan on the morning of the 8th 
of September, 1868, at the time of the sinking of 
the steamer "Ilypocampus." Of his marriage four 
children were born, as follows: Nettie, wife of W. 
B. Clark, of Benton Harbor; Clarabelle, deceased; 
Lewis T., a nieichant in this city; and Nellie M., 
wife of Charles D. Cole, a commission merchantof 
Chicago, being a member of the (inn of L. 15. .Smith 
& Co? 



^ I I I ' I r I 



,41 l*,Alilil<.iN iv. ilUUU£.. One ol tlie success- 

\rJ/f fill enterprises of Benton Harbor is the 

J/W liwot and shoe and gents' furnishing house 



^.ARRFN L. IIOGUE. One of the success- 

le 

lOUSC 

of which Mr. Ilogue is the owner and manager. A 
practical .and experienced merchant, he is careful 
in the selection of his stock so as to .secure tlie 
best quality in all lines, and having alwa3's con- 
ducted his business ui)on reliable methods, main- 
tains a high re[)utalion among the people of this 
vicinit}'. 

Tracing his ancestry back a few generations, we 
find that the grandfather of our sulijecl, .lohn 
Ilogue, was born in Kngland and there learned the 
trade of a tailor. Soon after the close of the Ivev- 
olutionary War he emigrated to America and set- 
tled in I'enn.sylvania, also for a time resided in 
Youngstown, Ohio. Willi;im 1\. llogui', father of 
our subject, w.as born in I'iltsbuigh, I'a. Sarah 
(Kyle) Hogue, mother of our subject, was born in 
Youngstown, Ohio, a daughter of Robert Kyle. The 
maternal grandfather of our subject was a N'irgin- 
ian b}' birth and earl}- settled in Ohio, becoming a 
prominent citizen of Y'oungstown. 

Warren L. was born in Mercer County, I'a., on 
the 17th of April, 1845, and was a lad of almost 
ten years when he accompanied his parents to 
Michigan, settling in I'ifiestone T(jwnship, Ber- 
rien County, where his father still resides, having 
now (18it.'5) reached the advanced age of ninety- 
one. After completing his studies in the common 
schools of the neighborhood, Mr. Ilogue took a 



270 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



business course in Watkiiis' select school in Ber- 
rien Count3', where he remained for eighteen 
months. Subsequently he went to Niles, where he 
(illcd a clerical position in the store of Mr. .Tones 
for a period of two years. 

Mr. Ilogiie was married to Miss Maria Tompkins, 
of Cleveland, Ohio, October 8, 1868. Mrs. Hogue 
is the daughter of Thomas and Jane (Harris) 
Tompkins, natives of London, England, while she 
was born in Cleveland, Ohio. Some years after liis 
marriage, Mr. Hogue came to Benton Harbor, and 
ill 1877 formed a partnership with L. L. Clark in 
the grocery business. One year later Mr. Clark 
sohl his interest to .lolin Herr and the business 
was for four years conducted under the title of 
Hogue & Herr. In 1885, Mr. Hogue disposed of 
his interest in the establislimcnt and erabarlied in 
his present business, in which lie has met witii suc- 
cess. 

During liie years 181)0-91, Mr. Hogue served as 
President of tiie Benton Ilarhor Building & Loan 
Association, of which he was one of the organi- 
zers and is a Director at the present time. He and 
his estimable wife occupy a cozy and attractive 
home on the corner of Churcli and Brunson Ave- 
nues, and their position in social circles is the 
highest. Fraternally, Mr. Hogue is identified with 
Benton Lodge No. 132, 1. O. O. F., and in liis polit- 
ical belief he is a stanch advocate of Republican 
principles. 






OlIN M. ALLMENDINGER. In a city of 
tlie rapid growth and development of Ben- 
ton Harbor, tlie importance of the line of 

industry in which .Joiin M. AUmendinger 

is engaged cannot be over-estimated. To the 
contractor and builder in effect, conjointly with 
the architect, belongs the task of ini|)artiiig to the 
city that appearance of solidity, wealth, relinement 
and comfort which at once stamps its citizens as 
progressive and enterprising. 

Mr. AUmendinger is a native of Montgomery 



County, N. Y., boi"n June 3, 1845, and the son of 
John M. and Mary M. (Frank) AUmendinger, both 
natives of Wurtemberg, Germany, who were mar- 
ried in Germany before coming to the United 
States, some time in 1845. After residing in Mont- 
gomery County, N. Y., for some time, Mr. AU- 
mendinger moved to near Little Fallb, Herkimer 
County, the same State. There our subject at- 
tained his growth and received his education. 
When very young John M. started out to cam his 
own living. In 1867 he came to Berrien County, 
Mich., wliere he taught school one winter. He 
first located in Michigan in 1867, and shortly after 
finishing liis term of school he began contr.acling 
in pile-driving, when he built the foundation for 
the Life Saving Station at Benton Harbor. He 
erected the docks in Benton Harbor and St. Jo- 
seph for E. A. Graham, also for the Vandalia 
Railroad, and was engaged in dredging for the 
same road some time. He makes a specialty of 
heavy foundation building and erected the founda- 
tion for the Benton Harbor Mills, also for several 
bridges for the Chicago & West Michigan Rail- 
road in the State, some at a cost of $40,000. Mr. 
AUmendinger has done much contracting in dif- 
ferent parts of the State, and at the present time 
(1893) is engaged in the construction of heavy 
docks in Benton Harbor and St. Joseph. 

In 1892, Mr. AUmendinger built the AUmendin- 
ger Hotel, a fine three-story brick, well furnished 
and now doing a good business. This he rents. 
Mr. Allmendinger's first marriage occurred in 
1868, and in 1885 he was married to his present 
wife, who was formerly Miss Georgian na, daugh- 
ter of Almanza and Laura (IJrunson) Hamlin. 
Two children have been born to the last marriage, 
John M., Jr., and Vere H. In politics, our sub- 
ject has ever been a warm supporter of Republican 
principles, and was Trustee of Benton Harbor two 
terms. He was also Harbor Master two j'ears, Al- 
derman of the Third Ward one year, and then 
resigned. He is public-spirited to an unlimited 
degree, and no worth}' enterprise is allowed to fail 
for want of support on his part. Socially, he is a 
Mason, a member of Lake Shore Lodge No. 298; 
Calvin Brittain Chapter at St. Joseph, and Malta 
Coinraaudery No. 44, Benton Harbor. His resi- 






^/:^7^f^h^^^ 






&^^e^ 



rOKTIiAlT AND BlOGKAPmCAL RECORD. 



275 



rlencu is sitiiaU-d on Unooln Avenue, Benton Har- 
bor, and i.s in a vciv desiiahle loiation. As a bus- 
iness man Mr. Alliiicndiniri'r has been a success. 
From llie start liis exceptional Imsiness al)ilities, 
his reliability and promptness in earri'ing out his 
undertakings, an<i the libera! methods be adopted 
in dealing with the public, secured for him wide 
recognition and an inlluential patronage. 



-J i^g^O l. 



' A.MES V. IllGIJEE, a retired farmer residing 
In Uenton Harbor, was born in lienton Town- 
ship, OnUirio County, N. V., May 7, 1818. 
^^ He is descended from the English nobility 
.lud traces his lineage in a direct line to the Prince 
of Orange. His grandfather, James Higbee, was 
a native of New York, where his father, who was 
likewise named .lames, was born and reared. The 
latter married Mar^' Fiuton, and, coming West to 
Michigan, resided here until his death. 

At the age of nine years our subject .iccompa 
nied his parents to Berrien County, Mich., where 
he acquired a practic d education in the common 
schools. He also attended the Niles High School 
for six months. In the spring of 1839 he went to 
Louisa County, Iowa, where he turned the first 
furrows in the virgin soil. During the summer 
he engaged in breaking prairie land at $3 per acre, 
and in the winter tiught school, being thus occu- 
pied for two years. In the fall of 1841 he re- 
turned to Michigan and cleared and improved a 
farm in Berrien County, remaining on the place 
until March, 1885, when he retired from agricul- 
ture and came to Benton Harbor. Since that time 
he has engaged as a dealer in real estate. In 1887 
he erected the Higbee Hotel, which is a line brick 
structure containing all the modern conveniences. 
With the various interests connected with the 
growth of Berrien County Mr. Higbee was actively 
interested. He was one of the Commissioners ap- 
jiointed to superintend the construction of the 
Henton Harbor Canal and rendered efficient service 
in digging it. In politics he is a strong Re|)ubli- 

13 



can, and gives his inMuence to the good of his 
party. In regard to social connections he is identi- 
fied with Lake Shore Lodge No. 298, A. F.& A.M. 
With his wife he holds membership in the Chris- 
tian Church of Benton Harbor, and is active in the 
promotion of all religious enterprises. His resi- 
dence is located on the corner of Brittain Avenue 
and Heck Court, and is an elegant two-story 
structure, erected in 1889 and containing all the 
modern improvements. 

In Iowa, Se[)tember 30, 1841, Mr. Higbee mar- 
ried Miss Mary Lewin, who was born in Ohio, and 
at the age of eleven years removed to Louisa 
Countv, Iowa, with her i)arents, .John A. and .Sa- 
loam Lewin. .Mr. and Mrs. Higbee are the parents 
of nine children: Amanda M., wife of William 
Hill; Mary A., who married W. H. Tike, and is 
deceased; .lolin Calvin; Nancy .Jane, the wife of 
George D. Thompson; Emily 11., the wife of 
.James M. Cunningham; Ida .J., who married Henry 
C. I^ane; Eliza, deceased; Capitola L., Mrs. James 
G. I'hillips; and I'err}', deceased. Mrs. Higbee 
was educated in the schools of Iowa, and acquired 
a good English education. She has reared a large 
family- of children, and h.as proved herself to be a 
most devoted wife and mother, and it may here be 
said that much of the success of her husband is 
due to her good judgment and persevering efforts 
in aiding him in his undertakings. After a wedded 
life of over a half-century they can look back over 
the past with that degree of satisfaction which is 
only characteristic of a life well spent. 

In November, 1841, Mr. Higbee brought his wife 
to his farm in the woods of Benton Township, 
Berrien County, and they commenced housekeep- 
ing in a log cabin without a dollar on hand. They 
had to go in debt for provisions enough to carry 
them through the coming year. Flour and pork 
were very high, and store goods equally so. Mr. 
Higbee commenced to clear up the laud, which was 
a very hard and laborious tjisk. The first crop con- 
sisted of one acre planted to potatoes, on which he 
raised four hundred bushels, selling them the next 
spring at ^l per bushel; from three and one-fourth 
acres of corn he raised about two hundred bushels, 
which he sold for seventy-five cents ])er bushel; 
he also raised about fifteen bushels of spring wheat. 



276 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



The first year's crop, by rigid ecoiiomj-, enabled 
Mr. Higbee to pay off his debts and leave a balance 
of about 8250. We mention these facts of tiie 
earl}- days more to impress on the minds of the 
present and future generations the hardships and 
privations which the pioneers endured in order to 
lay the foundation for our present prosperity and 
greatness as a nation. Too much credit cannot 
be given to the brave men and noble women of 
the pioneer period of our country's history. Few 
citizens of Benton Harbor have been more closely 
connected with its growth than the venerable man 
of whom we write. He served as the first Treas- 
urer of the township, and lield that office for sev- 
eral terms. He also served as Justice of the Peace 
for several terms. Often he was the incumbent 
of three or four otlicial positions at the same time, 
and he is still a Notary Public. 

It was^ Mr. Higbee who purchased the ground 
and erected the buildings where was held the first 
Agricultural Fair of Berrien County, and for four 
successive terms he was Presiilent of the Board of 
Directors. The grand success of the Fair was due 
to his efforts more than to those of any other man. 
During the earlj- years of the settlement of Michi- 
gan, bears and wolves were very bold and trouble- 
some, devouring stock of every kind. Mr. Higbee 
caught the ring leader in a trap and the other 
wolves then left the country. In earl}- life he en- 
joyed the sport of hunting, and often tells of his 
first experience in shooting deer. After he had 
fired the shot and seen the deer fall, he jumped 
upon the prostrate animal and commenced to cut 
its throat. Before he had done so, however, tiie 
deer brought up its hind feet and caught them in 
the side of Mr. Higbee's clothing, tearing his gar- 
ments to shreds. While the experience was a lit- 
tle painful, yet to him the suffering was of far less 
moment than the important question of how to 
reach home minus any clothing. The difficulty 
was solved by the discovery of some thorns, which 
he used for pins. 

During the early years of the history of Michi- 
gan, Indians were troublesome. In 1838 one of 
the Potlawalamie tribe stole Mi-. Higbee's rifle, 
and our subject, with his brother Tyler, started in 
pursuit of the thief. Leaving home about day- 



break, thej- went to the Chief and laid their com- 
plaint before him and gave him a description of 
the gun. He stated that one of his tribe Iiad been 
there the previous night, carrying a gun of that 
description. The Chief had noticed it at the 
time and, as he knew the man had no money, 
had shrewdly suspected that the rifle was a stolen 
one. He su|iplied our subject and his brother 
with a pilot and interpreter, and the little party 
traveled through snow nearl}- three feet deep to 
the camp of the Indians, reaching their destina- 
tion about dark. The thief was found and the 
gun restored. The three men, having had notli- 
ing to eat during the day, then looked around for 
some food. They found a tent a little cleaner in 
appearance than the others and occui)ied b}- two 
squaws, who furnished tiiem with some cakes 
fried in raccoon oil, coffee, cornbread and hominy, 
whicli the hungry men ate with a relish and con- 
sidered delicious. 



~i^^-' 



JAMES M. CHAPMAN, familiarly known to 
a large circle of old-time friends as "Deacon 
Chapman," came to Michigan in 1844, and 
^_j^ has for almost a half century been an ener- 
ergetic and prosperous agriculturist of Xewburg 
Township, Cass Count}'. Our subject is a native 
of Medina County, Ohio, and was born in the year 
1818. He received an excellent common-school 
education in his birthplace, and, his studies ended, 
taught school. James M. was one of a family of 
seven children, six of whom survived to maturity. 
The eldest-born, Amory, died in Cass County in 
1892. Samuel was a resident of the county at 
the time of his death. Lemuel makes his home in 
Plainwell, Mich. Levi died in Ohio. Eugenia is 
married, and lives in Antrim County, JNIich. The 
parents, Levi and Lucinda (Turner) Chapman, were 
of New England birth. The father was born in 
Connecticut, the mother in New Hampshire. The 
Chapmans are of English descent, but Reuben 
Chapman, the paternal grandfather, was undoubt- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



277 



edly !i native of Connecticut. One of his sons, 
an uncle of our subject, tooi< an active part in the 
War of 1812. 

In 1843 Mr. Chapman wa.-; married in Ohio, and 
llio succeeding year, early in the spring, journeyed 
with his wife to the then far West. The entire 
possessions of the husband and wife were loaded 
into one wagon, and by slow stages they arrived 
safely at their destination. Mr. and Mrs. Chap- 
man settled down in the dense woods of Michigan, 
and in common with the other pioneer farmers 
suffered many privations. To make his heavily 
timbered land productive, our subject was obliged 
to toil early and late, but industry and |)ersever- 
ance enabled him to overcome difliculties and win 
a competence. The homestead upon which he now 
resides, and which is under a high state of cultiva- 
tion, has been the constant residence of the family 
since August, 1844. The old farm contains one 
hundred and sixty valuable acres, and in connec- 
tion with his son, Mr. Chapman owns an eight^-- 
acre tract a short distance north of the home place. 
Two sons comjirised the famil3- of our subject and 
his estimable helpmate. Harvey, the eldest, a 
promising young man, died at the age of eighteen 
years. Frank Ciiapman is a representative citi- 
zen, an excellent business man, and is a native of 
Cass County. After the location of Mr. Chapman 
in Michigan, three of bis brothers followed his ex- 
ample and made this State their liome. Men of 
usefulness and intelligence, they readily adapted 
themselves to the demands of a new country and 
occuijied positions of inlluence. 

Politically, our subject is a stalwart Republican, 
and cast his lirst vote for W. H. Harrison. A pub- 
lic-spirited citizen, he has always taken an active 
interest in local and National issues, and served 
with efficiency as Supervisor of Newburg Town- 
ship f(n- fourteen consecutive years. Duiiiig this 
entire time he was unwearied m his efforts to pro- 
mote needed public improvements, and, an enter- 
prising man, materially aided in the progressive 
interests of the lf)wnship. Both Mi. and Mrs. 
Cliai)man early identified themselves with the cause 
of Christianity, and have always been numbered 
among the workers in religious enterprise. They 
are members of the Baptist Church, in which Mv. 



Chapman has held the office of Deacon for a great 
number of years. Throughout the length and 
breadth of Cass County our subject is well known 
and respected for his sincerity and upright char- 
acter. 



■^^E 



E^ 



VH.LIAM GARRKTT. A native son of the 
Buckeye State, born in Montgomery Coun- 
ty in J 844, Mr. Garrett has long been 
identified witii all the best interests of Cass County, 
Mich., whither he came with his parents when but 
a few years old. Naturallj' his adopted State is 
the one in which he has the most interest, for all 
his recollections are of this State. He is a descend- 
ant of Irish ancestors, and h.is inherited the quick 
wit and energ}' characteristic of those born on the 
green isle of P^rin. At the present time he is re- 
siding on section 1, Silver Creek Township, and 
has a very pleasant rural home. 

His father, John Garrett, was a native of County 
Down, Ireland, born in 1799, and there grew to ma- 
ture years, receiving a good education in the land 
of his birth. At an early age he began life as an 
agriculturist, and made his home with an aunt 
who had reared him. Thinking to better his con- 
dition in every way, 3'oung (iarrett emigrated to 
the United States in 1820, and located with an 
elder brother at Cincinnati, Ohio. His means were 
limited when he reached American soil, and his 
first work was done in a distillery in Montgomery 
County, Ohio. While residing in that county he 
w.as married to Miss Rosa Retticrew, a cultured 
and refined lady, and in that county their chil- 
dren were born. 

Mr. Garrett was engaged in the distillery busi- 
ness for many years, after which he bought a farm 
and resided on this for some time, or until 1848, 
when he came to Michigan. Cass County was the 
objective i)oint, and hesettled in La Grange Town- 
ship, but never invested in land there. Later he 
went to Van Biiren County, purchased a good 
farm, and resided on this until his death in 1862. 
His wife survived him until 1878. They were most 



278 



POiiTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



worthy and esteemed citizens, and had many warm 
friends in tlie community in which tliey made tlieir 
liome. Mr. Garrett was a self-made man in every 
sense of tliat term, and wliat he accumulated in 
the way of this world's goods was tlic result of 
energy and perseverance. In politics, he had al- 
ways aftiliated with the Democratic party. 

Like the average country- hoy, our subject at- 
tended the district school in winter, and during 
the summer season his place was between the han- 
dles of the plow. He thus grew to sturdy man- 
hood. He selected liis companion in life in the 
person of Miss Susan Hutchinson, a native of 
Franklin County, Ind., and the daughter of 
Charles and Frances (Sampson) Hutchir.son, both 
natives of England. To our subject and wife were 
born six children, as follows: Margaret (commonly 
called Margie), Frank, Nellie, Fannie, WlUard, and 
James B. Unlike his fathei-, our subject is a stanch 
Republican and an ardent sui)|)orter of its plat- 
form and principles. Almost immediately after 
his marriage Mr. Garrett moved on the pleasant 
farm of ninety acres that he had previously liought, 
and on this he has since remained. All his farm- 
ing operations are conducted in a manner showing 
him to be progressive and advanced in his ideas, 
and his home is a credit to the township. In till- 
ing the soil Mr. Garrett does not lose sight of the 
stock-raising industry, and has many fine animals 
on his place. He and wife are highly regarded in 
the neighborhood and are most worthy citizens. 



'jfl ACOB BURRIDGE. One of the prominent 
citizens of Benton Harbor is the subject of 
this biographical notice. His popularity is 
JJj evinced by the large circle of acquaintances 
he possesses, all of whom bear tribute to the nobil- 
ity of his character. For a number of years Mr. 
Burridge has been engaged in raising fruit, and 
now owns one of the finest and most highly-im- 
l)roved fruit farms in Berrien County. Being lo- 



cated only three and one-half miles from the city 
of Benton Harbor, it is convenient to the market, 
and can also l)e personally superintended liy the 
owner from his home in the town. 

The (irecn Mountain State was the early home 
of Mr. Burridge and he was born in that State, in 
the town of Braintree, Orange County, on the 25tli 
of September, 18"2.3. His father, Jacob, was like- 
wise a native of ^'ermont, where Grandfather Ja- 
cob Burridge had made a settlement upon emi- 
grating from England. The mother of our sub- 
ject bore the maiden name of Sallie Spear and was 
born in Vermont, her ancestors having emigrated 
to this country from Scotland. With the thiift 
and probity characteristic of Scotch people, our 
subject combines the perseverance and determina- 
tion of the F^nglish, and these traits have contrib- 
uted largely to his success. 

The record of the childhood of Mr. Burridge is 
a simple one. The winters were passed in the 
school, wlieie he was fitted for actual contact with 
the business world, and the summer seasons were 
spent on the home farm, where he earl}' learned 
lessons of industry. After leaving school, he com- 
menced to work on the railroad, and continued 
thus engaged for a period of seven years. Jn 
1854 he removed to the site of the present large 
and prosiierous city of Winona, Minn., and he be- 
came one of the early settlers of that place, where 
for a time he followed farming pursuits, and later 
was the proprietor of an hotel for seven years. 

\\\ 1865 Mr. Burridge came to Benton Harlxir 
and purchased a farm three and one-half miles 
from the city, which he still owns. The place con- 
sists of thirty-six acres and upon it he raises the 
very finest grades of peaches, apples and pears. 
In addition to the farm, he is the owner of a sub- 
stantial business block in Benton Harbor. \\\ his 
political views he is an outspoken advocate of the 
Democratic i)art)', and favors all measures calcu- 
lated to promote the progress of his fellow-towns- 
men. He resides in the city, where he has a pleas- 
ant and cozily furnished home at No. 185 Belle- 
view Street. The lady who presides over this 
home with an ever-gracious hospitality was for- 
merly Miss Olive Sargent, of Canada. She was 
the daughter of Benjamin SargQiit, a u,ative of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAnilCAL RECORD. 



■270 




Afuine niid a dpscondant of Kiiy;lisli ancestors, who 
(■niiirraU'ii fioin (ii-eal IJrilain in an early day and 
settled in the State of Maine. The marriage of 
Mr. liurridge to INIiss Sargent was solemnized in 
IHoC and was blessed by the birth of two .sons, in 
the loss of whom by death this worth}' couple 
suffered an irr('|i;iral)le lo.ss. 



^.^^>|^^..-^ 



WILLIAM FLOOD (decea.sed). The Emer- 
ald Isle has bequeathed' to America some 
of her best citizens, and It is to her that 
ISerrien County was indebted for its representative 
agriculturist, William Klood. Tiiis gentleman was 
born in County Cavan, Ireland, but for man}' 
years prior to his death was a resident of lierricn 
Count}', Mich., where he attained an enviable i-ep- 
utation. In conducting his farming operations 
he brought his good sense and his practical views 
to bear, and as a result .accumulated a fair share of 
this world's goods. In him the community had a 
faithful and unswerving friend, ever alert to serve 
it« best interests and generous in his contributions 
toward every movement tending to the general 
advancement. 

He grew to nnanhood in his native country and 
for many years was eng.aged as a tiller of the soil 
there. I>ati'r he married Miss Rose Lynch and 
while still a resident of Ireland four children were 
born to his union. About this time many of his 
countrymen were emigrating to America, and their 
praises of the fertile soil of the United States 
roused him to such a pitch that in lHt7 hecrossed 
with his family 1o America. Almost immediately 
after reaching this country they came to Michigan 
and located in Berrien Clounty, where ho ])urch.'ised 
a farm of one hundred and sixty acres. This was 
all heavily limbered but with the help of his chil- 
dren Mr. Flood cleared his |)lace, erected good, 
substantial buildings, and began his career as an 
agriculturist. 

After re;iching the Iniled States six more chil- 
dren were born to our subject's marriage. The 
lirst foui-. ralrick. .lohn. Marv and Ann. were born 



in Ireland, and Kate, .Jane, .lames, Ellen, Wo.se and 
Thoni.as first saw the light of day in the I'nited 
States. The two younger boys, James and Thomas, 
have managed the farm since the death of the fa- 
ther in 1872, and have bought and sold several 
farms in the last few years. They are wide-awake, 
thorough-going young agriculturists, and inherit 
the energy, enterprise and wit of the sons of Ire- 
land. The above-mentioned children are public 
sjjirited and take a deep interest in all enterprises 
that have for their object the uiibuilding of Her- 
rien County. 

Mr. Klood was an honest, hard-working man, 
and what he gathered together of this world's 
goods was the result of years of economy and 
hard work. An earnest farmer himself, he reared 
his children to a life of agricultural pursuits, and 
at his death left them a name untarnished by any 
dishonest or reprehensible act. He was a kind 
and loving husband and father, devoted to the 
interests of his family, and at all times did all in 
his power to build up and inii)rove the county in 
general and his own neighborhood in particular. 
Politi<'ally, he was a Democrat, but his sons are lib- 
eral in their jjolitical views, and are classed among 
the representative citizens. Mrs. Flood ever en- 
deavored to prove a worthy helpmate to her hus- 
band in gaining .a much-coveted home. Now 
she is in comff)rtable circumstances and will 
pass her declining years in peace and happiness. 
She resides on the old home place with .lames and 
Thomas, is well preserved for her years, and is en- 
joying comparatively good health. 



-^^ 



ps^EOHGE M. 15ELL, M. I)., of Hentoii Harbor, 
has wf>n a foremost position among the 
:JJ^ physicians and surgeons of southwestern 
Michigan, where his eminent abilities and broad 
knowledge are universally recognized and ad- 
mired. He is one of the most devoted disciples 
of the science of therapeutics, and has not only 
won from his profession the laurels of success, but 
has abu been instrumental in effecting its advance- 



280 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



inent. His studies have been lonsf and thoroiio;li, 
and it has ever been his aim to keep abreast with 
every advance made in the profession. 

The Doctor is a native of Canada, and was 
born in the province of Ontario, in Milton, Halton 
County, September 19, 1848, being the son of Jo- 
seph and Mary (Teetzel) Bell. He resided in Can- 
ada during his childhood years, and there received 
his elementary instruction. At the age of fifteen 
years he came to Berrien Count}', Mich., and after 
completing his literarj' studies, commenced to read 
medicine witli his brother. Dr. John Bell, of Ben- 
ton Harbor. In 1869 he entered the medical de- 
partment of the State University at Ann Arbor, 
and there pursued his studies with ardor and per- 
severance. In the spring of 1870 he was grad- 
uated from that institution, and the degree of 
Doctor of Medicine was conferred upon him. Dur- 
ing the following year, he took a course of lectures 
at the Chicago Medical College, and was grad- 
uated from there. The winter of 1874-75 he spent 
in New York City, graduating from Bellevue 
Hospital Medical College. 

It will thus be seen that Dr. Bell has had every 
advantage which thorough training can give. He 
commenced the practice of his profession at Ben- 
ton Harbor, and has since conducted a general 
pnictice in this city, giving especial attention to 
the diseases of children. He is at present filling 
the position of Surgeon for the Big Four Railroad, 
and is also a member of the Board of Pension Ex- 
aminers. Dr. Bell and his brother. Dr. John Bell, 
own and carry on a large drug store in Benton 
Harbor. In his social relations, the Doctor is a 
Mason, being a member of Lake Shore Lodge No. 
298, and Calvin Brittain Chapter No. 56, at St. 
Joseph. He is also identified with the Kniglits of 
Honor and the Order of the Maccabees. In his 
political opinions, he is a thoughtful student of 
the issues of the day, and gives his influence to 
the principles of Democracy. 

The lady whom Dr. Bell married in May, 1876, 
and who since that time has been the affectionate 
helpmate of her husband, was formerly Miss Anna, 
Nichols, and is the daughter of Edgar and Anna 
Nichols, formerly from the State of New York. 
Mrs. Bell was born in San Antonio, Tex., and has 



passed her life princi|)ally in IMichigan, being well 
known and highly regarded in the social circles of 
Berrien County. The union of Dr. and Mrs. Bell 
has been blessed by the birth of one sou, John, Jr. 



DisELSON G. KENNEDY. The village of 
J Benton Harbor is the home of a large num- 
1^ ber of professional men, who by their skill 
and success have added not only to the lustre of 
their names, but also to the fame of the place. 
Among the prominent legal practitioners who 
have gained established reputations for breadth of 
knowledge, accuracy and shrewd discernment, may 
be mentioned Mr. Kennedy, who conducts a gen- 
eral jiractice in the courts of the county. 

Himself a native of Michigan, our subject is the 
son of Russell Kennedy, a native of New York, 
who removed in 1847 to Illinois and located in 
Will County. Subsequent!}' he returned to his 
former home in Michigan and p.assed aw.ay at St. 
Joseph in 1864. His wife, who l)orc the maiden 
name of Lodeina T. Smith, was born in New York, 
and now m.akes her home in St. Joseph, Mich. The 
Smith family originated in Holland, while the 
Kennedys tr.ace their ancestr}- to Scotland. 

The subject of this sketch grew to manhood in 
Will County, III., whither he was taken b}' his 
parents at the age of two years. He was educated 
in the schools at Joliet, III. In 1862 he returned 
to Michigan with his parents. In 1886 he was 
elected Sheriff of l>errien County, and by re-elec- 
tion served two terms. Having decided to enter 
the legal profession, he read law with George M. 
Valentine, of Benton Harbor. He was admitted 
to practice at the Bar of the State in .January, 
1890, and was elected Circuit Court Commissioner 
for this county in the fall of 1892. 

Opening an office at Benton Harbor, Mr. Ken- 
ned}' at once began a general [iractice, which he 
has since conducted. In addition to his legal in- 
terests, he deals extensively in real estate, and 
through good investments, as well as through his 
practice, he h.as gained a com[)eteiicy and is ac- 



PORTRAIT AND BlOORAl'IIK'AL HI-X'ORD. 



281 



countcfl one o( IJciiton Harbor's most successful 
men. lie is deservedly po|Mil.ar with all classes^ 
aiiii allliduuh in pdlitics lie is an oiits|)iil<i'n Ki'- 
publican lie has a host of wanii personal fiiends 
in tlie opposinji: party, and enjoys the eslceni of 
his larije circle of ac(|uaiiitances, irrespective of 
piililical views. lie is recognized as one of the 
leading Ivepulilicans of this part of Michigan. He 
is one of the prominent members of the order of 
Knights of I'ytliias and is an active worker in the 
ranks. 

The lady who. in June of 18G4, l)ecame the wife 
of our subject bore the maiden name of Sarah .1. 
Woolley, and was the daughter of (ieoi'ge and 
Susan (Somers) Woolley, of Ohio. The union of 
Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy has been blessed by the 
hirth of four children, whose i)resencc gives added 
life to the co/y family residence on Lake Avenue. 
The children are: Cora K., wife of ('liarles W. 
Crossman; lola P>., wife of Rev. Charles S. I'.ul- 
lock; Lowell N., who married Clara Tabor; and 
Maude .1., single, at home. 



m^ 




\l^^ ON. LOI5KNZO P. ALKXANDKR, Justice 
^^ of the Peace and a prominent property- 
owner of Buchanan, was born in Allegany 

^S^j County, N. Y., August 10, 1H20. He is of 
Scotch descent, his [laternal grandfather, Jabez 
Alexander, having emigrated from the "Land of 
Thistles" and settled in New Hampshire, where he 
followed the occupation of a farmer. The father 
of our subject, Thomas P. Alexander, w.as born in 
New Hampshire and was one of the brave soldiers 
who rendered valiant service in the War of 1812. 
In an early day he removed to New York and 
there followed his trade of a carpenter and joiner. 
During the administration of President Jackson he 
was appointed Postmaster at Belfast, N. Y., and 
held that position from 182!) until 18i")7. In earlj' 
life he was a Democrat, but later adopted the prin- 
ciples of the Hepidjlican party and remained a 
stanch advocate of its platform until his deatli. 
So closely was Mr. Alexander identified with the 



growth and progress of Belfast, that his wife called 
him the "pump handle" of the town. He was well 
known throughout that en tii'C section of the county. 
His death occurred when he was sixty-three years 
old. Tlie mother of our subject was Kliza (White) 
Alexander, a native of Boston, Mass., and a school 
teacher prior to her marri.age. Her father, John 
White, emigrated from his native country, Ireland, 
to the United States and settled in Boston. He 
and his people were all fishermen. 

The parents of our subject were married in what 
is luiw known as Sullivan County, N. II.. and lo- 
cated in Allegany County, N. Y., when the land 
was heavily timbered and the dense forest growth 
had not fallen beneath the sturdy stroke of the 
pioneer's axe. Afterward they settled in Belfast, 
N. Y., and that village was named Belfast at the 
suggestion of our subject's mother. 'J'hey were 
the parents of three sons: Aro C, Lorenzo P. and 
Samuel S., the latter being dece.iscd. The second 
son in thefamil}' was reared in Allegany County, 
where he acfpiired a common-school education. 
On the 21st of October, 1841, he arrived in Berrien 
County with his parents and located in Buchanan, 
whicli at that time contained only five shanties 
one mill and a distiller^'. 

In this place, Mr. Alexander found employment 
at his trade of a carpenter and shoe-maker. In 
1845 he was elected Const.able and 'J'reasnrer of 
the townshi)), and has never since been without 
oflice. In 18(!0 he was elected to represent the 
First District of Berrien County in the State Legis- 
lature over his opponent. Royal T. Twomblc}', a 
prominerit Democrat of Niles. In 1867 Mr. Alex- 
ander w.as chosen as delegate to the Constitutional 
Convention against Ilenr}' Chamberlain. He was 
chosen in 1870 to represent liis district in the 
State Senate, and rendered etHcient and honorable 
service in behalf of his constituents. He occupied 
the position of Supervisor for a longer period than 
any other man in thecounly. In addition to these 
odices, he served as Postmaster at Buchanan from 
1861 until 1 865 .and again from 1877 to 1885, his 
services in that position being eminently pleasing 
to both political parties. During the entire period 
of his residence in the county, there have been only 
six weeks in fifty vears in which he has been out of 



282 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



otflce. He was appointed to locate the public 
buildings for the Government at Grand Rapids, 
and in connection with Judge Withey secured an 
eligible site. 

In 1847 Mr. Alexander embarked in business as 
a boot and shoe merchant, and in 1850 entered the 
mercantile business in partnership with John D. 
Ross. The firm carried on a large and lucrative 
trade, their sales aggregating from %107,000 to 
#110,000 per vear. Theirs was much the largest 
mercantile establishment in Berrien County at that 
time and they gained a widely extended reputation 
for their fair dealing with customers and their gen- 
ial courtesy of manners. At present Mr. Alexan- 
der has practically retired from business, although 
his property interests demand considerable atten- 
tion on his part. He is the third oldest continuous 
surviving resident of the township and has always 
been one of its most prominent citizens. Socially, 
he is identified with Lodge No. 68, A. F. * A. M.. 
at Buchanan, and enjoys the distinction of having 
been the first member installed in that order. 

The first marriage of Mr. Alexander occurred in 
1843 and united him with Miss Rachel Co<">per. 
Three children blessed the union, only one of whom 
is now living. Mrs. Emilv K. French, of Cassopolis. 
In 1860 Mr. Alexander married Miss Helen M. 
Bvrnes, who by this union is the mother of one 
child, .John B., residing in Sjwkane. Wash., and 
who is Telegraph and Associate Editor of the 
Chronicle at thai place. 



^ 



fEY. FATHER JOSEPH JOOS. Rector of 
Holj- Maternity Rom.in Catholic Church at 
Dowagiac, was born in Belgium May 24, 
1867. His parents, Adolph and Eniilie 
Joos, were natives of Somergem. Belgium, and had 
a family of seven children. Joseph being the fourth 
in order of birth. In religious belief, the various 
members of the family are identified with the 
Catholic Church and are prominent workers in 
that denomination. An uncle of our subject, Rt.- 
Rcv. F'ather Edward Joos. is at the present time 



Vicar-Gcneral of the Detroit Diocese: a cousin. 
Rev. Father DeNeve. was the first priest at Niles, 
and is now connected with the American College 
of Louvain. Belgium. 

Commencing his literary studies in Belgium, the 
subject of this notice finished the classical and 
philosophical course in Assumption College, at 
Sandwich, Canada, graduating from that institu- 
tion in 1888. Afterward he entered the theologi- 
cal department of St. Mary's .Seminary, at Cincin- 
natti, and from that college, by special appoint- 
ment of the Bishop of Detroit, he went to Rome. 
Itah', where he was graduated from the American 
College in 1891. He was ordained by Cardinal 
Parocchi, the Vicar-General of the Pope, on the 
28th of June, 1891, and soon afterward came to 
Michigan, where he joined the Detroit Diocese. 
On the 15th of August, 1891, he was chosen for the 
position he now occupies as Rector of Holy Ma- 
ternity Church, at Dowagiac. 

A few words with reference to this church will 
be of interest to our readers. The corner stone of 
the present edifice was laid on the 9th of .June, 
1892, and the building was dedicated with appro- 
priate services on the 29th of .January. 1893. The 
funds for the erection of the structure were raised 
principail v by the efforts of Father .Joos, to whom 
more than to any other man is due the present large 
membei-ship and splendid working condition of the 
church. In addition to this congregation, he has 
charge of the ."^acrcd Heart Church at .Silver Creek, 
Cass County, and .'<t. Dominick's Church at Rush 
Lake. The membership of these various congre- 
gations extends throughout Cass County, and into 
Van Buren and Berrien Counties. In the Dowa- 
giac Church there is a membership of one hundred 
and twenty-five families; at Silver Creek, fifty 
families, and at Rush Lake, sixty families, making 
a total of nearly one thousand members in the 
three churches. The value of the church property 
at this pl.ice is estimated at ?14,000. and the other 
church property is worth 58,000. including forty- 
two .ncres of land. At Dowagiac and Silver Creek 
services are hold e.ach .Sunday, and in the other 
parish once a month, .'-^un day-schools .ire held in 
all the churches. At Rush Lake, Van Buren County, 
the progress made by the ciiurch is especially 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



2S.1 



])k'asinof, and Father Joos expects in the near 
future to commence tlie erection of a suitable 
edilico. 

A man of j^rcnt culture and polish, Kallier Joos 
is well adapted to the re.spoiisiliilities of his [iresent 
position. He. possesses the genial manners and re- 
liiipd tastes which have won for him llio admiration 
and respect of his parishioners. Wiiile in Kuro|i(^, 
he availed himself to the utmost of the splendid 
opportunities offered him for stud}', and acquired 
a thiir()u<;li knowledge of (ireek, Latin, Hebrew 
and the Oriental langu.iges taught in the seminary 
co\nse. He converses lluently in the Flemish, 
French, (lerman, English and Italian langu.agos 
and reads Spanish, being well versed in no less 
than nine different languages. 



^=^EOROE KEPHART. One of the promi- 
jfl ,— p nent business enterprises of Berrien Springs 
^^ijl is the grocery store owned and managed 
by the gentleman with whose name we intro- 
duce this sketch. His establishment is stocked 
witli full and complete assortments of everything 
ill the line of staple and fancy groceries, fruits 
and vegetables in their season, teas and coffees, 
and grocers' sundries. The complete knowledge 
of the business possessed by the proprietor is 
shown in the great care taken in the selection of 
the stock, by which he has commended himself to 
tlie favor of the citizens of Berrien Springs and 
vicinity. The estaliiishment is a favorite one 
with the people here, and the energy of the owner 
has secured for it a stead\' and growing success. 

Elsewhere in tliis volume will be found an ac- 
count of the life of Dr. Philip Kephart, father 
of our subject; also of his mother, whose maiden 
name was Susan Kimball, and whose father, George 
Kimball, was one of the early .settlers of Berrien 
County. The subject of this sketch was born in 
Berrien Springs on the 21th of February, 18;>8, 
and gained the rudiments of his education in the 
pulilic schools of this village. Later he entered 
the Northwestern University at, Evanston, III., 



where he was a student for three 3'ears. After- 
ward he conducted his studies in Cliaddock Com- 
mercial College, of Kalamazoo, from which insti- 
tution he was graduated in 1878. 

Forming a partnership with his l)rother Augu.s- 
tus in 1880, under the firm name of A. Kephart 
it Bro., our subject emliarked in the g(Mieral mer- 
cantile business at Berrien .Springs. After a con- 
nection of seven years the firm was dissolved and 
the business sold. In the fall of 188C our subject 
and his brother Walter, under the firm name of 
Kephart Bros., purchased the grocery store of Bol- 
ing Bros. & Co., and conducted a lucrative busi- 
ness until 1802, when George purchased his bro- 
ther's interest, and has since conducted the business 
alone. He is one of the intelligent and enterpris- 
ing merchants of Jierrien Siirings, and his activity 
is rapidly advancing the commercial status of the 
village. 

March 4, 1886, occurred the marri.age of George 
Ke])hart to Miss Delia Eaton, the accomplished 
daughter of Wheeler Eaton, of Tecumseh, Mich. 
One son, George, Jr., has been born of this mar- 
riage. In his political affiliations Mr. Kephart is 
a stanch Republican, but li.as never been solici- 
tous for office, preferring to devote his energies 
entirely to his busine.ss. He served as Trustee of 
the village of Berrien Springs for three years, 
and in office, .as well as in private life, endeavors 
to promote the interests of the village where he 
makes his home. 



-^ 




?RANK R. GILSON, editor and proprietor 



jlpHfe) of the dail}' and weekly Palladium, and 
/ll, "^ one of the influential citizens of Benton 
Harbor, w.is born in Charlestown, a suburb of Bos- 
ton, M.ass., on the 30th of December, 1818. His 
parents, Edmund L. and Eloiza C. (Butters) Gilson, 
were natives respectively of New Hampshire and 
Vermont, and vvere married in Boston, Mass. 
Prior to coming to the West, they had resided for 
a short time in Mas.s.acliusetts, and u|)on removing 
to Illinois in IBSj located in La .Salle County, but 



286 



PORTRAIT AND BlOGRAPinCAL RECORD. 



subseqiienlly went to Buckley, Iioquois Couii- 
t3', 111., where Frank R. grew to man's estate. He 
left the farm at the age of seventeen years and went 
to work in a printing-ofllee at Onarga. 111., subje- 
queutly buying an interest in the paper, and in 
1870 he moved it to Moline and conducted its 
publication for a short time, and sold it as the 
Moline Review in 1871. 

Later Mr. Gilson resided for a few months in 
Davenport, Iowa, working on the Gazette, and he 
also lived in Clinton, Iowa, for twelve years, being 
city editor of the Clinton Herald. After making 
his home in Clinton for twelve years, he came, in 
1885, to the thriving village of Benton Harbor, 
and with shrewd discernment, noticing that there 
was a splendid opening here for a good paper, he 
])urchased the weekly PaUadimn. So successful 
was he in its publication, that in 1886 he estab- 
lished the daily Palladium, a six-column quarto, 
devoted to local items of interest as well as mat- 
ters of general and .State interest. Both the daily 
and weekly are bright and news}', containing 
good editorials, as well as flashes of wit and humor. 
In typographical appearance they are unexcelled 
by any publication in this section of the State. In 
the city and throughout the county the>- are read 
with interest and have a wide circulation. In 
politics, the Palladium is Republican in tone, and 
is the recognized organ of the party in Benton 
Harbor. 

Ml-. Gilson h.as concentrated his energies upon 
his lilerar}' work, with what success we have al- 
ready noted. His editorials are characteristic of 
the man himself — vigorous, tireless in their con- 
demnation of vvrong, and equally unwavering in 
their allegiance to the principles of right and jus- 
tice. Through his press notices he is a zealous ad- 
vocate of local interests, and in that way has been 
an important aid to development and progress. In 
addition to the newspaper business, he conducts a 
successful job-printing establishment, that turns 
out first-class work. The success of both the daily 
and weekly edititms, and the support they are re- 
ceiving from the people, are abundant evidence of 
the intelligent appreeiation by the people of the ef- 
forts made by the papers in their liehalf. Socially, 
Mr. Gilson is a Knight of Pythias, and is also 



identified with the Knights of the Maccabees and 
the Modern Woodmen of America. At the present 
time he is serving as Secretary of the Benton Har- 
bor I'luilding and Loan Association. Jlr. Gilson is 
married and has two children, a son and daughter. 
Roy R. is acting for his father's paper as city 
editor at the earl\- age of seventeen years, and is 
probably the youngest city editor in the United 
States. 



m^^rm f^ I ^ \(3^^m 



If^ BARLOAV .JEWELL, City Marshal, Chief 
1^ of Police, Water Commissioner and Chief 
1* — '^ of the Fire Department, also Street Com- 
missioner at Dowagiac, was born in St. Albans, Vt., 
May 3, 185.5. He is the grandson of William 
•lewell, a brave soldier in the Revolutionary War, 
and one of the " Green Mountain bo3'S," whose 
fame history will ever perpetuate. The father of 
our subject, E. Whitney .Jewell, was born in St. 
Albans, Vt., and there married Miss Orrissa Dor- 
win, who was the daughter of William Dorwin. 
For man}' years after his marriage he engaged in 
buying and shipping stock in Vermont, but in 
1877 came to Dowagiac and has since lived retired. 
His wife died in 1879, leaving two children, the 
subject of this notice and Mortimer D. The lat- 
ter was a dentist of this city until his death, which 
occurred in 1887. Politicall}', Mr. Jewell, Sr., 
was a Republican, and in his religious aftiliations 
was identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
The boyhood days of our subject were passed in 
the Green Mountain State and he received a good 
education at Norwich University, at North field, 
that State, from which he was graduated in 1876. 
After completing his studies, he engaged for a 
time as Clerk of the village of St. Albans, also as 
Collector of Taxes and Deput}- Sheriff. In 1877, 
at St. Albans, ^'t., he married Nellie E., daughter 
of C3rus K. Green, foreman in the railroad shops 
at that place. Mrs. Jewell was born and reared in 
St. Albans, receiving her education in the city 
schools. After their marriage the young couple 
came to Michigan and located at Dowagiac, where 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



28- 



Mr. Jewell embarked in the dental business with 
ills brother. Tliree years were thus passed, after 
which he accepted a position as clerk in a store, 
and remained in that position about two years. 

A Republican of no uncertain tone, Mr. Jewell 
has filled various positions of trust in the commu- 
nity and lias gained the confidence of the people 
as an otiicial of highest integrity and fidelity. In 
1882 he was elected Marshal, and has served in 
that position ever since. During the same year 
he was chosen for the oftice of Street Commis- 
sioner, and he has also been Water Commissioner 
for the past four years. In his social connections 
he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of 
America, the Masonic fraternity' and the Knights 
of Honor, being a charter member of the latter or- 
ganization, lie was First Lieutenant in the Ran- 
som Guards, a State militia company at St. Albans. 
His union has proved one of great liai)piness and 
mutual helpfulness and it raaj- truly be said of his 
wife that she has divided his sorrows and doubled 
iiis joys. They arc the parents of two children, 
Raymond W. and Orrissa E. Mr. Jewell occupies 
a pleasant suite of rooms in the IJeckwith Build- 
ing and devotcshis attention closely to the duties 
of his ollicc, lindiiig in the various positions held 
by liiiii sufllcii'ut to occupy his time and thought. 



-^1= 



r— 1-3 






!i:,EORGE KISSINGER. Beautifully located 
on a bluff overlooking the St. Joseph River, 
whose tranquil waters reflect the ever- 
changing hues of the sk}', lies one of the fine fruit 
farms of I'.errien County. It is the proi)erty of 
the gentleman whose name introduces this bio- 
grai)liical notice, and consists of eighteen acres on 
section 3(>, .St. .losepli Township. Here ma}- be 
found the best varieties of every kind of fruit. 
Eive and one-half acres are planted to blackberries, 
two acres to four ditTerent kinds of raspberries, 
and there are ten huntlrcd and twenty-five peach 
trees, fifteen hundred grape vines, sixty pear and 
sixt}' apple trees, twelve hundred currant bushes, 
two hundred gooseberry bushes, and two-thirds 



of an acre devoted to strawberries, cherries, i)luiii», 
(juinces, etc. In addition to fruits, there are also 
a number of mulberry', hickory-nut and chestnut 
trees. The majority of the trees and shrubs were 
planted five years ago, and are now in fine bear- 
ing condition. 

A native of Wisconsin, our subject was born in 
Richfield, W.ashiiigton County, November 18, 
1849. His father, Jacob Kissinger, was born in 
Germany, whence he emigrated to America in 
1845, and located in Milwaukee, Wis., where he 
followed the trade of a shoemaker. In Wiscon- 
sin he was united in marriage with Miss Anna M. 
Dueber, and after that iiniiortant event he settled 
at Richfield, where he followed .agricultural pur- 
suits for eleven years. Removing tiience to Fond 
du Lac, AVis., he was similarly engaged for a slK)rt 
time, and afterward, going to Waupiin, he en- 
gaged in fanning there for a brief period. Fioni 
that place lie removed two miles west of Fond du 
Lac, and subsequently went to Nebraska, where 
he was engaged in general farming uiiti! his death, 
in February, 18'.t2. An industrious and energetic 
man, he was also a devoted Christian and an 
active member of the German Baptist Church. 

In the parental family there were ten children, 
of whom eight are now living, George being the 
second in order of birth. He spent his boyhood 
da^'S in Wisconsin, and in IHIJO came to St. Jo- 
seph, where he engaged in the fishing business, 
first in a sail-boat but afterward becoming the 
owner of a fishing-tug. He fished in Lake ftlich- 
igan exclusively, and during the twent3'-two years 
in which he followed this business experienced 
some narrow escapes, and was caught in some of 
the wildest storms that have ever darkened the 
lake. The enterprise proved remunerative, and 
he has cleared as much as *2,20() in twenty days. 

The marri.age of our subject took place in 1872, 
and united him with Miss Mary Ilerrinc:, the 
daughter of August Herring, one of the promi- 
nent residents of St. Joseph. There are four chil- 
1 dren in the family: Cora B., Ella 1)., William E. 
and Haltic A., all of whom are at home. In July, 
1889, Mr. Kissinger located upon the place wliere 
he now engages in raising fruit, and where, .as 
I above stated, he owns eighteen acres of fruit land. 



288 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



The improvements which cause this place to rank 
among the finest in the county have been added 
by Mr. Kissinger since he h>cated here, and througli 
his energetic labors he has largely onlianced the 
value of the property. 

Politically, Mr. Kissinger is a Republican, and 
is tlie present Treasurer of St. Joseph Township. 
He is also serving as Fish Inspector, a position 
which he has filled ff)r a number of j-ears. He is 
general agent for the Mutual Aid German Bap- 
tist Association of North America, and one of the 
Trustees, as well as Treasurer, of the German Bap- 
tist Church at St. Joseph. 



e^+^[ 



j^JRANK A. TREAT, Treasurer of Berrien 
li^^ County, was born in the village of Bu- 
1^ chanan, this county, on the 7th of March, 

1859. He is the son of George R. and Mary 
(Baker) Treat, both of whom were born in New 
York, and removed thence to Michigan many 
3'ears ago, settling in lUichanan and becoming 
identified with its early history. They now re- 
side in Berrien Springs, where, somewhat retired 
from the active duties of life, they are passing 
their declining years. The paternal grandfather, 
Charles Treat, was a native of the Empire State, 
where the closing years of his life were spent. 

The father of onr subject was three times mar- 
ried, the mother of Frank A. being the third wife. 
The subject of this notice is the eldest of six chil- 
dren born of the Last marriage of his father. His 
boyhood years were quietlj- passed in the village 
of Buchanan, where he commenced his studies in 
the common schools and continued a student un- 
til he had passed tliree years in the High School 
of that place. At an early day he developed the 
traits of industry and independence which led 
him to become self-supporting while still quite 
young. His first salaried position w.is that of 
clerk in a grocery store at Buchanan, where he re- 
mained a number of years. 

In the winter of 18!t;5 Mr. Treat located in the 
village of Berrien S|)rings. where he has since re- 



sided. His fellow-citizens, among whom he has 
always enjoyed great popularity, nominated him 
in 1890 to the oflice of Township Clerk, and he 
w.as elected b}' a large majority. Hi? service in 
that position was eminently satisfactory to the 
people, and at the expiration of his term of of- 
fice a higher honor was conferred upon him. This 
w.'is in the fall of 1892, when he was chosen Treas- 
urer (if Berrien County, being elected to that of- 
fice on the Republican ticket. He is still an in- 
cumbent of that offlce, and is discharging his 
duties in a manner which proves the possession of 
a high order of talent on his part. 

April 10, 1887, occurred the marriage of Mr. 
Treat and Miss Clara M. Worilen, who at that 
time resided in Mason, Ingham Count}-, Mich. 
Mrs. Treat is the daughter of Joseph B. and Mary 
J. (Walker) Worden, who are now living near Ma- 
son, Ingham County. The marriage has been blessed 
by the birth of one son, Clyde, a bright and in- 
teresting child, of whose future his parents enter- 
tain high hopes. Mrs. Treat is a lady of amiable 
disposition, pleasant and kind, and is endowed 
with high ca|iabilities. For several 3ears she ha.^ 
been an invalid, but notwithstanding her delicate 
health she enjoys a large circle of acquaintances 
in Berrien Springs. Socially, Mr. Treat is a prom- 
inent member of tlie Order of the Maccabees and 
the Modern Woodmen of the World, and has held 
titlicial |)ositions in the latter. 



■-' > 



*AMES M. SFIEPARD. the cultured private 
Secretary of the Hon. W. T. I'almer. Presi- 
dent of the National Commission of the 

World's Columliian Exposition, is also tlie 

able editor and proiirictor of the Vkjilant, a Re- 
publican organ published in Cassopolis. Cass 
County, Mich. Our subject comes from a patriotic 
and distinguished ancestrv worthily represented 
upon the field of 177G. Mr. Shepard is a native 
of the Old Hay State, and was horii at North 
Brookfield. Mass., November 24, 1810. Ilis par- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPIUCAL RECORD. 



289 



ent^. Rev. .I:iiiu'.s and I.ui'v (Unsli) Sliopard, were 
also natives of New Kiiylaiul, wlieie the I'alliei' was 
w( 11 known and highly respected as a man of rare 
intiiiiily of character, a true Christian and an 
I'loiincnt preacher of tiie (iospel. The paternal 
grandfather, (ien. Shepard, actively [larlicipaled 
in the struggles and triumphs of the Kevolutionary 
days, and with gallant conduct and courageous 
endurance nolily bore his [lart in the war for "God 
and Liberty." Descended from a family who 
thoioughl}- ajjprociated the advantages of a liberal 
education, our subject enjoyed extended o[)por- 
tunilies for study, and completed a course of classi- 
cal instruction at the Wesleyan rniveisity, in 
Middlelown, Conn. Later Mr. She|)ard studied 
dental surgery in Boston, and fitted himself for 
the duties of lh:it profession. 

During the Civil War our subject served in the 
Medical Department of the United States Navy, 
and when [teace again blessed the land exchanged 
his military duties for those of a civilian. Since 
his location in Cassopolis he has devoted his time 
mainly to the cares and perplexities of editorial 
life. Under his excellent management the Vi<jilant 
has an extended circulation and is one of the 
most pt)pular local papers of Cass County. It 
contains, aside from home items, much of interest 
concerning the world at large, and with its spicy 
editorials is both readable and instructive. Typo- 
graijhically, it is an attractive pa[)er and is like- 
wise an important factor in the advancement and 
progressive movements of Cass County. The 
political prefeiences of Mr. Shepard are clearly in- 
dicated in the organ which he controls, and as an 
advocate of "the Party of Heform"the utterances 
of the Vif/ilant are clear and logical. Our subject 
was elected to reiiresent Cass and \'an Huren 
Counties in the Jliehigan Stale Senate of 1871), 
and, i)laced upon important committees, discharged 
the duties devolving upon him with etticiency and 
to the great satisfaction of his constituents. 

Since March 1, 1883, Mr. Shepard has occupied 
the position of private Secretary to the lion. T. 
\V. Palmer, of Detroit, his education and line busi- 
ness attainments peculiarly adapting him to the 
requirements of his complex work. Throughont 
the entire time of the lion. T. W. Palmer's term 



of office in the United States Senate and also dur- 
ing his service as President of the National Com- 
mission of the World's Columbian Exposition, our 
subject has been intimatel}' associated with the 
leading social and national events of the day. 
Upon November 28, 1870,.laraes M. Sbepard and 
Miss Alice M. Martin were united in marriage. 
The accomplished wife of our subject was the 
daughter of Hiram and Margaret (Silver) Martin. 
Th(! Silver family were originally from Ilopkin- 
ton, N. II., and were among .the substantial citi- 
zens of New England. Mr. IMartin was from Ha- 
tavia, N. Y. The pleasant home of Mr. and Mrs. 
Shepard has been blessed by the birth of a son 
and daughter, Melville J. and Blanche. Our sub- 
ject and his family are important factors in the 
various social and benevolent enterprises of their 
home locality and enjoy the esteem and best 
wishes of a host of friends. 






\Ip\|EV. NEJ>L1S KLOCK, editor and proprie- 
v^ tor of the ;iS'toHrf(»-(/, published at Dowagiac, 
was born at Palatine, Montgomery Count}', 
^ N. Y., August 2(, 1831, and is the son of 
Daniel and Nancy (Nellis) Klock. His paternal 
grandfather, Maj. John Klock, was a soldier in the 
War of 1812. Our subject lived in Montgomery 
Count}' until he was seven years old, when he ac- 
companied his |>arents to St. Lawrence County, 
and there passed the years of his youth. After 
com|ileting his studies in the Dgdensburgh (N. Y.) 
Academy, he engaged in teaching school forabout 
six years. 

In 18(>7, Mr. Ivlock was ordained a minisler in 
the English Lnlheran Church, and for twenty-live 
years held pastorates in various places. He estab- 
lished a church at Avoca, N. Y., and he also olJi- 
ciated as minister of the churches at Sli.-udii 
Springs and other places. Prior to resigning fix)m 
the ministry of the Luther.'in Church, he assumed 
the editorship of the Ogdensburgh Signal, a tem- 
perance paper, and also (uibljslied the Gfoklen Era, 



290 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



a monthly magazine. He also for a time pub- 
lished the Lutheran Protest, at Stockton, III. 

On coming to Illinois in 1877, Mr. Klock or- 
ganized a congiogation and built a church at Yel- 
low Creek, while pastor of the Lutheran Church 
at Kent. Thence he went to Monroe, Wis., where 
he organized a congregation and built a church, 
and from that city came, in June of 1892, to Do- 
wagiac, where he established the Standard, a Re- 
publican pai)cr. In 1863 he married Miss Lovina 
I., daughter of Rev. William Otlinan,a minister of 
the English Lutheran Church. Mrs. Klock was 
born and reared in New York, and received an 
excellent education in the schools of that State. 
About two years ago Mr. Klock withdrew from the 
English Lutheran Church and united with the 
Congregationalists, being now an ordained minis- 
ter in that denomination. 

Mr. and INIrs. Klock are the parents of the fol- 
lowing children: Jay K., who is editor of the 
Kingston Weekly and Daily; Freeman, a resident 
of Kingston, N. Y.; J. Nellis, editor of tlieOwosso 
Daily Argus, al Owosso, Mich.; Lilian I., Ida B. 
and Ernest. 



>^ 



)t'OHN A. LINDSLEY. Dowagiac numbers 
among its prominent and successful busi- 
ness men the subject of this biographical 
'ii^/' notice, who is a dealer in lumber and build- 
ing material in this city. He is a native of New 
York, having been born in West Almond, Alle- 
gany County, January 15, 1858. His father. Lemon 
Lindsley, was born in Livingston Count}', N. Y., 
and was there reared to manhood, about which 
time he married Miss Mary A. Engle, the ceremony 
being solemnized in Allegany County. Her fa- 
ther, John Engle, was a prominent resident of Al- 
legany County, and served as a soldier in the War 
of 1812. 

After his marriage Lemon Lindsley located in 
Allegany County, N. Y., but five years later he 
removed to Livingston County, and subsequently 



came to Michigan, in 18(;;3, and made settlement 
near Hartford, Van Buren County. Purchasing a 
farm of one hundred and sixty acres, about twenty 
of which had been im[)roved, he devoted his at- 
tention to its cultivation and succeeded in trans- 
forming it into a well-improved tract of land, em- 
bellished with substantial farm buildings. There 
he remained until called hence by death in 1879. 
His wife, the mother of our subject, is still living, 
and three of their four children are living: John 
A., Edwin M. and Washington, all of whom are in 
business together. Politicall}', the father of this 
family was a Re|niblican. and gave his influence 
to promote the welfare of his chosen party. 

When about five years old our subject accom- 
panied his parents to Michigan, where he grew to 
manhood upon his father's farm. After com|)let- 
ing the course of study in the common schools he 
entered the Commercial College al Valparaiso, 
Ind., and there prepared himself for active busi- 
ness life. He remained on the home farm until 
his marriage, which important event occurred on 
the 21st of December, 1880, the bride being Miss 
Mary L., the daughter of Augustus N. Spaulding, 
formerly a prominent and extensive farmer of 
Grass Lake Township, \'an Buren County, but now 
a resident of the village of Hartford. The young 
couple located at Hartford, Mich., where Mr. Linds- 
ley engaged in the lumber business in partnership 
with his uncle, John W. Travis. He remained in 
business in that place for live years, and in 1885 
came to Dowagiac, where he established his present 
business, forming a partnership with Aaron Hath- 
away, of Paw Paw, Mich. In the fall of 1892 Mr. 
Lindsley purchased Mr. Hathaway's interest and 
has since been alone. His business is the most ex- 
tensive in Dowagiac, and is also one of the most 
successful enterprises of the county. 

In addition to his lumber business, Mr. Lindsley 
is engaged in farming and owns a splendid farm 
of eight hundred and eighty acres in Rooks County, 
Kan., which he has sub-divided into several farms 
and rents to tenants. While not solicitous for 
office, Mr. Lindsley maintains a constant interest 
in public affairs and is a pronounced Republican. 
Sociall}', he is a member of the Masonic fraternity, 
the Modern Woodmen of America and the Inde- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRArHICAL RECORD. 



291 



pendent Order of Olid Fellows. He is an active 

iiK'nilier of tlie Metiiodist Epibcopal Churcli ;ind 
lias served for many years as Trustee. He has rep- 
resented the First Ward in the City Council, and 
wliili' residiiijr in Hartford served as Town Clerk 
a:id '^nl^ll't' of llic schools. 



-^>-m-<m^ 



^jf^, FORGE H. MURDOCH. Not only in Iki- 
jll ^— ricn Springs, of which Iik has long been a 
' ''^Si.^ resident, luit also lliroughout the surround- 
ing country, the n;uiic of this gentleman is well 
and favorably known. He was horn in Bedford, 
Ik-dford County, l*a.,on the 29th of August, l.S21», 
and is the son of Francis 1!. and Fliza (Kimmel) 
Murdoch, the former having been born in Cumber- 
l.and, Md., and the laltci- in Somerset County, I'a. 
The father, who wasa man of splendid attainments 
and a prominent attorney, brought his family to 
Michigan in l!^.'5(l and located in Berrien Springs. 
The illness of his wife, who was suffering from 
eonsiimption, caused him to remove from Berrien 
Si>rings and seek a milder climate in the sunny 
South. He remained in New Orleans for some 
lime, and thence went to Ohio, where his wife 
died. Later he was a resident of St. Louis, and from 
there in 1H.J2, during tiie days of the gold excite- 
ment of the far West, he went to California. He 
(lid not, however, engage directly in mining for 
gold, but became connected with the public life of 
the Slate. He edited and published a newspaper 
al San Jose, which enjoyed the distinclion of be- 
ing the only Kepublican organ in California. He 
was appointed by President Lincoln to the posi- 
tion vf Collector of Internal Revenue, in wiiichof- 
licc he served forsomc lime. When about seventy- 
six years old he dropiied dead from the rtiplnre of 
a blood vessel in Ihe head. 

George H. Murdoch was a child only one year 
old when he was brought by his parents to Beirien 
Springs. Later he accompanied his parents to the 
South, and after his mother's death resided with 
his father in SI. Louis, where lie gained his educa- 
tion in the select schools. In 1847 he returned to 



Berrien Springs, and with the exception of two 
years has since made his home in this village. 
Until 1859 he was engaged in merchandising here, 
but during that year he disposed of the business, 
and in the year following was elected Cfxinty 
Clerk for a term of two years. His service in that 
ollice was so satisfactory that he was re-elecled in 
1861 and 1866. 

Upon the expiration of his term of otlice in 
1862, IMr. Murdoch raised Company I, of the First 
Michigan .Sharpshooters, of whii'h he was chosen 
Captain. The regiment was assigned to the Ninth 
Army Corps, commanded by Gen. Burnside, and 
was in camp eigiil months of the year 1865, at 
Camp Dougl.as, 111. Our subject |)articipate<l in 
the various engagements of the Army of the I'o- 
lomac, including the battles of the Wildeiiiess and 
Appomattox and the siege of Petersburg. On the 
17lh of June, 1861, he was wounded in front of 
Petersburg, being shot in the head and seriously 
injured. For gallant services at .Spotts^-lvania 
and in the campaign before Richmond, he was 
breveted IMajor, December 2, IHtii, and while 
serving in that position was mustered out of ser- 
vice. 

While in Ihe service, Mr. Murdoch was re-elecled 
County Clerk, in 1864, and upon the expiration of 
his term of ollice, in 1869, he was elected Justice 
of the Peace an<] served in that ollice for twenty 
years. He alliliated wilh the Republican jjarly 
until 1872, when he gave his active support to 
Horace Greeley for the Presidency, and has since 
acted with the Democratic partj-. From 1878 to 
1 883 he served as a member of the Slate Democralic 
Cenlral Committee, and for years he has taken 
a prominent part in local and State politics. In 
1876 he commenced the publication of the Berrien 
Couiili/ Journal, which was the ollicial organ of 
the Democratic party in this community until 
1884, when Mr. Murdoch disposed of it. 

In 1859 occurred the marriage of Mr. Munhcli 
to Miss Adeline, daughter of John Garrow, of 
Pil)estone, Mich. The union has been blessed by 
the birth of four children: George II., Jr.; Henri- 
etta, wife of John F. Harper, and a resident of 
Benton Harbor, Mich.; and John and Francis B., 
who are interested in land in Minnesota. Mr, 



292 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAI'HICAL RECORD. 



Murdoch was .in active factor in assisting the pro- 
jecting of niilroadti tlirougb the county and espec- 
ially tiie St. Joseph Valley Railroad, running to 
Ucrrien Springs, of which he served as Secretary 
and Director for several years. All enterprises, 
liolh of a private and public nature, that would 
benefit the village, he has aided and pronioled as 
far as possible. 



V^ 



♦^s-i 




r 



ILLIAM REAGAN, for two years the effi- 
,w./ cient Sheritf of Cass County, and now a 
'xy popular clerk in the store of \V. M. Vroo- 
man, Dowagiac, is the son of Johii Reagan, who 
was born in County Cork, Ireland, in 1827. The 
father of our subject remained in his native land 
until about eighteen years of age, when he emi- 
grated to America. John Reagan was energetic 
and industrious, and soon found employment as 
a laborer on the Michigan Southern &l Michigan 
Central Railroads. While working on the road 
he was taken sick, and when he recovered he 
had as a capital in life but seven cents. With 
courage he began again and steadily made his 
way upward. He assisted in laying the track 
of the Michigan Central from Jackson to Chi- 
cago. After a time he abandoned railway em- 
ployment and located in Silver Creek Townshi|), 
Cass Count3'. In about the year 1850 he was 
united in marriage with Miss Bridget Dale}', the 
daughter of Daniel Daley, of County Kerry. The 
mother of our subject was a native of Ireland, and 
came to this country with her father in 1849, locat- 
ing ill La Porte, Ind., soon after their arrival. Her 
mother had died some time previous to the de- 
parture of Mrs. Reagan for America. 

The father of our subject entered from the 
Government forty acres of wild land situated at Sil- 
ver Creek, and the first year he cleared and brought 
under cultivation twenty acres. Prospering, he 
added to his land from time to time until he owned 
two hundred and forty finely-improved acres of 
valuable farming property. An upright and self- 



made man, John Reagan won the respect of ail 
with whom he came in contact, and passed to liis 
rest mourned by a large circle of friends and rela- 
tives. Politically, he was a Democrat, and in , 
religious conviction a Roman Catholic. His widow 
still survives. The sons and daughters of John 
and Bridget Reagan were twelve in number. Nine 
of their children are yet living. Charles resides 
in Valparaiso, Ind.; Johanna is with her mother 
in Silver Creek Township; Delia is the wife of 
Timothy Burns, and lives in Eau Claire, Mich.; 
William, our subject, was the next in order of 
birth; Nellie is at Silver Creek, on the farm; John 
is also on the farm; Itessie is at school at Valpa- 
I'aiso, Ind., and is studying to become a stenogra- 
pher; and Corney and Anna, the two youngest, 
are at home. Our subject was born on the old 
homestead January 18, 1860. He received his ed- 
ucation in the district schools of the locality, and, 
trained in agricultural duties, remained on the 
farm until his election to the responsible position 
of Sheriff of the county, in 1890. 

Mr. Reagan made a strong run, and although the 
Republican majority for Treasurer was two hun- 
dred he, as the Democratic candidate for Sheriff, 
won by eighteen votes. For two years he gave 
his entire time to the duties of his office, and when 
his term of service expired received his present 
position with W. M. Vrooman. Our subject lias 
ever been true to the principles of Democracy, and 
lias tilled with ability various local offices. For 
four years he was Township Clerk, and for two 
terms ably discharged the duties of County Drain 
Comniissioaeis. Fraternall}', he is a member of the 
Knights of Pythias, and is also connected with the 
Independent Order of Foresters. Upon the 7lli of 
January, 1891, William Reagan and Miss Joe Cul- 
linaiie were united in marriage. Mrs. Reagan was 
the daughter of John CuUinane, a prominent and 
extensive farmer of Silver Creek Township, and 
was born on the family homestead March 4, 18G3. 
She was educated in the public schools of the vi- 
cinity and was a general favorite, enjoying the 
esteem of many friends. Her death, which oc- 
curred in 1893, was mourned by all who knew her. 
Mr. and Mrs. Reagan were both faithful members 
of tiie Roman Catholic Church, and generously 





C^^'i^^ys 






PORTRAIT A^'D BlOGRAl'HICAL RECORD. 



295 



MssisU'd ill works (if beiu'volonee. In llie death of 
lii» fsliiiialilt' and acciiir.plislH'd wife our subject 
sustained an iii(|iaral)lo hiss, and received tlie 
synipatliy <if llie ciitirc coiiiuuinity. Mrs. Rcajjan 
was luiiiod in the Callnilio C'eineteiy, near t!ie home 
of her childhood, and was followed to the grave 
by many who had known and loved her from 
infancy. 



H-S"}-**, 



iti+***t 



•!"l"J"i-^^^'**++F 



^OHN F. GARD. The present prosperity of 
St Josepli and its prominence as a commer- 
cial centre are largelj' due to the fruit in- 
dustry, which engages the attention of 
many of the foremost citizens of the place. Among 
the most successful fruit-growers is our subject, 
.lohn V. Gard, the owner of a fine fruit farm, 
consisting of sixty-live acres, and admirably 
adai)ted to the raising of fruits of every variety. 
Of this property, twenty acres are planted to 
grapes, nine acres to pears and blackberries, two 
acres to plums and the same amount to peaches. 

The Gard family has been represented in Ber- 
rien County since the year 1832, when the pater- 
nal grandfather of our subject, .losephus Gard, 
came to this State from Ohio and, settling in Ber- 
rien County, made his home here until his death. 
The father of our subject, Joseph Gard, was born 
in I'reble County, Ohio, and made his home there 
until 1832, when he moved to Michigan, first lo- 
cating in Cass County. He was there engaged in 
agricultural pursuits until 1834, when he removed 
to Berrien County. After the death of his first 
wife, he married Miss Laura, daughter of Amos 
Farley and a native of Vermont, although at the 
time of her marriage she was a resident of St. Jo- 
sei)h Township, Berrien County, whither the fam- 
ily came in 182!). The Farleys are of Puritan 
stock and were represented in America as early as 
1624. 

Upon coming to INIichigan, Joseph Gard. as 
above stated, settled in Cass County, Init after 
spending two years there he came to Berrien 
County and purchased a tract consisting of one 

14 



hundred and sixty acres. For a time he operated 
a tannery, which he conducted with success, as, 
timber being abundant, it was an easy matter to 
secure tanbark. Farming pursuits, however, en- 
gaged his attention |)rinci|)ally, and lu^ was fore- 
most among the agriculturists of his community. 
He was a man of great force of character, stroiiii 
in his convictions and resolute in action. In iiis 
political belief he was an ardent supporter of Dem- 
ocratic principles. His death, which occurred in 
1873, removed from this county one of its earliest 
settlers and most prominent citizens. His wife 
survived him a number of years, passing away in 
1878. 

The subject of this sketch is the only surviving 
child born of his father's second marriage. He 
was born in St. Joseph Township, Berrien County, 
on the 2d of February, 1845. In his youth he 
was a |)iipil in the neighboring school, and after- 
ward took a commercial course in Bryant ife Strat- 
ton's Commercial College at Chicago. Returning 
to his home at the close of his term in the college, 
he accepted a position of clerk in the office of A. 
H. Morrison, Collector of Internal Revenue, and 
remained there from June, 1864, until 1866, when 
Mr. Morrison was retired for political reasons. 
His successor in oHice, Walter G. Beckwith, ap- 
pointed Mr. Gard to the position he had jjreviously 
occupied, but the api)ointraent was not confirmed 
by the Senate. 

Returning to St. Joseph, Mr. Gard engaged in 
farming for about eighteen months, and then se- 
cured the position of book-keeper for the firm of 
Dickinson, Leach & Co., of Chicago, with whom 
he remained for three years. Subsequently here- 
turned to St. Joseph and followed agricultural 
pursuits in this county for another three years. 
He then entered the employ of the Chicago iV 
Michigan Lake Shore Railroad at St. Joseph, 
and until the office was removed to Muskegon 
held the office of Auditor of the [lassenger ac- 
counts of the road. Later he assumed the charge 
of the Morrison Dock, but in 1880 resigned from 
that position and for some time afterward had 
charge of the steamer "John A. Dix." Since his 
retirement from that position, he has devoted his 
time |)rincipally to fruit culture. 



296 



PORTRAIT AjS'D BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



June 6, 1869, ]\Ir. Gard mnrried Miss Josephine, 
daughter of Charles Taff, of St. Joseph, she being 
a native of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Gard iiave three 
children: Minerva, IMaliel and John J. In politics 
he is a Republican and has served for two 3ears as 
School Inspector, was Highway Commissioner for 
eight years, member of the School Board for 
twelve years. Supervisor for two j'ears, and is the 
present Secretary of the Republican County Com- 
mittee. Socially, he is a prominent wori<er in the 
Rlasonic fraternity, being identilied with Pomona 
Lodge No. 281, A. F. <fe A. M., of which he was 
for ten years Master and is now Secretary-. He is 
also a member of Calvin Brittain Ciiapter No. 72, 
R. A. M., of which he is High Priest. 



r^ 



^ 



i EV. OSAVALD RAG ATZ was for many years 
a minister in the ^Evangelical Association, 
and is now one of Berrien County's most 
successful fruit-growers, owning and culti- 
vating a fine fruit farm on section 2, St. Joseph 
Township. A native of Switzerland, he was born 
on the 17th of March, 1833. His parents, Bar- 
tholomew and Agnes Ragatz, were of Swiss birth 
and parentage, and in their native land were united 
in marriage. Thej' continued to make tlieir home 
in Switzerland until after the birth of twelve chil- 
dren. Meantinle the father followed the occupa- 
tion of an architect, and also held an ottice, known 
as Land Aman. 

Upon emigrating to America in 1842, the senior 
Mr. Ragatz settled in Sauk County, Wis., of which 
he was one of the ver^' earliest settlers and pioneer 
farmers. He purchased a tract consisting of six 
hundred and forty acres of unimproved land, and 
with the help of his eight sons he succeeded in 
clearing a large portion of the property. During 
the early days of his settlement in Sauk County, 
he had very few neighbors. To the south his 
nearest neighbor was nineteen miles distant, and 
on the west he had no neighbor nearer than the 
Mississippi River. Tlie village of Milwaukee, 
.about one hundred and twentj- miles awaj', was the 



nearest market for produce. Tliough wliitc set- 
tlers were few, Indians were numerous, and wild 
animals abounded. Often at night some memlier 
of the faniil}' would fire off a gun in order to 
frighten the wolves from the door of the cabin. 
The Indians were usually friendly and regaided 
the while settler with more curiosity than hatred. 

Tlie i)ruspects afforded by this new country 
seemed so favorable that Bartholomew R.agatz 
wrote a glowing description to his friends in .Swit- 
zerland, and in the spring of 1843 forty-one fami- 
lies emigrated hither, attracted by his report of the 
countr3'. Tliese emigrants settled in the vicinity of 
the Ragatz family, and as the years passed by sev- 
eral hundred families from Switzerland joined them 
here, making a large and prosperous Swiss settle- 
ment. Upon the land first purchased by him, tlic 
father of our subject resided until called hence by 
death in 1859. He and his good wife were the 
parents of twelve children, of whom only three are 
now living. They are our subject; Henry, who 
lives near Benton Harbor, Mich.; and Catherine, 
whose home is in California. 

A child of nine years when he accompanied his 
parents to America, our subject was reared in Sauk 
County and received his education in the schools 
of Sauk City, where he gained a fair knowledge of 
both the German and English langu.ages. At the 
age of twelve years he united with the Evangelical 
Association, and five years later became a Class- 
leader in the church. AVhen twenty 3'ears of age 
he received an appointment as minister of a mission 
in the Jefferson Circuit, in AVisconsin, and later was 
transferred to the Menomonee Circuit, where his 
position vvas one of responsibility. Later he was 
located at AVaukesha, AYis., and he has also had 
charge of the church at Milwaukee. For two years 
he preached at Lameina, AVis., being sent thence 
to Racine, and from there to the Prairie du Sac 
Circuit and Kickapoo Mission, where he had two 
young men under his charge. He resided in Prai- 
rie du Sac for one year, but later, owing to failing 
health, he discontinued preaching for two years. 

Upon resuming his ministerial labors, Mr. Ragatz 
for a time resided in AA'isconsin, at Prairie duSae, 
but when the Illinois and AYisconsin Conferences 
were separated, and tlie Minnesota Conference was 



PORTRAIT AND liKXiRAPH'CAL RECORD. 



297 



fdi-incd, he soivfd ;is a volunteer delegate to tlie 
latter and accepted a charge in tiiat State. For one 
year he held a pastorate at St. I'aul, tiien spent 
two years at the Crow River Mission. At that 
time the Sioux Indians were causing consider- 
.•iliie Irouhle among the white settlers, and during 
KSCl and 18(J2 they renewed their depredations. 
Mr. Ragatz served as a spy during the Sioux 
wars. Having a young man under his charge and 
feeling anxious with regard to his safety, he started 
north toward the mission. Upon arriving at St. 
Peter's, he found that over one thousand of the 
wliites had been massacred, ninety-one of the num- 
ber being his friends, and he olliciated at the 
services held at the funeral. The young man un- 
der his charge lived ten miles from St. Peter's, and 
contrary to the advice of Mr. Hagatz he went 
home, and on the following Tuesday morning the 
Indians came to the door of his house and killed 
him. 

Before Mr. Ragatz reached home the news came 
to his wife that he had been killed, and the shock 
was so great as to cause nervous prostration. Our 
subject returned to Prairie du Sac, and thence went 
to the Portage Mission in Wisconsin and remained 
for two years. Later he remained for two years 
at Prairie du Chien, but on account of an attack 
of ague he returned to .Sauk County. He resided 
in Tro3', 111., for two 3-ears, but upon disposing 
of his property there, he removed to Chicago, and 
for six months was in the insurance business with 
his brother. From that city he came to Berrien 
County, and ijurchased eight acres, for which he 
l)aid #2,0(10. At the present time (1893), he is the 
owner of forty-eight acres, the most of which is de- 
voted to fruit-raising. The land is embellished 
with a first-class set of buildings and is in excellent 
cultivation. 

May 22, 18o(;,Mr. Ragatz was united in marriage 
with Miss Catherina Stciner, and they were the par- 
ents of ten children, two of whom are deceased. 
The surviving members of the family are: Annie, 
wlio lives in Waseca, Minn., and is the wife of the 
Rev. William .Stegner; Lydia Agnes, who married 
Kills Weber, a nierchant'of Faribault. Minn.; .Julia, 
who is the wife of Washington Stegner. a merchant 
of St. Paul, Minn.; Ciuistina, a graduate of a High 



School and now preceptress at the kindergarten in 
Whitehall, Mich.; Samuel, a resident of Michigan, 
formerly- a teacher in the Manual Training School 
at Chicago, and now in Bay City, being emi)loved 
by Wells & Co., manufacturers of fruit |)ack- 
ages; Amy, a graduate of the St. Joseph school and 
a teacher bj- profession; and Benjamin and Arthur, 
who are home. Kdward and Julia are deceased. In 
his political views, Mr. Ragatz has been a Re|)ub- 
lican, casting his first ballot for (icn. Fremont, and 
has voted for every President since until 1892, 
but he is now a strong ally of the Prohibition 
party. 



*-^^f 



rm 



'B] 



OHN M. ROUCII. The business of the 
manufacture of lumber and lumber products 
has for some years formed one of the im- 
portant productive industries of Berrien 
County. Mr. Rouch is a thoroughly practical and 
experienced man in the sawmill business, and has 
conducted extensive enterprises in that line for a 
long ]ieriod. He has been a resident of Buchanan 
since 1889, and is consequently identified with the 
interests of the village, of which he is one of the 
most influential citizens. 

Dauphin County, Pa., is the birthplace of Mr. 
Rouch, and he was born eighteen miles from the 
city of Ilnrrisburg, July 15, 1840. His father, 
Henry Rouch, was a native of Pennsylvania anil 
followed farming pursuits in that State until his 
death. His wife was Eliza Zearing, a native of 
the Keystone .State, and of German-English de- 
scent. Five sons and two daughters were born to 
bless this home, and among the number our subject 
was third in order of birth. His boyhood yeai-s 
were uneventfully passed in his native pl.ace and 
he grew to manhood self-reliant and intelligent, 
well 11 tied to cope with the obstacles which lie in 
the path of every ambitious young man. 

In 18G() Mr. Rouch came to Michigan and located 
in Hertrand Township, where he engaged in gen- 
eral farming for one year. Soon afterward, in the 
spring of IHC'.t, he married Miss .Susan, daughter 



298 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRArHICAL RECORD. 



of Daniel and Martha Bressler, and in the following 
year the 3'oung couple located in IJiiehanan Town- 
sliili. Mr. Ronch purchased a farm situated one 
mile west of the village of lUichanan, and there he 
embarked in farming, continuing at that place for 
six years, and meanwhile placing valuable improve- 
ments on the estate. Removing thence to Ber- 
trand Township, he resided iu that portion of the 
country for eleven years, devoting his entire at- 
tention to the work of improving a farm. In 1884 
he purchased an interest iu a sawmill iu Oronoko 
Township, which he carried on successfully for 
two years. Then selling his interest in the enter- 
prise, he located in the village of Buchanan, where 
he now owns a half-interest in a sawmill. His 
business enterprises have proved uniformly suc- 
cessful, and in all his investments he has displayed 
sagacity and executive ability. 

In his social conuection, Mr. Roueh is promi- 
nently ideutitied with the Masonic fraternit}', 
holding membership in Blue Lodge No. 68, at Bu- 
chanan; Chapter No. 2, at Niles; and Niles Com- 
niandery No. 12. In his political views, Mr. Rouch 
has made a careful study of the issues of the day, 
and believes that the principles adopted by the 
Republican party will best subserve the interests of 
the people. He served for two terms as Treasurer 
of Bertrand Township, and has been a member of 
the Board of Aldermen at Buchanan. He and his 
wife have been the parents of three children, the 
30ungest of whom, Rosa, is deceased. The sur- 
viving children are Lulu and Ada. 



? I ' I ' I ■ m • ■ 



ZlvO S. .JONES, deceased, for many 3'ears 
one of the prominent and enterprising 
business men of Dowagiac, Cass County, 
Mich., and highly esteemed as a citizen 
of sterling integrity, was a native of Ilopkinton, N. 
H., and was born .July 12, 1823. His f.ather, .lacob 
Jones, belonged to' a highly respectalile fainil}' 
in New England, noted for their strength of mind 
and decision of character. The wife of .lacob 
Jones, a most estimable woman, was in maidenhood 







Lydia Straw. She came to Michigan to live with 
her children, but died soon afterward at an ad- 
vanced age, in 1862. 

Azro S. Jones was reared in the New England 
home, and while yet a lad became a marine iu the 
service of the Inited States navy. He sailed in 
the frigate "Savannah," and during a pericjcl of 
four years visited nearly all the ports of the Old and 
the New Worlds. He was afterward transferred to 
the "Constitution" ("Old Ironsides"), and served 
as Corporal on this famous battleshii) during the 
Mexican AVar. After the term of his enlistment 
expired, Mr. Jones located in I^owell, and became 
a moulder in a large foundry, where he remained 
three years. During this time, in 1852, our subject 
was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth But- 
terfield, a native of New Hampshire, born in 
Charlestown March 16, 1832. 

Robert Buttcrficld, the father of Mrs. Jones, was 
also born in the State of New Hampshire, and was 
reared in his birthplace, Francistown. He was by 
occupation a farmer, but also engaged in buying 
wool. In common with many other patriotic 
friends and neighbors, he actively participated in 
the War of 1812. He was, politically, a strong 
Democrat, and a man of indomitable energy and 
perseverance. His wife, Betsey Tenn^-, was a 
daughter of an early resident of New England, 
the well-known Dr. Tenny. Mr. and Mrs. Butter- 
field were the i)arents of seven children, all of 
whom lived to reach the years of maturity, and 
two of whom yet survive: the widow of our sub- 
ject, and Charles F. Butterfield, now residing in 
Lake Crystal, Minn., a prosperous miller. 

After the mariiage of our subject, he and his 
estimable wife remained in Lowell, but linally re- 
solved to tr3' the broader opportunitich of the 
great West, and journeyed Co far-otf Illinois, set- 
tling in Kane County, where Mr. Jones purchased 
land and entered into agricultural pursuits. INIr. 
Jones made his home in Illinois but a brief time. 
In 1855 he removed to Michigan, and permanently 
located in Dowagiac, then a small village. Here 
he built the large white biick building, corner of 
Front and Commercial Streets, now owned b}' the 
Jewell estate, and entered into partnership with 
his brother, G. C. Jones, in the dry -goods trade. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



299 



Till" firm fic.'ilt birgoly in lliat line and iilso 
lian(Ilp<l larjfc i(iiaiititio.s of wheat and wool. Tiie 
business was prospeiously cniiliniUMl fui twenty- 
three \ear.s, and at the ex|>ii;Uion of that time 
Azio S. .lones went into the groeery trade. Again 
lionesly in <lealing and eorreet business methods 
liad tlieir rewaid, and lie was the reeipient of a 
line trade, until failing health eonipelled him to re- 
tire from the active duties of business life. 

Twochildren were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Jones: 
Charles IJ., who is a resident of Chicago, and 
head book-keeper for Fr.aser & Chalmer.s; and 
Kdwin D., ship|)ing-clerk for the Hound Oak Stove 
Works. Mr. Jones was originall_y a Republican, 
but "liberalized" with a great many other members 
of the grand old party in 1872 and voted for 
Grecle^'. He afterward became a thorough Dem- 
ocrat, was a firm believer in a policy of reconcili- 
ation between the North and South, and was an 
earnest advocate of the principles of tariff reform. 
Mr. Jones held various olHces of public trust, but 
was not a politician of the modern school, and 
would consent to hold ollice only when the ollice 
sought the man. He was a member of the Board 
of Kducation, and several times a member of the 
City Council, taking an active part esiiecially in 
all matters of local progress and educational ad- 
vancement. He was one of the committee who 
visited Wattrtown, N. Y., in eaily dajs and pur- 
chased llie first fire engine, considered an event at 
the lime, for it was then believed Dowagiae had 
advanced from a village to a town. 

Mr. Jones was one of the organizers of the Do- 
wagiac Union Fair, and was its Treasurer. A pub- 
lic-si)irited citizen, he was closely identified with 
all matters of public improvement and contributed 
liberally to all measures having for their object the 
development (jf the city and a better condition of 
its people. Faithful to liis ollicial work, he was also 
.•I valued member of the I'niversalist Church, and 
in fact was one of the organizers of the First Un- 
iversalist Church of Dowagiac. He served as Dea- 
con and was one of the Board of Trustees, giving 
generously in behalf of the church support. Mr. 
Jones entertained advanced ideas on the divinit}' 
of the Millie and the future destiny of man, but 
respected the opinions of those who dilTered in a 



religions way. Of limited education, lie was 
nevertheless a man of broad ideas, well posted on 
the political and social topics of the day, and was 
an interesting talker cm various subjects. He en- 
joyed the contidence of a large circle of friends, 
b}' whom he was deeply mourned, when, upon the 
ICth of April, 18il(», he passed to his rest. The 
day of the funeral the business houses of Dowagiac 
were closed, and the city with one accord testified 
to the high regard and sincere respect in which 
Azro Jones was held b3' his fellow-townsmen. His 
widow still resides on the old homestead, endeared 
to her by the many memories of the past. 



e-^+^! 



.(S_ 



JfAlMES R. DUNHAM. The cultivation of 
I small fruits has proven to be one of the most 
j important and successful industries of 
Berrien C'ount}', and among the men who 
are prosiierously engaged in this business may be 
mentioned the name of our subject, who owns a 
fine fruit farm located on section 34, St. Joseph 
Township. Here he has thirty-six acres, upon 
which he raises peaches, grapes and berries, making 
his shipments to the markets at Chicago and Mil- 
waukee. In addition to this valuable iiroperty, 
he is the owner of six hundred and sixty-one 
acres of land in Lincoln Township, of which 
sevent3'-five have been cleared and placed under 
excellent cultivation. Upon that pl.ace he rai.ses 
small fruits and berries, and finds this business a 
remunerative one. His wife is the owner of thirty- 
four acres in I>incoln Township, which is partly 
cleared and devoted to fruit-raising. 

A native of Michigan, our subject was born in 
Portage 'I'ownship, Kalamazoo County, on the 2 1st 
of April, 183(1. He traces his ancestry to patriotic 
and valiant forefathers. His paternal gieat-giand- 
father, Matthew Dunh.'ini, enlisted at the com- 
mencement of the Revolutionary War and served 
until its close, and tradition says that he was pres- 
ent at the famous "tea party" in Boston Harbor. 
He settled on .lohnson Creek, in New York State, 
where he constructed ;iiid managed a lafl in the 



300 



PORTRAIT AXD BIOliRAPHJCAL RECORD, 



American service during the War of 1812, but the 
raft, having been discovered b^- the British fleet, 
was destro^'ed. 

Tlic paternal grandfather of our subject was 
James Dunham, who was reared in New Jersey and 
married a Miss Ward, of New York City, whence 
they moved to western New Yorlv and from there 
up Saekett's Harbor, and later to Canada. Tlie 
father of our subject, Timothy Ward Dunham 
was born in Canada, January 12, 1808, and was 
reared on a farm in Orleans Countj-, N. Y. His 
father died when lie was a cliild of two 3-ears, and 
eight years later his mother was again married. 
He was about seventeen when lie started out in 
the world to earn his own livelihood, and, pro-- 
ceeding to Rochester. N. Y., he found employment 
for a time on a farm. 

Coming to Michigan in 1834. the senior Mr. 
Dunliam spent one summer in .Jackson Count}- and 
in the spring of tlie following j-ear settled in Kal- 
amazoo Countj-, where lie purchased land and 
embarked in the nurser}- business. In 1854 he 
disposed of his property in Kalamazoo Count}-, and, 
coming to Berrien County, located in St. Joseph 
Township, where he purchased land and engaged 
in fruit-raising. Having been reared along the 
lake shore in New York State, in the midst of a 
fine fruit country, he was naturally familiar with, 
and interested in, the cultivation of fruit, and 
when he settled in Kalamazoo County he endeav- 
ored, but in vain, to make a success of that 
business. 

When Mr. Dunham came to St. Joseph Town- 
ship, he purchased two hundred acres along the 
lake shore, and judging that this land would be 
especially adapted for fruit-raising, he embarked 
in that business, and proved, to the great aston- 
ishment and delight of other people in the county, 
that the soil here is peculiarly fitted for the raising 
of fruits. His name is worthy of perpetuation, 
for he was the pioneer of the nursery business in 
Kalamazoo County and one of the pioneers of the 
fruit business here, as well as one of the most ex- 
tensive fruit-growers in this section of the State. 

Removing to Lincoln Townshij), Mr. Dunham 
embarked in the sawmill business and was thus 
engaged for a number of years. He also planted 



a peach and a grape orchard on his place, where 
he resided until the fall of 1892, and since that 
time has made his home with our subject. He was 
married June 28, 183.5, to Miss Catherine, a daugh- 
ter of Enos Newman. This estimable lady was 
born in Vermont, whence in an earl}- day she ac- 
companied her parents to Covington, N. Y., and 
there grew to womanhood. At the .age of twent\-- 
four she came to Kalamazoo, Mich., where she was 
married. Her death occurred July 12, 1892, at 
the age of eight3'-two years and eleven months. 
She was a woman of many noble attributes of 
character and was devotedly attached to her hus- 
band and children. Two of her children were 
Mary, who married Bryce Quint, and died on a 
farm near Niles; and Martha, who died when six 
months old. 

In early days Timothy Dunham was a Whig, and 
later became a strong Abolitionist. He is now 
identified with the Republican part}-, to which he 
gives his unwavering support. He was converted 
in 1828, uniting with the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and is now a member of the Metiiodist 
Protestant Church. He is one of the oldest sur- 
viving settlers of" St. Joseph Township, .and at the 
present time (1893) is eighty-five years of age. 
A man of affable manners, intelligence of a very 
high order, and shrewd business qualilics, he has 
attracted a host of friends and attained a position 
among the most successful of Berrien's pioneers. 

The subject of this sketch was reared in Kala- 
mazoo County, Mich., until 1854, w-hen he accom- 
panied his father to Cass Count}', this State. At 
the age of eighteen he came to Beriien County, and 
about six months after he attained his majority 
he settled on his present farm. Prior to his settle- 
ment here, tlie timber had been cut down, but had 
been repLiced by a dense growth of brush, which 
forced Mr. Dunham to do considerable "grubbing." 
As the result of energy and industry, he succeeded 
in clearing the land, planting trees ami improving 
the place. At the time he came here, the entire 
country w.as in a very wild state. Wild animals 
were here in abundance, and our subject frequently 
eug.aged in the sport of hunting deer, which often 
fell the victims of his unerring shot. 

In Kalamazoo County, June 25, 1859, Mr. Dun- 



PORTRAIT AND UlOGRAl'mCAL RECORD. 



30] 



liiiiii iiiai-ii(Ml Miss Rebecca Ann, (l;in<jliU'r of 
Chillies AcUlcy. and tliey aio tlic pnicnts of six 
cliilflien, namely: Knos \V., a proniinonl fiuil- 
jTiowpi- of lyjncoln 'rownsliip; Saiali Kila, a school 
teacher residing nl iioine; Kriiest J., wiio resides at 
Stevensville, Benien County', and opecatea a saw- 
mill which he and his father own; Catiiorine K., 
Charles W. and Mar}- A., who are at lioine. 



/^^ LYDK II. r.AKF.R, the popular merchant of 
(l( ^ Buchanan, was born in Bertrand Township, 
^sj// Berrien County, Mich., on the 'Jth of No- 
vember, 18.57. His parents, Lewis V. and Eliza- 
beth (Haseltine) Baker, were natives respectively' 
of New York and Ohio, and after their marriage 
located in Bertrand Township. In connection 
with farming pursuits the father followed the trade 
of a miller, and started the first gristmill in the 
township. Politically, be was firm in his adherence 
to the principles of the Republican part}', and was 
ahva3s willing to work for the good of that or- 
ganization. In religious connections he was iden- 
tified with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in 
his life he exem|ililied the sincerity of his belief. 
Ills death oci'uned in his sixty-third year and was 
widely mourned, for he h;id a host of friends. I lis 
wife passed away at the age of sixty-eight years. 

Of the children born to Lewis and Elizabeth 
Baker, the following is noted: Morence died at 
the age of thirteen years; Louisa is the wife of 
.lohn Redden; .lohnnie passed away when a boy of 
fifteen years; Lewis W. is a iihysician residing in 
I'.iicliaii:in ; Clyde II., of this sketch, is the young- 
est nieiiilier of the family, lie attended the scho Is 
of Beilraiid Township and subsequently W!vs a pu- 
jiil in the Buchanan High School. In 1879 he en- 
tered the employ of '1\ M. Kulton A- Co., of Bu- 
(•h;ui.'in, and occupied ;i clerical posilion in that 
house for two \ ears. Having gained a thorough 
knowledge of business by this experience, and hav- 
ing also hy economy and industry accumul.'ilcd a 
suHicient amoiiul of money for tlie purpose, he 



embarked in business for himself and opened a 
furniture establis'iment, which he conducted for 
five years. 

Subsequently Mr. I'.aker purchased a half-inter- 
est in the mercantile establishment of L. R. Boyle, 
and the partnership thus formed continued until 
1890, when our subject purchased his partner's in- 
terest. The business is now conducted under the 
name of C. II. Baker, and has enjoyed a steady in- 
crease, until the establishment is now the largest in 
the city. The store is conveniently located on 
Front Street, and has a large trade not only from 
the |)eople of Buchanan, but also from the resi- 
dents of adjoining ])laces. Mr. Baker is also a 
Director in the First National Bank of Buchanan 
and is one of the stockholdei's of that institution. 

In politics a Republican, Mr. Baker is recog- 
nized as one of the sagacious and clear-beaded 
leaders of the party in Buchanan. In 1887-88 he 
served as Township Treasurer, and has recently 
been called to fill the position of City Treasurer. 
In 1890 and 1892 he was a member of the ^'illage 
Board. In regard to social relations, he is a mem- 
ber of Buchanan I^odge No. 68, A. F. it A. M.; St. 
Joseph Chapter No. 4, Niles C'ouncil No. 19, and 
Nlles Commandery No. 12. lie is also identified 
with l)e Witt Clinton Consistory at (Iraiid Rap- 
ids, and the Saladin Temple of the Ancient Arabic 
Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. October 
21, 1889, he married Miss Estelle J., daughter of 
.lames and Nancy Reynolds, and they have one 
child, Elizabeth HaseUine, who w;is born .Iiih' 2, 
1 892. 



y|.ILL 1". IIOYT, Secretary and Superintend- 
ent of the Dowagiuc Manufacturing Com- 
'^^' pany, was born in Silver Creek Township, 
Cass County, Mich., April 27, 18.J9. His father, 
.lohii I-'. Iloyt, was bmn in New York, and in his 
youth enlisted for service in the Mexican \V:ir, 
but was ref\ised on account of being under age. 
For some time he ri'sided in the South, wheie he 
was a slave-owner and also followed the tr;ide of 



302 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



:i liatter. Coming to Michigan about 1856, he es- 
tablished a gristmill in Silver Creek Township, 
which was usually known as the Old Red Mill. 
His death occurred in 18(!(), when in life's prime. 
His wife survived him a number of years, passing 
away in 1867. They were the parents of three 
children: our subject, St. Louis, and Winfleld,who 
is the foreman in the factory at Dowagiac. 

Orphaned in childhood, our subject came to 
Dowagiac when about nine years of age, and for 
five years made his home with the famil}' of F. J. 
Mosher. Later he spent a short time with his 
guardian, M. T. (Jarvej', at Cassopolis. At the 
age of seventeen he returned to Dowagiac and fin- 
ished his education in the High School of this city, 
from which he was graduated in 1879. Afterward 
he taught in the district schools for three years. 
Leaving that profession for an active business life, 
lie was emplo3'ed for one year ,as shipping-clerk, 
and for the two years following in the produce busi- 
ness. In 1885 he became book-keeper for the 
Dowagiac Manufacturing Conipanj', and was af- 
terward promoted to be Secretary and manager of 
the enterprise. He was one of the first stockhold- 
ers and is also a Director of the company. 

At the time Mr. Hoyt first became connected 
with the companj' a few drills had been manufac- 
tured, but the business was at a low ebb. Realiz- 
ing that it could be made a financial success if 
properlj' managed, he, with several others, remod- 
eled the drill and commenced to manufacture it. 
During their first years of business they sold a few 
of their manufactures in the Northwest, and grad- 
ually increased the sales until the enterprise is 
now conceded to be one of the most successful in 
the State. Steady employment is given to a force 
of two hundred and fifty men, and there are six 
traveling salesmen tm the road. The capital stock 
is $50,000, while the sales arc principally in the 
West and Northwest. During 18112 the output of 
machines was between five and six thousand drills. 
The wonderful success which has crowned this 
business enterprise is due largely to the ability 
and judgment of Mr. Moyt, who has labored un- 
weariedly to secure for it the greatest material 
development. He was one of the principal in- 
ventors of the new machine, and has several pat- 



ents on it, including the spring attachment, the 
covering wheel and the force feed. 

In the fall of 1881 Mr. Hoyt married Miss Dora 
151atchle>', who w.as born in Dowagiac and edu- 
cated in the schools of this city. In his political 
belief he is a Democrat. He is now the Presi- 
dent of the local board of the Capital Building 
and Loan Association of this cit^', and is other- 
wise identified with important interests of the 
place. As a business man he has the confidence of 
the people and occupies a high place in their 
regard. 



DWARD BRAMMALL has won an enviable 
n-v reputation as a [il umber, and the thorough- 
ly^/ ness of the work executed by him and the 
reasonalileness of his prices, as well .as his trust- 
worthy and thorough business methods, have placed 
him among the leading business men. He was born 
in Duckinfield. England, October 17, 1819, and is 
a son of .lohn N. and Sarah (Evans) Bramiiiall. 
The father was a contractor and builder in Elng- 
land and remained there until 1857, when he de- 
cided to cross the ocean to America. After reach- 
ing this country he located in New York City, 
but subsequently removed to I'liiladeliihia, thence 
to Chicago, and thence to .laeksoii, Tciui. In 1863 
he returned to Chicago, and died there in 1865. He 
was a substantial and highly respected citizen and 
a man possessed of much energy and force of char- 
acter. His wife, the mother of our subject, died 
in England. 

Edward Brammall, subject of this sketch, passed 
his boyhood and youth and received his education 
in Chicago, 111. In 1863 he began in that city to 
learn the tinner's trade and plumbing. In 1867, 
for about nine months, he superintended a hard- 
ware and tin shop at Palatine, III., then returned 
to Chicago. He engaged in business in that city 
and remained there until the year 1869, when he lo- 
cated in Benton Harbor. At this place he entered 
the employ of H. M. Peck & Co., basket manufac- 




T 





>^ / ^t 









PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



305 



tiirors, .and after rpmainin<r with them for some 
time entered llie employ of liiunsou <V: Wiiians, 
hardware mereliants of this cit^-, and continued in 
tlieir emidoy until 1873. After that he went into 
tlie hardware business on his own account, but sold 
out In It<7G, and two years later opened a tin-shop 
in Benton Harbor, where he had a suocossful busi- 
ness for some lime. I^ater lie added a line of agri- 
cultural implements, farming niaciiinery, etc., and 
continued at this until 1892. since whicii time he 
lias given his undivided attention to plumbing 
and gas and steam fitting. He is making a suc- 
cess of this, and is thorough and reliable in all his 
transactions. 

On the 4th of .Tune, 1874, he was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Lizzie .Sullivan, a native of Benton 
Harix)r,and they now have a pleasant and commod- 
ious residence on Pipestone Street. Both are well 
respected in the city and have a host of warm 
personal friends. Politically, Mr. Brammall is a 
stanch Republican, and socially he is a member of 
the Knights of Pythias and the Knights of the 
Maccabees. Mr. and Mrs. Brammall are members 
of the Baptist Church. 



-*-^ 



^ ~^<g ) 



"^^^33) 



M>-^^<1 



(c»^ 




1810. 



LEXANDER H. SCOTT, .In., M. D., a prac- 
ticing physician and surgeon of St Jo- 
seph, was born in .Schoolcraft, Kalamazoo 
County, Mich., on the 19th of September, 
The paternal grandfather of our subject, 
Tliomas Scott, was for many years a resident of 
New Hampshire, and became a pioneer of Ohio. 
Ale.Kander H. Scott, Sr., father of our sul)ject, was 
born in Columbus, Ohio, and as early as 1837 
came to Michigan, settling in .Schoolcraft, and em- 
barking in the mercantile business at that place. 
He was finite successful in his business ventures 
and was one of the most prominent men in .School- 
craft. Latp in life he came to St. Joseph, where 
he made his honu' until removed by death, in 
August, 1888. 

The maternal great-grandfather of our subject, 
William Sherni.ui. was a participant in the War of 



1812. His mother, who bore the maiden name of 
Jane Hatch, w.as born in Vermont, being the 
daughter of Sherman Hatch, of Scotch-Irish ex- 
traction. The eldest of four children (of whom 
only two now survive), the subject of this sketch 
passed his youth in the village of .Schoolcrift, 
where he was a student in the schools. He after- 
ward entered the Agricultural College at Lansing, 
continuing his studies there for some time. 

Having resolved to enter upon the profession of 
a physician, young Scott read medicine with Dr. 
Boliver-Barnum, of Schoolcraft, after which he 
entered the medical department of Ann Arbor,and 
was graduated from that institution in March, 
1867. Previous to this, however, he had spent 
four years in the service of the I'nion. In 18fil 
he enlisted as a member of Company C, Sixth 
Michigan Infantry, Col. F. W. Curteniuscommand- 
ing. For one year he served as Color Sergeant, 
and afterward occupied the position of hospital 
steward for the same length of time. He was 
transferred to the Eleventh Army Corps and as- 
signed to the Eighty-third United States Troops, 
serving as First Lieutenant and Regimental Quar- 
termaster. Later he received from Gov. Blair the 
appointment of Assistant .Surgeon of the Twelfth 
Michigan Infantry, and was laboring in that posi- 
tion at the time the war closed. He was subse- 
quently appointed Surgeon of the United .States 
Hospital at Camden, Ark., and served in that ca- 
pacity' until March 8, 1866, when he was honor- 
ably discharged, after having served his country 
faithfully and well for a period of four years. 

Returning to Michigan, the 3'outliful veteran 
resumed his medical studies in the .State Univer- 
sity at Ann Arbor, from which, as above stated, he 
was graduated in 1867. At once after completing 
his studies he located at St. Joseph, Mich., where 
he conducted a general practice. He is Division 
Surgeon for the Chicago & West Michigan Rail- 
road, and local surgeon of the Vandalia Railroad, 
and has acquired an extended reputation through- 
out this section of the .State as a physician of 
skill, thoroughness and great knowledge. He is 
at present serving .is President of the (Jold Cure 
Institute in St. Joseph. He is deei)ly intereste<I 
in everything that pertains to his profession, and 



306 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



is an active member of the Beri-ien County Med- 
ical Association and tlie American Medical Asso- 
ciation. 

February 14, 1869, the Doctor married Miss 
Lydia M. Crandall, of Bingliamton, N. Y., and a 
daughter of Robert L. Crandall. One daughter, 
Bella L., has been born to Dr. and Mrs. Scott. In 
politics he is a stanch Republican, and was lion- 
ored by election to the position of M.ayor in 
1890-91, and also served as Trustee of St. .Joseph 
for three terms. In regard to social connections, 
he is a member of Occidental Lodge No. 56, A. F. 
& A. M., of which he was Worshiiiful Master for 
twelve 3'ears. lie is also a member of Calvin 
Brittain Chapter No. 72, R. A. M.; St. Joseph 
Council, and Niles Commandery No. 12. He h.as 
attained to the thirty-second degree in Masonry 
and is a Noble of the Mystic Slirine. 



♦=*:=="5* 



ISAAC M. VINCENT. After many years de- 
voted to his chosen calling of agriculture, Mr. 
/I\ Vincent is now passing his declining jears 
lran(iuilly and comfortablj' in his pleasant home 
at Buchanan. lie was born in Franklin County, 
Mass., on the 4th of July, 1822, being the son of 
Isaac and Susan (Maxam) Vincent, both of whom 
were natives of the Ba^' State. The paternal 
grandfather, Joshua Vincent, was of English de- 
scent, and was born in Massachusetts. During 
the opening years of the great struggle between 
England and tlie Colonies, he enlisted in the de- 
fense of liberty and freedom, and served with 
valor until the close of the Revolutionary War. 

The father of our subject was born in 1790, and 
was reared to the life of a farmer. In earl}' man- 
hood he married the daughter of Edmund Maxam, 
a native of Massachusetts, and one of the old 
[{evolutionary' iieroes. After their marriage they 
located on a farm in the Bay State, where they 
continued to reside until removed hence by death, 
the father at the age of seventy-five, and the 
mother when four-score and two years old. While 



Mr. Vincent followed the occupation of a farmer, 
principally, he also engaged to some extent in 
other pursuits, a. id for four years was a (jeddlcr in 
the Southern States. 

The parental family consisted of six children, 
five sons and one daughtei', four of whom grew to 
mature years. In Franklin County, M.ass., our 
subject was reared to manhood and acquired a 
common-school education. When ready to estab- 
lish domestic ties, he w.as married, on the 12th of 
March, 184.5, to Miss Elizabeth Yaw, who was born 
in Whitingham, Vt., November 16, 1824. Her 
grandfather, Moses Yaw, was descended from En- 
glish-French ancestr}', and passed his entire life in 
Rhode Island. Her father, Oliver Yaw, followed 
the occupation of a farmer in the Green Mountain 
State, and married Eliza, daughter of Jonallian 
Houghton, and a native of Wendall, Mass. Mrs. 
Vincent is the eldest of thirteen children, and is 
now the onl}' surviving member of the family. 

Ten years after his marriage Mr. Vincent went 
to Illinois and located at Richmond, where they 
resided about one year. From Illinois they went 
to Indiana, and from there to Iowa, thence to 
Michigan in 1865. Locating near Galien, Berrien 
County, he purchased a farm of one hundred and 
sixty .acres, and remained on that place about 
three years. In 1869 he sold the land, and in 
1871 came to Buchanan, where he now lives re- 
tired from business. He and his wife became 
the parents of two cluldren. Edwin II. was liorn 
in Florida. Mass., November 27, 1850, and after 
reaching manhood, kicated in Three Oaks, Mich., 
where he attained considerable i)romineiice. As a 
successful and accommodating merchant, lie en- 
joyed a large patronage from the city and sur- 
rounding country. lie served as Supervisor of 
the township an<l in other places of trust. His 
death occurred January Id, 189.3. He had mar- 
ried Miss Anna McKie, and they were the parents 
of a daughter, Maude M., who was seven teen years 
old at the time of her father's demise. The other 
son of our subject, Isaac B., was born in Flor- 
ida, Mass., December 1, 1854, and became a sleep- 
ing-car conductor. While serving in that capacity 
he was killed at Blue Mound, III., on the Waliash 
i PaciUc Railioad, May 11, 1884. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



307 



From ail Iiumble positit)!! in youth, without 
fiieiids or money, and (le|iendent upon his own 
unaided exertions for liis maintenance, Mr. ^'in- 
ceiit lias risen to a position of prominence among 
tlie public-spirited citizens of Berrien County, 
'riirougli his industry in earlier life he accumu- 
lated the means which enables him at present to 
live in comfort and uiiharassed b\' business cares, 
lie IS a man of deep religious convictions, and is 
a faithful nieinber of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, in which he has served as Steward and 
Trustee, antl toward the support of which he has 
always contributed in i)roporlion to his means. 
Politically, he is a Republican, and always votes 
the ticket of his party. 



I OIIN GLEESON, an enterprising and lead- 
I ing general agriculturist and stock-raiser, 
profitably cultivating a fine farm of one 
hundred and sixty acres in Chikaming 
Township, P.errien County, Mich., is desirabl}- sit- 
uated, his highly improved homestead being lo- 
cated five miles northwest of the prosperous vil- 
lage of Three Oaks, twenty-five miles southwest 
of the county seat and within two miles of his 
postollice at Union Pier. For over thirty years a 
constant resident of his present neighborhood, our 
subject has been intimately associated with the 
local interests and upward growth of Berrien 
Countj'. A popular citizen, enjoying the high es- 
teem and confidence of the community by whom he 
is surrounded, he has received various important 
t(jwnship otlices, whose duties he has invariably 
discharged with rare fidelity and executive abil- 
ity. Mr. (Jleeson was born in the city of Hamil- 
ton, province of Ontario, Canada, April 9, 1848. 
His parents, Patrick and .Johanna (Owyer) Glee- 
son, were both natives of Ireland, and were ener- 
getic and industrious people, descended from a long 
line of intelligent and higlily respected ancestry, 
who generation after generation reared families, 
worthy representatives of the P^merald Isle. 

Born, reared and educated in their native land. 



the ])arenUs attained to mature years and were mar- 
ried in Ireland. TlMuoughly understanding and ap- 
preciating the offered advantages of the country 
of promise beyond the sea, the young couple 
finall}' decided to emigrate to America, and, cross- 
ing the Atlantic, landed in the Dominion of Can- 
ada. The parents were united in marriage in 184(), 
and ten years later the devoted wife and mother 
passed to her rest in Hamilton. She had borne 
four children, one daughter and three sons. Our 
subject, the eldest of the family, was educated in 
his primary studies in the common schools of 
Canada, but afterward received extended instruc- 
tions in the celebrated college of St. Michael's, in 
Toronto. When sixteen years of age, acconipan}'- 
ing his father, .Tohii Gleeson, he came to the United 
States and settled in Beriien County, Jlich., mak- 
ing a permanent home in Chikaming Township, 
where they have since constantly resided. Patrick 
Gleeson, now four-score years of age, enjoys un- 
usually good health for a man of eighty years' ex- 
perience in the toil and wearing cares of life. An 
upright citizen of strength of character and ear- 
nest purpose, the venerable father is universall3' re- 
spected. 

Our subject has made a life work of the pur- 
suit of agriculture, and, from his youth trained 
to habits of thrift and bus}- industry, h.assuccess- 
fully and self-reliantly won his upward w.ay. En- 
tering with keen interest into the development of 
local improvements and enterprise, Mr. Gleeson 
soon became one of the prominent and most pop- 
ular men of the townshi-p. In 1882, elected to 
the responsible position of Supervisor, he served 
with such acceptability' to his friends and neigh- 
bors that he was re-elected to a second term, and 
in 1891 w.as again made an incumbent of the same 
odlce and again served two successive terras. Po- 
litically a Democrat, our subject is an ardent sup- 
porter of the "Party of the People," and has been 
prominent among the councils of the Democrats 
of the county. For two terms Mr. Gleeson ellici- 
ently occupied the official position of Treasurer 
of Chikaming Township, and has been invaiiablv 
active in forwarding all mailers of mulua! wel- 
fare. He is well posted in the affairs of the da}', 
to which he gives earnest atteiilion. mid manj^ 



308 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



years ago cast liis first Presifieiilial vote for Samuel 
J. Tilden. Our subject is a liberal-minded man of 
native generosity, and is ever ready to aid in social 
and benevolent enterprises, and, in full accord 
witli his fellow-townsmen, possesses the best wishes 
of a host of sincere friends. 



-^ 



W 



r^ 



ILLIS H. ARGABRIOHT, foreman of the 
Round Oak Stove AVorks at Dowagiac, 
W^ was born in Clarke County, Ohio, May 21, 
1841. His father, John Argabright, was born in 
Blacksburg, Giles County, Va., and after learning 
the trade of a blacksmith in the Old Dominion he 
came to Ohio and settled in Clarke County, where 
he followed his chosen occupation. In 18.54 he 
came to Michigan and settled in Cass County, 
renting a farm near the city of Cassopolis. Farm- 
ing pursuits engaged his attention, and lie tilled 
the soil of that place until 1867, when he removed 
to a farm situated about five miles south of Do- 
wagiac. Later he ceased his active farming labors, 
and, coming to Dowagiac, lived here retired from 
business anxieties and cares until his demise, which 
occurred in 1874. 

The union of John Argabright and Matilda 
Priliiman was blessed by the birtii of six children, 
three of whom are now living, namel^y: our sub- 
ject; Henry M., who is .assistant foreman at the 
Hound Oak Stove Works; and Mrs. Charity Bench, 
whose home is in Dowagiac. The father of this 
family was a devout member of the Baptist 
Church and was an honorable, upright man, whose 
religious belief was exemplified by his noble life. 
In Clarke Count>% Ohio, the subject of this sketch 
resided until thirteen years old, when he .accom- 
panied his father to Michigan and grew to man- 
hood upon the farm in Cass County. 

The marriage of Mr. Argabright occurred in 
1868 and united him with Miss Lucy, daughter of 
Ziba Neff, who w.as a farmer of Jefferson Township, 
Cass County, Mich. Mrs. Argabright w.as born in 
Lake County, Ohio, and was about seven years 
old when she came to Michigan. After his mar- 



riage Mr. Argabright located near Edwardsburgh, 
Cass County, but after residing tiiere for two 
3'ears came to Dowagi.ac, where for a time he 
worked on the railroad. After following that oc- 
cupation for about six months he was appointed 
freight clerk, which position he filled for five years. 
Later he received the appointment of freight and 
ticket agent at this place for the Michigan Central 
Railroad, and occupied that responsible i)Osition 
twenty-two years. Afterward he traveled for two 
years in the chiploy of the Round Oak Stove 
Works, being the third traveling salesman on the 
road for this company. AVhen he left the road he 
accepted the position he still occupies as foreman 
of the Round Oak Stove Works, which he has filled 
since 1888. 

Politically, Mr. Argabright is a Democrat, firm 
in his allegiance to the party of his choice. Soci- 
allj', he is identified with the Order of M.aecabees. 
His residence is a pleasant abode, built after the 
latest designs and containing modern improve- 
ments, and is located on the corner of Chesboro 
and Park Place. In addition to this property Mr. 
Ai'gabright is the owner of a finely improved place 
of eighty acres located two miles from the cor- 
porate limits of Dowagiac, in Pokagon Township. 
This farm is devoted to general farming and stock- 
raising purposes and is embellished with an excel- 
lent class of buildings. 



IM^ 



l,__^ ON. FRANCIS II. BERRICK, M. D., of Bu- 
]|1 chanan, w.as born in Middlesex, Middlesex 
County, Mass., on the 18tli of September, 
5^ 1823. His father, Ilarmones Berrick, was a 
native of Germany, and fought for six years under 
the immortal Bonaparte. Having been taken pris- 
oner l\v the English, he was brought to An-erica 
when about twenty-five years old. After being 
released from captivity he established his home in 
Middlesex County, Mass., where he followed his 
trade of a glass manufacturer. 

The mother of our subject was of Irish descent 
and was born and roared in Maine. She bore the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



309 



iii.aidi'u iiaiTic of MjuuMii't Uii'wer, and was a lady 
C)f pleasant dispusition and sunshiny ways. Slie 
was especially devoted to the welfaie of her chil- 
dren, of whom there were eight, as follows: James 
II., deeeased; .lane ()., the widow of .losepli Dale, 
residing in Richmond, Me.; Margaret, who is the 
wife of K(l win Stearns, of Lowell, Mass.; Francis 
II., of this sketch; Edward, a business man of 
IJoston; Anna (!., wIk) mairied John Collins, now [ 
deceased; and Charles M., who enlisted in defense 
of the I'nion during the Civil ^\'ar and was in 
active service from l.Stil until IHtiti. 

In his father's home, Francis II. licrrick grew to 
manhood, meanwhile becoming through study and 
extensivi' reading a well-informed man. In 1847 
he entered the ministry of the Second Advent 
Church and for a number of years was engaged in 
priaehing the (Jospel, holding pastorates at vari- 
ous places in the ISay State. In 18G1 he entered 
the law de|iarlmcnt of Harvard College, where he 
prosecuted his legal studios and from which insti- 
tution he was graduated. He was admitted to the 
IJar in Essex County, Mass., in 18(;4 and practiced 
his profession for two years in Boston. Realizing, 
however, that the great West offered opportunities 
which the East coidd not, he determined upon es- 
tablishing a home in the Mississippi Valle}'. 

In 1868 our subject removed to Minnesota and 
accepted a pastorate of a church in the northern 
part of the State, near Minneapolis, where lie re- 
mained until 18()8. Fiom that State he removed 
to Indiana, and while serving as pastor of a church 
in Lal'orte County he commenced the study of 
medicine. In 1861) he removed to Buchanan, and 
here o[)ened an office for the practice of his last- 
cliosen profession. Four years afterward he took 
a course of lectures at the Hahnemann Medical 
College, graduating from that institution in 1873. 
Upon his return to Buchanan he resumed his du- 
ties as a general practitioner. 

All matters relating to the welfare and progress 
of Buchanan and the surrounding country are 
deeply interesting to the Doctor. He has mingled 
considerably with the public atTairs of the county 
and has been called upon to fill various posts of 
trust. In 1874 lie was elected Senator and served 
with credit to himself, representing his constitu- 



ents with ability and discretion. He also tilled the 
position of I'resident of Buchanan and served as a 
member of the Board of School Directors. Socially, 
he is a Mason, belonging to Blue Lodge No. 68, 
and is also identified with the Knights Templar, 
holding meinlicrship at Kiles. 

Dr. Berrick has been married three times. Of 
liis first union three children were born, viz.: 
Charles S., now residing in Chicago; Frank, who 
was in the United Slates service for eight years 
and is now employed at the AVorld's Columbian 
Exposition; and Adelaide A., who married Henry 
Croup, now deceased. The second wife of the Doc- 
tor was Lucy A. Jarvis, daughter of Barton and 
Elizal)etli J.'irvis. After her death he was married 
on the 3(llh of March, 18'J0, to .Mrs. May Tremmcl, 
who by her former union has one child, (ieitrude. 




'l^^ ENUY MICHAEL, the subject of this 
I) sketch, is identified with various important 
interests in Dowagiac, being Justice of the 
Peace, Notary Public, Con ve\ancer, pen- 
sion-claim agent and real-estate dealer. He was 
born on the otli of December, 1827, at the home 
of his parents, eight miles south of Xeiiia, Creenc 
County% Ohio. Of direct (iernian descent, his 
grandfather, William IMicLacI, was born anil reared 
in Germany, and, emigrating to America, settled 
in Virginia during the hitler part of the eigh- 
teenth centiir}'. From the Old Dominion he re- 
moved to Ohio and became one of the earliest 
settlers of K(j.ss County. 

]>eaving the Buckeye State, this courageous 
pioneer penetrated the wilds of Michigan and en- 
tered a tract of land from the Ooveriiment. This 
property was located in Berrien Coiint\-, :iiid 
through his efforts was i)laced under cultivation 
and embellished with good buildings. There Mr. 
Michael passed away some time in the 'liis. A 
man of religious convictions, he hibored zealously 
for the jjiomotion of the Methodist Epi.scopal 
Church and was a generous contributor to its sup-, 
port. Coming to this State poor in purse, he at- 



310 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



tained the realization of his anticipations and 
Ijecarae tlie possessor of a good property, the value 
of which has been greatly enhanced during late 
years. 

A native of Virginia, Adam Michael, father of 
our subject, was one of ten children in the par- 
ent.ll family. When fifteen 3'ears old he accom- 
panied his father to Ohio, and grew to manhood 
in Ross County. There he married Miss Mary, 
flaughter of Charles Murphy, a native of the old 
Dominion. After their marriage the young couple 
located in Greene County, but in 1830 removed 
thence to Michigan and settled in Howard Town- 
ship, Cass County, where he remained about eigh- 
teen months. Coming to Rerrien Township, Ber- 
rien County, he entered one hundred and sixty 
acres on section 21 and forty .icres on section 22. 
There he remained until his demise, which oc- 
curred in August, 1838. His wife passed away in 
1855. 

There were nine children in their family: Matil- 
da, wife of .Silas Ireland, a farmer of Berrien Town- 
ship, Berrien County; Mrs. Kebecca Reynolds, of 
Berrien Springs; our subject; Mrs. Mary E. Lyle, 
widow of Daniel Lyle, the banker of Dowagiac; 
Mrs. Ruhama Kibbler, who lives in Berrien County; 
Alfred E., a carpenter by trade and a lumberman 
of Uiver Falls, Wis.; Eliza, who married and is now 
deceased; and Charles, a ranchman, who died in 
November, 1891. The father of this family was a 
blacksmith and followed that trade in connection 
with his farming work. He was called out in the 
wai- against the Indians in 1832 and aided in 
quelling the trouble. Every foot of ground in 
Berrien County was familiar to him and when 
people came here on prospecting tours he was able 
to point out to them the most desirable locations. 
As a pedestrian he was quick and tireless. It is 
related of him that at one time his brother had 
come here from Ohio and selected a tract of land, 
after which he returned to Ohio in order to get 
the money necessary to make the purchase. Mean- 
while another man selected the same tract of land 
and started for Niles to get the money and pay 
the land officer at Kalamazoo. .Soon after the 
claimant departed, the brother arrived with the 
money, and JI''- Michael at once started on foot 



with it across the country to Kalamazoo, where he 
made the payment at the land office. Just ,is he 
was leaving that city, he met the other claimant 
hastening to the laud office. 

A child of three years when he accompanied his 
father to Michigan, the subject of this sketch grew 
to manhood amid the ])rimeval scenes of pioneer 
existence. He cleared twenty .acres unaided and 
helped in the work of clearing the remainder of 
the propcrt}-. In 1849 he went to Xenia, Ohio, 
walking the entire distance thither and remaining 
there until the fall of 1850, meanwhile learning 
the trade of a gunsmith. This occupation he 
followed in Dowagiac, Mich. In 1864 he jour- 
neyed across the plains with a wagon train to Cali- 
fornia, where he engaged in mining and also fol- 
lowed the occupation of a carpenter, returning 
East via the Isthmus of Panama. 

In March, 1853, Mr. Michael married Miss Hat- 
tie, the daughter of Edward Balleugee, a merchant 
of Dowagiac, who died in November, 1891, .aged 
eiglit\-six years. He was an old settler of Ber- 
rien County, having come here in 1836. Mr. and 
Mrs. Michael have been the parents of four chil- 
dren, three of whom are now living: Julia E., 
who for the p.ast eight years has been a te.acher in 
the Dowagiac schools; Estella M., the wife of G. B. 
Moore, of Dow.agiac; and Charles B., who is in 
Marysville, Kan. Edward died in September, 1865. 

In 1859 Mr. Michael beg.an the business of con- 
veyancing and real-estate dealing, which he still 
conducts. He w.as elected Justice of the Peace in 
1868 and served until 1874; again he was ap- 
pointed to that office in 1883 and has served ever 
since. During the seventeen 3'ears in which he 
has filled the position, no decision made b\- him 
hiis over been reversed in either the Circuit or the 
Supreme Court. In 1860 he wsis appointed No- 
tary Public and has acted in that cap.acity ever 
since, with the exception of one year spent in Cali- 
fornia. A Whig in former years, he has been a 
Republican since the organization of the party. 
For .about fourteen years he was Clerk of .Silver 
Creek Township, Cass Count}-, also served as Dep- 
uty Sheriff, Coroner for two years and Treasurer 
of Silver Creek Township for three years. 

Socially Mr. Michael is prominently- identified 



FORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPIUCAL RECORD. 



311 



with till- Iii<k'|ioii(loiit Order of Odd Fellows and 
lias lit'cii a iiuMiilii'i- of tliu lo(lj,'i' since l.s.j I, having 
represented it in llie (iraiid Lodge fifteen times. 
March ."id, lUSH.he received the appoinlinent of 
I'nilcd States I'tHision Agent, an honor which was 
conferred u|ion him withont any solicitation on 
his part. At present he is the only pension agent 
111 Cass County and since his appointment he has 
filed over three hundred claims for pensioners. 



^-^+^^ 



^^^4U)MAS W. KKYN'OLDS. The linn of Uey- 
f/(^^ nolds iV; Lemon, dealers in li.ard ware, stoves 
^^^ and tinware, is one of the best known in 
IJerrien Springs. They carry a very large stock, 
covering everything in the line of heavy hardware 
and shelf goods, and also have a large assortment 
of agicultural implements. By close attention to 
the details of business, by care in the selection of 
their stock, and b}- accurate methods in all their 
transactions, they have built up a large and profit- 
able tr.'ide with the citizens of Berrien Springs and 
vicinity. 

The senior member of the firm was born in Lake 
County, Ohio, December "2, lUiiA. He is the son 
of (ieorge and Sarah (Lamb) Reynolds, both of 
whom were born in Cheshire, England, and emi- 
grated thence to America, the father in 1849, and 
the mother two years afterward. After their 
marriage in Cleveland, Ohio, they removed, iu 
185.5, to Berrien Springs, Mich., where for a time 
IMr. Reynolds, Sr., followed the trade of a cabinet- 
maker, but later turned his attention to wagon- 
making. He was thus engaged until his death, 
which occurred in 1880. His wife passed away 
seven years prior to his demise. 

The onl}' surviving child of the parental family 
is Thomas W., the subject of this sketch. He 
passed his boyhood in Berrien Springs and gained 
his education in the public schools of this place. 
Later he learned the trade of a tinner under 
George Claar, and upon the completion of the term 
of his apprenticeship he traveled .is a "jour" 
tJirough Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Michigan. 



Returning in 1881 to his ffirmer home in Berrien 
Sjirings, he opened a tin shop and began busi- 
ness on his own account. He continued alone 
until 1891, when he formed a pnrliu'iship with 
Albert Lemon, the title of the firm being Reynolds 
ife Lemon. 

A very impoitant event in the life of Mr. Rey- 
nolds occurred in 1882, when he w.is united in 
marriage with Miss Lyda Filkins, the daughter of 
Peter and .Sarah (Rooks) Filkins, residents of 
Berrien Springs. The union has been blessed by 
the birth of one daughter, Vera S., a bright and 
interesting child, of whom the parents arc justly 
proud. In politics a Republican, Mr. Reynolds has 
served as City Treasurer, and is now filling the 
position of Treasurer of the School Board. So- 
cially, he holds relations with Oronoko Lodge No. 
69, A. O. U. W. He is now serving as Secretary 
and Treasurer of the local board of the lUiildingife 
Loan Association, having its headquarters at Lo- 
gansport, Ind., and is the Superintendent of the 
county poor. A man of deep leligious convictions, 
he is an earnest worker in the Methodist Episcopal 
Church and is otiicialing as Superintendent of the 
Sunday-school. His wife is also identified with 
that denomination, and both are liberal contrib- 
utors to the support of the church. They are 
highly regarded throughout the comnninity where 
they reside, and their friends are wont to spend 
many pleasant hours in their cozy home. 



/^ OL. DAVID BACON, .Justice of the Peace, 
(I ( ^^ and a well-known citizen of Niles, w.asborn 
^^^^ in Saratoga County, N. Y., September 9, 
1827, being the son of Cyrus and Malinda (Guern- 
sey) Bacon. His father was born in .Saratoga 
County, N. Y., in 1796, and was the son of David 
Bacon, a native of Connecticut and by occupation 
a farmer. The mother of our subject was also 
born in Saratoga County, being the daughter of 
.Solomon Guernsey. In 1835 the family came to 
Michigan, locating in Cass County, where the 



312 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



father engaged in general farming and stock-raising 
until his death, which occurred in that county in 
1872. A stanch Democrat politically, he served 
Ills district in the Michigan Legislature during the 
scasion of 1849. Religiously, he adhered to the 
Presbyterian faith. His widow survived him for 
a number of years, her death occurring in 1887, 
when eighty-four years old. 

A Lad of six years of age at the time the family 
came to Michigan, the subject of this sketch re- 
ceived a common-school education in Cass County. 
Later he entered Jefferson College, of Cannons- 
burgh, Pa., from which he was graduated in 1852. 
After completing his literary studies he came to 
Niles, where for two years he read law with Na- 
thaniel Bacon, being admitted to the Bar in 1854. 
Two years later he was elected Prosecuting Attor- 
ney of Berrien County on the Democratic ticket, 
and served for two years. At the opening of the 
Civil War, in 1861, he enlisted as a member of 
Companj' K, Sixth Michigan Infantry, and was 
commissioned Captain of the company. Col. Cur- 
tenius commanding the regiment. 

The company was assigned to the Army of the 
Gulf under Gen. Benjamin Butler, and participated 
in the various engagements in the South under the 
leadershi)) of that famous warrior. On the 5th of 
August, 1862, our subject was wounded at the 
battle of Baton Rouge, the bullet penetrating the 
body at the shoulder and passing entirely through 
the chest, resulting quite seriously. On account of 
this injury he was discharged at New Orleans and 
returned home in the fall of 1862. Later he re- 
entered the service of the Union as Lieutenant- 
Colonel of the Nineteenth Michigan Infantry, and 
remained in active duty until 1863, when he re- 
signed his commission and returned home. 

Upon his return to Niles, Col. P)acon embarked 
in the real-estate business, in which he continued 
in connection with his legal practice. In 1888, he 
was elected Justice of the Peace, and is still serv- 
ing in that capacity. On the 16th of .September, 
1857, he married Miss Lydia A., daughter of Sam- 
uel II. Griffin, of Niles. They are the parents of 
two sons, the elder, David, being a conductor on 
the Missouri Pacific Railioad; while the younger, 
Ernest, is Superintendent of the Niles waterworks 



and also City Engineer. The family residence is 
pleasantly located on the corner of Main and Fifth 
Streets. The Colonel is a man who stands high in 
the esteem of his fellow-townsmen, (or he has been 
loyal and faithful alike in times of peace and war. 
While in the Gulf States he was made Provost- 
Marshal of the District of Baton Rouge, which 
position he was filling when wounded. The date 
of his commission as Lieutenant-Colonel was Au- 
gust 7, two days after he was wounded. 



>. ^:^^!%^M-^"I^|i^^| 



^^^ AMUEL GENTLE. The richest heritage 
^^^ of American youth is the example of their 
llL/ll) country's brain and brawn wrouuht into 
lives of perfect harmony, of splendid fealty, 
of tireless industry. The annals of such a life are 
brielly told by on(! who has known him long and 
well. Samuel Gentle, a prominent business man 
of Benton Harbor, Mich., is a native of England, 
born in St. Albans October 25, 1842. 

Our subject is the fifth in order of birth of nine 
children born to Samuel and Mai}' (Archer) Gen- 
tle, both natives of England. The father was a 
prominent business man, and was engaged as a 
manufacturer for forty-four 3'ears. His death oc- 
curred in St. Albans, where he had passed the 
princii)al part of his life. Samuel Gentle, his son, 
was reared in St. Albans, and vvas fortunate in re- 
ceiving a good, practical education in the city 
schools, attending until fourteen years of .age. He 
then became an apprentice to the cooper's trade, 
and in about six years had completely mastered 
the same. 

Thinking to better his condition financially and 
otherwise, our subject crossed the ocean to the 
United States in September, 1869, and his feet first 
touched American soil in New York Cit3'. Not 
seeing much of an opening for a struggling young 
man in that city, he traveled toward the setting 
sun, and finally reached the Buckeye State. He 
settled in Cincinnati, found employment, and there 
continued until December, 1871, working at his 
trade. The desire to find employment still farther 





^^/jj?. 



r<^^L^tU-^<^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



315 



Wt'st iiHliKcd him to yo to Cliicago, am] lie was 
I'ligaj^ed in business in tliat city until 1872. 

The same year .Mr. (lenlle came to IJenton llai- 
Ihii', I\!ic1i., an<l in 1H7.S he started in the coopering 
Imsiness on his own account, manufacturing all 
kinds of cooperage and employing several men. 
lieing a skilled workman himself, and employing 
only lirst-class men. he soon had a lloui'ishing 
trade, and continued the business until 1H81. He 
then turned his attention to the manufacturing of 
fruit packages and berry baskets and boxes, but 
later he became a member of the firm of Danfortli 
A- Co. He remained with this company, engaged 
in the manufacture of staves and cooperage, for 
two years, when Mr. Hinkley purchased an inter- 
est and the firm title was changed to Hinkley & 
Co. Later the two businesses of Colby it Co. and 
Hinkley & Co. were merged into one business as a 
stock company, under the title of the Colby-Hink- 
ley Company. They do a flourishing business, and 
Mr. Cientle is an able and experienced gentleman, 
with whom it will always be found pleasant and 
pioli table to have dealings. 

Mr. (Icntlc has a pleasant home on Archer Street, 
and this is presided over by his estimable wife, 
formerly Miss Sarah Gregory, of St. Albans, Eng- 
land, and the daughter of James Gregory. Their 
nuptials were celebrated Eebruary 8, 1863, and 
their union has been blessed by the birth of one 
child, a son, Harry, who is a member of the same 
(irni and assists in the ollice. The latter has in- 
herited all the excellent business (jualities of his 
father, and is a wide-awake and enterprising young 
business man. In politics Mr. Gentle is a Democrat. 



eAl'T. THOMAS A. WALKER, senior mem- 
ber of the lirm of T. A. AValker A' Son, 
proprietors of the Lake View Hotel at St. 
Joseph, W.1S born in Acton, Halton County, Canada, 
June 28, 18;V.). He is the third among eight 
children born to the union of Thomas A. and El- 
eanor (Swackhamer) Walker, natives of Canada, 

lb 



the father having been engaged in farming pursuits 
there during his entire active life. Thomas A. 
received a common-school education in iiis native 
county, and during the summer seasons aided in 
the work on the home farm. At the age of eigh- 
teen years he came to Michigan, where he has since 
resided. 

Locating in St. Joseph in 1858, our subject 
engaged for a time in contracting and building, 
and many of the structures erected by him at that 
time are still standing in St. Joseph and through- 
out Berrien and the adjoining counties. At the 
opening of the Civil War he enlisted, in 1861, his 
name being enrolled as a member of Com[)any B, 
Twelfth Michigan Infantry, which was assigned to 
the Western army. Col. (^uinn commanding the 
regiment. He took an active part in the battles of 
Shiloh, siege of Vicksburg, the capture of Little 
Rock, the engagements at Middleboro, Hatchie 
River, and numerous others of minor importance. 
For meritorious conduct upon the field of battle 
he was promoted in 1863 to the rank of Second 
Lieutenant, and for a time commanded the com- 
pany, which position he resigned in October of 
1864. 

Upon his return to St. Joseph, our subject en- 
gaged in running tugs for George Walker & Co., 
Colby ife Co. and the Graham it Morton Transpor- 
tation Co. In 1880 he took charge of the Gartley 
House, at Benton Harbor, and later became proprie- 
tor of the American House, at the same place. 
Upon disposing of his interests in that city, he 
came to St. .Ioseph,in 1884, and, purchasing the 
Lake View Hotel, has since given his attention to 
its management. The house is a fine three-story 
brick structure, containing two hundred rooms, 
elegantly furnished throughout and supplied with 
all the modern conveniences. The location is one 
of great beauty, being on the blulTs overlooking 
Lake Michigan as well as the city itself. Recently 
Capt. Walker has given his attention ijuite exten- 
sively to contracting and building and is now one 
of the largest contractors in southwestern Michi- 
gan. 

The marriage of Ca])t. Walker took place Decem- 
ber 25, 18(!0, at which time hi' was united with 
Miss E valine, daughter of Benjamin Johnson, of 



316 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Benton Townsliip, Berrien County. The family 
consists of three children: William A., who is his 
father's partner in the hotel business; Artliur M. 
and Byron J. The Captain is an active member 
of Burnett ]>odge No. 11!), 1. O. O. F., and the 
George II. Thomas Post No. 11, G. A. R. In his 
|)olitieal belief, he adheres to the princi|iles and 
platform of the Democratic party and has served 
as Chairman of the Democratic Central Committee 
and Chairman of the Democratic t'ongressional 
Committee. An active and enthusiastic politician, 
he takes a [jromineut part in local, county and 
State politics, and is recognized as among the in- 
fluential members of his party in this part of the 
State. In addition to his hotel, he is the owner of 
other valuable city property and also a well- 
improved farm in this county. 



^^- -=^=^>^^.<8Ci 



•3;^ 



■{— 



'jf/OSEPII L. RICHARDS, Superintendent of 
the Zinc CoUai- Pad Manufacturing Coni- 
|)any, at Buchanan, and President of the 
City Board, was liorn in Marietta, Wash- 
ington Count}', Ohio, March 2, 1848. His father, 
George H., was born in Bristol, England, and when 
quite small emigrated thence to America in com- 
pany with his father, Cieorge H. Richards, Sr., and 
the family located at Sing Sing, N. Y., where a 
permanent home was established. The father of 
our subject learned the trade of a blacksmith, and 
after locating in Ohio followed that occupation at 
Marietta. In 1855 he came to Berrien County, 
Mich., and settled in P.uchanaii Township, where 
he operated a farm. Later he sold the place and, 
moving into the village, retired from active busi- 
ness cares. His death occurred in 1888, when he 
was about seventy )'ears old. He was a Democrat 
politically, and in his fraternal relations was a 
Mason and a memt)er of the Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows. 

The mother of our subject, Lucy W. (Record) 
Richards, was born and reared in Marietta, Ohio, 
and now resides in Buchanan. Of her union 
eight children were born, all of whom lived to ma- 



ture years. Those living are: Sarah D.. wife of R. 
Morris; Joseph L., of this sketch; Martha E., who 
married S. Barmore; Hattie, wife of W. S. Wells; 
Mary, Mrs. George Rogers, and George II., a resi- 
dent of Miniiea|)oli8. Joseph L. was about seven 
years old when he accompanied his parents to 
Michigan, and his bojliood was [trincipally passed 
on his father's farm in lUichanan Township. Af- 
ter completing the studies usually taught in the 
district schools, he entered his father's store as 
clerk, but his tastes not being in that direction, he 
soon sought more congenial employment. For a 
time he worked in a factory and afterward spent 
one 3ear in ClKirk)tte, Mich., and another twelve 
months in southern Oiiio, in the oil regions. 

In 1871 Mr. Ricliards went to Chicago, intend- 
ing to carry on his studies at a commercial college, 
but his ambitions in that line were temijorarily sus- 
pended by the great fire. Later he (inishcd the 
course in Detroit. Upon the organization of the 
Buchanan Wagon Factory he was elected Secre- 
tary, and afterward was chosen General Superin- 
tendent of the enterprise, holding the position 
about four years. Upon the inception of the 
Zinc Collar Pad Com[)any he was one of the |)rinie 
factors and leading men in the movement, and his 
interest in its success has been unflagging. During 
the administration of President Cleveland, he was 
appointed Postmaster at Buchanan, and discharged 
the duties connected with that position for two 
years, when the demands of his business, as well as 
a dislike for the place itself, induced him to ten- 
der his resignation. 

During the latter part of 1887 Mr. Richards 
took charge of the Kansas City territory in the in- 
terests of the Minneapolis Harvester AVoi ks. He 
had held the (losition onlj' about nine weeks when 
his father was taken ill, and upon his death, in 
1888, our subject assumed the management of the 
present enterprise, which he has since conducted. 
He carries on an extensive business throughout 
the entire continent, including Portland, Ore., and 
New York City, as well as several foreign cities. Po- 
litically he is a Democrat. He has served as Town- 
ship Trustee, \illage Clerk, and as member of the 
City Council. In 1893 he was elected President of 
the Village Board, and in that honored place serve§ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



317 



Willi tin; liiglu'st zeal and devoted loyalty. He is 
a M.-isoii and Nolonirs to Hueliuiian Lodge No. 68, 
and Nik's Coinniandciv No. 12. 

Mr. Uicliards undoubtedly owes much of his 
success to the inttucnce of his wife, a lady of re- 
lineniciit antl sound common-sense. He was mar- 
ried in Uuch.'UKiii in 1873 to Miss Mina C, daugh- 
ter of (leorge and Mina C. Smith. Three children 
have blessed lliis union, their names being I)aisj% 
(ieorife II. and .losciih L. 



r 



E*^+ 



iil IfelLLIAM F. BAINTON. Kor a number of 
\/\l/ y^^^'^ *''"' name of Mr. IJainton has been 
\yW identified with the milling industries of 
r.uchanan, and by steady industry and close atten- 
tion to all the details of the business he has 
achieved a gratifying success and a well-earned 
(■ntnpetencv. This fact is especially noteworthy 
on account of his youth, he being on the sunny 
side of life's prime. He is Ihorouglily experi- 
enced in all the details connected with the prac- 
tical management of the business, and attends to 
the operations of the mill in a manner which 
secures the maintenance of the high standard of 
(piality for which the linn of Kainton Bros, is 
celebrated, while his reliable business methods 
have secured for the lirm a high place in the con- 
lidence of the i)eople. 

Mr. Bainton has passed his entire life in the 
village of Buchanan, and is consequently familiar 
Willi its progress in commerce and growth in busi- 
ness importance. He was born here on the Itli of 
May, 1H(>2. His father, William II. Bainton, was 
a native of Kiigland, and, emigrating thence in his 
young manhood, located in Buchanan, Mich., 
where he at once embarked in the milling busi- 
ness. His tlourniill soon gained the reputation 
of being one of the best in the county and en- 
joyed a continued and increasing patronage from 
the time of its inception until the death of the 
owner and proprietor. That sad event occurred 
when he was only thirty-six years old. His family 



consisted of his wife, whose maiden name was 
Amanda Swift, and their six children, five of 
whom are now living. 

The following is the record of the children born 
to William II. and Amanda B.ainton: Nettie, the 
wife of Dr. J. C. Snyder, and a resident of Bowl- 
ing Green, Ohio; William F., of whom this bio- 
graphical notice is written; Mary J., who is at home 
with her mother; Charles L., a business man of 
Buchanan and a member of the lirm of Bainton 
Bros.; and Emma J., who is book-keeper for the 
firm of Bainton Bros. Our subject received his 
schooling in Buchanan, where he was the recip- 
ient of the best educational advantages the vil- 
lage afforded. When his school days were ended, 
he entered the employ of W. Rough * Pears as a 
book-keeper, and continued to occupy a clerical 
position in the employ of that firm for a period 
of two years. Later he operated a mill at Day- 
ton, Mich., for one year, after which he returned 
to Buchanan and superintended the erection of 
the substantial structure now utilized for his 
mill. Here he commenced milling operations in 
188C and has since conducted a lucrative busi- 
ness, extending over a wide range of ccjuntry. 
The mill has a capacity of one hundred barrels of 
Hour per day, and the machinery is complete and 
satisfactory. Politically, Mr. Bainton is a firm 
Republican and gives his influence to the promo- 
tion of the principles of that i)art\'. 



'^t'O.SEPH U. DOIIM, a representative general 
agriculturist and a lifetime resident of the 
State, has long been numbered among the 
substantial fanners and t'literprisiiig men of 
Sodus Township, Berrien County, Mich. Our sub- 
ject was born April 14, 1812, in Kent County, 
Mich. His father, .loseph Dohm, an energetic and 
hard-working man, w:is a native of Germany. 
The paternal grandparents, born, reared and mar- 
ried in the Katlieiland. were in humble circum- 
stances and trained up their children to habits of 
thrift and str'ct cconomj'. .lo.seph Doliin received 



318 



FORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, 



a primary education in tlie schools of the Old 
Country and leached manhood an earnest and am- 
bitious man. Intelligently realizing the greater 
l)OSsiDilities offered by the land beyond the sea, he 
resolved to emigrate to America. At twenty-two 
years of age, bidding farewell to his home, parents 
and the associations of youth, he embarked for the 
I'nitcd States and, landing safely u|)on the shores 
f)f the New World, soon found his way to the State 
of Michigan. 

Settling near Grand I\a|iids, in Kent County, the 
father found ready employment as a laborer, but 
after some length of time bought a farm and en- 
gaged with ardor in the pursuits of agriculture. 
A man of resolution, he laboied unceasingly, until, 
enfeebled by age, he was obliged to retire from 
the active duties of life. He yet survives at the 
advanced age of eighty-five. While sojourning 
for a time in Ohio, .Joseph Dohm met and married 
Miss Eva Hosine Iladel, a lady born in Germany, 
both of her parents being natives of Germany. 
■ Father and Mother Dohm made their home in 
Michigan and were blessed by the birth of eight 
children, seven of whom yet survive. Henry mar- 
ried Jeanette Buckley and lives in Grand Travis, 
Mich. Catherine is the wife of Theobold Umlor 
and resides in Grand Travis. I'hillip married 
Mary Sullivan and also makes his home in Grand 
Travis; Rosanna is the wife of George Rosel and 
lives at Grand Travis; John married Ida Hawkins, 
Solomon is single; and Joseph U., our subject, com- 
pletes the list of brothers and sisters who gathered 
in the old home so many years ago. 

Joseph U. Dohm obtained a (irinuny education 
in the schools of the neighborhood and assisted his 
father in the labor of the farm. As his boyhood days 
were devoted more to woik lliiin pla3-, he grew up 
industrious and self-reliant and was well-fitted to 
make his own way in life when he attained to his 
majorit3'. In choosing for himself a vocation in 
life, he decided to remain a farmer, and, having a 
practical knowledge of the tilling of the soil, has 
achieved success in the puisuit of agriculture. In 
1886, he located in SodusTowiisliii), IJerrien Coun- 
t3', and this part_ of the State has since been his 
permanent home, and the faiin he now cultivates 
is his constant residence. In 1864, our subject 



was married to Miss Mary Haskin, daughter of 
Asel Haskin. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Dohm have been 
born eight^sons and daughters, all now surviving. 
Ephraim married Miss Nettie Jewel, and now lives 
in Pipestone Township, Berrien County; Mary 
Hekhey married Lawrence Johnson and resides in 
St. Joseph, Mich.; Er, Sifsily Gwendoline, Otis N. 
Joseph and Rosalyn are all living at home with 
their parents. Mr. and Mrs. Dohm are not con- 
nected with any denomination, but are ever ready 
to extend aid to deserving charity' or benevolent 
enterprise. Our subject is a valued member of the 
Patrons of Husbandry, and politically is in sympa- 
thy with the Prohibition party. Mr. Dohm is 
interested intelligentl\- in all the vital questions <if 
the day and is an excellent citizen, assisting in the 
l)romotion of needed improvements and progress- 
ive advancement of his home locality. He is 
esteemeil and has a large circle of friends. 



*^^ 



AMPTON HAGGEHTY. One of the brave 
I) soldiers of the Civil War who fought in 
the defense of the ( )ld Flag is the subject of 
ryj this brief biographical notice, who is now 
engaged in the peaceful occupation of tilling the 
soil of section 17, Howard Township, Cass Coun- 
ty. l>orn in Hancock County, Ohio, on the 1st of 
March, 181 1, he is the son of Thomas and Nancy 
(Ileaton) Ilaggerty, natives of New Jersey-. The 
Haggerty family is of direct Irish descent, the 
great-grandfather of Hampton having been born 
in Ireland. 

After the marriage of Thomas and Nancy Ilag- 
gerty, they removed to Ohio, where the father fol- 
lowed the occupation of a farmer. In 1848 they 
came to Michigan and located in Niles Township, 
Berrien County, where both died — the father at 
the age of sixty-five years, and the mother when 
forty jears old. They were the parents of nine 
children, there being four daughters and live sons. 
Fight of the number grew to manhood and wo- 
manhood, our subject being the next to the young- 
est. He was a child of four years when he accom- 



PORTKAIT AND UIOGKAPIIICAL RECORD. 



319 



paiiied his inuents to Micliiijan, niid one year 
later, wlieii too .young to realize ills jjreat Ukss, lie 
was orphaned h)- his mother's dealii. He attended 
■;cli(H)l in Niles Townshii), Herrien County, and 
grew to manhood sturdy, ambitious and energetic. 

When the Civil War broke out, Mr. Haggerty 
was a 3outh of seventeen years, but notwithstand- 
ing the fact that lie was a mere lad, his patriotic 
spirit was fired, and he enlisted in the defense of 
the Old Flag. In 18(51 his name was enrolled as a 
meniber of (Company L, Second Michigan Cavalry, 
in which he served until the close of the war. 
From the ranks he was promoted to the position of 
Corporal, and in that capacity participated in 
many of the important engagements in .Sherman's 
march to the sea, proceeding thence to Washing- 
ton. In 1865 he received his discharge at Nash- 
ville, 'I'eun., and returning to Michigan resumed 
the ordinary pursuits of life. 

For about two years Mr. Haggerty worked on a 
farm in the employ of others. In 1867 he mar- 
lird I'"aiinie, the daughter of William and Mary 
Lambcit. Mrs. Haggerty was born in Kngland, 
and in her childhood accompanied her parents to 
Michigan, in 1846, and has since made her home in 
this State. After his marriage, Mr. Ilnggcrt}- lo- 
cated on a rented farm in Niles Township, liclong- 
iiig to .Judge .lewett, and three years later he 
rented his father-in-law's farm, remaining on that 
place for three years. He liien purchased the old 
Ives farm, foui- iiiilcs west of Niles, consisting 
of one hundred acres, which he cultivated for 
three years. Ho then sold the property' and pur- 
chnsed from H. N. Cameron the place where he 
now resides. He owns one hundred and si\t\' 
acres, all under cultivation with the exception of 
fifteen acres of timlii'i-Iaiid. ( >ii this|)laci! he con- 
ducts a gener.al farming and stock-raising business 
wilh elHcieiicy and success. 

\t is woitliN of note that our siiliject was the 
youngest soldier in his regiment, .•ind that he 
and three of his brothers sorvi'd for four years 
in the service of the I'liion, enlisting in the 
year 1861, and receiving an honorable discharge 
ill ISti.'i. None of them was ever in the hospital 
or wounded at any time during the" war, .and none 
of tlic four draws a pension for services rendered. 



All enlisted as private sfildiers, and served with 
valor and distinguished bravery until peace once 
more reigned Ihroughout the country. Politically, 
Mr. Haggerty is a Republican, and has served asa 
member of the School IJoard. 



♦^^1 



\|()HN GRAHAM, Postm.aster at P.iiclmnan, 
was born in Somerset County, P.-i., on the 
2M of April, 183;'). He is of direct Scotch 
' descent, his grandfather, Oeorge Graham, 
having been born in St'otland. The father of our 
subject, John Graham, Sr., was born and reared in 
Pennsylvania, where he followed mercantile pur- 
suits. As a business man he enjoyed the confi- 
dence of the iieople of his community, and he was 
highly regarded for the probity and uprightness 
of his life. Among the enterprises in which he 
was largely interested, and toward the success of 
which he contriliutcd, may be mentioned the build- 
ing of the old tiirujiike road near his home, be- 
tween Pittsburgh and P.edford, Pa. 

riic inotlicr of our subject was in maidenhood 
Miss Mary Kinimel and was Ixuii in Pennsylvania, 
being the daiighttM' of (ieorge L. Kimmel. After 
the death of Mr. Graham, which occurred in Pciin- 
sjlvania when he was about forty years of age, 
his widow came to Michigan and located in Her- 
rien Springs in 1846. On her trip here she was 
accompanied by four of her seven children. .Tohii, 
who was next to the youngest in order of birth, 
was eleven years old when he came to this .State, 
and his schooling was obtained principally in l!ei- 
rieii Springs. In 18.'j2 he went to Albion .•ind en- 
tered Albion College, where he was a student for 
two years. Subseciuently he entered the prepara- 
tory deparlinent of the State Iniversity of Michi- 
gan, at Ann Arbor, and it was his intention to 
finish thecour.se there but circuiMstaiices prevented. 

In 18;')7 Mr. (iiahain ictiii neil to IJeri ieii .Springs 
and engaged in the mercantile business with I)r. 
Philip Kephart, with whom he rem.-iined until Sep- 
tember, 1861. At the outbreak of the Civil War 
he enlisli'd as a member of Coiiipany 1, Michigan 



320 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, 



Infantry, and aided in the organization of the com- 
pany, of which lie was elected F'irst Lieutenant. 
For meritorious service he was later promoted to 
the position of Captain. At the battle of Shiloh 
he was wounded, and being captured by the Con- 
federates was imprisoned for eight months. After 
being released he entered the service again, and 
remained at the front until the expiration of his 
term of enlistment, when he w.is honorably dis- 
charged. 

Again resuming his mercantile enterprises, Mr. 
Graham conducted a large business in Buch.anan, 
and continued thus engaged there through the 
following 3'ears, with tlie exceiition of five years 
spent in Kansas for the benefit of his health. For 
a time he served as Assistant Assessor of Revenue 
for the district where he now lives, including Ber- 
rien and Cass Counties. Twice ho li.as been chosen 
to serve as Village Trustee. On the 1st of April, 
1890, he was appointed Postni.aster, his commission 
being dated in February of that year. He is prom- 
inently connected with William Perrott Post No. 
22, G. A. R.. and is highly regarded throughout 
this section of Michig.an. 

The pleasant home of Mr. Graham is presided 
over by his estimable wife, who is a lad^- of intel- 
ligence and winning manners. She was formerly 
Miss Harriett F. Burton and was born and reared in 
Clinton, Lenawee Countj', Mich. Their niai-riage 
was solemnized February 3, 18C2, and has been 
bleessed by the birth of two children: Dell, wife of 
Harry H. Daw, of the firm of Daw Uros., of Chi- 
cago; and John B., who is a traveling .salesman. 




RS. ELMIRA (VANDERHOOF) POST. 
There are in Buchanan few ladies whoen- 
lli joy the regard of the jieople of the vil- 
lage to so largo an extent as the estimal)le 
lady whose name introduces these paragraphs. 
She is one of the pioneers of Michigan, where the 
greater part of her useful life has been passed. 
Steuben County, N. Y., is her birtiiijlace, and March 
5, 1832, the date of her birth. Her father, David 



Vanderhoof, was born and reared in New .Jersey 
and after his marriage settled in Steuben County, 
N. Y., where he was engaged as a tiller of the soil. 
Thence he came to Michigan, residing first in Cass 
County and later establishing his home in Berrien 
County. His was the first white family to establish 
a home in the county and he built the first frame 
house in Bertrand Township. He was a pioneer 
fanner of the township, where he remained until 
his death, at the age of eighty-thiee. 

Tlie mother of our subject bore the maiden 
name of Pluebe Titswortli and was liorn in New 
Jersey, being of English descent. Her death oc- 
curred at the age of fifty years. She was the 
mother of four daughters and four sons, all of 
whom grew to maturity. After her death, Mr. 
Vanderhoof was again married, choosing as his 
wife Lavonia Wells, and the3' became the parents 
of eight children. Mrs. Post is the youngest 
child born of her father's first marriage and is 
the only one now living. When about ten years 
of age she accompanied her parents to Michigan, 
and for a time was a pupil in the scliool at Ed- 
waidsburgh, Cass County. In her childhood she 
had few of the advantages so common to the 
little girls of this generation, for she was obliged 
to aid in tlie work of sewing, cooking and mend- 
ing at a time when most girls are playing with 
their dolls. However, those childish experiences 
developed in her traits of self-reliance and no- 
bility of character that made every acquaintance 
a warm friend. 

Miss Elmira Vanderhoof was first married to 
.John Groves, a native of Augusta, Me., and a 
prominent and successful attorne3--at-law. For a 
time he pr.acticed law in the South and came to 
Michigan in 1843, being the first lawyer to locate 
in Buchanan. A Democrat in politics, he served 
.as Representative to the State Legislature for two 
years, and also held many high official positions in 
the county. His death occurred in ]8.')2. Of this 
union two sons were born: John D., who is en- 
gaged in business at Kalamazoo, Mich.; and Charles 
W., who is at home, and is clerking in the store of 
John Morris. 

In 1857 occurred the marriage of Mrs. Elmira 
Groves to John N. Post, who was born near Am- 



rORTRAIT AND llIOGRArillCAL RhXOllD. 



321 



!<li'rfl;ini, X. Y., niid for soiiio time was engaged in 
tiavi'linir foi' a laigo Kastoni house. After his 
iiiarriagc he enterecl iiiti) luisiiiess at i'.iiehauaii , 
and for several years was prominently connected 
with tliis place, contrihuting effectively to the 
various movements originated in its behalf. lie 
died in Minneapolis, Minn., February 2, IHC>'.). 
'I'he two children, horn of his union, Nellie ^'. and 
Anna, are also deceased. Mrs. Post is so unas- 
suming anil nmdi'sl that to speak prominently of 
her goodness and the many kindnesses with which 
she has hrighlcned the lives of others would not 
lie appropriate, i^ong after she shall have passed 
hence, her menioiy will he treasured b^' her hosts 
of friends, and as the perfume lingcrs,cven though 
the tlower is crushed, so will her good deeds, the 
fragrance of her beautiful and useful life, linger 
long after she will have entered into her linal rest. 



^=1 



^-^ 



C3_ 



JI|AMESM<D()NALI). The business of deal- 
I ing in lundier is not a mere matter of hny- 
I ing and selling haphazard. No business 
^_J/ requires greater exactitude, better man- 
agement, wider range of observation, or greater 
study of the market. Among the prominent busi- 
ness men of Henton llarbnr who have made a suc- 
cess of this industry is .lames A[cl)onald, manufac- 
turer of lumber and dealer in hard and soft wood, 
lie is a native of I't. Stanley, Canada, born June 
80, IS 14, and tlu' sun of .lames and Isabella 
(Leach) Mcbonald. .lames McDonald, Sr., was 
born in Scotland and inlu'ritcd all the sterling 
((ualities of those of that nationality. For many 
years he was an hotel-keeper, but about 18i;{ he 
brought his family to America aixl settled in Port 
Colborne, C-inada, where he kept an hotel a short 
time. His death occurred in ISll, after which 
the widow and family nio\ed to I'.ulTalo, N. Y., 
and thence, in 18;')2, to Herrien County, Mich., 
settling on a farm in Henton Township. A year 
afterward the family moved to St. .lo.seph, and 
thence to Sodus, where the widow died. 

.lames McDonald of this notice <riv\\ up and re- 



I ceived his education in St. .Joseph, this county. 
Later, he became a sailor, at the age of twelve 
years, on Lakes Michigan, Flrie and Huron, and con- 
tinued on the water twenl3'-lhree years, beginning 
as cabin-bo}' and cook. He was |>romoted through 

j different otiices until he became captain and he 
then ran a schooner between Henton Harbor and 
Chicago. This vessel made the fastest time on rec- 
ord up to that time. In 1872 he ran the schooner, 
"Cynthia Cordon," and m.ade thirty round trips 
in sixty days, loaded with lumber and other 
freight. This lie continued until 188(1, when he 
sold his interest in the schooners and retired from 
the Lakes. 

Shortly afterward he formed a partnership with 
A. S. and W. (). Packard, under the linn name of 
McDonald, Packard & Co., .and eng.aged in the 
wholesale and retail lumber hiLsiness at Benton 
Harbor. This iiartnership continued seven years, 
at the end of which time Mr. McDonald disposed 
of his interest and soon started in the lumber bus- 
iness alone in the same city. Later he took in as 
partner V. W. Van Denser, and the firm became 
McDonald it ^■an Denser, which continued two 
years. At that time Mr. McDonald purch.ased his 
partner's interest and continued the business 
alone. In 1892 he purchased a stock of boots and 
shoes, which business is now conducted by his fam- 
ily, and the following 3-ear he formed a |)artiier- 
ship with Samuel Metuiigan, and built the Mc- 
Guigan >k McDcmald Hlock, which is 75x80 feet, 
three .stories in height and a substantial brick. 
Stores are on the ground tloor and ollices above. 
Mr. JIcDonald is the owner of valuable cit\- prop- 
erty, consisting of dwellings and real esl;ilc, and 
he also owns woodland in the State. He has a 
sawmill at Osceola .Junction, and this \('ar has 
manufactured his own lumber. 

In November, 1870, Mr. McDonald in;irrie<l Miss 
A. K. Rector, a native of Herrien Count \. .Mich., 
and the daughter of ^Villialll H. Rector. Three 
children have been born to this union: Flora Helle, 
William and ( )ia Maude. I'olitically, :\Ir. Mc- 
Donald is a Republican, and, socially, a Knight of 
Pythias, Knight of Honor and Woodm;in of 
America. He has Ix-en the owner of the follow- 
ini; vessels: the "Anna Robinson." "Two Hrolli- 



322 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ers," "Humboldt," "William Bates," "Garibaldi." 
"Louisa" and "Addie," aud lie sailed the "Ban- 
ner" and "Cynthia Gordon," hut did not own tlie 
two latter. 



7=^ AIRFIELD GOODWIN, M. D., a succcss- 
r^(§^ ful general medical practitioner and skill- 
i ful surgeon located in the cit^' of Cassop- 

olis, Cass County, Mich., has since 1874 eng.aged 
in .an extended round of professional duty in and 
about his present field of labor. Dr. Fairfield 
Goodwin is a native of Madison County, N. Y., 
and, born May 12, 1835, was the third of the four 
children of his parents, Samuel ISI. and Almira 
(Atchison) Goodwin. The father was also a na- 
tive of Madison County, and was born in 1805. 
When twenty-one years of .age he began life for 
himself 1)3' journeying to the wilds of Micliigan. 
He settled in Pontiac, Oakland County, and took 
up land at the Government price. A genuine 
pioneer, he was located at first upon the frontier of 
the West, but gradually the country yielded to 
emigration and at the time of his death, in 1840, 
the tilling of the soil had wrought a wondrous 
change. The paternal grandfather of our subject, 
Samuel Goodwin, was of Connecticut birth, but in 
later life removed to New York State. He served 
in the War of 1812, and was a man of cour.ageand 
indomitable will, overcoming obstacles and win- 
ning success. 

The great-grandfather, Fairfield Goodwin, in 
whose honor Dr. Goodwin was named, was one of 
six sons, all of whom served in tiie Revolutionarv 
War, tliree of the brave brothers giving up their 
lives in the struggle for the independence of the 
Colonies. The mother of our subject, Almira 
Atchison, was born in what is now the city of 
Rochester, N. Y. Her paternal grandfather built 
the first gristmill within forty miles of that local- 
itj', and both he and her father were among the 
first settlers of Rochester. Upon the breaking out 
of the Civil War, our subject without delay en- 



listed in the service of the Union, and the day after 
the firing on Ft. Sumter, upon A]m\ 15, 1861, he 
joined Taylor's Chicago Battery, with which he 
remained in active duty for nineteen months. Dr. 
Goodwin participated in the battles of Belmont, 
Ft. Donelson, Springfield, Pea Ridge, Ft. Henr}-, 
Shiloh and luka. During the latter fight he was 
wounded and laid up for six months. Given a 
discharge furlough, he returned home and raised 
Company C, Eighth Michigan Cavalry, .and became 
Captain of the same. A prized memento of those 
troublous days is now one of the most precious 
possessions of our subject. This souvenir of the 
war is a magnificent sabre presented to Dr. Good- 
win, January 20, 1863, by the officers and privates 
of his company. The company went at once into 
service, aud taking part in the Morgan raid as- 
sisted in the caijture of the rebel general. While 
engaged mostly in scouting service, Company C 
was for four weeks present at the siege of Knox- 
ville, and fought in the E.ast Tennessee campaign 
and also in Georgi.i. 

Earl}- in life Dr. Goodwin began the study of 
medicine and read under the guidance of Dr. Al- 
den. At the death of his instructor he took up 
his practice aud continued in the same locality- for 
the seven succeeding years. At the end of this 
time our subject matriculated at the State Uni- 
versity of Michigan, attended a three-years course 
in the medical department and there graduated 
with high honors. Returning to C.assopolis in 
1874, he again devoted himself to the practice 
of his profession, whose demands have constantly 
engaged his time for the past nineteen years. His 
large jjractice has allowed the Doctor but little 
time for needed rest or recreation. He, however, 
fraternizes with leading societies, social and med- 
ical, taking a piomineiit place in each. He is a 
valued member of the Cass County Medical So- 
ciety and has been President of the same for one 
year. He is associated with the Ancient Free it 
Accepted Masons, and is a member of Backus 
Lodge, of Cassopolis, Kingsbury C'hai)ter, and is 
also one of the twelve Knights Templar of Niles 
Commandery. For many terms he has been 
Surgeon of Albert Anderson Post of the Grand 
Army of the Republic. During the second year 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPIUCAL RECORD. 



325 



of the Civil War Dr. Goodwin was, in 1862, united 
in marriage with Miss Mary (iordon, of I'oiiliac, 
Mich. Mrs. (ioodwin was the daughter of Samuel 
(iordon, an early settler of tlie State. Our sub- 
ject and his estimable wife were l)lessed by the 
birtii of two daugliters and one son. Carrie L. is 
Mrs. William Ellis, of Detroit. Belle married 
Henry (Jrant, of Syracuse, N. Y. Tlie son, Charles 
I-. (ioodwin, is at present residing upon one of 
the fine fruit-farms owned by liis father. The 
wife and mother departed tliis life September 17, 
1872, and our subject was again united in marriage, 
this time to Miss Lida R. Wadsworth, of Monroe 
County, Mich. Tlie Doctor and liis wife enjoy a 
large circle of friends. 

Dr. (ioodwin has accumulated a valuable estate, 
and aside from liis outside interests and other 
landed property has erected a number of the most 
substantial Imildings in Cassopolis. Successful in 
the discharge of his professional duty, prospered 
in financial matters, onr subject is to-day as patri- 
otic and public spirited as when, so many years 
.ago, he protTerod his services to the (iovernmeut. 
Altiiough never desirous of political preferment, 
lie is deeply interested in the live issues of the 
day and is ever willing to lend a helping hand in 
behalf of niiilual welfare and local advancement. 
Onr subject contemplates building one of the fin- 
est three-story buildings in the city in the near 
future, to be occupied in i)art by the Masonic or- 
der. 




//^\\ ONROE N. LORD. The indefatigable la- 
bors of this gentleman in many branches 
of knowledge have contributed to render 
him one of the most versatile of Berrien 
County's citizens, and his reputation isli}' no means 
arbitrarily limited to the immediate vicinity of his 
home. Tliroughout the Church of Christ, number- 
ing a million communicants in the United States, 
he is well known and loved for his work's sake. 
During a [leriod covering more than a half-cen- 
tury, he has been an Elder and preacher in that 
(Iniich. and as he possesses gifts of a high order. 



force of conviction, earnestness of ap|)eal, and 
pleasing manners, he has been instrumental in the 
conversion of many people. He was an intimate 
personal friend of the late lamented President 
Garfield, himself one of the most [iroiniiient and 
eloquent ministers of that denomination, and who 
fre(|ueiitly visited Mr. Lord at his lioiiie in Chi- 
cago. 

A few words with reference to tlie progenitors 
of Mr. Lord will be of interest to our readers. His 
father, Nathan Lord, w.as a native of Connecticut, 
and followed the trade of ship-carpenter and mill- 
wright at Lyme, that State. At East Ibuhlam, 
Conn., he married Miss Prudence, daughter of 
Stephen Beckwith, a farmer residing near that cit}'. 
During tlie War of 1812, Nathan Lord served .as a 
Lieutenant, and after its close he removed to 
Utica, N. Y., and thence;, one year later, he went to 
Buffalo. Eiom there he removed to iVIiddlebury, 
N. Y., in order to give his children better educa- 
tional advantages. 

The [larents of our subject had a family of seven 
children, of whom five are now living, namel3': 
Dr. I. S. P., a resident of South Pasadena, Cal., 
and now (1893) eighty-eight years of age; Mrs. 
Ruth A. Tubbs, of Batavia, III., who is eighty-live 
years of age; Mrs. Elizabeth A. Phillips, M. 1)., of 
Albia, Iowa, eighty-two years old; Ella (Lord) 
Hopson, who has been residing in Nashville, Ten n., 
with Mrs. .lustice .lack.son, and is sixty-seven years 
of age; and our subject, who will be seventy-five 
in November, 18!)3. One brother, Stephen Ered- 
erick William, was murdered by the Mormons at 
Council Bluffs, Iowa. The father of this family 
died at the age of sixty-nine, his death being caused 
1)3' a cold resulting from exposure. His only sis- 
ter, Mrs. Luther, reached the advanced age of one 
hundred and four 3'ears. Our subject's mother's 
great-grandfather attained to the advanced age of 
one hundred and twenty. Both the Lord and 
Beckwith families are distinguished for longevity, 
and on the paternal side our subject traces his lin- 
eage to the father of .Sir Erancis Drake. 

On the Indian Reservation, about fifteen miles 
south of Buffalo, the subject of this sketch was 
born November 2, 1818. He was three and one- 
half years old when his father moved to Middle- 



326 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



bury, N. Y., and be was educated in llse academy 
there. Locating in Attica, he entered a store 
owned by Thomas Ellis, and there he remained for 
four and a-half years. He was also for a time a 
clerk for C. B. Yates, afterward Chief of Police of 
Chicago. In 1836 our subject went to Chicago, 
where his father and brother, Dr. Lord, had i)revi- 
ously located, and in that city he secured the posi- 
tion of Assistant Superintendent and Pay Master 
of the Chicago, P>urlington it Quincy Railroad, re- 
maining in that place for five years. He next em- 
barked in business with M. M. Kemp, of Batavia, 
III., but after a short time spent there he returned 
to Chicago and formed a partnership in the liard- 
ware business with H. H. Honorc, father of Mis. 
Fred Grant and Mrs. Potter Palmer. 

Disposing of his business interests in Chicago, 
Mr. Lord removed to La Porte, Ind., where for 
eight j-ears he filled the pulpit of the Church of 
Christ. In December, 1868, he returned to Chi- 
cago and became pastor of the First Christian 
Church, which is now located on Onkley Avenue, 
between Adams and Jackson Streets. He officia- 
ted as minister of that church for about thirteen 
years, and at the same time devoted considerable 
attention to his extensive real-estate interests. Re- 
moving from Chicago across the lake, he pur- 
chased a farm at Glen Lord, in Berrien County, 
which he carried on until 1890. He then located 
on his luesent farm, where-be has a beautiful resi- 
dence, commanding a line view of St. Joseph, Ben- 
ton Harbor and the entire country for miles around, 
as well as some distance out on the lake. The 
piDperty is located on section 13, of Benton Town- 
ship, and in addition to this valuable estate Mr. 
Lord owns property on the corner of Indiana Av- 
enue and Thirty-eight Street, Chicago, and other 
localities in that city. 

The first marriage of our subject took place in 
1841, and united him with Miss Jane L. Austin. 
They became the parents of seven children, of 
whom lliiee grew to maturity, namely: Mrs. Will- 
iam 1'.. Smith, wlio is employed by the firm of 
Markley, Ailing & Co., wholesale hardware dealers 
of Chicago; and Henry C. and A. H., who are in 
till- real-estate business in Chicago, having their 
olfice in room 26, Major Block. Mrs. Jane L. 



Lord died in 1887, and three years afterward Mr. 
IjOrd was again married, choosing as his wife Mrs. 
Agnes W. Beechtcr, the daughter of William C. 
and Naomi Wright. Her father was a wholesale 
leather merchant of St. Louis. Mrs. Lord was born 
in Ohio. 

In 18')2 Mr. Lord identified himself with the 
Christian Ciiurch at Chicago at a time when there 
were but few members of that denomination in the 
city. Four years later he w.is ordained a minister 
of the fiospel. He is a close reader and thought- 
ful student of the ]5ible, and has for many years 
been an Elder in the First Christian Church of 
Chicago. He has preached in Canada and the ma- 
jority of the States east of the Mississippi and 
north of South Carolina, and is widel}' known and 
admired as a public speaker. He has frequently 
been called upon to engage in debates with ITni- 
versalists, Methodists, and representatives of other 
denominations. 

At the time of the Civil War, Mr. Lord offered 
his services to the Union, but was rejected on ac- 
count of his poor health. Politically, he was for- 
merly a Whig, and is now a Republican. Under 
the administration of President Garfield he served 
as Postmaster at Glen Lord, and has occupied other 
positions of trust. As a political speaker he lias 
been no less convincing and successful than as a 
preacher, and his services have been in frequent 
demand for ve.ars during the National campaigns. 
He has been identified with the Sons of Temper- 
ance and the Temple of Honor. 



ISAAC R. DUNNING, M. D. The pretty little 
city of Benton Ilarlior boasts of a numlicr of 
_^ eminent physicians and surgeons, and of these 
none is more poi)uI:ir than Dr. Dunning. A skill- 
ful and successful pi actitiiiner, he h.as won the con- 
fidence of the people and has gained a reputation 
which is not limited to Benton Harbor, nor indeed 
to Berrien Cduiity itself. He is accurate and re- 
liable in his diagnosis of cases, and is skillful in 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



327 



treat 1111^ tliein, wliicli accounts in a largo measure 
for the success which has rewarded his efforts. 

A native of tiie State in whicli he now resides, 
our suliject was horn in Cass County May 6, 1844. 
His paternal graiuifatiier, Dr. Isaac Dunning, was 
born in New York State, wiience at an early period 
in tiie iii.stor^' of Micliigan lie migrated liitlier and 
hecanie a pioneer piiysician of Cass County. He 
tiaced iiis ancestry to England, and possessed the 
sturdy traits of char.acter noticeable in people of 
that nationality. The father of our subject, Ben- 
jamin Hootli Dunning, was a native of New York, 
and an early settler of Cass County, where his 
.active life was principally spent. The mother of 
o>ir subject was known in maidenhood by the 
name of Harriet Letson, and was born in New 
York, her ancestors being of English origin. 

The boyhood of our subject was passed in his 
father's home in Cass County, and he early ac- 
quired the habits of industry and perseverance 
which have since aided him so greatly. His edu- 
cation was commenced in the common schools and 
afterward carried on in the Dowagiac High School, 
from which he was graduated. When Ins literary 
education had been completed, he commenced to 
read medicine with Drs. Psalter and IJloodgood, 
prominent i)hysicians of Dowagiac, an<l in 1867 
took his first course of lectures at the State Uni- 
versity of Ann Arbor. Later he attend(ul the Ec- 
lectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati, and was 
graduated from that institution in 18()'.). On re- 
turning from school in ISfilt, the following winter, 
1870, he practiced in Ohio with an uncle. In 1871, 
he located in Watervliet and remained there two 
years. However, he was not satisfied with the 
amount of theoretical knowledge accjuiicd and the 
following 3'ear, after completing his studies in the 
Eclectic, he entered Rush Medical College at Clii- 
ca;^o, and graduated from that institution in the 
spring of 1872. Tliat year he left Watervliet and 
moved to Angola, .Steuben County, Ind., where he 
carried on his practice for two years. In the 
spring of 1874 he located in Benton Harbor, be- 
lieving this city to offer a splendid opening for a 
young man of ability. Here he has since resided, 
conducting an extensive practice in medicine and 
surgei}'. He is a member of the .State Eclectic 



Association, and a man who keeps thoroughl}- 
abreast with the latest discoveries in the medical 
world. 

The marriage of Dr. Dunning took place in 
1880, and united him with Miss .Julia A., daugh- 
ter of .James Eaman, of Benton Harbor. They 
have a ple.isant home in this city and are promi- 
nent in the social circles of the commnnity. While 
Dr. Dunning makes no special effort to keep 
posted upon minute details of public affairs, yet he 
is well informed in politics and gives his ballot to 
aid in the principles promulgated by the Hcpubli- 
ean party. He is a member of the Ancient Or- 
der of United Workmen and also of the order of 
Modern Woodmen of America. 



-^-^^>^r^m^-^' 




EV. W. M. ROE. The Roe family, who.se 
histoi'ic records can be tr.aced nearly a 
\V thousand years in the past, has grown to 
be ((uitc large in this country, and in some 
of its branches it is represented in most of the 
States of the Union,. as well as in several European 
countries. The name Roe seems to have had its 
origin in Norway, and like :ill other proper names 
commencing with R in the old Norse language 
was preceded l)y the letter H. The first known 
historic mention of the Roe family is to be found 
in a book entitled ''Chronicles of the Kings of 
Norw.ay," winch was written in Iceland probably 
about the beginning of the twelfth century. From 
this work we learn that Hishoi) Roe, a man of 
great learning, who had been an Icelandic priest, 
was stationed on the Faroe Islands in the latter 
part of the eleventh century. 

From Bishoi) Roe, through Astrid, his daughter, 
a woman of charming beauty, there was a line of 
SIX kings in Norway. These kings ruled from 
1202 until 1314. Eric, who occupied the Nor- 
wegian throne from 12X0 until 12'.t'.i. and who was 
in the fifth generation in the line of descent from 
Bishop Roe, married Margjiret of Scotland, daugh- 
ter of King Alexander III. She tVwA abouta year 
after her marriage, having sriven birth toadaugh- 



328 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ter, who. on the death of Alexander, was 'icknowl- 
edged the rightful lieir to the tlirone of Sentland. 
While j'et in her childhood the "Maid of Nor- 
way," as she was called, embarked for tiie country 
of which she expected to be the ruler, but she died 
before reaching her destination. Eric afterward 
married Isabella, sister of Robert Bruce, who sub- 
sequently became king of Scotland. In the latter 
part of tlie ninth century Rolf the Younger was 
banished from Norway by Harold Fairhair, tlie 
king, on .account of illicit viking cruises made by 
him along the soutliern shores of that country. 
Among the vikings that he induced to go with 
liim to I^ngland and Normandy were some mem- 
bers of tiie Roe family, who, it seems, established 
themselves at Rouen, in France. 

The English line of descent came from Le Rous 
(Roe), who settled in England in 10fi6. The Roe 
family in England w.is finally enlarged by immi- 
gration from l)Oth Scandinavia and Normandy. 
In England every child bore the family name of 
its father, but in Norwa}', and in fact in all the 
Gothic race, only the eldest son could wear the 
father's family name. Sir Thomas Koe, wiio was 
a distinguished man in many ways, died in Eng- 
land in 1(!1 L In a register of Oxford Universit3^ 
there is a record of graduates of the Roes, com- 
iiieneiiig with William Roe in 1440, and endiug 
with a William Roe in 15G!I. Within one hundred 
and twenty-nine years thirteen members of the Roe 
family were graduated from this university. Five 
of these bore the Christian name of William, and 
four thai of .John. 

The Roe family penetrated Iceland as early as 
the eleventh century, and from McGee's "History 
of Iceland" we learn that the Roes were quite num- 
erous ill that country from 1260 to 1(542. At the 
last-named date Owen Roe was the General-in- 
Chief of the Catholic army and fought against 
Cromwell. In the reign of Queen Elizabeth some 
meiiiliers of the Roe family were sent into unhappy 
lichind for the purpose of quelling a disturbance 
among its tinbulent inhabitants. The Roes of Ire- 
land were not Celts, but were originally vikings 
from Norway and Denmark, or Anglo-Normans 
from Kiiglaiid. 

About 1(530, or perhaps a little later, .lohn Roe 



and David Roe emigrated from Iceland to I^ong 
Island, N. Y. .Tolm settled near Setauket, but 
David located in what is now the town of Flush- 
ing. Whether these men were brothers, or how 
near of kin they were, is not now certainly known, 
but it appears that many, perhaps even a large 
majority, of the Roes in the United States can tiuly 
claim one or tiie t)tlier of these men as their pro- 
genitor. 

Charles Roe, a descendant of David Roe, was 
born on Long Island about the commencement 
of the Revolutionary War, and died at his home 
on the west bank of the St. .lose|)li River, about 
four miles north of South Bend., Ind., August 18, 
1838. His vvife, whose maiden name was Barshcba 
Watson, also died the same season, August 13. 
She was of Irish descent. Eli Roe. the third child 
of Charles and Barsheba Roe, was born in Ken- 
tucky July 2;"), 1800. He had five brothers and 
two sisters. In 1802 he emigrated with his father 
and mother to southern Ohio, and not many years 
thereafter the family removed to Wayne County, 
Ind. Herein 1819 he was married to Miss Mar- 
garet Martindale, the sixth child and second 
daughter of .John and Mary Martindale. She was 
born in Warren County, Ohio, .January 30, 1803. 
Her father, John Martindale, was born in South 
Carolina October 12, 1772, and died in Delaware 
Count3-, Iowa, July 22, 1852. Her grandfather, 
William Martindale, died in Indiana January 24, 
18.")4, aged one hundred years, ten months and 
sixteen days. Her great-grandfathei, William Mar- 
tindale, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., to which 
pl.ace his father emigrated from England about the 
beginning of the eighteentli century. Her mother, 
whose maiden name was Mary Burns, was born in 
South Carolina September 2, 1775. and was mar- 
ried to John Martindale in 1791, and in 1801 she 
removed with her husband to Waireu County, 
Ohio. Her grandfather, Robert Burns, was born 
in South Carolina about 1748, and his father, 
Lawrence Burns, emigrated from Iceland to South 
Carolina in 173(5. Lawience Burns, it appears, was 
of Scotch descent, and it is believed was a kinsman 
of Robert Burns, the distinguished jioet. 

Eli Roe lived in Wayne County, Ind.. till 1823, 
when he removed with his wife and two children 



rORTRAlT AND BIOGRAl'HICAL RECORD. 



329 



into tin- Mdjoiiiiiij,' county of IltMiry. Tn tlic 
nionlli of Oi'toliiT, 1M:!0, lie U-fl with his family 
for St. .lo.seph C'oimtv, Iiul., where he secured a 
home on (iovcrnnK'nt liind on the east side of 
I'orlaijc I'lairie, about four miles north of South 
IScnd. lie leiiiained on this farm about live years, 
when he sold it and purchased land about one 
mile farther north. Here a iiome was prepared, in 
which the [larents, nine sons and two daughters 
were cheered liy the sunshine of prosperity for 
m.'iuy \e:irs. This is Che i)lace where these (^liil- 
ilirn passed from chiidiiood into manhood and 
womanhood, and this place is sacred in their mem- 
ories as the old homestead. 

in liS;,(i |-;ii i{<ie removed to ISuchanan, Mich., 
where his wife |)assed away .lanuary 2^i, 1870, and 
wlicre liis dealii occurred January 1, 1883. Will- 
iam M. Roe, the sixth son of Eli and Margaret Roe, 
was born in Henry County, lud., April 20, 1830. 
In the fall of 1830, when about six months old, 
he was carried on horseback by his mother to St. 
Joseph County, Ind., a distance of about one hun- 
dred and sixty miles. At this date South IJend 
contained but few families and had only one 
sho]), a variety store, and Cliicago, now the sec- 
ond city in the United States, bad still less. About 
the 1st of December, 1837, William Roe com- 
menced going to school. His first teacher was 
David Fisk, from Vermont, who was very success- 
ful in his chosen profession of school teaching. 
Within two weeks he graduated from the Eng- 
lish al[)habet, and before the close of the three- 
months term of school he commenced the study 
of geogiai)hy. Under the tuition of Mr. Fisk he 
attended school three successive winters and be- 
came very proficient in spelling. He was called 
in every direction to attend spelling-schools, in 
which he almost invariably scored a signal victory. 
With the aid of his two elder brothers, John and 
Elijah, and his associate, Thomas Morrill, the 
school which he attended was invincible in the 
art of spelling. He atlende<l school during the 
months of winter,and engaged in light farm work 
during the summers until the year 1845. During 
the summer of this year, and for five successive 
suinmeri, he studied at home, designating the room 
occupied with his books as "Portage Seminary." 



Here he commenced to study the (ireek language, 
and not infreciuently wrote for the public press. 
During the spring and summer of 18K; be at- 
tended school at a .seminary in South IJend, Ind.. 
conducted by Prof. C. M. Wright. 

Under the preaching of Elder Peter T. Russell 
he confessed the Savior, and on the following day. 
August 1, 1817, he was immersed in the St. Joseph 
River by Elder Reuben Wilson. Commencing 
October 1 1, of this year, he taught school for two 
months on the west side of Porljigc Prairie. He 
taught school for the following five successive 
winters, and also taught one summer tei'in at Mt. 
Pleasant, Ind., in 1853. In the spring of 1851 he 
left the parental roof to attend what was then 
styled "The Eclectic Institute," at Hiram, Ohio. 
This institution is now known as Hii'am College. 
While at this school he was called to teach two 
classes in algebra and one in anatomy and physi- 
ology. James A. Garfield, who subseiiuently filled 
the highest otHce in the gift of the American peo- 
ple, was at that time a student in this school and 
was a member of the advanced class in algebra 
taught by Mr. Roe. who returned to Indiana in 
time to teach a winter's term of school. 

Before going to Hiram, Ohio, arrangements had 
been made for him to become a law sliKlcnt in the 
oftice of Judge Slanfield, of South IJend, Ind., I»ut 
by the counsel of Elder Corbly Martin, an able 
minister of the Christian Church, he was induced 
to abandon this |)rojcct and to prepare to preach 
the Gospel of Christ. He delivered his first ser- 
mon in the country schoolhouse about seven miles 
southeast of South Bend in the spring of I84S\ 
He spoke occasionally at different points until the 
fall of 1851, when he was employed to evangelize 
in Berrien, Cass and Van Bureii Counties. Mich. 

On the lOth of April. 1853, he was married lo 
Miss Harriet Elizabeth Whitman, of South IJend, 
Ind. She was born in Mentor, Ohio. .lanu.uy 13. 
1833, and went with her parents lo northern Ind- 
iana in 1811. Her father and mother were for- 
merly residents of the State of New York, and her 
paternal grandfather, it ap|iears. was a native of 
L(jng Island. To William M. and 1 l:iiriel E. Roe 
four children were born, two boys and two girls. 

In the fall of 1851 they removed to Buchanan, 



330 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



IMieh., and Mr. Roc, devoting his full time to the 
ministry, planted cliurclies at various points in 
southwestern Michigan. In 1855 he established a 
church at Buchanan, Mich., which under his care 
developed a inemhershii) of over two hundred 
souls. After laboring one 3'ear tinder the direc- 
tion of the general Christian Missionary Society 
he took a pastorate of the Christian Church at the 
following places successively: Rolling Prairie and 
Westville, Ind.; Eldora and De Soto, Iowa; Paw 
Paw, Mich.; Greele}', Iowa; Iloopeston, 111.; Dav- 
enport and Marion, Iowa; Dowagiac and Millburg, 
Mich.: Galena, Ind.; Bryan, Ohio; Buchanan, Eau 
Claire, Sodus, Cassopolis and Galien, Mich. He 
has been actively engaged in the ministry of the 
Gospel for about thirty-nine years, and although 
of frail constitution, and much of his life af- 
flicted with dyspepsia and nervous debility, his 
labors have been almost constant and often ardu- 
ous but, by the blessing of God, under his preach- 
ing a large number of souls have been converted 
to Christ and cheered by the glorious hope of a 
blissful immortality beyond the grave. He de- 
voted nuich time and study to the preparation of 
a work entitled "Bible vs Materialism," which was 
published in 1859. A second edition of this work, 
revised and enlarged, was published in 1886. In 
1865 he was associated with D. A.Wagner in edit- 
ing a religious periodical entitled Tlu Chrislian 
Proclamation, published in Buchanan, Mich. 

Mr. Roe is still devoting a portion of his time 
to preaching, but is graduallj' retiring from min- 
isterial labor and is spending most of his time at 
his pleasant home in the beautiful village of Bu- 
chanan, Mich. 



ARNEY DECKER. In a volume dedicated 

to the pioneers of the county, the full 

^"iVjiii meed of i)raise and respect should be given 



to the gentleman whose name introduces 
these paiagia|)lis and who was one of the sturdy 
and heroic pioneers of western Michigan, Some- 



what retired from the active business cares which 
crowded him in life's prime, he still maintains a 
constant interest in all matters relating to the 
welfare of Cass County, and has contributed his 
quota to its progress. At i)resent he is living in 
his rural abode on section 21, La Grange Town- 
ship. 

The father of our subject, Frederick Decker,was 
a native of New Jer.sey, where he was reared to 
manhood upon a farm. In that State he married 
Miss Anna Barne)' and soon afterward removed to 
New York, where he settled in a heavily tim- 
bered portion of Ontario Count)-. Building a 
small log cabin, he and his wife commenced house- 
keeping on a modest scale, and he devoted his at- 
tention to clearing and cultivating the tract (if 
forty acres which he had purchased. Of his mar- 
riage, the following-named children were born: 
Catherine, Hannah, Aina, Jane, Pamelia, Grant, 
Barney and Stacey. In his religious belief, the 
father of this famil)- was a member of the Baptist 
Church. He remained in New York until his 
death, which occurred when the subject of this 
notice was a lad of ten years. The wife and mo- 
ther lived for many years f(jllowing the death of 
her Ijusband, and attained to the advanced age of 
eighty-eight, having made her home during her 
later years with our subject. 

Orphaned at the age of ten years, Barne}' 
Decker was forced to become self-supporting at an 
age when most boys are interested only in sjiort 
and studies. For a time he worked b_y the month, 
and at flrst received only |5 per month, but his 
wages were gradually increased as the value of 
his services was enhanced. He spent his childhood 
years in his native place, Ontario County, N. Y., 
where his birth had occurred on the 20th of .Sep- 
tember, 181.'3. When less than twenty-six years 
old he was married, in March, 1839, to Miss Mar- 
tha, daughter of Robert and Rebecca (Henderson) 
Wilson, natives respectively of Pennsylvania and 
Virginia. They settled in an early day in Frank- 
lin County, Ohio, where their daughter ]\Iartha 
was born. Mr. Decker and his estimable wife were 
the parents of tliree children: Erskine; Florella, 
Mrs. John Morris, deceased; and Isabelle, who 
died at the age of twenty-four years. Religiously, 



PORTRAIT AND IM'KiRAPIllCAL RECORD. 



331 



Mr. :iin1 Mrs. I )cckfr aio idondfiod willi tlic Pies- 
byU'iiaii Cliuicli :iii(l :iie active workcis in rclijj;- 
ioiis uiiU'iiMi.--os. Politically, Mr. Decker is a Deiii- 
(H'rat and is dcvoteil to the welfare of his parly. 

.\l the titiie our subject came to Cass County, in 
l.s:is, he puichascd seventy-four ac'res of heavily 
timbered land, situated one-half mile from Cassoj)- 
olis. In order to [)urcha,se the land he was obliged 
to incur Mil iiidi^bledncss of $425, but as he was 
eneigetic an<l industrious he was enabled to di.>--- 
charge the debt a short time afterward, lie has 
enjjaged extensively as a dealer in land, and at the 
present lime is the owner of live hundred and 
seventy-livi! acres, the greater part of which is 
under cultivation. In earlier years he endured all 
the vicissituiles of |)ioiieer life, but he has lived to 
enjoy the present cuinforts and luxuries of life in 
Michijian and has rca[)ed the reward of his la- 
bors. 









/^^ APT. NKLSON W. NAPIKH. This sketch 
III ^ would be incomplete were no mention made 
^^^' of the brave Capt. Nelson W. Napier. He 
was born near Ashtabula, Ohio, in 1822, and when 
quite young he came to St. Joseph, of which city 
he was ever afterward a resident. Early in life he 
went to sea, and his bravery and the excellent serv- 
ice rendered his superiors secured his promotion 
from time to time. At the age of twenty-one be 
was captain of a vessel. In I812,duringa terrible 
gale, the schooner he was then sailing went to 
pieces, but he and his crew succeeded in getting 
off. Afterward he sailed the brig ".Scott" out of 
St. Joseph, later had one of Naghten's brigs, and 
then a Buffalo steamer called the "Baltic." Subse- 
quently he entered the service* of the Western 
Transportation Company and sailed the "Free 
Tiade" for a number of years, and later was Cap- 
tain of the "Korest (^ueen" for a number of years, 
lie was successively Captain of the "Montezuma" 
and the "Favorite," both built by the old Chicago 
jewelry firm of Edwards Bros., and after that he 
entered the employ of the (ioodrich Transporta- 



tion Company, with wliich he remained actively 
connected, with the exception of one year, until 
the time of his death. 

In 1.S82, atthe opening of the season, Capt. Na- 
pier w:is put in command of the "Alpena," which- 
on the Kjth of October, the same year, on the tiip 
between <!rand Haven and Chicago, went down with 
all on board. A terrible gale set in on Frid:i\ 
night, and i:ontinued through Saturday ;in(l Sun- 
day, carrying destruction with it. The citizens of 
St. ,Iose|)h were fearful that when the storm sub- 
sided a dreadful tale of disaster would be told by 
the mighty waters of Lake Michigan. As soon as 
the storm ceased on Tuesday, reports began to 
come in over the wires from different points, tell- 
ing of the safety of this or that vessel, or staling 
that no tidings had been received of certain steam- 
ers, and in the last-named list the attention of the 
citizens of this section of the State was centered 
upon the gallant steamer "Al[)ena," belonging to 
the Goodrich Transportation Company, and com- 
manded by the noble Capt. Nelson W. Napier. 

On Monday afternfioii dispatches were receive<l 
staling that a portion of the upper deck of the 
"Alpena" had been found near Holland, also that 
a stair-railing and pail marked ".Alpena" had been 
discovered off Holland. Still the friends of tlio.se 
on board would not give up hope. Late Tuesday 
afternoon, Mr. Nye, of Holland, sent a message to 
Supt. Lawler, of St. Joseph, that portions t)f the 
wrecked steamer were fast coming to shore at that 
point, and reciuesting that if any friends of those 
on board desired to come, they should take the 
7:15 train. This telegram destroyed the last lio|)e. 
Dr. L. I. McLin, son-in-law of the Captain, Don 
Morrison and F'rank H. Platl took the first train 
to Holland, and the Captain's sons followed the 
next day. 

The "Alpena" had left (irand Haven Friday 
evening about nine o'clock with a good cargo of 
freight and a crew and passenger list of between 
sixty and eighty, and during the fiercest part of 
the storm, disabled and buffeted by the waves, 
she went to pieces amid the wild waters not m;uiv 
miles from Holland. It may be sujiposed that 
the noble Captain was cool and undaunted in 
the midst of the hoirois of the scene, and that even 



332 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



at the last his voice rang out clear and calm above 
the roar of the tempest. But none from that fated 
vessel ever lived to tell the story of its wreck. 
All found a grave beneath tiie surging billows on 
that dreadful October day. 

The noble woman who for many .years was the 
devoted heli)niate of the Captain, and who now 
resides in St. .Joseph, was a native of Conueclicut 
and bore the maiden name of Henrietta H. Sco- 
ville. There was a family of nine children, of 
whom four are living: Edward, Arthur and Nel- 
son W., who are .all sailing on the Lakes; and Frank 
L., of .St. .Joseph. The children deceased are: .Jack 
H.; Addle, who became the wife of Dr. L. I. 
McLin, and a t^ her death left one son, Hubert; 
Emma, Elizabeth and Emma. It will be observed 
that two of the deceased daughters were named Em- 
ma. In person, the Captain was tall and well-pro- 
portioned, with a kindly, genial face, dark eyes, 
and hair frosted with the snows of many winters — 
a fine-looking, well-preserved man. He was de- 
scended from a long line of Scotch ancestry, and 
seemed good for many years of contact with the 
elements of wind and wave, among which so large 
a part of his busy life had been spent. In his 
long career on the Lakes, he had many a narrow 
escape from the fury of the elements, but in spite 
of his frequent contact with the dangers of the 
deep, he scarcely knew what danger was, and yet 
he was not of the dare-devil, reckless sort, but 
simply fearless, though at the same time prudent 
and mindful of the responsibility which rested 
upon him. Probably no better tribute could be 
paid him than those simple words of his lake com- 
panion for ni.auy years, "He was a good man." 
Politically, he was a Republican. 

Eraiik L. Napier, son of our subject, Clerk of 
the city of St. .Joseph, and Deputy Sheriff of Ber- 
rien County, is a young man of exceptional abil- 
ity and great promise. He has been a lifelong 
resident of St. .Joseph, where he was born on the 
23d of September, 18G6. Jn his childhood he 
gained the rudiments of his education in the city 
schools, and later entered Olivet (.Mich.) College, 
where he carried on his studies for a period of 
two and one-half jears. At the close of his liter- 
ary studies, he entered upon a seafaring life, and 



for a time sailed on Lakes Michigan, Huron, Su- 
perior and P^rie, spending six years altogether in 
this way. At one time he was wrecked on Lake 
Huron, off Sioux River, on the steamer "Joseph L. 
Herd," and drifted for four days and three nights 
before being rescued. He had received successive 
promotions until lie had worked his way up to the 
position of lirst mate on the Goodrich line. 

Retiring from the Lakes, Mr. Napier engaged in 
the real-estate business at St. .Joseph. As a mem- 
ber of the IJepublican party he has always taken a 
prominent part in politics, and has officiated as 
City Clerk for one year. In 1893 he was ap- 
pointed Deputy Sheriff for a period of two years, 
and is the present incumbent of that office. So- 
cially, he is identified with Twin City Lodge, K. 
P., and is also a member of the National Union. 



t^- 



\ I OHN D. BURY, deceased, an early pioneer 
and honored citizen of Berrien County, 
Mich., emigrated from Canada with his par- 
J ents about 1834, and located in the then 
wilds of the State, from that time his permanent 
home. His father, a native of England, was edu- 
cated in the profession of medicine in Ireland and, 
a man of intelligence and marked ability, came to 
America with his wife, settling immediately in 
Pennsylvania. After coming here he followed the 
trade of millwright, but was a resident of the East 
when our subject was born, August 18, 1804, in 
Pennsylvania. The mother, after a time revisiting 
the home of her childhood, died on the ocean. The 
father married a second time, in Pennsjivania, 
and then removed to Canada, where he passed 
awa^-, leaving a family of fourteen children by his 
second wife. Mr. Bury received his education 
in Canadian schools and there attained to man- 
hood, marrying Miss Betty Green, who became the 
mother of three children: Freeman G., George F., 
and Betty, who married James Caldwell, one of 
the oldest settlers in the county, now deceased. 
Mrs. Betty (Green) Buiy did not survive her mar- 
riage many years, and a second time our subject 










/^ ac^^ry. 



K 




PORTRAIT AND BIOGKAPmCAL RECORD. 



335 



entered the bonds of matrimonj', wedding Miss 
Fiiiinio Hycis, Ixjrn in Hjersville, Livingston 
Cuuiily. N. Y. Sho iiua lier liiislmnd vvliile on a 
visit to lolalivcs iu IJainbriilge Tuvviisliip. 

Tliif* luiidii \v;i,s lilfssert by the birth of three 
fliildii'ii: ('. ])., of IJenton Townsliip; .Toim 1).; 
and lOlsic I., wlio resides witli her niiilher in Ben- 
ton Harbin. I'pon his tirsl arrival in the State of 
INIichigaii Mr. llury worked at his trade of a car- 
penter JM Mdttviile and otlier i)iaces, and lirsl sot- 
lU'd in SI. ,Iosei)h in 1835. In 1837 he U)eated in 
the dense \vo(h1s of iJerrien County, and with en- 
ergy and determination cleared a part of eighty 
acres. Prospering thro\igh his own unaided ef- 
forts, he accumulated propert}', and at one time 
owned six hundred and forty-four acres in lien- 
ton Township and one liundred and twenty acres 
in llagar Township, besides other tracts of land. 
Possessing excellent business ability, our subject 
speculated in lands extensively and successfully 
and was widely known as a man of enterprise and 
sagacity. Politicall}-, he was a strong Democrat 
and the only one in the township for a number of 
years. He was one of the chief organizeis of the 
township, and during his long residence was known 
as a literal and public-spirited citizen, ever ready 
tf) assist in matters of mutual welfare, and with 
generous heart extending aid to those less fortun- 
ate than himself. His death was a public loss and 
he was mourned by all his fellow-townsmen. 

.lohn D. Bury, youngest son of our subject, an 
able general agriculturist and breeder of line 
horses of the Cleveland Bay stock, was born in 
1861, on the old Benton Township farm and in 
the house where he now resides. He enjoyed the 
opportunities for a good common-school education 
and reached mature years self-reliant and energetic. 
He was united in marriage at the age of twenty- 
four years, Decemlicr 11, 1887, to Miss Annie 
Lynch, being then engaged in the management 
of the two hundred and sixt^'-four acres of the 
family homestead. He now owns eighty-four 
acres of valuable land, one-half of which he has 
himself brought under cultivation, and his wife 
also owns thirt3'-six acres. In 18;)1 Mr. P.urv first 
gave a portion of his time to handling his magni- 
ficent horse "Ileslington," a Cleveland Bay, im- 



ported by Banks Clauser, of La Porte, Ind.. No. 

687 — in American books No. 1318. Although niiicli 
occupied with business, our subject is an active 
member of the Ancient Free & Acce|)ted Masons of 
the lodge at Benton Harbor. Like his father, he is a 
Democrat and, ever interested in local and national 
issues, gives his hearty sujjporl to the "I'arty of the 
People." One child, a son, named in honor of his 
father and paternal grandfather .lohn 1)., a manly 
and promising little boy, has brightened the pleas- 
ant home, the abode of hospitality, within whose 
walls have gathered many of the old settlers, 
friends of a lifetime, tried and true. Mrs. Bury is 
a member of the Catholic Church of Benton Har- 
bor. 



|B:{ 



H 






ORLANDO I!. DICKINSON. If there was any 
citizen to whom .St. .loseph was especially in- 
debted above all others, we believe that one 
to be ^Ir. Dickinson, who for many years was 
closely identified with its progress, and contrib- 
uted effectively to the development of its inter- 
ests. He was one of the pioneers in the business 
of fruit-raising in Beriien County, and, realizing 
that the soil here was peculiarly adapted to rais- 
ing berries and small fruits, he made this his 
s|>ecial business. He planted the lirsl extensive 
vineyard in the cit}' and imported the lirsl v.'iriet^- 
of grapes (the Delawares) from the East. 

Born in Hornby, Steuben County, N. Y.,.Iuly 26, 
1826, our subject was the son of Hon. A. B. Dick- 
inson, a prominent politician of New York, who 
was a delegate to the Chicago convention iu 186(1 
that nominated Abraham Lincoln for President of 
the United States, and under his administration 
served as minister to Nicaragua. He was the cotem- 
porary and friend of Secretary of State Seward, 
Horace Oreelej' and Thurlow Weed, and inanj' 
other famous men who ac<|uiied distinction dur- 
ing war times. The mother of our subject was 
Hannah, daughter of Thomas Hopkins, a native of 
New York. Orlando B. spent his boyhood years 
in Steuben County and acciuired a good common- 
school and .seminary education. At the age of 



336 



PORTRAIT ANT) BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



eighteen lie embarked in tlie Imsincss of l)uying 
an<1 selling stoek, and later engJiged in poik-|)aek- 
ing in Cleveland, Ohio. 

In 1855, Mr. Dickinson removed lo Atchison, 
Kan., being among the first to settle in that place. 
Three years later he came to St. .Joseph and act- 
ively eng.aged in horticultural pursuits. Ener- 
gelie and enterprising in everything he under- 
took, he soon won success. As above stated, he 
planted the first vine3'ard in this vicinity on prop- 
erty he purchased of B. C. Iloyt near his late res- 
idence. He also i)lanted the tirst"Lawton" berries 
and introduced into this section the famous peach 
trees known as " Hale's Pearly." In the spring of 
1865, he sold his property in St. .loseph, and in 
1867 removed to Chicago, where, in connection 
with J. Witherell, formerly of St. Joseph, he did a 
large warehouse business, and subsequently es- 
tablished the large and well-known house of Dick- 
inson, Abel <fe Co. 

On account of failing health, Mr. Dickinson re- 
turned to St. Joseph in 1882, and here remained 
until his death, ()ctol>er 12, 1883. His late home 
was jiurchased in 1878 and elegantly fitted uj) as a 
fruit farm and summer residence for himself and 
his family, consisting of his wife and two daugh- 
ters. On the 28tli of May, 1849, he married Mi.ss 
Lucy M. Collins, who was born in Ravenna, Ohio, 
and is the daughter of Dr. Lyman and Harriet 
(Whittlesey) Collins, early settlers of St. Joseph. 
The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Dickinson, Hon. 
Elisha Whittlesey, was Second Comptroller of the 
Treasury under the administration of President 
Pierce, and for a time resided in Washington, D. 
C. Later he returned to Ohio, was subsequently 
elected to Congress for several terms, and dur- 
ing the administration of President Lincoln was 
again appointed Second Comptroller of the Treas- 
ury, which position he filled until his death. The 
Collins family originated in Ireland, while the 
Whittleseys came from England. Mr. and Mrs. 
Dickinson were the parents of two daughters: 
Anor, Mrs. W. H. llusted, of Chicago; and Har- 
riet C, wife of William E. Ery, who resides in 
Sherrill, Ark. 

Although M. Dickinson had been in ])oor health 
for some lime jnior to his demise, yet his death 



was sudden. On the morning of the day he died 
he was at his harn giving directions, when one of 
the house girls, who at the time was there, turned 
tolookasshe heard him speak and saw that he had 
fainted and fallen. I'hysicians were summoned, 
but human efforts were unavailing. Mr. Dickin- 
son remained insensible, and died without recov- 
ering consciousness, except for a moment, when 
he vainly atteraiited to speak to his wife. The 
entire community mourned the loss of a genial 
and generous friend, and the family was bereft of 
a considerate husband and indulirent father. 



' » ' * ^ P* t- ^M 



,' ACOi; E. MILLER, a retired farmer residing 
in Buchanan, was born in Eranklin County, 
Ohio, near the city of Columbus, January 
1, 182L His father. Rev. Adam Miller, 
was a native of Pennsylvania and was reared in 
that State, l)eing at an early age initiated into the 
duties of .agriculture, which he followed through- 
out life. Eroni his German ancestors he inherited 
the traits of industry, perseverance and thrift, so 
characteristic of the people of that nationality. 
He was an honorable, upright man, of a deeply 
religious nature and devoted to the cause of 
Christianity. A faithful member of the Baptist 
Church, he labored for years as a minister of the 
Gospel and often traveled on liorseliack for miles 
in order to meet an appointment for preaching, 
although he never received any recompense for 
his services, other than the consciousness of having 
done good. 

On his mother's side our subject is of Scotch 
descent. .She was a native of Pennsylvania and 
bore the maiden name of .Sarah Prior. After her 
marriage, which took place in Pennsylvania, she 
located in Eranklin County, Ohio, on a farm and 
resided there for some time. The family came to 
Michigan in 1830 and located in Cass County, 
where Mr. Miller pre-empted some Government 
land in Ontwa Township, and at once commenced 
the work of clearing and cultivating the farm. 
He was a pioneer preacher of that count}' and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



337 



was liiiilily it'i;aril((l liy liis fullow-cilizens. His 
flealli oc'ciiiit'<i at, the ajio of suveiity-tlirec in St. 
.losi'pli ('(iiiuly, 1 11(1. Ill' had lieen twice mar- 
ried, and hy his first union h.ad one d.iughter, Mrs. 
Sarah Snyd( r, wiio is now acivanced in years .and 
makes her iiome in Oliio. Of the second niarriaj^c 
eleven children were horn, our subject l)eing the 
ninth in order of hirtli. 

\\'lK'n ahout seven years old, Jacob K. Miller 
acconi|)anii'd his part^nts to Cass County, Mich., 
where he i^rew to iiianliood. Prior to removing 
hither, he had gained tlie rudiments of his educa- 
tion in the schools of Ohio, and after settling in 
Cass County he attended the primitive schools 
held in log houses. The building in which he was 
initiated into the mysteries of the "three R's" 
was rudely constructed of logs; the floor was 
of puncheon, and the chimney of sticks .and mud. 
Pegs were driven into holes cut in the logs at one 
end of the building, and upon them was placed a 
board which stnved the [jurpo.se of a writing-desk 
for the older |iupils. The method of instruction 
was as primitive as the furnishings of the build- 
ing, and the teacher was usually a man more re- 
nowned for his physical strength and prowess 
than for his learning. 

Amid such surroundings as these Mr. Miller 
gained his schooling, but as he is a man of close 
observation and accustomed to read extensively, 
he has gained a broad knowledge of the world 
and the important issues of the present day. At 
the .age of seventeen years he established a home 
of his own. He had more courage than money, 
and had his life been at stake he would have 
been unable to raise $25. Locating in St. Joseph 
County, Ind., he rented a farm, which he operated 
for three years. He then bought forty acres, paying 
iob down and going in debt for the balance, 
amounting to i\7.'). Three years later he bought 
forty acres additional in St. Joseph Count3', pay- 
ing $73 cash for the land. His next purchase was 
eight3' acres, for which he paid $300, and which 
was situated in Cass County, near the other land 
owned by him. 

Although he had enjoyed an uninterrupted 
prosperity in his farming i)ursuits, Mr. Miller was 
seized with the Western fever and made .arrange- 



ments to move int(j one f>f the new Slates, but 
was prevented by circumstances from goiiii; in 
the summer of 185."), as he originally planned. In- 
stead of so doing, he purch.ased forty .acres ad- 
joining his eighty-acre tract and made his home 
on that place for one year. lie then took the 
long-delayed visit to the West, traveling through 
the States of Illinois and Iowa, but he found 
nothing to suit lilni, and accordingl\- retuineii 
to Michigan, satisfied to remain in this State. 
Shortly afterward, he came to lierrien County and 
bought a farm consisting of one hundred and 
sixty acres in Buchanan Township. For this he 
paid ii'2,000 in cash and gave his note for the bal- 
ance, ^700. The property' is located on sections 
14 and 15, and through Mr. Miller's efforts one 
hundred and fifty acres were improved. 

In 1881 Mr. Miller moved to Weesaw Township, 
Berrien County, where he purchased a forty-acre 
farm for $2,700. He resided there until after his 
wife's death, when he and his daughter came to 
Buch.anan. lie had lived here but a short time 
when his daughter's dres.s caught on fire and she 
was so severely burned that she suffered untold 
agony until death came to her relief. Four days 
later Mr. Miller's son Union died, and his widow 
is now kee[)ing house for our suliject. The wife 
of our subject, Sarah (Blackford) Miller, w.as born 
in Warren County, Ohio, December 20, 1822, and 
died in 1892, after having become the mother of 
six sons and five daughters. They are as follows: 
Anson, born August 16, 1842; Clara, September 
25, 1844; William P., August 16, 1846; Sarah E., 
Febru.ary 11, 184;»; James J., April 1, 1852; N.ancy 
A., June 2, 1854; Adoniram J., November 29, 
1856; Margaret E., May 2, 1859; Union, April 25, 
1861; Alta M., October 6, 1863; and Jacob E., 
May 12, 18(i6. All are deceased with the excep- 
tion of William, who resides in Buchanan; James 
J., a resident of Buchanan Township; Margaret 
E., of Rogers Park, Chicago; and Jacob E., who 
also makes his home at Rogers Park. 

In his undertakings Mr. Miller h.as been so 
highly prospered that he is now the owner of 
eight hundred .acres in Berrien County. He lias 
always been deeply interested in religious enter- 
prises and is a devf)ted member of the Christian 



338 



PORTRAIT AND lilOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Church, witli which has been identified for forty- 
six years. He has served as an Elder for fifteen 
years and is now fillin.s; that position in the church 
at Buchanan. He was one of the charter mem- 
bers of tlie Wcesaw cliurch, wliich lie was instru- 
mental in organizing five years after he located 
there. He and his two daughters were the only 
members of that denomination in the community, 
but after holding a meeting of six weeks' dura- 
tion, with Rev. L. W. Spade as the evangelist, a 
church composed of seventy-six members was or- 
ganized. Most of tlic expense connected with 
this revival was Itorno li\' Mr. Miller, who also 
contributed with the utmost liberality to the erec- 
tion of a suitable edifice, which cost $1,400. For 
forty years or more Mr. Miller has been a strong 
Prohibitionist and not only does not use tobacco 
in any form, but also abstains from the use of 
either tea or coffee. He is a remarkably well-pre- 
served man, and although advanced in years, is 
hale and rugged and in full possession of his 
mental faculties. 

Mr. Miller was united in marriage June fi, 
1893, to Airs. Mary (Grant) Glover, the widow of 
James Glover. Mrs. Miller was born near Au- 
gusta, Me., her parents being pioneers of that 
section, they having taken up Government land 
in that State. Her father, Joshua Grant, was a 
native of New Hampshire, and her mother, Mary 
Whitehouse, was a native of the same State. Joshua 
Grant served in the War of 1812 and also in the 
late war. 



<s_ 



-^3- 



l^-i^P 



-^*= 






^OHN M. hop:, M. 1). The name of tliisgen- 
tleman is familiar to the citizens through- 
^^ out Berrien Conn 13- and to the medical fra- 
^5^/' ternity of the State. As a successful prac- 
titioner he has become well known, and while his 
office is located in Buchanan, his [)ractice is by no 
means limited to that village, but extends through- 
out the surrounding country. In the diagnosis of 
cases he is promiit and accurate, and his patients 
place implicit confidence in his judgment and 



skill. As a citizen, he is public-spirited and enter- 
prising, and any measure which has for its object 
the progress of the city or the welfare of its peo- 
ple is sure of his support. 

A native of Indiana, Dr. Roe was born in lleniy 
County on the (Jlh of September, 1824, and is the 
third child in the family of Eli and Margaret Hoc, 
of whom furthci- mention will be found elsewhere 
in this volume. At the age of six years he ac- 
companied his |)arents to St. Joseph County, Ind., 
where his studies were prosecuted in a [irivate 
school and afterward carried on for three months 
each year in the district school. However, his 
time was luiiiciiially occupied in assisting his 
father in the labor of cultivating and improving 
the lioiiie farm, and he gained a good idea of the 
work incident to carrying on a farm when he was 
(juite young. 

At the age of twenty, our subject commenced in 
life for himself, at which time he accepted a posi- 
tion as teacher 111 a district school near his home. 
In that way he earned sulficienl money to pay his 
tuition at the South Bend Aca.deni}', where he 
pursued his literary studies for one term. His 
medical studies were commenced under the pic- 
ceplorship of Dr. Dayton, of South Bend, in 
whose office he remained about two years. Eater 
he took one course of lectures in the Indiana 
Medical College at EaPorle, and after completing 
his medical studies opened an office at Goshen, 
Ind., where he remained for two years. Thence 
he came to Buchanan in 1851, and now enjoys the 
distinction of being the oldest resident physician 
in the village. There are now only four men liv- 
ing here who were residents of the place at the 
time of his arrival. 

In South Bend, Ind., in 1848, occurred the mar- 
riage of Dr. Hoe to Miss Philenia Clii|unaii, a na- 
tive of Ohio, and daughter of Ilolton Cliipiiian. 
They becaim; the parents of four children, one of 
whom died in infancy. Lillia E. is the wife of E. 
H. Clark, and resides in Buchanan; Alison C. is a 
graduate of the law dc|iartment of the State Uni- 
versity at Ann Arlior, and is now conducting a 
rapidly' increasing practice in Buchanan; LennieL. 
died in Florida at the age of tweut3'-seven. The 
Doctor and his wife are members of the Christian 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPmCAL RECORD. 



339 



t'liurcli, ill wliicli lie is serviii<j as Trustee. So- 
ci.'iliy, 111' is idcntitii'd with tlio I n(Io|ieiirloi)t Oiclor 
of Odd Foll<nvs, lUtlioiiirli not al pii'soiit aclivi'ly 
connected with any lodge. At one time he was a 
ladic-nl I\('|iiililieaii. hut !iis pohtieal views nnder- 
weiil Lonsidoiablc change and he became a (Jieen- 
haeker, and now works willi tlic People's party. 
He has served as a meinher of the {'oniiiioii Coiiii- 
eil, and h.as ollieiated as its President. 




ON. ROSCX)E I). DIX, I'l-esideiit of I'.cr- 
rien Springs and senior member of tlie 
firm of I)ix A- Wilkinson, proprietors of 
the Exchange Bank and also dealers in 
real estate, was born in .Ieff('rson County, N. Y., 
on the lltiiof June, 18311. He is the grandson 
of Leonard Dix, who was of Englisii stock, and of 
Natlian Rudd, a pioneer of Connecticut. His fa- 
ther. Dexter ()., w.is born in Vermont, and in 18r)2 
moved to Berrien County, Slich., locating in 
Bainbridge and engaging in farming pursuits there 
until his death, which occurred in 1880. His 
wife, whose maiden name was Mary K. Rudd, and 
who was a native of Connecticut, survived iiiin 
for a number of years, passing away in 188!l. 

The second in a family of four cliildicn, the 
subject of this notice [)assed his early childliood 
yeais in .lefferson County, N. V., where he laid the 
foundation of his education in the common schools. 
After coming to Michigan he entered Albion i\A- 
lege, where he was conducting his studies at the 
time the Civil War bi'okc out. With characteris- 
tic enthusiasm and ardor, he enlisted as a member 
of Company K, Second Michigan Infantry. Col. 
I. B. Richardson commanding. In April, 18(11, Ids 
regiment was a.ssigned to llie Army of the i'olo- 
mac, and was in tiie Third .Ainiy Corps, but l.uter 
became a part of the Ninth .\rmy Corps. At the 
battle of Knoxville, Tenn.. on the 211h of No- 
vember, 18().'i, he was wounded in the hip and 
t.'iken prisoner, but w.as exciianged. He was taken 
to KiKiwillc llospit.'d. and transferred later to 



St. Mary's Hospital, at Detroit, INIich. On the 
2r)th of May, 18(i}, he was honorably discharged 
on account of injuries receiveil in the service, 
which incapacitated him for further action. 

Returning to iiis home, Mr. Di.x was in Novem- 
ber, 18(54, elected Register of Deeds of Berrien 
County, and served in that position for three 
successive terms, or for six years. He was again 
elected in 1871 for a two-year terra, serving alto- 
gether eight years. He was elected Commissioner 
of State Lands in 1886, and filled that [losition 
for two terms of two 3'ears each. For four suc- 
cessive terms he served as President of tiic vil- 
lage. A Republican in i)olitics, he is less a |)arti- 
san than a public-spirited citizen, and it is his 
aim not to labor solely for party aggrandizement, 
but rather to give his best efforts to the promo- 
tion of the welfare of the people and the commu- 
nity, irrespective of politics. 

.Ianuar3' 2, 1867, Mr. Dix married Miss Vir- 
ginia M., daughter of the late Dr. Philip Kcpliart, 
of Berrien Springs. They have had the fol- 
lowing children: Roscoe A., who died October 
20, 18'.)2, aged twenty-three years; Winfred K., 
aged twenty-one years; Kittie M., a school girl of 
eleven years; and Philip, who died in infancy. 
Winfred K. and Kittie M. are both at home. Fra- 
ternally, Mr. Dix is a member of Western Star 
Lodge No. 3!(, A. F. & A. M.; and Niles Chapter 
and Commandery No. 12, K. T. He is also identi- 
fied with the Ancient Order of Ignited Workmen 
and Kilpatrick Post No. 39, G. A. IJ., being at 
present the Commander of the post. 






"fl L. JOHNSON. Among the sons of Ohio 
who have brought with them to this State 
the sturdy habitsof iiidc iiciiilcuce. lulegrity 
and industry which have ever marked tiie 
native Ohioaii. we are gratilied to be able to name 
Mr. .lohnson, whose beautiful farm is to be found 
just cast of the city of Benton Harbor. Tins 
estate has every indication of order and thrift, 
and success has crowned his efforts, for it is 



340 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



considered one of tlie finest places in the township. 
Mr. Johnson was born in Harrison County, Oliio, 
in 1823, and came to Berrien County, Mich., with 
his parents, Benjamin and Margaret (Murpliy) 
Jolinsou, at an early date. Both parents were na- 
tives of Marj'land, and they were among the first 
settlers of Berrien County, locating in St. .Joseph, 
wlierc the3' resided two years. From there they 
moved to the farm just north of where our subject 
now resides, and there passed the remainder of 
their days. Their children, six in number, were 
in order of their births as follows: .7. L., our 
subject; Byron, of Chicago; Julia, who died, leav- 
ing a son, Joseph Pearl; Lucy A., wife of John 
Wilkinson, of St. Joseph; Benjamin; and Drusilla, 
wife of Thomas Walker, of the Lake View Hotel 
in St. Joseph. 

The original of this notice grew to manhood in 
Berrien County, and received a good practical 
education in the common schools. Trained to the 
arduous duties of the farm from early boyhood, he 
followed in the footsteps of his progenitors and 
also became a tiller of the soil. He selected his 
wife in the person of Miss Jennie Smith, whose 
father, Joseph Smith, was one of the very first set- 
tlers of the county. SulDsequentlj' Mr. Johnson 
moved to his farm of eighty acres, which was then 
a dense forest, and which he succeeded in clearing 
after years of hard work. Aside from this he has 
cleared fort}' acres on the east side of the road from 
where he now resides, and everything about his 
place indicates him to be a man of push and per- 
severance. 

Mr. and Mi's. Johnson have had no children of 
their own, but they have reared and educated two, 
Eugene Barrows and Joseph F. Pearl. The latter, 
Mr. Johnson's nephew, is now a member of the 
film of Howard ife Pearl, druggists of St. Joseph, 
and a very successful young business man. The 
political sympathies of Mr. Johnson have brought 
him in line with tlie Republican party and in 
public movements he has ever taken a deep interest. 
Socially, he was one of the old members of 
the Masonic order of St. Joseph, was also a mein- 
lier of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and 
a member of the Benton Harbor Grange. Mr. 
Johnson lias ever been interested in eilucational 



matters and has been a member of the School 
Board in the district where he makes his home. He 
and his excellent wife, who is a most worthy mem- 
ber of the Episcopal Church, are well known in the 
count}' and are highl.y esteemed by all. Although 
not connected with an}' church organization, Mr. 
Johnson recognizes the breadth of good accom- 
plished therein and has ahvaj'S been a liberal con- 
tributor towards the support of the Gospel teach- 
ings. 




R. F. H. ESSIG, dental surgeon, although 
yet in early manhood and one of the 
youngest practitioners of his profession 
in Cass County, ISIich., is thoroughly at 
home in all the details of his work and enjoys a 
large and lucrative practice in Dowagiac. Dr. 
Essig is a native of the Buckeye State, and was 
born in Ravenna, upon the 13tli of June, 18Go. 
His parents were George W. and Fidelia (Gilbert) 
Essig, who for many j'cars were among the well- 
known and highly respected residents of Ohio. 
The Essigs are an old Pennsylvania family, and in 
the Quaker State the father of our subject was 
reared and educated. The Gilberts were of New 
England ancestry, the forefathers of the mother 
having for many generations past been numbered 
among the sturd}', self-reliant and intelligent citi- 
zens of Connecticut. The father ami mother of 
Dr. Essig trained their children up to habits of in- 
dustrious thrift and gave to tliesoiisand daughters 
of the household every possible advantage for an 
extended education. 

Having faithfully completed his school course, 
our subject decided to follow the example of an 
elder brother, and at once began the study of his 
profession. Young in years, he was guided b}- his 
brother, an expert in dentistry, and under his able 
instruction pursued his dental studies. Dr. Essig 
later enjoyed a thorough course in Ann Arbor, 
Mich., and in 1888 graduated in dental surgery. 
He came to Dowagiac in the same year and estab- 
lished himself in his chosen profession. It was but 



PORTRAIT AM) lUOGRAlTllCAL RECORD. 



341 



a brief time before lie received eneouriifjing pat- 
ronage ;iii(l he lias from the first steadily won his 
\v:iy u|)\vnr<l to liis presciil extensive and nipidly 
iiuMC.'ising practice. Dr. Kssijr is not onl_v kiiovvn 
as a dentist of superior ahilit}', hut is esteemed as 
:i iiheral-spiritod and [irot^rcssive citizen, whose 
public work and intluence are ever cast in beiialf of 
the best interests of his home locality'. Thoroughly 
appreciatina; the advantaj^es of educational prog- 
ress and local enterprises and improvements, our 
subject cannot fail to become one of the important 
factors in the future development of Cass County. 
I'pon September 25, 1890, F. II. Essig and Miss 
Norah Day were united in marriage, carrying into 
their new life the best wishes anfl congratulations 
of a Iiosl of sincere friends. Mrs. Essig is the 
daughtiu- of J. J. Day, of Dowagiac, an esteemed 
and long-time citizen of the town. Our subject 
and his estimaltle wife are active in the social life 
and benevolent work of their locality and occupy 
a position of usefulness and influence. 



^>-m-<m=^- 




BRAM C. PENNELL. Few of the pio- 
neer settlers of Berrien (Niunty survive to 
narrate the story of hardships eneoun- 
(^^ lered, vast tracts of land cleared and vic- 

tories gained. The majority of those who served 
as forerunners of an advancing civilization have 
closed tlieir eyes upon the scenes of earth, and 
now live onl^ in the memories of their descend- 
ants, who owe to them a debt of gratitude that can 
never be repaid. A few pioneers, however, re- 
main to enjoy the comforts and luxuries they have 
been instrumental in securing, and among this 
number no one is more deserving of the tribute of 
respect and admiration than the genlleiiiaii with 
whose name we introduce this sketch. 

A native of New York State, the subjectof this 
sketch was born in the town of Sempronins, Cavnga 
County-, N. Y., on the (itii of .lanuary, IHl.'). His 
parents, Aaron and Sally (Case) IViinell, weie na- 
tives f)f New York, where they passed their en- 
tire lives. They became the parents of a large 



family of cliildren, as follows: Robert Zcbina; 
Pamela, wife of Asa Caldwell; Lydia C, Mrs. 
Daniel ,\nimerman; Aaron; rnioii; Daniel, whose 
home is in Texas; Jlargaret, Mrs. Selim llines; 
Abram C, o( this sketch; Bradley M.; Comfort, a 
resident of I'.errieii S|)rings; and Benjamin I''., who 
is engaged in farming in Brown County, .S. Dak. 
All are deceased with the exception of Pamela, 
Daniel, Abram C. and Comfort. 

In Ca3'iiga Count}' Abram C. Pennell passed his 
boyhood years, attending school during the win- 
ter seasons and aiding his father on the farm dur- 
ing the summer. In 1848 he came to Berrien 
County, where he first located in Lake Township, 
and later conducted farming oper.ations in Oro- 
noko Township. In 187G he removed to Berrien 
Township, where he is still the owner of a (inely- 
improved place, comprising three hundred and 
sevent3'-eight acres, and embellished with a good 
class of farm buildings adapted to their various 
uses. While he devoted his attention princiiially 
to general farming, he also was largely interested 
in stock-raisi«g and made a specialty of raising 
sheep. His sons now occupy the old homestead, 
and under their management it retains its rank as 
one of the best farms in the county-. 

The marriage of Mr. Pennell took pl.ace in 1837 
and united him with Miss Elizabeth B. Smith. 
Five children liave blessed the union, namely: 
Harriett J.; Byron, who is a farmer by occupa- 
tion; Edgar S. and R. Smith, who cultivate the 
old home farm; and Laura, who is the wife of 
William P.. Storick, a resident fanner of Oronoko 
Township. Mrs. Pennell is the daughter of Huh- 
ard and Ruth (Wyant) Smith. Her grandfather, 
.losepli Smith, was born in Middletowii, Conii., 
on the 7th of Ma}-, 174.'), and died August 11. 
1S17. Her maternal grandi)arents were Michael 
and Hannah ('l^ooker) Wyant, natives of New 
England. Richard Smith was horn in Durham. 
Conn., March 14, 17M1, and unto him and his 
wile, Ruth, were born the following children: 
Edgar, formeily a minister of the I'.aptist Church, 
but now deceased; Amanda, who married rruiii:in 
Brown and is now (K'ceast^d; Charles .\., whoilicd 
in lierrien Springs; Klizabeth B., Mrs. I'ciinell; 
Caroline W., who man ied Bradley Pennell; Martha 



342 



PORTRAIT AND BlOGRArmCAL RECORD. 



W., wife of AValter W. White, of New York; Mary 
R., who niarrierl Hiram Ruck (deceased); and Helen 
M., who is the wife of Wesley Inglcy, of Locke, 
N. Y. 

Of unwavering religious belief, Mrs. Pennell 
has long been identified with the Baptist Church 
as a faithful member and active worker. They 
are generous in their contributions to the support 
of that denomination, and also give liberally to 
all. enterprises calculated to promote the welfare 
of the people, mor.aliy or religiously. Their at- 
tractive and comfortable residence is located in 
one of the most pleasant parts of Berrien .Springs. 
The competency which Mr. Pennell has accumu- 
lated and the landed possessions he has gained 
represent the result of his well-diiected efforts 
through 3fears gone by, and no one is more de- 
serving of success than he. Of more than ordi- 
narj- intelligence and observation, he has long 
been prominent in the affairs of the county, and 
his name is entitled to perpetuation among those 
of other pioneers. 




; BI.IAIT BIRDSEY. While a majority of tiie 
farms of St. .loseph Townshii), Berrien 
County, are devoted to the cultivation of 
fruit, there are also a number of estates 
upon which an extensive general fanning and 
stock-raising business is conducted, and one of 
these is the tract of one hundred and ninety acr^s 
located on section 1. Mr. Birdsey, tlie owner 
of this valuable place, is a practical and progressive 
agriculturist, through whose efforts the land has 
been cleared, placed under excellent cultivation, 
and embellished with all the necessary equipments 
in the way of machinery' and buildings. 

In Seneca County, N. Y., the subject of this 
notice was born May 7, I8H). His i)aient.s. Pliilo 
and Emma (Watkins) Birdsey, were natives of 
Connecticut, where they were born and reared and 
married. For a time the father followed his 
occupation of a carpenter and joiner in Connecti- 



cut, but subsequently removed to Seneca County, 
N. Y., and from there to Wayne County, the same 
State, where he continued to make his home until 
bis death. Two of his five children are now living: 
Abijali and Marietta, the latter being the widow 
of Sylvester Griswold and a resident of Hillsdale 
County, Mich. The senior Mr. Birdsey was a 
member of the Methodist Epi-scopal Church and a 
man of devout Christian life. Politically, he 
affiliated with the Whigs. 

Accompanying his parents to Wayne County, 
N. Y., in his childhood, our subject was there reared 
to maturity. October 2, 1840, in Wayne County, 
he was united in marriage with Miss .Jane Ann 
Curtis, who died in 1875. They were the parents 
of six children, of whom we note the following: 
George W. enlisted in defense of the Union during 
the late war and starved to death in Libby Prison; 
Phoebe Ann is the wife of Lucius Vasy; La Fayette 
resides at Benton Harbor, where he is engaged in 
the liver}' business; Sarah married Charles Bort, a 
painter residing in St. Joseph, and a veteran of the 
late war; Lillie is the wife of William Howland.a 
policeman of St. Joseph; and Adelbert lives with 
his father. 

After his marriage, Mr. Birdsey located in Wayne 
County, N. Y., and engaged in farming there un- 
til the year 1853, when he came to Berrien Count}- 
and located upon his present farm. It was then 
only partiall}' cleared, and the surrounding coun- 
try was in its primeval condition. Mr. Birdsey, 
however, possessed the endurance of the pioneer, 
and it was not Umg before he had materially 
changed the condition of the place. The improve- 
ments now noticeable are mainly the work of his 
hands and the result of his energetic efforts. The 
residence is a comfortable and corHraodious struc- 
ture, conveniently arranged and cozily furnished. 
The lady who presides with gracious dignity over 
this pleasant rural abode bore the maiden name of 
Matilda Wittaker, and became the wife of Mr. 
Birdsey in 1876. 

As one of the early settlers of Berrien County 
and one of its nK)st enteiprising residents, Mr. 
Birdse}' occupies a high place in the regard of his 
fellow-men. During the late war he w.as drafted 
into tlie service, but w.as not accepted on account 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



345 



of his :iiic. Ilowevei, his sympathies were strODf^^ly 
cnlisli'd on behiilf of tlie Union nnd lie uided in 
every way possible tiie cause so dear lo every 
paliiolic heart. Politically, he is a Republican. 






J*^"}"^'^ 



^*+*+l: 
'•{••{•++" 




,EV. JOSEPH S. GRAVES. Fifty years 
have come and gone since this gentleman 
entered the ministry of the Congrega- 
'^) tional Church. During nearly all these 
ye.'irs he proclaimed the Gospel story, and told it 
with a simplicity and a power that were irresisti- 
ble, .as thousands still living can testify. He was 
well fitted in mind and body for pioneer service 
in liie cause of religion, lilazing the way for others 
and enduring hardships as a true soldier of Jesus 
Christ. His sermons were full of an unction that 
stirred his hearers lo the depths of their souls. His 
appeals were often overpowering in their earnest- 
ness. Though he has now retired from the minis- 
try, his life speaks more eloquently in behalf of 
Christianity than even his words could do, power- 
ful and beautiful as they were. 

It cannot be out of place in tliis connection to 
mention facts of interest in the life of this pio- 
neer preacher. He w.as born at Hartford, Conn., 
in I8I1. His parents were Jeremiah and Mary N. 
(.Spencer) Graves, natives respectively of Massa- 
chusetts and Hartford, Conn. Prior to the age of 
sixteen he resided in Connecticut, where he re- 
ceived a common-school education in the primi- 
tive "temples of learning" common in that day. 
In 18;51 lie .accompanied his parents to Illinois, and 
three years later he entered the Illinois College, 
located at .lacksonvillc, graduating from that insti- 
tution in 1839. Later he became a student in the 
Lane Theological Seminary at Cincinnati, Ohio, 
studying under the famous layman Beechor, and 
graduating from the seminary in 1842. 

After having been ordained a minister of the 
Gospel in 1843, the Rev. Mr. Graves accepted the 
pastorate of the Congregational Church at Wood- 
liurn. III. Five years later he became pastor of a 
churcli in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he remained for 



two years. Thence he removed to Aurora, Port- 
age County, Ohio, and for sixteen years he oc- 
cupied a prominent position among the clergy* of 
that city. In ISCtj he located in Roscoe, 111., where 
he remained for six years. His next home w.as in 
Jack.son County, Iowa, where he resided for three 
years. While in that place he retired from active 
connection with the ministry, to which his entire 
active life had previously been devoted. In 1875 
he came to Niles and has since resided in this oity. 
Since coming here, he has held the same devoted 
attachment to the city, and whatever contributes 
to her growth he is ready to espouse. Politically, 
he is a Republican, but is not active in the part}'. 
In 1842 Rev. Mr. Graves married Mi.ss Frances 
Kemper, of Cincinnati, Ohio, who died in 1853. 
They were the parents of three children, viz.: 
Mary E., wife of Charles Osborne, of Xilcs; Anna 
Belle, and Frank K., deceased. The second mar- 
riage of Rev. Mr. Graves occurred in 1851, and 
united him with Miss Anna Boyce, a native of 
Massachusett^s. This union has been blessed by 
two children: Henry 1). and Ilattie L., the latter 
being the wife of Frank Morris, of Niles. 



^^ 



JOHN D. SCIHMGER, who is engaged in a 
I real-estate, loan and insurance business in 
^,^ , Benton Il.arbor. an<l who is pas.senger ticket 
^^^ agent for trans-Atlantic steamship lines and 
trunk line railroads, is a man of the highest busi- 
ness capacity and honored in all circles of society. 
During the many years he has been in the insur- 
ance business he has encountered all classes of ob- 
jectors, although, of course, having to do with 
business men chielly, he has fewer objections to 
meet than those who operate outside the business 
centers. However, he is so thoroughly posted on 
all matters relating to insurance, and converses 
so convincingly, that it would be diflicult to meet 
a better informed man, and just as difficult to 
find a caviler he could not persuade of his error. 
As Mr. Scrimger has for many years been a res- 
ident of the city, his knowledge of realty is inti- 



346 



POxiTRAlT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



mate. His opinion as touching any given piece of 
property, improved or unimproved, wnuld he ac- 
cepted as about infallible, so carefull3- lias lie 
studied the whole field, which he has followed for 
many years. His methods are honorable and up- 
right, and parties can rest assured that they will 
be treated fairl}' by him, whether thej' wish to 
buy or rent, to loan or to borrow money. His 
standing in the conimunitj' is deservedly iiigli, 
his uiu'ightness and fair dealing are proverbial, 
and his treatment of all men is just and equitable. 

Mr. .Scrimger was born April 2, 1847, in Eng- 
land, and is a son of William J. and Caroline 
(Slade) Scrimger. The parents emigrated to Amer- 
ica about 1850, and the father engaged as an agri- 
culturist, but was also engaged as a contractor in 
a lumber and shingle mill, Our subject kept 
books for his father, but when twent3'-one years 
of age he embarked in the insurance business at 
Breedsville, Van Buren County, and continued 
there until 1874. From there he went to Grand 
Junction, the same county, continuing his former 
business, and from there went to Pine Grove Mills, 
where he continued twent3' months. Following 
this he made a trip through the Western States, 
looking around, iuul then returned to his home in 
Grand Junction. 

In the year 1888 Mr. Scrimger located in Ben- 
ton Harbor and opened an oHice. Here he has 
since remained, and has proved himself a success- 
ful business man. He selected his wife in the 
person of Miss Sarah V. Baldwin, a native of Una- 
dilla, Chenango County, N. Y., but who became a 
resident with her parents of Van Buren County, 
Mich., when a child. Their nuptials were cele- 
brated July 2C, 1874. Two children have blessed 
this union: Louise L., a student in Benton Har- 
bor College, and Evelyn. Mrs. Scrimger is a daugh- 
ter of Norman R. Baldwin, a prominent man of 
\'an Buren Count}'. Mr. Scrimger is a member 
of Lake Shore Lodge No. 208, A. F. & A. M.; also 
a member of the United Order of the Golden 
Cross, and takes a deep interest in the welfare of 
his order. His home is pleasantly situated at No. 
12;") Maple Street, Benton Harbor, where the fam- 
ily dispense a generous hospitality to their friends. 
Mr. Scrimger is a member of the First Congrega- 



tional Church, whiie bis wife and daughter are 

nuMuhers of the Baptist Cliiirch. Politically, he 
is a stanch I'epublican. 



-^^1 



h;®h. 



6 ^ ■» ■ • 




HLLIAM PARSONS, Supervisor of Milton 



fj Township, and a well-known farmer of 
Cass County, was born in the township 
and county where he now resides, the date of his 
birth being January 18, 1851. His father, Benja- 
min Parsons, was born and reared in Delaware, 
and when about twenty years old came West to 
Michigan, settling in Cass County. Not long 
after he locnted here he estalilislied domestic tics, 
being united in marriage with Miss ]\[ary Abbott, 
a native of Delaware, who accompanied her par- 
ents to Michigan when fifteen years of age. Her 
father, George Abbott, was a pioneer of Cass 
County and made his home here until his demise. 

The jjarents of our subject were married in 
Edvvardsburgh, after which they located on a farm 
in Milton Township and continued to make their 
home in this place until their demise. The father 
was forty-five when he was called from earth. The 
mother survived him a number of years, passing 
away at the age of sixty-five years and seven 
months. So honorable were they, so kind, thought- 
ful and considerate, that their memory* is treas- 
ured in the hearts of man}' whom the)' befriended 
in years gone by. They trained their children to 
habits of usefulness and had the satisfaction of 
seeing them occupy positions of inlluence and 
trust. The family consisted of seven children, of 
whom all but one grew to manhood and woman- 
hood. Of the survivors, all with one exception 
make their home in Cass County. 

The second child in the family' is the subject of 
this notice. He was reared in Milton Township 
and gained his education in the schools of the 
district. Earl}- trained to the life of a farmer 
and the routine of agrieultiu-e, he naturally chose 
farming as his life vocation. For seventeen ^-ears 
he owned and operated a threshing-machine, which 
was in ireneral demand tlirouuliout the eommu- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



347 



iiily iliiiinir the season. lie owns ninety-two 
acres, comprising a portion of the <)I(J iiomestead, 
iind iis he is a man of push and energy, lie lias 
made a success of his work, being now recognized 
as one of tlic most prosperous and successful agri- 
culturists of tiic townsliip. 

Wliile not taking any very active pari in pub- 
lic affairs, Mr. Parsons h.as strong convictions of 
his own and advocates with all the energy of his 
nature the platform of the Democratic party. For 
two years he served as Treasurer of the township, 
and in 18!)1 was elected to the position of Super- 
visor, representing Milton Township on the Country 
lioard. He has tilled that position since his elec- 
tion continuously to the present time (18!)3), and 
his services have proved eminently satisfactory to 
the i)eoplc of the township. He has occupied 
other positions of trust, including those of Asses- 
sor, Moderator and a number of school ollices. 
Although he is now in life's prime, he has never 
cared to exchange his happy bachelorhood for the 
uncertainties of matrimony, and is still unmar- 
ried. He is one of the foremost men of the town- 
ship, and is highly esteemed by all the people 
witiiin his circle of ac(iuainlanceshi|). 



■ >l«> ■ ^^n^tmn 



W;H.LIAM STEWART, a prosperous fruit- 
grower and successful general agriculturist 
^ „ of Benton Township, Berrien County, 
is .'1 native of County Donegal, Iieland, and is 
one (if the tifUi generation descended from famous 
Scottish ancestry, who made their home in the 
Kineiald Isle in 1090. The parents of our subject 
were Sanuicl and Jane (Scott) Stewart, also natives 
of County Donegal, where they attained to man- 
hood and woman liood and were married, reared a 
family, and at a good old age passed away. Mr. 
Stewart sailed for America in 185;"). and, landing 
safely upon our shores, found his way soon after to 
Benton Township, the State of Michigan being 
since then his permanent home. He w.is the eldest 
of seven children, and, encouraged by his ^uccess, 
two brothers afterwards followed lilrii to Ihe 



I'liited States. Samuel came in 1803, and Edward 
journeyed hither in 186(j. One sister, also seeking 
her fortune in the land of promise, came in 1806, 
but later, in 1875, returned to her native land. 

In 1864, Mr. Stewart purchased his present 
homestead, then heavily timbered. He bought at 
first eighty acres, which he brought to protitable 
cultivaticm and improved with excellent and 
commodious buildings. He experienced severe 
labor in clearing away the dense woods, but has 
made his land one of the most productive fruit 
and grain farms in Berrien County. In 1876, our 
subject visited the Centennial and after enjoying 
the great display made a visit to his old home 
beyond the sea. He remained in Ireland all 
summer, and during this time married Miss Annie 
J. Long and brought her back with him to his 
home in Michigan. In re-visiting the scenes of his 
youth, Mr. Stewart revived the recollections of his 
childhood and had the pleasure of seeing his father 
and mother, who have since both passed away. 
When, in 1855, our subject arrived in St. Joseph his 
capital was reduced very low, but he had a large 
reserve stock of hope and courage and with reso- 
lution sought and obtained work, step by step 
winning his way u\> to assured success and a com- 
fortable competence. 

The home farm is attractively located two and 
three-quarters of a mile east of the postollicc and 
is only a half-mile outside the corporation limits 
of Benton Harbor. It is one of the most desirable 
pieces of outside property in Benton Township, 
and annually yields an excellent harvest. He 
also owns seventy acres in Benton Township besides 
his home farm. Mr. Stewart also has valuable 
town property and will soon in all probability retire 
from active agricultural duties. The union of our 
subject and his estimable wife li.as been blessed 
by the birth of two children. One little one died 
in infancy; and a daughter, Sarah J., survives. 
The daughter and her parents attencl the Episcopal 
Church, of which the three are valued members, 
and all are prominently associated with its soci.al 
and benevolent work and enterprises. Politically 
Mr. Stewart is a pronounced and faithful Democrat 
and served as Treasurer of the townshii) with 
great acceptability in 1892, being the only Demo- 



348 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



crat to fill that office in tlie townshii) the past 
thirty years. Our subject possesses business qaalifl- 
cationsof a high order and, financially pn)si)ered,is 
also public spirited and ever ready to assist in all 
matters of mutual welfare and local advancement. 



^^ 




REDERICK A. HOBBS. Among the deal- 
f' ers in coal at I'enton Harbor is Frederick 
A. Hobbs, a prominent citizen of this place, 
who for some time has been engaged in the whole- 
sale and retail trade. Although his introduction 
to the trade began but recentlj', he is one of the 
most capable men for the business, as his success 
thus far has proven. 

Mr. Hobbs was born in Terre Haute, Ind., No- 
vember 26, 1859, and is the son of Thomas F. and 
Hulda (Crcal) Hobbs, natives respectively of 
Maine and Indiana. The father followed the oc- 
cupation of a farmer, but in connection was also 
engaged as a contractor and builder, continuing 
the same all his active days. Later in life he 
moved to Benton Harbor, and there he resides at 
the present time, respected and esteemed by all. 
Robinson Hobbs, the paternal grandfather of our 
subject, was of English descent. The maternal 
grandfather, Anthony Creal, was a native of the 
Empire State, but became one of the pioneers of 
Indiana, in which State he settled in 1820. 

The boyhood and carl 3' school d.ays of our subject 
were pased at DeWitt, Clinton County, Iowa, but 
he afterward attended school at Davenport, that 
Slate. While residing in DeWitt, young Hobbs 
clerked in the post-ottice of that place for several 
years. In 1885 he came to Benton Harbor, where 
he purchased a half-interest in the Palladium, a 
newsp.apcr at that place, with which he was con- 
nected for three and a-half years. During that 
time a daily newsjiaper was started, called the Daily 
Palladium, and Mr. Hobbs sold his interest to his 
partner, Mr. fiilson, and retired from the editorial 
chair. 

Soon after this Mr. Hobbs engaged in the retail 
coal business, later in the wholesale business, and 



now carries a heavy stock of coal, coke and wood. 
He is general agent of the Michigan Salt Com- 
pany, and ships that product to all parts of Indi- 
ana. He is an honorable and enterprising busi- 
ness man, who is thorougldy identified with the 
best interests of Benton Harbor, and whose com- 
merce he is promoting with zeal and success. In 
1893 he became interested in the Graham tk Morton 
Transportation Company', of which he is now Sec- 
retary, and which is one of the sulistantial institu- 
tions of Benton Harbor. In 1891 Mr. Hobbs was 
made Mayor of Benton Harbor, being the first 
Mayor after its incorporation .as a city, and he 
filled that position with credit to himself and to 
the satisf.action of the people for one term. 

Our subject's happy domestic life began May 
24, 1882, when he w.as married to Miss Nettie 
Stephenson, of DeWitt, Iowa, daughter of George 
.Stephenson. Two children have blessed this union, 
Laura and Edith. Mr. Hobbs is a charter member 
of the Benton Harbor Building & Loan Association. 
In politics he adheres to the principles of the Re- 
publican party, and socially is a member of the 
Knights of Pythias, being Past Chancellor of the 
same. 



S'SAAC C. SHAFER. An infiuential position 
l[ among the agricultiii'ists of Cass County is oc- 
/ll cupied by the prominent farmer and stock- 
raiser who resides upon section 28, La Grange 
Township. Mr. Shafer was born in Union (now 
Sn^'der) County, Pa., on the 30th of November, 
1842, and is the son of John H. and Hannah (Car- 
veil) Shafer. The i>a1ernal grandfather, .John 
Shafer, was born of German parentage in Pennsyl- 
vania, and was reared upon a farm, where his en- 
tire life was p.assed and where finally his eyes were 
closed upon the scenes of earth. In religion he 
was a linn believer in the doctrines of Christianity 
and held membershiii in the Lutheran Church. 
Political I3', he was a Whig. During the early 
wars he served at various times, and alw.ays with 
fidelit}^ to the cause of the United States. 



PORTRAIT AND l.K •(; IJAPH'CAL RECORD. 



349 



Jolin n. Shnfer, fjitlipr of otir subject, was oiiC 

of tivc sons, llic othfi-s liciiii;: I'liilip, Jacob, Peter 
and (Jooiye. .lolin H. remained at home until he 
was tweiity-one, and nieanwiiile served an ajjpren- 
ticesliip to llie tailor's trade for three years. lie 
ftiilowed tli:il trade throughout his entire active 
life, although in addition thereto he served for 
forty years as a local preacher in the Evangelical 
Church. His labors in that denomination were 
done gratuitously and without expectation of any 
reward or compensation other than the knowledge 
of good accomplished. While his age prevented 
him from entering actively the service of the 
Union during the late war, \et he sent three sons 
to the front, and knew no greater pleasure than 
to aid in every way |)ossible the cause of the Old 
Flag. Politically, he was first a Whig, and after 
the organization of the Republican party be be- 
came ideiililicd with its active vvorkers. His en- 
tire life was passed in Pennsylvania, where he 
owned three small tracts of laud and carried on 
agricultural operations with success. His deatli 
occurred in KS78, and resulted from pleurisy. It 
was very sudden, as he had i)reached only a few 
days before he was called from earth. His widow 
survived him for a number of years. 

The parental family consisted of six children, 
as follows: Henry; Mary, Mrs. Henry Ilousewertli; 
15cnjaiiiin, who enlisted during the late war as a 
member of the One Hundred and Seventy-second 
Pennsylvania Infantry, and was Second Lieutenant 
of Comi)any A ; Isaac C, our subject, who served in 
the same regiment during the Civil War; James, 
also a soldier in the Union service; and Minerva. 
Ill his youth our subject learned the trade of a 
carpenter, and was einployc<l on railroad -bridge 
work for eight years. Later he engaged in boat- 
ing, and was thus occupied at intervals for lifteen 
seasons. On coming to Michigan in 1878, he lo- 
cated in Berrien County, where he rented land and 
followed his trade for two years. Later he em- 
barked in farming pursuits and was engaged in 
that way for some lime in (,'ass County. In 1882 
he came to Cass County, and has conducted faiiii- 
ing operations here ever since his location in the 
county. 

In Pennsylvania, October 21, 1802, Mr. Sbafer 



married Miss Mary, daughter of Joseph and Anna 
Rife, who was born in Manheim, Oermany, and 
came to America at the age of seven years. They 
were the parents of nine children, two of wliotn 
died young. The others are: Mary, Mrs. Leander 
Miller, deceased; Anna L., Mrs. John Morris; 
John W., Carrie, RL Luther, Thomas M. and Min- 
nie. Ill his social alliliations, Mr. Sliufer was at 
one time actively connected witli the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows in Pennsylvania, and is a 
member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen 
at Cassopolis. He has given his children good 
educational advantages, and has aided them so far 
as possible in becoming good and useful citizens 
in their several communities. 



^••^i 
^^■s 



"S)^" 



c^a=) 



j^=^ YLVADOR T. READ, a leading business 
^-^ man and prosperous merchant of Cassopolis, 
Cass Coiint>-, Mich., was born in Tomiikins 
County, N. Y., January 12, 1822. His 
parents, Titus R. and Esther (Watkiiis) Rca<I, were 
both natives of Massachu-setts. Reared and edu- 
cated in their early home, they later journeyed to 
New York State, where they remained for some 
time, linally settling in Erie County, Pa. In 18.'5.'?, 
they came to Michigan with their family of four 
children, and made this Slate Iheir permancnl 
abiding-place, being numbered among the pio- 
neer settlers in this part of the country. The ma- 
ternal grandfather of our subject, Nathan Watkiiis, 
was one of the Revolutionary- heroes, and left to his 
descendants an enviable record of patriotic service, 
gallant courage and endurance. (Jraiidfather 
Wiilkins was but nineteen years of age when he 
enlisted in the French and ludi.'iii War, and for 
three years the brave lad served among the perilous 
scenes which daily surrounded hiui. When the 
War of the Revolution began in earnest he joinecl 
the American forces, being given a commission by 
Congress as Captain of a company under Oeii. 
Gates. 

Cai)t. Watkins ,>pent the ten years and a-half 
of the determined struggle for independence upon 



350 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL RECORD. 



the field, and was a member of the staff of Gen. 
Washiugton at the time the British General, Corn- 
wallis, surrendered at Yorktown. At the close of 
the war Capt. Watkins signed a receipt in full 
for the entire term of his service to the Govern- 
ment, without receiving one dollar of compensa- 
tion. Later, when offered a land-warrant, he sent 
it back to Congress, saying that the country did 
not owe him a cent. So stronglj'^ did this patriotic 
gentleman and Christian soldier feel upon the sub- 
ject, that he added a codicil to his will, enjoining 
his heirs from accepting the same. The commis- 
sion of this true and earnest patriot as Captain 
from Congress, bearing date July 5, 1775. and 
signed by John Hancock .as President, is now in 
the possession of Mr. Read and is a most valued 
souvenir of an ancestor whose choicest be(iuest to 
his descendants is the memory of his loyal patriot- 
ism and high sense of honor. 

Titus R. Read, the father of our subject, was a 
Lieutenant in llie War of 1812, and upon the bat- 
tle-field of (iiieenstown distinguished himself for 
bravery and gallant bearing, leceiving a very 
severe wound in the ankle. The paternal grand- 
father, Robert Read, was a native of Massachusetts, 
but his good wife w.as born in France. Her father 
came to America wi tli the French army and was 
accompanied by his wife and family. Our subject 
received his early education in the schools of New 
York Stale, but was only nine years of age when 
with his parents he emigrated to the frontier scenes 
of Michigan. He grew up manly and self-reliant, 
and, having just attained his majority, was upon 
October 14, 1843, united in marriage with Miss 
Rlioda Ann Hayden, of Chautauqua County, N. Y. 
Mis. Head was a daughter of Noah P. and Ruth 
llavden. Tlie Haydens were old-time residents of 
Connecticut and were well known and highly re- 
spected. Children brightened with their cheery pres- 
ence the home of Mr. and Mrs. Read, three daugh- 
ters now surviving. The eldest, Helen R., is Mrs. 
Mcllvaine, of North Dakota; Ophelia A. is Mrs. O. 
Phelps, of Cassoi)olis; Sarah N. is the wife of H. 
I). Smith, of Cassopolis. The family of our subject 
are in religious belief Piesbj'terians, and for many 
years Mr. Read has been a valued member and ac- 
tive worker of that denomination, lie is much in- 



terested in the erection of the new structure now 
being built by that religious society. 

In political affiliation our subject is a stalwart 
Republican, and although willing to aid the party 
with his most earnest efforts has no desire forollice 
and has repeatedly refused nominations to posi- 
tions of trust, when, if he had accepted, there 
was an almost certainty of his election. In 
1855, Mr. Read engaged in business as a merchant 
in Cassopolis and in the varyingchangesof the past 
thirty-eight years has continued the even tenor of 
his daily life and is yet profitably handling dry 
goods. Prospered financially, he has been a Direc- 
tor of the First National Bank of Cassoi)olis ever 
since it was established, twenty-two years ago. For 
two years our subject was Vice-President of the 
bank and is now its President. Over three-score 
years have passed since Sylvador Read came a lit- 
tle lad to Michigan, and in this long period of time, 
sharing in the changes and rapid develoi)ineut of 
the State, he has been an e3'e-witness of the won- 
derful progress of the l.-ist half-century. A man 
of sterling integrity of character and excellent 
business attainments, he is one of the substantial 
citizens who have ably assisted in transforming the 
once unbroken wildeuess into cultivated lieldsand 
smiling villages. 



WILLIAM H. SHANAFELT, a prosperous 
.agriculturist residing on section 24, La- 
^ ^ Grange Township, is well known through- 
out Cass County as one of its enterprising citizens, 
energetic business men and ellicient farmers. A 
native of Pickaway County, Ohio, he was born on 
the day before Christmas, 1824. He is of German 
descent, and his paternal grandfather, who was 
born in Germany, was a valiant soldier in the 
Revolutionary AVar and was killed while in active 
service. The father of our subject, William Shana- 
felt, was one of eight children, all of whom were 
bound out, the boys to learn trades. 

After having served an apprenticeship of six 



FjKTRAIT and BIOGRAPinCAL RECORD. 



351 



years to tin- trade uf a i)otter, William Shnn.ifclt 
Weill to l'iei\:uv:iy Count v, ( )iiit), when eiyliteen 
yems of age, and lliere continued liis trade and 
also followed fanniiiir in eonnetlinn tiierewitli. 
lie leninined thus oicii|)ied until liis death. While 
residing in I'ickaw.ay County he raarried Elizabeth 
Uriei'e and in 183.5, a(-c(>nipanied by his family 
.•md all his earthly eft'et-ts jiacked on wagons drawn 
by oxen, he niad<' tlu' tedious trip to Cassopolis, 
Mieh. lie had liut a few hundred (U)llars, and 
this amount he invested in the purchase of one 
hundred and sixty acres where a part of Cassop- 
olis now stands. The land was at that time cov- 
ered with heavy tindjei' and few loads had been 
opened in the county. ThriJUgh arduous exer- 
tions and unllaggiiig industry, this worthy ])io- 
neer succeeded in bringing the land to a good state 
of cultivation, and acquired a competenc}'. lie 
passed aw.ay mourned by a host of warm |)ersonal 
friend,-". His widow survived him a number of 
years. 

A lad of aliout eleven years when he came to 
INIichigan, our subject grew to manhood amid the 
primeval scenes of this then undeveloped count\'. 
At the age of twenty-two, in 1817, he married 
Miss Susan, daughter of Daniel and INIar^' (IJarr) 
lilcaclici'. all of whom were natives of Pennsyl- 
v.-mia. .Soon afterward he received ^.')00 from 
his father, with which he purelia.sed eighty acres, 
and to that property he added from time to time 
until his landed possessions reached an aggregate 
of one hundred and eighty acres, all lying in C)ne 
body. Socially he is connected with the Masonic 
fraternity, having been identified with it for a 
[leriod of fifteen years, and l)eing now a M.aster 
Mason. He an<l his estimable wife are active 
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and 
liberal contributors to its siip[)oit. In his jxilit- 
ical afliliations, he is a warm advocate of the [irin- 
eiples enunciated by the Republican |)arty and 
always gives his ballot to the support of the can- 
didates of the party of his choice. He and his 
wife have lieen the parents of seven children, as 
follows: Cliarles H., deceased; Mary, the wife of 
John Woleott; William, who married .Josephine 
Williams; Daniel, deceased; .losie. Mrs. Merwin; 
E<ldie, who married Miss Carrie Hawk: and Jennie, 



deceased. The social position occupied by this 
family is one of ('onsiderable prominence in the 
community and they are highly regarded wher- 
ever known. 



il^ 




s^ ANIKL WEBER. Among the young men 
of Berrien County whose names are des- 
tined to attain piominence in professional 
and political circles, conspicuous mention 
belongs to Mr. Weber, who is a well-known attor- 
ne3'-at-law, residing in Benton Harbor. From his 
German ancestors he has inherited a line phy- 
sical constitution, capable of long-continued ef- 
fort and endurance, as well as the (pialilies of in- 
dustiy, uprightness and enteri)rise, which have 
contributed so largely to the success he has already' 
gained. 

Some mention of the father of Mr. Weber will 
be of interest to our readers. Charles B. Weber 
was born in Prussia, ( Jermany, and there received 
an excellent cominc)n-scliool education. In 1810, 
he emigrated from that country- to the United 
States andf coming to Michigan, settled m Bain- 
bridge Township, Berrien County. I'urchasing 
some land that was located in the mi<lst of the 
forest, he at once commenced the work of clear- 
ing the [)lace and developing it into a lirst-elass 
farm, (iraduall}' from the wilderness he evolved 
a splendidl}' cultivated estate, embellished with 
substantial buildings adapted to their varied |)ur- 
poses, and bearing in season large cro|is of golden 
grain. On the place which he had improved he 
passed his closing years and there his death occur- 
red on the 2.5th of November, 1882. His wife, 
whose maiden name was Magdalene Schrieber, is 
also a native of Germany and resides in BeriKMi 
County on the old homestead. This worthy couple 
enjoyed the friendship of the people i)f this sec- 
tion, and as hard-working pioneers weic known 
and honored for miles around. The fatlu'r look 
an active interest in public alTaiis and was an ad- 
vocate of Democr.atic principles. 

The boyhood of our subject was passed on lits 



352 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



father's farm in Berrien County, and in the schools 
of Bainbridge Townsliip he acquired the rudi- 
ments of his education. Later he entered Valpar- 
aiso College, at Valparaiso, Ind., and took the com- 
(liete business course in that institution, also de- 
voting considerable attention to the study of the 
classics. In 1889, he entered the State Univer- 
sity of Michigan, at Ann Aibor, and tliere prose- 
cuted his studies for three years in the law de- 
partment, graduating in 1892. During April of 
llie same year he was admitted to practice at the 
Bar of the Stale and immediately opened an cillice 
in Benton Ilarlior, where he has since conducted a 
general practice. 

Mr. Weber has made a careful study of the polit- 
ical issues of the day, and has formed the opin- 
ion, after careful investigation and thought, that 
free trade as a national policy would materially 
promote the general welfare of our country. He 
therefore gives liis inlluence in favor of Demo- 
ciatic principles and candidates. In the fall of 1892, 
he was nominated on the regular ticket of that 
party for tlie t)lllce of Circuit Court Commissioner, 
and although he was defeated, yet he received the 
second largest numlier of votes cast for any Dem- 
ocratic candidate, a fact which i)roved his popular- 
ity with the people. 



, ? OHN MUFF. A close observer in studj'ing 
I the history of the advancement and devel- 
^i^ I i opment of the State of Michiijan will find 
<5^^ golden threads running through the web 
and woof of events of the past years. These are 
indicative of the lives of those men wliose active 
career and untiring energy have made her first 
among the States and given her a conspicuous place 
among the agricultural regions of the globe. A 
true representative of such men is found in one 
whose career inspires this brief notice. 

,Iohn Huff, wiio is one of the prosperous and 
substantial agriculturists of Cass County, Mich., 
is a product of the Buckeye State, born in Spring- 
field on the 3d of August, 1833. He has inher- 



ited all the thrift and energy of his Teutonic an- 
cestors, and in every walk of life his career li.as 
been upright and honorable. His parents, Amos 
and Margaret (Case) Huff, were natives of New 
Jersey and Pennsylvania respectively. Tlie motli- 
er's birth occurred in 1800, she being the daugh- 
ter of .John Case. Mv. and Mrs. Huff were mar- 
ried in Butler County, Oiiio, wliither tliey liad 
moved at an early date, but subsequently' moved 
to Springfield, tliat State. The father came to 
Michigan in 1833, purchased land in Volinia 
Township, Cass County, on section 17, and tlie 
next year moved his family here. This county 
was a wilderness at that time, and the same year 
the township was organized. 

Altliough sparsely settled then, the township 
soon began to grow in poinilation, new settlers 
jjoured in, houses were erected and pioneer days 
were over. Mr. Huft' took an active part in pro- 
moting the interests of the county and township, 
and became one of the foremost tillers of the soil. 
He built one of the first frame houses here. For a 
number of jears he was Township Treasurer. He 
and his worthy companion, who had sup|)orted 
him in all his enterprises, passed away to the silent 
majority in the year 1881. They were the parents 
of nine children, six of whom are now living: 
James A., John, Newton, Sarah J., Jay and Clark. 
Mr. IIufT took an active interest in religious mat- 
ters and was one of tlie prominent pillars of the 
Methodist Church, of which he was a member. 

The original of this notice was but an infant 
wiien brought to Michigan by his parents, and 
amid the rude surroundings of pioneer life he 
grew to mature years. As might natural!}' be sup- 
posed, his educational facilities were not of the 
best at that early day, but he improved ever\- 
shining inonieiit and fitted himself for teaching. 
When twenty years of age he started out as an 
educator in his home district, and his experience 
lasted for about twelve terms, all but one term in 
that county. 

In the month fif May, 1872, Mr. Huff was united 
ill marriage with Miss Eliza J. Wright, daughter of 
James M. and Sarah (Gritfls) Wright, both natives 
of Ohio. Mrs. Huflf's uncle was the first one mar- 
ried by old Squire Fcrrel and her parents the last 



#?^^ 





PORTRAIT AND 15IOGRAPH1CAL RECORD. 



355 



couple he married. Following his marriage Mr. 

Wright iucalt'i] in X'iolinia Towiiship, iiiid tliere he 
and his wdnli^- wilV' ri'sidu at liic pii'soiil time. 
They are the paroiils t)f live chihlren, all of whom 
are living. Mrs. Ilutf was Iwrii .January 24, 1847, 
in this lowiishii), and suiipleniented a common- 
school education received in the same hy a course 
in Dinvagiac ColU^ge. .\fter this she taughtschool 
foi' live terms and met with fair success. 

After marriage our subject settled on his present 
farm and lias made his home here ever since. He 
has two hundred and sixty acres of good land, 
one hundred antl sixty-live acres under cultiva- 
tion, and has cleared the most of it himself. Three 
(liildren blessed his union, two of whom are 
living, Amy and Otis. His children have all had 
good educational advantages and are bright and 
quick at their books. lie has been a member of 
the .school board for years and is a member of the 
Farmers' Club, of which he has been Vice-President. 
A member of the Anli-Ilorse Thief Society, of 
wtiich he has been Secretar}' for years, he is also a 
member of the Lyceum, of which he has been Pres- 
ident and .Secretary, and in which he takes an 
active part, 

Mr. Huff has ever been active in politics and 
has been a stanch Republican since the organi- 
zation of that party. For ten years he has been 
School Inspector of \'olinia Township, and for 
four years Township Treasurer. He was elected 
.Supervisor in 1868 and held that position contin- 
uously for fifteen years. He was again elected to 
that position in 1878, and has done a v.ast amount 
of township work in his time. In 1882 he built 
his fine residence at a cost of 4i2,500, and he is 
still engaged in conducting his large farm. 



■^ 



-H— 



^^jOHKRT C. SLOAN, the present Clerk of 
Cass County, has been a resident of Mich- 
Y igii'i from his early childhood, and was for 
\^ a .score of years a succes.sful merchant of 
•lones, this county. He has also occupied with 
fidelity the position of Postmaster for the past 

17 



twenty years, with the exception of the period of 

Cleveland's lirsl administration. Mr. Sloan was 
l)orn in the town of .luiiius, Seneca County, N. V., 
May 7, 1812, and was but a child four years of 
age when he removed with his i)areiits, Ralph and 
Olive (Puffer) Sloan, to St .Iose|)h County, .Mich. 
The father and mother had for some time previ- 
ously made their home in the Empire State, but 
Ralph Sloan was a native of Massachusetts and 
was born in .Springfield County. His i)aternal 
grandfather, Robert Sloan, in whose honor our 
subject was named, was also a New-F>nglander by 
birth and from his infancy passed his useful life 
in the old Ray State. The maternal grandfather, 
Solomon Puffer, was reared and educated in the 
Empire .State and within the boundaries of New 
York made a home for his family, settling perma- 
nently in the city of Oswego. 

Our subject was reared upon the family home- 
stead and attended the district schools of St. Jo- 
seph County, Mich. When twenty-four years of 
age he embarked in business for himself, hand- 
ling dry goods in his home localit}'. Ambitions 
and energetic, he was successful and steadily year 
after year his business increased; since early in 
the '70s he has been mainly eng.aged in mercan- 
tile pursuits. For about a jieriod of ten j-ears he 
satisfactorily discharged the duties of Station 
Agent, and has passed a busy life, bringing him 
into contact and close ac(iuaintance with the peo- 
ple of Cass County. Upon September 13, 18(!7, 
Mr. Sloan was united in marriage with Miss Eliza 
Rostock, of Mottville, Mich. Mrs. Sloan was the 
daughter of William and .Sarah (.Johnson) Ros- 
tock, both natives of the (Queen's dominions and 
born in England. The estimable wife of our sub- 
ject died in 18',)3, leaving her family, husband and 
two children, to mourn her irreparable loss. The 
eldest daughter. Pearl E., is tlie wife of Charles 
Rlack, a prominent resident of .Jones. Cora Relle 
is now Mrs. Charles B. Rowen. 

Actively interested in both local and national 
issues, Mr. Sloan has held with fidelity various 
official positions of trust. As Township Treasurer 
of Newl)urg he managed the public fund with ex- 
ecutive abilit3- and excellent judgment and for a 
number of terms retained the responsible ollice. 



356 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



He has also been Justice of the Peace and impar- 
tially adtninistered the law in strict accordance 
with the evidence presented. Thoroughlj' de- 
voted to the best interests of his home locality, he 
has been a strong friend to educational advance- 
ment and was long the Treasurer of the School 
Board. In November, 1892, he was elected 
County Clerk by a handsome majority, which evi- 
denced the confidence of his fellow-townsmen and 
the popularity of our subject. Mr. Sloan is a val- 
ued member of the Ancient Free & Accepted Ma- 
sons and is connected with Vandalia Lodge No. 
2y0; he also alliliates with the order at White 
Pigeon. A liberal-spirited man, ever ready to aid 
in all matters of public welfare, our subject has 
been an important factor in the social and busi- 
ness events of Cass County, and passing his life 
among the acquaintance of more than forty years 
enjoys the hearty best wishes of a host of sincere 
friends. 



W. BALLARD. Material wealth must not 
exclude the riches of character and ability 
in our recountal of the values which have 
been brought to this country by its citizens; and 
among its most precious treasures must be esti- 
mated the lives of those citizens who have by 
their intelligence and their eminence in the higher 
walks of life assisted in raising the standard of 
life and thought among us. No one has probably 
done more in this line than he of whom we write. 
O. W. Ballard, one of the reputal)le men of Ber- 
rien County, like other prominent men of the 
place, is a native of the Empire State, born in 
Madison County December 21, 1833, and is n(:>w 
residing on a tine farm on section 34, Niles Town- 
ship, Berrien County, Mich. 

His father, .leremiah Ballard, was also a native 
of Madison County, N. Y., born May .5, 1801, and 
was there reared to matuie years. All his life was 
passed in tilling the soil, at which he was fairly 
successful. His father, Daniel Ballard, was born 
and reared in the Old Bay State and was also a 



farmer by occupation, but in addition also ran a 
sawmill. He served in the War of 1812, and it is 
supposed that he was a private, .leremiah Bal- 
lard, the great-grandfather of our subject, or his 
brother was appointed Captain of the militia by 
William Sherley, and later Captain, General and 
General-in-Chief in and over his Majesty's prov- 
ince of Massachusetts Bay in New England, in the 
eighth year of the reign of his Majesty, King 
George 11. This was in 1734. 

Clara Huston was the maiden name of our sub- 
ject's mother. She was born in Madison County. 
N. Y., August 31, 1800, and was the daughter 
(if Thomas Huston, who was born in one of the 
New England States and was of English descent. 
'i"he parents of our subject were married in their 
native county, but in 1852 they came to Berrien 
County, Mich., and here passed the remainder of 
their lives, the father dying June 24, 1890, when 
in his ninetieth year, and the mother Decemljer 
13, 1873, when in her seventy-third year. The 
father was a Republican in his political views and 
was Supervisor of his township for many years. 
He was well and favorably known in his county. 
In his religious belief he was a Universalisl. 

Four children were born to this most estimable 
couple, three sons and one daughter, viz.: Thomas 
S., born in ISLadison County, N. Y., May 15, 1825, 
died August 26, 1861; Milton M., also a native of 
Madison County, N. Y., born Aiiril 3, 1827, died 
December 21, 1871; Cornelia M., born in Madison 
County, N. Y., August 27, 1829, is the wife of 
David II. Freed, of Niles, Mich.; and O. W. is 
the youngest child. The latter, who is the ori- 
ginal of this notice, is of English-Danish descent. 
He remained in his native county until eighteen 
years of age, and received his schooling, after the 
manner of the average farmer boy, in the district 
school. He came with his parents to Michigan in 
1852, and remained with them until their deaths. 

As his ancestors before him had been farmers 
for many generations back, he naturally had a lik- 
ing for that [)ursuit, and after the death of his 
parents he carried on the farm. He now owns a 
half-interest in one hundred and sixty .acres, and 
in connection with farming is raising a good grade 
of stock. In his political views he was at one 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



357 



time a Republican, casting his first Presidential 

vole foi' Frunionl. His last Presidential vote 
was cast for I>i<lwi'll, t\n; Proliiliition candidate. 
IMr. Ballard is a strong and vigorous man phj'si- 
cally. has never used tobacco in any form, and is 
strictly tcni|ici:ilp in liis liabits. He is a member 
of the IMasoiiic fraternity, and is a single man. 



=i^- 




;ILLIAM i;. IIAVDEN, an energetic busi- 
ness man and prosperous hardware dealer 
located in C'assopolis, Cass County, Mich., 
is a native of the .State and county where he now 
resides, and was born in Calvin Township August 
10, 18.50. His parents were Josepli G. and Han- 
nah (Lincoln) Ilayden, early and highl3' respected 
settlers of Cass County. The father was born in 
Chautau(|ua County, N. Y., and remained in the 
home of his childhood until he had attained to 
maturity, but was a young man full of lioi)e and 
enter|)rise when he journeyed to the farther West 
and located in IMichigan. He followed the avo- 
cation of farming his entire lifetime, and was suc- 
cessfully engaged in the pursuit of agriculture 
when he passed away in the full strength of mid- 
dle life, aged thirty-live years. The ancestors of 
the mother, Hannah (Lincoln) Ilayden, were Ohio 
people and in the Huckeye State she received her 
youthful education and training. 

The home of the parents was bles.sed by the 
birth of six children, three sons and three daugh- 
ters. The sons were, our subject, William 15., 
James G. and George W. Haydeu. The eldest 
daughter, Adalaide, is now the wife of Jesse 
Parker, of Calvin Township. Mattie married 
Jacob Keene, of liattle Creek, Mich.; and Ksther is 
deceased. William H. remained at home until he 
arrived at his majority, when he went to Redlield, 
and at once obtained employment in the Redfield 
flouring-mill. He continued in the same occupa- 
tion for two ;ind a-lialf j'ears and then went to 
Waukegan, 111. In this latter city he learned the 
miller's trade, .serving an ai)prenticeship of three 
years to the business. His services were next 



given to the f^lkhart Flouring Company, hut it 
was not long before our subject returned again to 
the mdl at Redlield, the scene of his first business 
experience. 

Two years later the owner of the mill died, and 
Mr. Ilayden, fully rpialilied by practical exper- 
ience, succeeded his former employer. He was 
more than usually successful in the milling bus- 
iness and continued to conduct the same until 
January, 188.5. At the latter date he permanently 
moved with his family to C.assopolis and i)ur- 
chased a half-interest in the general hardware 
store of D. L. French. The business, established 
by Mr. French fully thirty years ago, is planted 
upon a substantial foundation and rapidly extend- 
ing its present limits. Our subject has entered 
into the handling of hardware with the same am- 
bitious determination and enterprise which have 
characterized his previous undertakings. He has, 
as heretofore, been prospered and the outlook for 
the future is most encouraging. 

Mr. Ilayden was united in marriage April 13, 
1879, to Miss Tillie J. F'ulton, a lady born and 
educated in AVaukegan, III. Her parents, well- 
known residents of Waukegan, were William and 
Lizzie (Jenkins) Fulton. Our subject and his es- 
timable wife have four children, the eldest of 
whom, and their onl^' .son, is Joseph F., named in 
honor of his paternal grandfather. Belle, Stella 
and Bernicc are the daughters. From his infancy 
associated with the growth and progress of his 
native State, Mr. Ilayden enjoys a wide acquaint- 
ance in Cass County, and possesses the confidence 
and esteem of a large circle of friends. 



mi^;^- 



ij^ANIKL STANARD. This well-known 
citizen of Cass County, who is promi- 
nently identified with the agricultural in- 
terests of Porter Township, was born in 
Cattaraugus County, N. Y.. March 2, 1828. He is 
the next to the eldest in a family of ten children 




358 



POKTRAIT AND BIOC^RAPHICAL RECORD. 



born to Ezra D. and Sarali (Cargal) Stanard. His 
father was born in (jcnesee County, N. Y., Sep- 
tember 5, ISOl, and was tlie son of an Irishman, 
who emigrated to the United States with his par- 
ents and settled in New York State, where lie fol- 
lowed faiming occupations and remained until 
called hene(^ For seven years lie served in the 
War of the Revolution. He and his wife reared a 
family of ten children. 

Aside from the few facts mentioned above, but 
little information can be had concerning the early 
history of the Stanard family in America. The 
father and mother of our subject were married in 
New York State September 12, 1825. The mother, 
whose maiden name was Sarah Cargal, was born in 
New York Marcli 2;j, 1808, being one of a large 
number of children born to Daniel Cargal and his 
good wife. The following is recorded concerning 
the brothers and sisters of our subject: Ihiali was 
born June 24, 1826, and came to Michigan in 
1844, dying in this Stale at the age of twenty-four 
years. Elizaljeth, whc» was born September 2, 1830, 
married A. B. Wetherbee, became the mother of 
one child and passed away in Newburg Towiishi[), 
Cass County, August 27, 1851. ^larinda, who was 
born January 20, 1832, married A. B. Wetherbee 
after the death of her sister Elizabeth, and they 
now reside in Newburg Township. Dorcas Jane, 
who was born June 3, 1835, married Samuel Eng- 
ling, and lives at Dowagiac, Cass County; they 
have but one child living. Norton M., whose 
birth occurred on the 2d of September, 1837, was 
a soldier in the Civil War and participated in 
many of the most desperate engagements during 
his three years' service. He married Eva Wright, 
and removed to Nebraska, where in the winter of 
1892 he was killed by his clothing getting caught 
in the machinery of a corii-sheller that he was 
running. His widow and live children still reside 
in Nebraska. Francis M., who was born November 
20, 1839, died in Porter Township November 20, 
1874, leaving a wife and three children. Lydia, 
who was born June 25, 1842, married Andrew 
Call, a farmer in Newburg Township, and died a 
year after her marriage. Mary was born Se])tein- 
ber K;, 1844, and died August 18, 18()3. Nathan 
(1., who was born August 21, 1847, married Lora 



Beardsley, and resides in Mason Township, Cass 
County. He was a soldier in the late war. 

When the family came to Michigan, about 1814, 
our suliject accompanied them and settled with his 
parents in Porter Township, where his father died 
January 18, 18(11. His mother, who is still living, 
is bright and active at the advanced age of eighty- 
five years. Daniel hel|)ed his father to clear up a 
farm in the wilderness of Michigan and did con- 
siderable pioneer work. June 18, 1851, he mar- 
ried Miss Lucinda Glass, who was born in Stark 
County, Ohio, September 20, 1837. She is a 
daughter of William Glass, who was born in Penn- 
sylvania and came to Michigan in 1846. Directly 
after his marriage, Mr. Stanard came to the place 
where he has since lived. At the time he i)nr- 
chased tlie [)lacc it was an unbroken forest and 
with his own hands he cleared one hundred and 
fifty acres of the heavily timlicred land, aside from 
assisting in the clearing of his father's farm. 

We note the following concerning the children 
born to Mr. and Mrs. Stanard: Emoiy Fjidoias, 
who was born May 26, 1855, married Delia Brooks, 
by whom he became tiie father of five chihiren. 
He was for some time [iroprietor of a meat-market 
at Three Rivers, this State, and died August 13, 
1887. Sarah T., whose birth occurred Se|)teinbcr 
1, 1857, married Edward Trattles, a fanner in 
Porter Townslii|), and they have five children. 
James LeRoy, whose birth occurred September 8, 
1859, married, but his wife died, leaving no chil- 
dren. Blanche, who vv:is born July 17, 1861, mar- 
ried Ste|)hen McCain, and lives at Three Rivers, 
where he is engaged in farming; they have two 
children. Lydia, who was born August 6, 1863, 
married Amos Caldwell, a merciiant at Constan- 
tine, this State, and tliej' are the parents of four 
children. William Loren, whose birth occurred 
May 21, 1866, married Minta Wagar, whose father, 
Stephen Wagar, a soldier in the late war, came 
to Michigan from New York in an early da}- and 
settled in Newburg, where she was born. She has 
four sisters: Mirta, Ida, Clara and Alma. William 
L., Willi his wife and little daughter, Lena Leno- 
ra, lives with Mr. Stanard and manages the home 
farm. Mary, who was born August 8, 1869, mar- 
ried Benjamin Seward and lives in Ohio. They 



PORTRAIT AND I'.IOGRAPIIICAL RECORD 



359 



have one eliild, Cora. Lcnora, who was born March 

13, 1H73, iiianii'd (Jcdiui' Spciuvi-. and resides at 
Marcelius. 

Ill his pt>lilical alliliations, Mr. Staiiard has lieon 
n Ufpiililicaii fnun the ornaiiizatioii <if Iho party, 
hut he lias nevci aspired to any ollicial position, 
and his interesl in political niattcis li.as been a 
i|iii('l one. He is one of the liard-\vorl\in<r, sturdy 
liioncors who have helped to make th(> iireat State 
of Miehij^an what it is to-day. His wife is iden- 
tified with the Methodist Church, in which she is 
an active worker. His father and mother were 
nienil)crs of the Christian Clinrch. ^\'hile he is 
not actively connected with any religious organi- 
zation, he is a generous contributor to religions 
enterprises and a frequent attendant at their .serv- 
ices. An earnest, upright, persevering man, he oc- 
cupies a higli place in the regard of his fellow-men 
and is one of the must progressive of Porter Town- 
ship's citizens. 



^^^ 



^ 




ANIEL T. LAWRENCE, our subject, who 
pa.ssed to his rest in 1S87, universally 
mourned as a sincere friend and upright 
citizen, had for thirty years been identi- 
lleil with the advancing interest's of Berrien 
County, Mich. Porn in Toronto, Canada, he re- 
moved from his birthplace with his parents to the 
State of New York, where he was reared and edu- 
cated. His ancestors were natives of England, 
but the father and mother, appreciating the advan- 
tages offered by the ITniled States, early located in 
the dominions of the Federal Government, and as 
citizens were true .and loyal. Our subject made 
his home in Cincinnati, Ohio, while young, and was 
there unite(l in marriage with IMiss.Iane Crawford, 
and with his estimable wife continued to reside in 
the liuckcye State for many years. A family of 
eight sons and daughters, all boi'ii in Ohio, blessed 
the lireside with their cheei ful presence. In 1857, 
Daniel T. Lawrence decided to try the farther West, 
and following the tide of travel journeyed to 
Miciiigan with his family and settled permanently 
a short distance from Penton Harbor. 



In time death deprived the brothers and sisters 

of their devoted mother, and a twelvemoutli later 
the father also died. The children now residing 
in lieriien County are William, .lohn and two 
daughters. .lohn Lawrence w.as but a little lad 
when he left his native State. Ohio, and came to 
Michigan. He attained to manhood in the county, 
attended the excellent schools of his home district, 
and enjoyed the benefit of a course of instruelion 
in the Indiana College at South l>end, from wliich 
well-known institution he graduated with honor. 
He successfully taught school in the county 
twenty-four years, twenty-two years of which time 
he w.as a valued teacher of Henton Township. A 
public-spirited citizen and active worker in all 
matters of mutu.al welfare, .John Lawrence! was 
appreciated by his fellow-townsmen, and in 1882 
he was elected to the olliee of Supervisor, the 
duties of which position he continued to discharge 
with faithful ability for about nine years. At the 
expiration of this length of time he resigned in 
order to .accept the oflice of County School Com- 
missioner, tendered to him in the fall of 1891. A 
prominent factor in educational advancement, Mr. 
Lawrence had since 1881 continuously been a 
member of the Hoard of Examiners, and for one 
term gave universal satisfaction in his oflicial work 
as County Commissioner of Schools. 

While John Lawrence has with genuine enthu- 
siasm given his time and earnest efforts to the 
cause of education, and has aided materially in 
the .advancement of the .schools of the county, 
giving especial attention to the methods and man- 
ner of instruction, his brother William has found 
.active and iirofitable employment in another lield 
of work. William Lawrence is numbered among 
the substantial gener.al agriculturists and fruit- 
growers of Berrien County. The brothers, un- 
married, own together a finely cultivated farm of 
fifty acres, which is partially devoted to the cul- 
ture of fruit and annually yields an excellent crop 
of hay. .lohn and William Lawrence occupy (losi- 
tions of useful influence and, widely known and 
highly esteemed as re[)resentative iiicii of the 
county, actively participate in social and business 
enterprises. Fraternally, .John Lawrence is a val- 
ued member of the Independent Order of Odd 



360 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Fellows. The brothers are in political affiliation 
stanch Republicans, but our subject, Daniel T. 
Lawrence, was a lifetime adherent of the Demo- 
cratic party. The fathei was ever deeply inter- 
ested in local and national issues. The sons are 
thoroughly posted in the affairs of the day and 
intelligently do their full duty as earnest American 
citizens. 



JTj OHN K. EMMONS. Few of the citizens of 
I Cass County have resided liere for so long 
I a period as the venerable man who forms 
s^;^ the subject of our sketch, and who is an 
honored resident of Pokagon Township, living on 
section 10. He was born in Giles County, Va., on 
the 18th of August, 1808, and is tlierefore at the 
present writing (1893) four-score and five years 
old. His father, James Emmons, was born near 
Fredericksburg, Va., in 1760, and was of Englisli 
parentage. The paternal grandfather of our sub- 
ject was a resident of the island of St. Helena, but 
was kidnapped and brought to the Continent, 
where he passed the remainder of his life. 

James Emmons served in the Revolutionary 
War, taking the place of a brother who had been 
drafted into the service. He participated in the 
engagements at Cowpens and Yorktown, and for- 
tunately was never wounded, although in the bat- 
tle of Cowpens his comrades both on the right and 
left were shot. He was a well-educated man, con- 
sidering that early period in the historj' of our 
countiy, when advantages at best were meagre and 
opportunities few. Mr. P^mmons married Miss 
Sarah Kirk, and after the death of his parents he 
emigrated to North Carolina, where he lived on 
rented property for seven years. Later he moved 
to Giles County, Va., and, purchasing three hun- 
dred and twenty acres of wild land, devoted his 
attention to its improvement and cultivation. 

The parental family consisted of twelve chil- 
dren, all of whom grew to manhood and woman- 
hood, married and reared families before there 
were any deaths in the family, and it is said that 
during all these years it was never necessary to 



call a physician. Mr. Emmons came to Michigan 
in 1834 with our subject, his youngest child, and 
here he remained until his death, in 1839, at an 
advanced age. His wife survived until 1853, 
when she passed away at the advanced age of 
ninety. Both were Baptists in their religious be- 
lief, and at the time of the division in that de- 
nomination identified themselves with the Mis- 
sionary Baptists, continuing in that church until 
their demise. Politically, the father was a Demo- 
crat, stanch in his adherence to that party. His 
children were as follows: Ephraim, William, Til- 
man, Elmer, James, John K.; Elizabeth, wife of 
William Kirk; Margaret, who married Thornton 
Duncan; Nancy, wife of John Redick; Sallie, Mrs. 
William Kirk; and Elsie, who married Jacob Har- 
lis. All are now deceased with the exception of 
our subject. The sisters were all buried in differ- 
ent States. 

The boj'hood days of our subject were passed in 
his father's home, and at the age of nineteen he 
assumed the management of the farm. His mar- 
riage united him with Miss Elsie, daughter of 
.John and Elizabeth (Duncan) Southern, natives 
respectively of France and England. Mrs. Em- 
mons was born in North Carolina, and died in 
IMichigan in April, 1888. She was tlie mother of 
nine children, as follows: Missouri, who married 
J. A. Bolton; James 11.; Virginia, who married A. 
J. Myers; John P.; Ellen; Nanc}^ who became the 
wife of Thomas Crandell; Sarah, who married 
Henr}' B. Wesseld; Charles A. and Thomas. All 
are deceased with the exception of Mrs. Bolton, 
Mrs. Crandell and Charles A. 

Upon coming to Michigan, Mr. Emmons entered 
one hundred and forty acres of Government land, 
wiiich he cleared and improved. He was poor at 
the time of coming here, and as there were eight 
in the family he was forced to work diligently 
and untiringl}' in order to provide maintenance 
for his dependent ones. He was successful in his 
efforts and acquired the ownership of one hundred 
acres, which his grandson now farms. For fifty- 
two years he has been identified with the Method- 
ist Episcopal Church, in which he has been an 
active worker, having served as Class-leader and 
Steward for many years. Politically', he is a Pro 



PORTRAIT AND BlGGUAl'IIICAL RECORD. 



361 



• liihitioiiisl In |iiiiici|iU^ ;uul is an iiitercsled worker 
ill tilt' teiii|iciaiice cause. Now in the Ivviiiglit, of 
his useful existence, Mr. Emnions is ncariiig the 
bourne wiienee no traveler returns, but long after 
lie sliall have i)assc(l to iiis liiial reward his name 
will be treasured in tlic hearts of the peoph^ of 
Cass County. 



--V 



-^^- 




J. TALLERDAY, an energetic and pros- 
perous general agriculturist of Jefferson 
iSi Townsliii), Cass County, Mich., owns a 
i^ liuely-iniproved homestead of ninety-five 

acres, located upon section 13; but, placed in charge 
of the County Farm from 1874 to 1882, and re- 
appointed to take charge in 1887, he will remain 
through this term of office until 1894, conducting 
the farm and caring for the inmates of the same. 
Our subjet-t is a native of Elkhart County, Ind., 
and w.as born October 31, 1846. lie is a son of 
.lesse and Sophia (Mechling) Tallerday, who made 
their home for many years in Indiana. 'I'lie pa- 
tcinai grandfather, James Tallerday, was a native 
of Dutchess County, N. Y., and was a shoemaker 
by trade. His wife, Hetsey (Wooley) Tallerday, 
boie liiin a family of seven sons and three d.-uigh- 
ters. The sons in the order of their birth were, 
Je.sse, John, Austin, Andrew, David, M.arsliall and 
Calvin, or the daughters, Ucbc^^ca was the eldest, 
Sarah wjis the second and Mary the youngest. 
(Irandf'alher Tallerday was twice married, his sec- 
ond wif(^ being Mrs. Mari.-i Wilson, who became 
the mother of three children, two of whom arc 
deceased. .lames Tallerday went to Cold water, 
Mich., ill the eailyday s of l.s;il, but in the year 
1H3;) loiated in Elkh.art County, Ind., where he 
survived until April. lS7r». lie w.is engaged in 
the pnisiiit of ;igrieiilt lire the latter part of his 
life, and died upon a farm, lie was a sincere 
Christian and a devout member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Cliiircli. 

The paternal great-giandf.atlier, John Taller- 
day, established his taiiiilv in Dutche-ss Count}-, 
N. Y., and on that old homestead tlio third gener- 



ation of the Tallerdays was born. The father of 
our subject remained in Dutchess County from his 
birth until he removed with his parents to the 
West. He was early trained in farming duties and 
grew up manly and self-reliant. Journeying first 
to Michigan and thence to Indiana, Jesse T.allerday 
resided in the latter State until November, 1810, 
at which date he settled in Mason Township, Cass 
County, Mich., and invested in eighty acres of ex- 
cellent farming land, which he industriously im- 
proved. In 1 85C Father Tallerday located near Cass- 
opolis, buying a farm of about two hundred acres, 
which he later sold. An u|)right man, of ster- 
ling integrity of character, he was liighl}' respected 
and his death was mourned as a public lo.ss when 
he parsed to his rest in March, 1869, aged fort}'- 
eight years. Politically he was a Democrat, and, 
fraternally, was associated with the Ancient Free 
(fe ActH>pted Masons. His good wife survived him 
until October 3, 1887, and was at the time of her 
death sixty-four years of age. The following 
children clustered in the home of the parents: 
Mary, John, A. J., Jane, Hathbun, David, Charles, 
Polly, Keegan; Delia, who was four years of age 
when she died; Walter, who died at seven years 
of age; and Rachel, who died in infancy. 

The nn)tlier of these sons and daughters was lH)rn 
in Westmoreland, I'a., and was the child of Philip 
and Charlotte (Shoemaker) Mechling, the mater- 
nal grandparents being also natives of the (Qua- 
ker State, (irandfatlier Mechling was a fuller by 
trade, and in 1833 was one of the pioneers of South 
Bend, Ind. He <iied in St. .losepli County. Ind., 
in 1870, having been preceded to the better world 
by his faithful wife, who had some time previously 
passed away in Elkhart County. The mother of 
our subject was the eleventh child of the six sons 
and seven daughters who clustered about the fam- 
ily hearth, (irandf.ather Mechling was in religious 
belief a Lutheran, and his excelU'iit wife w.as a 
member of the (ieriiiaii llaptl-^t ( liiiicli. 

Our subject was reared upon the farm of his 
parents and educated in the district schools of his 
home neighborhood. Having attained his tweiitx- 
first birthday Mr. Tallerday began life for himself, 
tilling llie soil of the home farm. He was married 
September 18. 1877, to Miss Elizalteth (ieorge, a 



362 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



native of Monroe County, N. Y. She was the 
daughter of Luke and Maria (Lonnon) George, 
both natives of England. Mr. and Mrs. George 
came to the United States about 1850 and imme- 
diately engaged in farming. In 1866 they removed 
to the farther West and located permanently in 
Cass County, Mich. Mr. George died June 16, 
1892, aged seventy-eight, but his devoted wife yet 
survives. She was the mother of four sons and 
five daughters. Eight lived to adult age. William 
is now deceased. Maria Shaffer is the second in 
order of birth. Then followed Mary Van Mater, 
Fred (deceased), James, Robert (deceased), Emma 
Norton, Elizabeth and Jennie Norton. The fam- 
ily of Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Tallerday consists of 
three children, Gideon, Jesse and Ray. Mrs. Tal- 
lerday is a member of the Baptist Church and is 
ever ready to a.ssist in social and benevolent en- 
terprises. Our subject is a strong Democrat, an 
ardent believer in the principles of the party. 
Fraternally, he is a valued meml)er of the Ancient 
Free & Accepted Masons and is a liberal-spirited 
citizen, interested in local progress. 



JOHN W. FLEWELLING is engaged exten- 
siveh' in raising and shipping stock, as well 
as in general agricultural pursuits, and is 
the owner of a finelj'-improved farm located 
on section 5, Pokagon Township, Cass County. 
As a stock dealer he has been especially' successful, 
and for fourteen j'ears or more has conducted an 
extensive business in that line. His biographj', 
which we will now briefly review, aflfords another 
illustration of the f.act that industry and good 
judgment will almost invariably bring their pos- 
sessor abundant material success, although at the 
commencement of his business career lie may have 
neither capital nor friends. 

Born in Marion County, Ohio, April 1, 1827, 
our subject is the son of John and Catherine 
(DePew) Flewelling. His paternal grandfather, 
Jesse Flewelling, was either a native of Wales or of 
AVelsh parentage, and spent his life principally in 



Ontario County, N. Y. He and his wife Sarah ' 
reared six children, namely: John, father of our 
subject; Richard; Harrison; Morris; Sarah, Mrs. E. 
Dewe}-; and Mrs. Maria Shepherd. The father of 
our subject was born in Ontario County, N. Y., in 
1794, and was reared to manhood in that place. 
Although quite young when the War of 1812 com- 
menced, he enlisted in the defense of our country 
and served with valor until the close of the con- 
flict. He was also a participant in the Black Hawk 
War under Gen. Harrison. He fortunately escaped 
uninjured in the latter war, but in the War of 1812 
was wounded in the breast by a stray bullet. 

After his marriage to Catherine DePew in On- 
tario County, N. Y., John Flewelling removed to 
Ohio and located in Marion County. He was a 
general mechanic, and followed that trade through- 
out his active life. In 1831 he went to La Grange 
Township, Cass County, making the trip overland 
with wagons, and after his arrival purchased eighty 
acres, which he proceeded to clear and improve. 
He sold and bought several farms in different 
townships of Cass County, but finally purchased ' 
sixty acres in Pokagon Township, where he re- 
mained until his death, which occurred January 
22, 1869. A Democrat in his political belief, he 
held man}' important ollices in his township and 
county. He was a member of the United Brethren 
Church, and a man whose upright life proved the 
sincerity of his religious belief. 

The first wife of John Flewelling was Catherine, 
daughter of Jesse and Sarah DePew, all of whom 
were natives of New York. Four children were 
born of this marriage, one of whom died in in- 
fancy. The others were Amasa, who died in 1849; 
Lyda, who married Peter Brady; and John W., of 
this sketch. After tlie death of his first wife, Mr. 
Flewelling married Ellen Brad}', who bore him 
eleven children. The subject of this sketch re- 
mained at home until he was twenty-one, when he 
commenced to work by the month and continued 
in the employ of others for four years. His first 
purchase of land consisted of eighty acres in Po- 
kagon Township, which he subsequently sold, and 
bought his present farm of one liundred and thir- 
ty-six acres. 

In 18.52 occurred the marriage of Air. Flewelling 




RE5iDEWCC0F J. W. FLEWELLING . SEC.o. POKAGONTP. CASS CO. MICH, 






rk.. ^-^t. 




RUil;li4'.L Jf b.H. CASTERM ME , SECT. PENr4TP. CA55 CO. MICH 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPmCAL RECORD. 



365 



to Miss Margaret Williams. Kisjlit tliildreii were 
horn of this union, as follows: Mary, Mrs. William 
.k'liliiiis; Hilda, who married Frank McCo}'; Will- 
iam; Louisa and Austin, deceased; Isaac; Andrew, 
(Icceasi'd; and Magg:ie, the wife of F. A. Ireland. 
After the death of his first wife, Mr. Flewelling 
married Miss Mary, daughter of William and Sarah 
(Kyle) Ilogue, natives resiicetively of I'ennsylva- 
nia and Ohio. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. 
Flewelling liorc the name of John Hogue, and was 
horn in Ireland, emigrating thence to the United 
States, where ho afterward resided. One son has 
blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Flewelling, 
Lylc, a i)romising young man of aliility and en- 
tcrpiise, who now cultivates the lu)nie farm. In 
his political preferences Mr. Flewelling is an active 
supporter of the platform of the Democratic j)arty, 
to which he gives the weight of his inlluence and 
ballot. 




a'RON II. CASTP:KLINE. The farming 
class of America, and espcciallj^ of the 
'vt))]!!) northern tier of States, is notable for the 
degree of intelligence that is possessed 
1)3' its representatives. Our subject belongs to 
one of the most progressive of families, and is 
proud of the fact that his father was one of those 
fast-disappearing landmarks of a heroic past, an 
early j)ioneer. 

Mr. Casterline was born on the farm where he 
now lives, in Penn Township, Cass County, Octo- 
ber IH, 1847. His parents, Dr. Thomas J. and Ra- 
chel .M. (Hurlburt) Casterline, were natives of the 
Em|)ire State, the father born in Romulus, Seneca 
County, January 3, 1813. Our subject's paternal 
grandparents, Barreabas and Rhoda Casterline, 
were natives ot Orange County, N. Y., whence 
they removed in the earl}' part of the nineteenth 
century to Seneca County, that State. Dr. Thomas 
.1. Casterline was a very successful physician ami 
was engaged in the duties of his profession until 
late in life, when he gave his attention to farming. 
His death occurred on the 1.5th of .lune, I88',». 
Hi.'- wife was a native vf Canaan, Conn., born .Jan- 



uary I, 1818, and both were exemplary members 
of the Disciples Ciiurch. She died in C.ass County 
about 181)0. They came to Cass County, Mich., 
in 1811, and settled on the farm where our subject 
now resides. The father was of German descent. 

The third in order of birth of the four children 
born to the above worthy couple, Byron Caster- 
line, w.as reared and educated in his n.alive county, 
receiving a fair education in the common schools. 
He was married in 188G to Miss Anna McKay, who 
was born in Cass County, Mich., about 1870, and 
is a daughter of David McKay, a resident of 
Kansas. Mr. and Mrs. Casterline's union has been 
blessed by the liirth of three children, all bright 
and interesting: Keatta, L^'le and Thomas J. 

In his political views Mr. Casterline has always 
alliliated with the Democratic part}', and his first 
Presidential vote was cast for H. Seymour. He is 
a public-spirited citizen, active and progressive, 
and no worth j' movement is allowed to fail for 
want of support on his part. He has witnessed 
the growth of this township through all its stages 
from a wild and trackless wilderness to its present 
beautifull}- improved and productive state. AVhile 
public-spirited and generous, the major part of 
his attention has always been paid to his farm. 
He owns one hundred and forty-one acres of good 
land, located six miles northeast of the county 
seat, and he devotes himself to general farming. 
He is not a member of any secret organization, but 
his father was a member of the Independent Or- 
der of Odd Fellows. 



'■'■^^±^^- 



^.^ll'BUAHAM DIKFFKNUACHKU, for two- 
(@//j|| score years a resident of his line farm of 
one hundred and eight}' acres, now under 
a fine state of cultivation and well im- 
proved with substantial and commodious buildings, 
is one of the representative agriculturists of Csiss 
County, Mich., and h.as long been a prosperous 
citizen of Ontwa Township. Our subject is a na- 
tive of Northumberland Count}', Pa., and was 



366 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



born February 4, 1814. He was the son of John 
and Elizabeth (FoUmer) Diefifenbacher. The pu- 
lernal grandfather, Conrad Dieffenbacher, emi- 
grated from the Fatherland to America in Colon- 
ial days and settled in Pennsylvania. He was a 
man of persevering industry and energy, and was 
prospered in his new home. After a long life of 
busy usefulness he passed away within the boun- 
daries of the Quaker Slate. He was a consistent 
member of the German Reformed Church, and, hap- 
pily married, reared six sons and several daugh- 
ters. The sons were Conrad, David, Henry, .lolin, 
Jacob and Abraham. 

John Dieffenbacher was born in Pennsylvania, 
July 13, 1771, and died aged seventy-one. He 
was the father of twelve cliililren, ten of whom 
lived to maturity. Catherine Newcoraber pa.ssed 
aw.ay in Illinois; Jacob died in Pennsylvania; 
Elizabeth died in Cass County, Mich.; Susan is 
with lier brother; Daniel resides in Niagara Coun- 
ty, N. Y.; Abraham and Conrad were twins, and the 
latter died in Niagara County, N. Y.; David passed 
away in Cass County, Mich., with our subject; John 
is next; and Margaret Miller died in Ilarrisburgh, 
Pa. Two childicn, Leonard and .Jonathan, died in 
youlli. Tlie mother of our subject was also a na- 
tive of Pennsylvania. She passed awa}- at the age 
of seventy-two years. Slie was tlie daughter of Ja- 
cob Follmcr, who came from Germany to the Un- 
ited Stales, and, a Christian man, was a member of 
the German Reformed Church. Mr. Dieffenbacher 
was reared on the old homestead of his parents 
and received his education in the little subscrip- 
tion .sc1k)o1s of those early da^'s. When twenl\' 
years old he began life for himself, working liy the 
day and month for two years. 

Our sul)ject later engaged in selling threshers 
and rowers and continued in that employment 
one year, tlien going into business in Ilarrisburg. 
He next spent two years in Painsborough, Pa., 
and afterward remained at his home one year. 
About 1817 he journe3'ed to Michigan by stage, 
and first located in South Bend, where he helped 
to make threshers for two summers, and for twelve 
months was employed in Constantine. In 1850, 
lie houglit one hundred and eight}' acres, one hun- 
dreil in Michigan and eight}' in Indiana, and to 



this Iiomestead has devoted his faithful care, being 
annually rewarded by an abundant harvest. For 
two seasons he prolitaljly ran a thresher, and lias 
with thrift and ceaseless industry won his way up- 
ward, now possessing a comfortable competence. 
He is essentially a self-made man, and by his own 
efforts has attained success in life. lie is a mem- 
ber of the Presbyterian Church and is liberal in its 
support. Up to 1884 he was a sturdy Democrat. 
Never an oflicer-seeker, he takes an intelligent 
interest in local and National affairs. One sister 
and brother comiirise the household of Mr. Dief- 
fenbacher. Our subject, arriving in the West in 
the early days, has been intimately associated with 
the growth and progress of his present locality' 
and is widely known and esteemed by his fellow- 
townsmen. 



• ' S^ 



E^^ 



\}l^-^ ENRY S. WILLIAMSON, a successful far- 
\ mer of Berrien County and the owner of a 
■'' well-improved tract of land on section 35, 
Jl) Lincoln Township, was born in Dayton, 
Ohio, May 30, 1846. He is the son of Benjamin 
Williamson, a native of Connecticut, who removed 
thence to Virginia in his boyhood, and at the age 
of about twenty years located in Dayton, Ohio. 
In Miami County, Ohio, he was united in mariiage 
with Miss Mar}', the daughter of Jacob Snyder, 
and after that important event lie located in Clay 
Township, Montgomery County, Ohio, where he 
followed farming pursuits. Finally disposing of 
his property, he removed to Indianapolis, Ind., 
about 1850, and resided in that city until his death 
in 1870. By trade a carpenter, he, however, was 
principally engaged in agricultural operations. 

In the parental family there were nine children, 
of whom four grew to maturity and are now liv- 
ing, namely: Elmira, a resident of Berrien County 
and the wife of C. Brovvn; Hiram, who is engaged 
ill the himl)er business at Indianapolis; Susan, Mrs. 
Davis, whose home is near Decatur, III.; and Ileniy 
S., our suliject. The father of these children was a 
man of prominence in the various eommunilies of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RKCOUD. 



367 



wliic'li he was a resident at different periods of Iiis 
life. Politically a Wiii<i;, lie was elected Siieriff of 
Mdntujoniery County, Ohio, and served in that le- 
sponsihU' position witii credit to himself and to 
the satisfaction of iiis constituents. In hi> relig- 
ious convictions he wasidentillcd with tlie RletlnKl- 
ist Kpisct)pal Cliurcli, and niaintaiiied a constant in- 
terest in religious enterprises. 

Ori>iKined hy the deatii of his mother when he 
was one and one-half 3ears of age, tiie suhjecl of 
this notice was afterward taken into the home of 
his uncle, Elijaii Williamson, in Warren County, 
Ohio, and was there reared to manhood. He gained 
the rudiments of his education in the schools of 
Warren County and afterward conducted his studies 
in the University at Lebanon, Ohio, then known 
as the Southwestern Normal. After having grad- 
uated fr(^ni that institution, he engaged in teach- 
ing school at Fletcher, Ohio, and also assisted in 
the Normal at Lebanon. 

Coming to IMichigan in 1868, Mv. Williamson 
located in Lincoln Township, and for a time taught 
school in Oronoko Township, Berrien County. Sub- 
seipiently he became superintendent for A. L. 
Putnam in the lumber business and lilh^d this posi- 
tion for three years, after which he embarked in 
fruit farming. Jn 1876 he located on the farm 
where he still resides, a place consisting of eighty 
acres, sixty of whicli are highly improved and in 
a good state of cultivation. In addition to gen- 
eral farming he. makes a specialty of stock-raising, 
and has a number of fine horses and cattle on his 
farm. In the former, his favorites are the Mor- 
gans and Hamblelonians, and he breeds principally 
roadsters. One of his stallions has gained a con- 
siderable local reputation. This is " .Jim Blaine," 
Uie son of " Thomas .leffer.son," the dam being a 
Morgan marc, and one of the finest horses in 
southwestern Michigan. 

August 22, 1860, occurred the marriage of Mr. 
Williamson to Miss Thcressa E., daughter of Gould 
Parrish. This accomplished lady was born in Ber- 
rien County, and was educated in the schools here 
and at South Bend, Ind. For a time prior to her 
marriage she eng.aged in teaching in this county 
and was very successful as an instructor. Mr. and 
Mrs. Williamson are the parents of two children, 



Mabel A. and Lillian M., both of whom are at 
home. In his political belief, Mr. Williamson is a 
Prohibitionist, anil is one of the leaders of the 
party in the townshi|). His wife and daughters 
are active members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and take an especial interest in the work 
of the Sundaj-school. 



1^ ^ IRAM FINNKY,an energetic and successful 

\j farmer, owns a highly improved homestead 
!^^ of ninety acres, pleasantly located upon 
^^ section 10, (ialien Township, Berrien Coun- 
ty, Mich. Our subject was the son of .lames .and 
Sarah (Mj'ers) Finney, and was born in Holmes 
County, Ohio, in 1815. James Finney was a na- 
tive of Pennsylvania, and was probalily reared on 
a farm. He received a good common-school edu- 
cation and faithfully prepared himself for a teach- 
er, following the profession of an instructor for a 
number of years. He also .acquired the trade 
of shoemaking, but devoted the latter part of his 
life entirely to the pursuit of agriculture, residing 
in Ohio, where he owned a small fruit farm. He 
was married in the old (Jiiaker State, being un- 
ited in wedlock with Miss Sarah, daughter of Jacob 
Myers, his wife also having been born in Pennsyl- 
vania. 

The eight children who clustered about the 
old home were: James, Daniel, Alexander, George, 
Isaiah (deceased), Hiram (our subject), Catherine, 
and Louisa (deceased). The father and mother 
were devout members of the Presbyterian Church. 
In political afliliations, James Finney was a sturdy 
Democrat and an ardent advocate of the part3-. 
After a life of busy usefulness he passed away in 
1861). His estimable wife survived him several 
years. When our subject was a lad of thirteen he 
began life for himself, and has self-reliantly 
fought his way upward unaided. He first worked 
on a farm, receiving ^8 per month, and continued 
111 the employ of others until his marriage. The 
lady whom he made his wife was Miss Mary L. 
Zigler, daughter of James and Sarah (Wade) Zig- 



368 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ler. Tlie home was blessed witli four cliildren, 
three of whom, two daughters and m sou, arc 
j'et living. Elmer E. is the eldest; Anna M. is 
next in order of birth; Rebecca is tiio youngest; 
and a twin of Elmer died in infanc}'. 

Mr. Finney was but eighteen years of age when 
he emigrated to the farther West and located in 
St. Joseph County, Ind. In his nevv home he 
made the acquaintance of his future wife and was 
married. After his marriage our subject rented 
land and gave his entire time to agricultural pur- 
suits. Having spent about seven 3^ears in the 
State of Indiana, he decided to make a change, and 
with his family located in Michigan, settling in 
Berrien County in 1870. From that period of 
time he has been a constant resident of the county, 
altiiough it has been only a few years since he 
purciiased his farm of ninety acres and removed 
hither. Sixty acres were well improved when 
Mr. Finney bought the farm. The thirty acres of 
timber he has since cleared. Aside from the pur- 
suit of general agriculture, he has profitably 
liandled a high grade of draft horses, some of the 
best in this part of the State. Our subject is act- 
ively interested in public affairs, and is politically 
a Democrat. He h.as no desire for political pro- 
motion and although requested to become High- 
way Commissioner refused to accept the position. 



-^— ^^- 



/i^ HARLES TIETSORT, a prosperous agricul- 
(li n ^'"'is'' of Cass County, residing on section 
^^/ 2o, La Grange Township, was born in the 
village of Cassopolis, this county, April 9, 1843. 
The lamily of which he is a worthy representative 
originated in Holland and the name was formerly 
spelled Tietsworth. The first of the name who 
emigrated to the United States had a son Peter, 
who was born in New Jersey in 1744, and died in 
Butler County, Ohio, in 1831. His life occupation 
was tliat of a farmer. In New Jersey he married 
a Miss Huff, and when his son Abraham was a 
young MKin he removed to Kentucky, wliere he re- 
mained for a few years, and thence went to Butler 



County, Ohio. Politically, he was a Democrat and 

a strong anti-slavery man. He and his wife reared 
the following children: Cornelius; Catherine, the 
wife of Frederick Reed; Peter, Jr.; Elizabeth, who 
married Isaac Thompson; and Abraham. 

The grandfather of our subject, Abraham Tiet- 
sort, vvas born in New Jersey in 1777 and was reared 
to maniiood in that State. His education was re- 
ceived in tiie common schools, and being fond of 
reading lie became a very apt scholar for the time 
in whicli lie lived. Accompan3ing his parents to 
Kentuck}-, he there married, February 14, 1802, 
Miss Margaret, the daughter of Henry Banta, and 
a native of Kentucky, having been born there on 
the 6th of January, 1784. The year following his 
marriage Abraham Tietsort moved to Butler 
County, Ohio, and entered Government land 
twenty-eight miles from the present site of Cincin- 
nati, which then was not even a village. 

In 1828 Grandfather Tietsort migrated to Mic^h- 
igan and settled at Nilcs, but about one j'ear af- 
terward came to Cass County, entering land near 
where Cassopolis now stands. His eldest son entered 
about one-half the land occupied by the present 
site of the village. This pioneer famiij', being of 
limited means, brouglit all their earthly effects witli 
them in wagons from Ohio and in this new coun- 
tiy endured all the hardships incident to frontier 
life. Abraham Tietsort was a man of irreproach- 
able character, charitable to those in need and len- 
ient in disposition. In his religious belief he was 
a Universalist and was a close student of tlie P>ible. 
His political views were in harmony with the Dem- 
ocratic partv. Socially, he was a member of the 
Masonic fraternity and was present at the organ- 
ization of the Niles lodge, which was one of the 
first in western Michigan. Although not an oltice- 
seeker, lie was frequently called upon to (ill differ- 
ent positions in the township and county. 

Abraham and Margaret Tietsort had a family of 
six children, namely: Abraham, Jr.; Catherine, tlie 
wife of Washington Reed; Levi, Henry, Cornelius 
B. (father of our subject) and Squire, all of them 
being now deceased witli the exception of Henry. 
The first home of tliis pioneer family in Cass 
Count}' w.as of a very modest kind, being con- 
structed of round logs, with a puiirlieon tloor and 



PORTRAIT AND lUOGRAPHlCAL RECORD, 



360 



stick chimnfty. wliile llie dimensions of the struc- 
ture were only l^txU) fi'ct. Oil tliuir Ui|) to IMiuli- 
ignn tiierc w:is not a siufj^le lioiise on llie road bt;- 
tivecn Ft. Wayne and Klkiiart, Ind., where niay 
now lie seen Ihiiviui;- villages and finely-improved 
faims. Father and sons labored to build upaconi- 
fortiible home, and lived to enjo^' to some extent 
the fruits of their labors. Grandfather Tietsort 
was a patriotic; ni.ui and served in tlie War of 1812, 
while his eldest son look an active jiart in the 
I'.laek Hawk War. 

Cornelius 15. Tietsort, father of our subject, was 
l)orn in Butler County, Ohio, January 24, 1820. 
At the age of eight years he accompanied his par- 
ents to Michigan, where he grew to manhood in 
the wild country with the children of savage 
Indnms for his only playmates. Through his wide 
i-ange of reading he acquired a general knowledge 
of the world and its histoi'y, though his education 
was limited to the rudest of the early schools of a 
nipw cuuntry. In his youth he learned the trade 
of cari)enter and joiner, which he followed during 
the greater ijart of his life in connection witii his 
farming pursuits. 

The marriage of Cornelius 15. Tietsort to Eliza- 
lielh .McKnterfer was solemnized in 1840. Mrs. 
Tietsort was born in Wayne County, Ohio, .Janu- 
ary 7, 1823, and was six years old when she accom- 
panied her parents, .Jacob and Catherine (Fisher) 
McKnterfer, to Michigan, settling in White Pigeon. 
The union of Cornelius 15. and Elizabeth Tiet.sort 
was blessed by the Ijirtli of three children: Charles. 
Satiah and Frank ; the daughter became Mrs. Charles 
15erry, but is now deceased. Socially, the father 
was identilietl with the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows at Cassopolis, and in his political belief he 
was a stanch Democrat. After iiis marriage he 
resided for two years on a farm in .St. Joseph 
County, Mich., whence he returned to Cass County 
and remained there until his death, which occurred 
.Vpril 22, 1870. His wife survived him a score of 
years, passing away April 21. I8!I0. 

The education of_ our subject was received in the 
,s( hools of Cassopolis, and at the age of twenty-one 
he and his brother assumed the management of the 
home farm, whicii they operated for a number of 
years together. He is the owner of eighty acres of 



higlily-cultivated and finely-improved land, lying 
just outside of the corporate limits of the village 
of Cassopolis. As a farmer, he brings to the culti- 
vation of the land his energies and abilities, and as 
a result of his efforts he has accumulated a compe- 
tency and gained a position among the foremost 
agriculturists of the county. A Democrat in his 
l)olitical connections, he has been chosen to repre- 
sent his party in numerous county conventions, and 
has rendered etfieient service in whatever position 
he has been called to occupy. 



1 



^D^^ll 



^^ HARLES H. FRENCH, an enterprising gen- 
ii! eral agriculturist, handles some highly-bred 
^^/ stock upon his fine homestead located on 
section 1. 15ertrand Townshii), 15errien Couiity, 
]Mich., and owns one of the most atlraclive farm- 
ing [Hoperties in this part of the county. A 
number of valuable horses are housed on the old 
farm, whose large acreage, brought up to a highly 
productive state, is also improved b^- excellent 
buildings, a handsome and commodious house, and 
capacious and substantial barns. Our subject was 
born in Onondaga County, N. V., October 11, 
18.jl. His father, Samuel French, was a native of 
Hague, N. Y., and was reaied and educated in 
his birthpl.-ice. Trained in the daily routine of 
agricultural life from his boyhood, he attained 
manhood self-reliant and energetic, and entered 
with resolution into the tilling of the soil upon 
his own account. He married comparatively early 
in life, and with his wife located near 15orodino 
upon a farm. After due consideration the father 
and mother resolved to make their home in the 
West, and in 18.j4 with their family joiirii(;\ id to 
Michigan and settled in lierrieu County, upon the 
one hundred and lifly-(ive acre farm where our 
subject now resides. 

Financi.ally prospered in his Western home, 
Samuel French added to his original piiielia.se, 
until at the time of his death the homcslead con- 
tained three hundred and si x ty-.se ven acres of vaU 
liable laud. Tlie father was a thoroughly (iractical 



370 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



farmer and his ventures in stock resulted profit- 
al)ly. He was never a politician in the common 
acceptation of the term, but was actively interested 
in local and national issues and voted the Repub- 
lican ticket. He was a member of the Presbyte- 
rian CHiurch in IJuehanan Township from its organ- 
ization in 18.57, was an Elder all that time, and 
liberally assisted in its support and the extension 
of its good work. He was one of the prominent 
members of the County Grange, and was identilied 
with numerous progressive enterprises and partic- 
ipated in all matters of public welfare. He died 
mourned bj' man}- friends with whom he had 
fraternally associated almost two-score years, pass- 
ing to his rest February 7, 1892. He was in- 
terred in the presence of a large congregation in 
the Howe Cemetery. The paternal grandfatlier, 
Titus F'rencli, was like his immediate descendants 
a native of the Empire State. A farmer bj' occu- 
pation, he courageously shouldered a gun in the 
hour of need and served in the War of 1812. 

The mother of t>ur subject, Sarah (Uliss) French, 
was born in New York and died at fifty-seven 
vears of age. Her father was born in f>ngland 
and emigrated to America when a young man. 
The father and mother of Charles II. French were 
the parents of seven children, three daughters and 
four sons. The eldest and youngest child died in 
infancy. f)ur subject was the sixth child and the 
fourth son, and accompanied his parents to Mich- 
igan when a little child two years of age. He 
attended the district schools of Buchanan Town- 
sliii), and when old enough began to assist ujjon 
the farm. He remained with his father and mother 
until his marriage to Miss vSarah H. Geyer, October 
18, 1876. The bride wiis a native of Indiana. Iin- 
niediately following the wedding, our subject and 
his estimable wife made their home in Bertrand 
Township, Berrien County. Mrs. Sarah H. French 
did not survive her marriage many years, but lived 
to become the mother of three children : Carson G., 
Stella May and Charles F. A second time Mr. 
French entered matrimonial bonds, his jJiesentwife 
having been Miss Lucy A. Feather, daughter of 
.1. H.and Luc}' (liachtel) Feather. Mrs. French was 
born in Oronoko Township, Berrien County, Mich. 
By his second wife (uir subject has no children. 



The valuable homestead was materially i.mproved 
in 1877 by the erection of the modern residence, 
which cost $.3,000. With the exception of six 
acres of attractive woodland, the entire farm of 
two liundred and fifty-eight acres is all finely cul- 
tivated and highly productive. Mr. French, like 
his honored father, alliliates with the Republican 
jiarty. He is liberal and progressive in his ideas 
and fully appreciates the obligations entailed upon 
all loyal American citizens. 



i* J ■ I I |l in 



? I ' I » '^-a.. 



WILLIAM SHLILT/.. Ttie 
America, and especially 
^ ^ tier of States, is notable f 



ILLIAM SHULTZ. The farming class of 

of the Northern 
for the degree of 
intelligence that is possessed by its representa- 
tives. William Shullz belonged to one of the most 
progressive of families, and is proud of the fact 
that his father was one of those fast disajjpearing 
landmarks of the heroic past, an earlj' pioneer. i\Ir. 
Shultz is a native of this county, born on the 7th 
of February, 1843, and here he has |iassed almost 
his entire life. He is one of those thrifty and 
energetic farmers for which Berrien County has 
become well known, and in the conduct of his af- 
fairs has shown good judgment and lousiness fore- 
sight. 

He was the youngest of a family of three chil- 
dren born to John G. and Elizabeth (Storick) 
Shultz, natives respectively of Maryland and Penn- 
sylvania. The father came to this State in 1835, 
when a young man, and the Storick family made 
their advent into this section about the same time. 
The parents were married in Berrien County in 
1836. As Mr. Shultz had about *20() on coming 
to this county, he invested it in the butchering 
business, but this did not prove a paying invest- 
ment. For one j'ear after this he drove a team 
for Pit Brown, who kept a tavern in what is now 
Berrien Springs, when the town was under the hill. 
His next move was to enter eighty acres of land in 
this township, where G. N. Parkton now re- 
sides, .and the same year he entered the old Shultz 
homestead. The Indians were then quite numer- 
ous but friendly, and the wood abounded in game. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



371 



For five years Indians made sugar on the eighty- 
acre tract, jiiiil lie llii'ii licgaii clearing it (if tlic 
licavv timber witli whicli it was covered. At the 
end of tliree or four years ho entered eiglity acres 
more adjoining, and still l.-iter purchased one liun- 
diid and eiglilcen acres also adjoining, wliicli was 
slightly improved. P\)llowing this, lie lioiight one 
hundred and twenty acres for his son-in-law, Byron 
I'ennell, and during the war he |)urcliased and 
gave his son-in-law Amos Painter one hundred 
and sixty acres, all of which was accumul;ited by 
the thrift and enterprise of ]\Ir. Sliultz from lls.'iK 
to lt<t)l. At the lime of his death, which occurred 
in August, IH.ss, he had one hundred and lifteen 
acres of the home place under an excellent state 
of cultivation. llis first resick'nce in the wilder- 
ness was a log house, with rough board Mooring 
and one window and one door. Later he liad a 
inati'lied lloor put in, and then a iirick chimney. 
In 18.')2 he erected a good frame barn, and soon 
after a two-story frame dwelling, tlie latter costing 
aliout ^2,;">0<), as everything was dressed by iiand. 
This residence still stands and is in a good state of 
preservation. 

Mr. Shultz built his next residence in 188(1, a 
two-story brick of twelve rooms. The brick was 
purchased in Cass County-, Mich., and hauled with 
teams to the farm. Tins liou.se cost $1,(100. At 
the time of his death Mr. Shultz was worth from 
-T!lS,(lllO to *20,(I00 after giving each of his chil- 
dren from one hundred and twenty to one hun- 
dred and ninety-four acres of land. All of this 
was the result of great industry and good ninn- 
agenient on his part, for he was strictly a self- 
made man. His chihlren were as follows: Mrs. 
Harriet i'ainter, wife ot Amos Painter; S.arah, wife 
of Byron Pennell; and William, our subject. Mr. 
Shultz was seventj'-nine years of age at the time 
of his death; and his wife, who died the same year, 
was eighty-eight years of age, nearly ten years 
older than her husband. Many years previous to 
his death Mr. Shultz attached himself to the Pres- 
byterian Church, and for twelve years previous to 
her death Mrs. Shultz was a member of the Dunk- 
ard Church. No better citizens made their homes 
in the county. 

The youthful da^s of our subject were pas,sed in 



performing duties on the farm and in attending 
the common school, where lie receive<l a fair edu- 
cation. He labored on his father's farm until 
twenty-four years of age and then, in 1871, was 
married to Miss Annie Wilson, a native of Berrien 
County, and the daughter of Ezra 1). and Pluebc 
A. (VanVlear) Wilson, of Ca.ss County, Mich. 
Our subject purcliased the old homestead in 1891, 
for $1 1,000. and now has two hundred and fifty- 
eight acres of excellent land, with one hundred 
and twenty-live acres under cultivation. He has 
made a number of minor im])roveiiieiits on the 
home |)lace, aiid is a thoroughly practical farmer. 
His marriage was blessed by the birth of four chil- 
dren: Roscoe, who died in infancy; Walter; M>rtle 
and Bertha. Walter was married in 18l>2 to Miss 
Lydin llariier. Politically', Mr. Shultz is a Denio- 
cr.at, as was his father before him. 



=^>^^<^ 



:aC()B IMHOKF, an influential real-estate 
owner of Buchanan, was born in Perry 
County. Pa., October 15, 1851. His father, 
Benjamin, was also a native of that county 
and was a descendant of (ierman ancestiy. An 
honorable, upright man, he was prtiminent in his 
neighborhood and followed the trade of a cabinet- 
maker. The mother of our subject, who was also 
born in the Keystone State, bore the maiden name 
of Susanna Halman, and was the descendant of a 
long line of prominent and successful business and 
professional men. 

The sixth among eleven children, our sul)ject 
was early obliged to aid in the support of the fam- 
ily, and had few of the educational advantag<'s 
which fall to the lot of most boys. Starting out 
for himself at the age of eighteen years, he winie 
to Michigan, and arrived in Bertrand Town.sliip, 
Berrien Count}- with only 85. Notwithstanding 
his povertj-, he was hopeful and self-reliant, aiul 
as he possessed an abundance of energy and de- 
termination it w.as not long before success crowned 
his exertions. For four years he was employed on 
a farm belonging to William R. Rough, receiving 



372 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



a salary of 119 per month for the first year, but 
only fl7 a month during the last three years. 
Going West, he invested 1500, which he had 
saved from his sahir}-, in land located in the Hig 
Ulue Valley, and it was in thai way that he se- 
emed his start in life. 

U|)on returning to Michigan, Mr. Iiuhoff made 
his home with Mr. Rough until his marriage. 
'I'liis important event oecurreil March 9, 1876. and 
united him with Miss Mary C. Ulsh, who was born 
111 Perry County, Pa., the daughter of George and 
Susannah (Cauftman) Ulsh. During 1876 Mr. 
Imhoff located in the village of Huchanan, where 
he accepted a position as clerk in the mercantile 
cstablishinentof the Berrien County Co-Operative 
Association. Afterward with Rough Bros., he 
formed a partnersiiip in the hardware business and 
continued in that connection for a period of six 
years, when, selling out liis interest in that store, 
he embarked in tiie lumber and sawmill business. 
This enterprise luis grown from its inception until 
the present time, and from lifteen thousand to 
twenty-five thousand feet of lumber arc turned 
out daily. In addition to his other enterprises, 
Mr. Imlioff was for a time in tiie boot and shoe 
business at Buchanan. 

Mr. Imhoff's property interests are extensive 
and valuable. He owns two business blocks, the 
postottiee building and the store across from Ho- 
tel Earl. In Galien Townshi|) he owns two hun- 
dred and sixty .acres, coiislituling a well-improved 
farm, and embellished with a substantial new resi- 
dence and good outbuildings. The linn of Peck 
A' Imlioff owns more than twent3'-eighl hundred 
acres of land in Missouri, where Mr. Imhoff's saw- 
mill is located. He has erected in Buchanan ten 
residences, which he has sold on the installment 
plan of payment. The residence on DetroitStreet 
which he now occupies was erected in 1884 at a 
cost of *3,700. 

Four children have blessed the union of Mr. and 
Mrs. Imhoff, namely: William B., Mary A., Cora 
M. and George E. In regard to social relations 
Mr. Imhoff is a Mason, belonging to Blue Lodge 
No. 68, the Chapter and Commaudery at Niles. 
He is also .actively connected with the Ancient 
Order of United Workuieu, holding membership 



with the lodge at Buchanan. Politically, he is a 
Democrat. A member of the Evangelical Associa- 
tion, he aided in the building of the church here 
and has served as its Trustee for some time. 



_^. SAPII WOODRUFF, a representative pio- 
WlLi\\ neer settler of Berrien County, Mich., lo- 
cating ill Bainbridge Township in 1838, 
has during these many years been closely 
identified with the history and progressive inter- 
ests of his home locality and has with able fidelity 
discharged the duties of public ollice, serving for 
a number of continuous terms .as Treasurer of the 
township. Mr. Woodruff is a native of Bix>ome 
County, N. Y., and, born in the year 1823, was but 
a lad when with his parents he emigrated in 1838 
to the then far West and settled in the wilder- 
ness of Michigan. His father and mother, Levi 
and Sophia (Spaulding) Woodruff', were of New 
England birth, the father having been born in 
Connecticut, and the mother in Vermont. The pa- 
ternal grandfather, Philo Woodruff, was undoubt- 
edly a native of Connecticut, but the family are 
of Welsh descent, three brothers, David. Simeon 
and Philo, emigrating from Wales to America in 
the early Colonial days. They settled in Litchfield, 
Conn., and in their new home the brothers changed 
the name of Forester, which they had borne in 
Wales, to that of Woodruff. 

The paternal grandfather of our subject, Philo 
Woodruff, a true patriot, served with courage and 
distinction in the War of the Revolution, and was 
^, wit^i Washington vvhen Burgoyne surrendered, 
''"^■(yvious to his marri.age with the mother of our 
subject, the father' had wedded Miss Lois Rossiter, 
who lived to become the mother of six children: 
Newton, Philo, Morgan, David, jiarriet and Mor- 
gan. Asaph Woodruff was the eldest child of Sophia 
(Spaulding) Woodruff, and following him came 
Simeon, Lois, and Henry, now a resident of Water- 
vliet. Having attained to manhood, our subject 
w.as in 1859 united in mairiage with Miss Sarah 
Woodruff, a native of St. -Joseph County, and a 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



375 



rI:uiir|iU'i (if Willi.iiii WoodrufF, born in Litelifield, 
Cniiii.. lull l.-iU'i :i |ii(iiH'( ]■ (if IMicliigaii, locatinj^ in 
l.s;!l ill llic stale. .Mr. and Mrs. Asaph WoodrutT 
lesidiMl ii|i(in Uiu old l?ainl)rldij;e Townsiii|) liorne- 
sUad iinlil IMMiS, wlini liiey removed to IJenton 
Township, and selUed upon llieir tine farm, <me 
ami a-iialf miles from Kenton Harbor. Four sons 
and a daui^iiter blessed tlie honu': William, a res- 
ident of Noifolk, Neb.; Robert; Daisy; John, a 
ixjsident of Oiesjon; and Ralph, who died in in- 
fancy. , 

Our sulijeel, with enerijjetie industry and nativi^ 
aliility, steadily winninij; his way upward, met and 
overcame many trials and privations incidental to 
pioneer days. Associated with all [)ublic movements 
of his locality, he voted at the lirst election of the 
township, and is, as have been all his people since 
the formation of the party, a stanch Republican. 
A lirotlier, Newton Woodruff, served one term in 
the Legislature, as did his son A. N., of Watervliet. 
Aside from his ollice as Treasurer, our subject has 
held other positions of trust, and for fifl3-live 
years has been a leadiiif^ factor in the develop- 
ment and growth of enterprise in lierrien County, 
lie and his entire family contribute to the main- 
tenance of relijiious organizations. Mr. Woodruff 
is a believer in the tenets of llie Swedenborgian 
Chiiieli, but not a member, and his wife is a valued 
laborer in the Congregational Church, and both are 
active in good works. Possessing a wide accpiaint- 
ance, their lives have been crowned with the high 
regard of all who know them, and in the evening 
of their days they may with iileasure review the 
memories of their well-spent lives. 

v-VNIEl, LYLK. Of the many citizens who 
have a<lded to the fame of Dowagiae, per- 
hai)s none has gained a reputation more 
envial>le or a position more renowned than the 
gentleman with whose name this sketch is intro- 
duced and who was for many years one of the most 
eminent men of Cass County. .Mr. Lyle was born 
in Cornwall County, Kngland, .July 2;j, 18;S(J, and 
was the son of .lolui and Mary (Marshall) Lyle. 

1« 



His father came to America in 1832 and for about 
four years thereafter made his home in York Mills, 
N. V. In 1831! he came to Michigan and luitered 
land of the (Joverninent near Paw Paw, becoming 
one of the pioneers of Van Buren County, and con- 
dueting farming pursuits for many years. Retir- 
ing from active business in IHoS, he removed to 
the vill.age of Paw Paw, dying .-it the home of 
his daughter, Mrs. Russel Parker, December 1, 
1869, aged seventy-six years. His wife died .lan- 
uary 2;5, 1877, at the age of eighty-two years. By 
industry and perseverance he succeeded in ac- 
cumulating considerable pro|)erty, and w;is num- 
bered among the prosperous farmers of the county. 
Of his eleven children, one died prior to the 
emigration of the family to America. Ten grew 
to manhood and womanhood, and seven are still 
living. 

A child of two years when his father emigrated 
to America, Daniel Lyle grew to manhood on his 
father's farm in Van Buren County and received 
his education in the old log schoolhoii.se near Paw 
Paw. At the age of twenty-one he was ap|)rcn- 
ticed to learn the trade of a harnessmaker, at 
which he worked both in Schoolcraft and Kala- 
mazoo. About 185.'i he came to Dowagiae and 
embarked in business as a harness manufacturer. 
On the 22d of Deceml)er, 18r).{, he married Miss 
Mary K., daughter of A<lani Michael, a native of 
(Jhio, who moved thence al)oiit 18;50 and lirst .set- 
tled in Pokagon Townshi|), Cass County. From 
that township he removed to Berrien Township, 
Berrien County, where he entered land of the (Jov- 
erninent and established a [)le:isant home. He had 
a family of nine children, three sons and six daugh- 
ters, and of the number six are now living. Adam 
Michael passed awa}' in August, 1838, and his wife 
died in 1854. Mrs. Lj'le was born January 2, 
183(1, and was reared on the old homestead in 
Berrien County. 

A short time after coming to Dowagiae, Mr. 
Lyle added to his harness business a stock of l)oots 
and shoes and conducted a protitable trade in part- 
nership with his brother George. In 1865, in 
partnership with .loseph Rogers, he est^iblished the 
Lyle iV Rogers Bank, which enjoyed the distincr 
tioii of being the lirst bank ever established in 



376 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Dowagiac. Between the years 1865 and 186D the 
Fust National Ikiuk had been organized, and vii)on 
the dissolution of the liiin of Lyle iV Rogers, in the 
hist-named year, Mr. Lyle liouglit out the First 
National I>ank and o[)erated it until its charter 
expired, in 1883. It then became a private bank 
and was operated as such under the name of D. 
Lyle vfe Co. until the death of Mr. Lyle, which 
occurred January 1.3, 1887. 

Variousother [irominent enterprises in Dowagiac 
received the cordial sujiiiort of Mr. Lyle. He was 
Tieasurer of the village from 1861 to 1863, and 
President from 1863 to 1865, also one of the Di- 
rectors of the Ladies' Library Association and a 
strong suppc>rter of the same. lie was a member 
of the firm of Dewey, Defendorf it Lyle, the 
leading dry-goods lirm in Dowagiac. For twenty- 
one years he served as Treasurer of the Board of 
Education, and he was also one of the organizers 
and the first President of tlie Union Fair Associa- 
tion. He was a stockholdei- in the Dowagiac 
Manufacturing Company, organized in 1881 for the 
manufacture of grain drills, etc., and wasTreasurer 
of the company from the lime of its organization 
untd his death. In his religious connections, he 
was identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
and was a Trustee in that denomination over 
twenty years and a liberal contributor to its sup- 
port. He served for many years as a Director of 
the Paw Paw Savings Bank. His landetl posses- 
sions were extensive, including two hundred and 
forty acres in Keeler Township, Van I'.uren County, 
as well as eight hundred acres in Dakota. He was 
a member of the firm of Lyle, Fulton it Palmer, 
operators of the woolen mill at La Grange, this 
county. 

In every sense of the word, Daniel Lyle was a 
self-made man. He started in life poor, but by 
hard work and perseverance he became one of the 
most prominent men in western Michigan. In 
politics he was a Democrat and was the recipient 
of many honors from the leaders of the party. At 
his death he left two children, Frank and C. Eugene, 
both of whom are represented elsewhere in this 
volume, and who are among the leading business 
men of Dowagi.ac. At the death of a brother and 
his wife, our subject took their daughter M. 



Anna into his family, where she has since made her 
home. In 1878, in company with Mr. Keith, vf 
Chicago, and Mr. Studebaker, of Indiana, Mr. Lyle 
visited the place of his birth in England and spent 
several months traveling through Great Biitain 
and the continent. 

His parents being in humble circumstances. 
Daniel Lyle started in life with no fortune save 
his industry and uncompromising integrity-. His 
habits were his friends. He had su[)erior judg- 
ment and a rare knowledge of human nature. He 
was very kind in all the relations of life, and com- 
manded the confidence of all just men. As a 
citizen he was on the right side of all moral ques- 
tions and gave his induence toward the suppression 
of intemperance and every form of vice. He was 
of pure life, unostentatious and modest in :di he 
did. Asa neighbor he was kind and obliging, and 
as a friend he was considerate and faithful. Re- 
membering his own early struggles, he was ever 
ready to give a helping hand from his abundant 
means to worthy young men trying to get a foot- 
hold in tlie business world, and many there .nre 
to-day who can trace their success to his timely 
aid. He was a genial companion, and will ever 
be remembered by those who were his intimate 
personal friends. He was a Christian gentleman, 
broad and catholic in his views. Although he left a 
large fortune, made by his own industry and good 
judgment, he left what is still better, the legacy 
of a well-spent life and untarnished reputation. 




^ ANIEL HARRIS came to Berrien County, 
Mich., in 1853, and w.as one of the true 
patriots who yielded up their lives in their 
country's service dining tiie Civil War. 
Mr. Harris was born in Vermont in 1833 and was 
a son of Eseec and Prudy (Pratt) Harris. The 
father of our subject was a farmer of the Green 
Mountain State, and amid the rugged hills the son 
grew to manhood, attending the nearest district 
school and assisting with the agricultural cares of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



377 



the Iiomestciid. Mr. Harris remained with his 

parciil.-i until iii;lileen ycar-s of age and llicn 
iMiii^lit his tiiiu' of liis father, tfivinir him foi the 
next three years' pieeimis labor ^KMl. Our sub- 
ject heyaii life for hiinsoif by workini^ out by tlie 
inoiith for one year. When oni^' nineteen years 
old he rented his father's farm, and a tweivemontii 
later entered into tlie bonds of matrimony. 

.\fter his niarriaye i\Ir. Harris learned the blaek- 
sniitli trade and coniliined blaci<sniithinf^ and 
f.arniini;. in i)eeeml)er of 18/)3 he emigrated to 
Michigan and. arriving in lierrien County, selected 
(fallen 'rovvnshi|i as his future home. He at f)nce 
located on the farm now owned by hi.s widow. 
The homestead contained forty .acres of fertile and 
valuable land, and after taking possession of it 
our subject devoted himself entirely to the tilling 
of the soil. He was a thoroughly' ujiriglit man 
and a member of the Christian Church. Politically, 
he was a Republican. 

In 181)2, Daniel Harris enlisted in Company G, 
Twenty-sixth Michigan Infantry, and with his reg- 
iment was immediately forwarded to the seat of 
war. Upon the battlefield of Petersburgh, in 
August, he was captured by the enemy and carried 
to Libby Prison, where he remained but a short 
time, being removed thence to Andersonvillc 
Prison, in which he died after enduring terrible 
suffering, caused mainly by starvation. Thus 
pa.ssed awa3' a noble and courageous man, a true 
American citizen. 

The maiden name of the widow of our subject 
w!is Lydia Yaw. This estimable lady w.as born in 
Berkshire County, Mass., in 183G. Her parents were 
Pardon and Sylvia (Bliss) Yaw. The paternal 
grandfather of Mrs. Harris was Moses Yaw, a rep- 
resentative Vermont farmer, whose wife was Lydia 
.lones. Pardon Yaw was born on the old Green 
Mountain homestead in 17i)l. He was reared on 
the farm and carefullv trained in all the various 
duties of .agriculture. He also followed the car- 
penter's trade and grew up to manhood a self-reli- 
ant and energetic man, well fitted to make his way 
in life. In religious belief he was broad in his 
views and was a memlter of the I'niversalist 
Chureli. He was a strong .lauksonian Democrat, 
and ably defended his political convictions with 



sound argument. He married in early life and 
afterward made his home in M.ossachusetts, but 
finally returned to his native State. He died in 
ISou, deeply mourned by lifetime friends and ac- 
quaintances. The maternal great-grandfather was 
.Iac:ob Bliss, his wife being Bethiah Brown. Rlr.s. 
Harris was one of twenty children, sixteen of 
wlioin survived to mature years. There were 
neither twins nor triplets in the famli3'and all the 
sons and daughters throve under the fostering care 
of their devoted mother. Mrs. Harris was reared 
on the farm and received her education in the 
school of the district. Her oi)portunities for study 
were ended at thirteen and at sixteen she married. 
She has three children left by the husband whose 
memory is revered and honored by his son and 
daughters. Seymour B. is the eldest-lx)rn; Pru- 
dey L. is the wife of Hugh B. Hunter; Emily is 
married to John A. Hunter. Mrs. Hugh B. Hunter 
has five children: Lola V., Lloyd, George, How- 
ard, and a baby not named. Mrs. .John A. Hunter 
has one son, Harvey B. Mrs. Harris is a prominent 
member of the Disciples Church and with her 
family occupies a position of usefulness and inllu- 
ence. 



^-^l 



"S] 



JOHN H. STUMP, a representative farmer 
and suc(!essfiil horticulturist, widely known 
and universally respected for his sterling 
integrity and excellent business qualifica- 
cations, has for thirty-eight years been intimately 
.associated with the upward growth and history of 
Berrien County, Mich., and for this length of time 
has been a resident of his fine farm located upon 
section 1, Sodus Township. Our subject, a native 
of Ohio, was Ixirn in Stark County May 3, 1810. 
The paternal grandfather, Nicholas .Stump, a man 
of physical endurance, ability and enterprise, was 
among the prominent citizens of Stark County, 
where the father of our subject, .John Stump, was 
likewise born, November 22, 180;i. The paternal 
great-grandfather emigrated to this country from 
Holland in the early part of the eigiiteenth cen- 
tury, and, a mere lad, i)aiticipated courageously In 



378 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the scenes of tliose troublous days. He married 
and settled in Lancaster County, Pa., in which 
part of the (Quaker State Grandfather Nicholas 
Stump was born May 13, 177G. Later in life mak- 
ing his home in Ohio, he there reared his family 
and lived to see a second generation rise up 
around him. His son John, reared, educated and 
married in his birtliplace, remained in Ohio until 
1854, when he came with liis family to Sodus 
Township, Mich., and after a life of usefulness 
passed away October 25, 1864. 

The mother of our subject was Rliss Magdalene 
Hatleigh, daughter of Peter Halleigh, of Pennsyl- 
vania, and an early resident of the State. The un- 
ion of the father and motlier was blessed by the 
birth of eight children, six of wliom are yel living. 
.John H., the fifth child in order of birth, was about 
fifteen years of age when he accompanied his 
mother to their Western home and had received a 
fair education in the schools of Ohio. The father 
having prcce<led them by a twelvemonth, the 
family joined him in 1855, and our subject at once 
began to assist in the work of the sawmill which 
had just been completed by John Stum|i, .Sr. 
Within a year the mill burned down and, lebuilt, 
was again destroyed by lire three years lalei. At 
that time the country was very sparsely settled, 
and the new-comers endured many privations and 
struggled with man}' dilHculties, flnallj' overcome 
with unvarying toil and cheerful industry. The 
father h.iving purchased a section of laud, Mr. 
Stump assisted in clearing and improving the 
homestead, which he continued to cultivate, and 
l)y the death of John, Sr., receiving the home place 
as his inheritance, he has since remained upon the 
fertile acres, annually yielding a bounteous har- 
vest. 

The valuable farm is devoted mainly to the 
culture of fruit and produces fine crops of black- 
berries, rasiiberries, strawberries and melons. Our 
subject was married in 1862, and has two daugh- 
ters, Clara May and Lillian. Clara, a liighly suc- 
cessful teacher, has been located in Nebraska four 
years. Lillian remains with her father upon the 
old homestead. Fraternally-, Mr. .Stump is a mem- 
ber of Lake Shore Lodge No. 298, A. F. & a. M., 
at Benton Ilarl)or, and is also connected with Ben- 



ton Harbor Lodge No. 132, 1. O. O. F. He is, as 
were his revered parents, a devout member of the 
Church of God and is an earnest Christian man. 
Politically, he is a Rei)ublican and has ever been 
faithful to the party, casting his vote always for 
its candidate. An excellent neighbor and true 
friend, he enjoys the esteem and confidence of a 
wide circle of old-time ae(iuaintances and fellow- 
townsmen. 



♦^♦i 



.y 



AMUEL HIOSS, an influential citizen of 
Three Oaks, and one of the prominent farin- 
VV</JJ^ eis of Berrien County, vvas born in Swit- 
zerland on New Year's Day, 1832. His 
father, .lohn L., was born in the Canton of .Sclialf- 
bausen, northern Switzerland, February 18, 180'J, 
and was reared to manhood in his native place, 
where he married Miss F^lizabelh Peier. This 
lady was likewise a native of Switzerland, and died 
leaving tw<j children, Samuel and .lohn, the latter 
being a resident of ].a Porte, Ind. The second 
marriage of .John L. Iless united him with Miss 
Magdaleiia Rtisi, their union being a childless one. 
Li 1851 the senior Mr. Hess emigrated to Amer- 
ica and sojourned fyr a time in Lewislnirg, Pa., 
whence he removed to Chicago. Later he went to 
Blue Island, 111., and w.as employed on the railroad 
for about six mouths, coming from that place to 
Berrien County, Mich., and locating in Three Oaks 
Township, where he purchased land and engaged 
in farming. lie remained on that place until Ids 
death, which occurred Se|)temlier 3, 1888. He had 
been a successful farmer, having cleared a tract of 
sixty-five acres and converted it into one of the 
finest farms in Three Oaks Townshiii. While in 
Switzerland he served in the militia and was for 
ten years in the .•irtillery. After emigrating to 
the United States, he ado|)led the (irinciples of the 
Democratic party and remained faithful to that 
Ijolitical organization as long as he lived. In his 
religious connections he was identified with the 
German Lutheran Church. 



rORTRAlT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



379 



At the time of emigi'ating to America the siib- 
ji-cl (if this ski'tfii was nineteen years of age. In 
the Ohl C'duiilry he liad learnet] the trade of a shoe- 
niakei-, at whieh he was eni|)i(iye(l in Levvisbiirg, 
I'a.. ( liicauo and i>lu(! Island, 111. When his fa- 
ther eaine to lieirien County he aecotnpanied him 
iiither, hut after a sojourn of one year returned to 
IJlue Island, where he stayed for twelve nionlhs. 
From that place he went to Ndes, where he re- 
mained until October, and from there eaine to 
Three Oaks and established a shop, which he con- 
ilueted until the fall of 1868. During that year 
he w;us elected Treasurer of IJerrien County, and 
soon afterward entered upon the duties of that 
position, which he held for a period of six years, 
being twice re-elected and serving with credit to 
himself and to the universal -satisfaction of the 
[leople. llpon the expiration of his term of office 
he returned to Three Oaks, where he embarked in 
the boot and shoe business, establishing a sttire, 
which he conducted until a stroke of paral3'sis, in 
April, 1877, forced him to retire. A few months 
later he purclia.sed the farm upon which he now 
resides and which consists of ninety acres of well- 
improved land. In addition to this property he 
owns the old homestead, comprising sixty-five 
acres in an excellent state of cultivati(»n. 

At New r.ufTalo, Mich., on the 11th of Septem- 
ber, 18r>(), Mr. Hess married Miss Minerva K. 
I'liiiipton. a native of Akron, ( )liio, and the daugh- 
ter of Rev. Billings I'limptiiu, a native of Massa- 
chusetts, and a |)rnmin('nt minister in the Meth- 
odist Cluiri-h. Five children weie boiii of this 
union, four of whom are now living. Henry L. is 
engaged in th(? general mercantile business at 
Three Oaks. Charles O. is the owner of a meat 
marki't ;it this place, in partnershi|> with .lohu 
liuikarl. .bihn M. is a salesman for a Chieagu 
house. .\nna F. is the wife of i'"rank W. Wells, 
Principal of the schools at Concord, .lackson 
County, Mich. Samuel W., on New Year's Day, 
18'.12, went out Inml.ing with two other boys, by 
one of whom he was aecidentally shot and killed, 
at the lime lacking only a few da\s of being 
eighteen years old. 

In his political allilialions Mr. Hess is a Hepub- 
licau. He has served as Constable, Town Clerk, 



Supervisor for three terms, Townsliip Treasurer 
for twoterms, member of the School I'oard, County 
Treasurer for three terms, and has al.so olficlated 
as .lustice of the Peace continuously since IHG2, 
with the exception of the time when he w.os Treas- 
urer. His interest in politics has always been ac- 
tive, and he h.as frecpiently been eho.sen to repre- 
sent his party in the Congressional and county con- 
ventions. In his social connections he is identified 
with the Masonic fraternity, and is a prominent 
member of the lodge at Three Oaks. 



4^4—- 



«^> 



spsa P. AVADSWORTH, a progressive (citizen 
^<^ of Berrien ('ounty and a successful fiiiil- 
^xaL)jJ r^''*"'f'' f'f ^'- •losepli Township, is a native 
of New York Stat(% having been born in 
Madison County .hine 11,IH1H. The family of 
which he is an honored member was founded in 
America twelve years aftci- the landing of the 
Pilgrim Fathers, .nt which time two brotheis of 
that name, William and Thomas, emigrated to the 
United States, A\illiam settling in Fast Hartford, 
Conn., and Thomas establishing his home in New 
Hampshire. The paternal grandf.athei' of our sub- 
ject, Thomas Wadsworth, was a native of Fast 
Hartford, Conn., where he niaiiicd and reaicd a 
family. 

David Wadsworth, father of our subject, was 
born in Fast Hartford, Conn., where he was reared 
and in his childhood attended the schools of the 
place. At the age t)f about fifteen years he shipped 
as a sailor on a whaliug-vessel and visited the 
princiiial ports of the world, in tli.at w.ay gaining 
a practical knowledge of the dilTerent nations and 
the customs of the people. Returning to the home 
of his birth, he married Miss Claris,sa Porter, whose 
paternal ancestors were among the most substan- 
tial citizens of Connecticut, many of them having 
been ministers of the (iospcl. 

After his marriage, David Wadsworlli removed 
to New York .State in the opening year of the nine- 
teenth century and made settlement In Hamilton, 
JIadison County. In his removal thither, he had 



380 



POxiTRAlT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



been accompanied by three brothers, Timothy, 
Tljonias and Moses, who settled within three miles 
of Utica. In 1835 Mr. Wadsworth removed to 
Geneseo County, and there piircliased land, but 
had made his home upon the place onlj' a short 
time when he was called from earth, in 1839. He 
w.as a man possessing many noble and manly traits 
of character and was highly' i-egarded by all who 
knew him. In his political sympathies, he was a 
Whig, and continued to vote the ticket of that 
party throughout his entire life. One of his cous- 
ins. Gen. Wadswortii, of Geneseo, N. Y., served in 
the War of 18 12, and he also had a son, .Tames, 
who enlisted in the service of the Union during 
the late war and was killed in .active service. 

Unto the union of David and Clarissa Wads- 
worth there were born ten children, of whom nine 
grew to manhood and womanhood and four are 
now living, namely: Norman, who is a farmer re- 
siding on the Rock River in Illinois, and is at pres- 
ent (1893) eighty-three years old; Leander, a resi- 
dent of Macomb County, Mich., and seventh-three 
3'ears of age; Clarissa, who makes her home with 
our subject; and S. P., of this sketch. The latter 
spent his boyhood years in Madison County, N.Y., 
and at the age of seventeen removed to Geneseo 
County, the same State, where he attained the 
vigor of fully developed manhood. 

The lady who in 1840 became the wife of Mr. 
AVadsworth was known by the maiden name of 
Sarah Boyce, and was born in 1819. Their des- 
tinies united, the young couple resided in Gene- 
seo County, N. Y., until about 18,59, Mr. AV.ads- 
worth working meantime at farming, carpenter- 
ing and operating a gristmill. During the year 
above named he removed to Benton County, Iowa, 
where he purch.ased three hundred and twenty 
acres of unimproved land. He devoted his time 
to the clearing and cultivating of this property, 
and made his home there for seven jears. Re- 
moving to Sterling, 111., he resided for three 3'ears 
and carried on a good business as a furniture 
dealer. In 1870 he came to Berrien County, where 
he has since resided. He and his wife became 
the parents of three children, namely: Frank- 
lin, wlio died at the age of about eighteen months; 
Hester, the wife of Rufus (ioodell, a resident of 



St. Joseph Township, Berrien County; and Edward, 
who makes his home in the same township. 

At one time Mr. AVadswortli was the owner of 
twenty-eight acres of fruit land, but he has di- 
vided his property, retaining in his own name 
onl\' nine acres. Here he engages successfully in 
raising peaclies. grapes and apples, altlumgh a 
large portion of the property' is rented to otliers, 
Mr. AVadswortli thereby deriving a good income. 
During war times he was an Abolitionist and had 
the courage of his convictions at a time when the 
expression of one's sentiments often meant deadl\' 
peril, if not death. In early life lie had been a 
Whig, and later affiliated with the Republicans, but 
at the present time he is a stiong advocate of the 
platform of the Prohibition party. During his 
residence in Iowa he served as Justice of the Peace. 
He was .agent for the Chicago it Northwestern 
Railroad at Fairfax, Iowa. He and his wife are 
identified with the Congregati(mal Church, and he 
is serving as one of the Deacons. 



yfclLLIAM KROIINE, residing upon section 
( 14, Pipestone Township, Berrien County, 
\\f^ Mich., a leading citizen and extensive and 
successful general agriculturist, has for a number 
of years been .actively ideiitilied with the pro- 
gressive interests ancf official work of his locality. 
A man of sterling char.acter and executive ability, 
he has discharged with lidelily the duties of vari- 
ous positions of trust, and is now serving with ef- 
ficiency as Supervisor. Our subject, a young man 
of energetic enterprise, was born upon the liome- 
stead, where he now cultivates the fertile soil, Jan- 
uary 4, 18G8. His parents, AVilliam and Angeline 
(First) Krohne, were both natives of Germany, 
where they spent their early years, the Krohne 
and First families both later emigrating from the 
Old Country to the United States and .settling in 
Cincinnati, Ohio. In that city the father and mo- 
ther received their schooling, and, growing up to 
manhood and womanhood, were married. They 
remained in Cincinnati until they were about 



I'OUTRAIT AM) P-IOGRAPIIICAL RECORD. 



381 



twenty j'ears of age and then decided to try their 

forUmcs in llie fiullicr Wc.-t and came to Midi igan, 
aliniist iriinuiliatcl y local iiii;; npoii tho old Ki'olinc 
farm. 

Tiie iiomeslead was partially' cultivated and im- 
proved when the father purchased it., but he later 
liuill a residence at an expense of |i2.0()() am) 
erected other substantial and excellent improve- 
ments. William Kroline. Sr., after a lonij life of 
liusy usefulness, passed away in \W\, mourned by 
a large circle of old-time friends and sorrowing 
relatives. His vi'ucrablc wife still survives. The 
parents were lioth members of the FiUtheran 
Church and the father was ever a leader in church 
work, giving liberally in support of his denomin.a- 
tion. The children who blessed the home were 
six in number, three sons and three daughters. 
Sophia, the wife of Syibiey Rector, lives in Sodus 
'l"oun>liip and has one son; Klizabeth is the wife 
of Lewis .Stevens, of Pipestone Township, and 
has one son; \'era, the wife of Fred Kettlcr, 
residing in l'i|)estone Township, has no children; 
William, Warren and Henry complete the list. 
The father was a gardener in Cincinnati, and 
owned four highly -cultival-ed acres near that 
city. Two hundred acres of the two hundred 
••md sixty acres in Pipestone Townshi|) are finely 
cultivated, an(] a ninety-acre faiin in Keeler 
Townshiii is all under impiovement. Hard-work- 
ing and a thiifly manager, the father accum- 
nl;il('d a comfortable com|)eleuce and g.ave his chil- 
ilien a good start in life. 

()ui' subject is engaged in mixed farming on the 
old place, and raises an excellent grade of stock. 
Kducated in the common schools of Ihc home dis- 
trict, Mr. Krohne was eaily tr.-iined to .assist in the 
daily round <if farming duties, and at the death of 
his fathei, when William was only fourteen years of 
age,heably man.aged llic farm. .Vlways busy, i\lr. 
Krohne has yet found time to devote to public af- 
fairs, and, an ardent Republican, is deeply inter- 
ested in both local and National issues. He has 
with ability represented his p.arty at various con- 
ventions and has faithfully di.scharge<l the duties 
of School lnsi>ector of Pipestone Township, and 
has been Treasurer of the same. As Supervisor 
for a numbei- of terms, our subject has materially 



aided in the promotion of public enterprise and 
needed improvements, and has by his liberal spirit 
and intelligent ability won the high regard of the 
entire community with whom he has been associ- 
ated fiom his birth. 



J'{"f"{"5',^^f+f*t; 




1 4.^.^.4. 1^®?'^. 4.4. ^.p 



ENJAMIN F. ENGLE. This well-known 
gencial farmer and fruit-raiser of Cass 
'')))lli' County has a comfortable and attractive 
home on section ;! of La (irange Township, 
and is one of the most successful fruit-growers in 
the State. In the cultivation of fruits he has met 
with more than usual success, and h.as emiiloyed 
such methods as havc^ produce<l the best results. 
He has made of his chosen occupation a .science, 
and is well read in everything pertaining thereto. 

Some mention of the ancestiy of our subject 
will not be amiss. His grandfather, .lolin ICngle, 
was boin in Pennsylvania, of fJerman parentage, 
and his wife was of Irish extraction. The grand- 
father w.as for man^' years engage(l in merchandis- 
ing, but <jn account of failing in business he af- 
ward devoted his attention to general farming, in 
which he continued during the remainder of his 
life. His methods of tilling the soil were primi- 
tive, and he plowed with a wooden jilow, reaped 
with a hand sickle, etc. During the War of I SI 2. 
he enlisted in the service of the I'niled States, and 
rendered ellicient service as a soldier. He and his 
wife reared the following-named children: .lohn, 
Mathias, Bartlcy, Whitney, Silas, Lemon, Ora ami 
Ann. H.'irtley became an Kpiscop.'il minister, and 
w.as for many years pastor of the church at Indian- 
apolis. 

The father of our subject, Silas Kngle, began at 
an early age to be self-supp<uling. He purchased 
land in Allegany County, N .V., where for a num- 
ber of years he followed farming operations. 
Later he embaiked in the mercantile business, and 
also foi' a lime was piopiictorof an hotel. AlH>ut 
18:M! he settled in the village of Mt. .Morris, Liv- 
ingston County, N. Y., where he spent seven 
years. Thence he came to Michigan and pur- 



382 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



chased land in Van Bureii County, devoting his 
attention to agiiculture during tiie remainder of 
liis life. While residing in New York ho took a 
contract to build a part of the Erie Canal. 

Mr. Englc married Miss Mere)' Olverd, and they 
became the parents of seven children: Eliza, who 
married William Bliss; Polly, deceased; Ann, the 
wife of Leonard Tisdell; Columbus; Benjamin F., 
Mathias and Allen. The mother of these children 
died in Livingston Countj^, N. Y., in 1839, and 
subsequently Mr. Englc married in New York 
Mrs. Matilda Burgess, nee Wilson. One child was 
born of this marriage, Silas. The third marriage 
of Mr. Englc united him with Mrs. Wilson, who is 
now deceased. lie died at his home in ^'an Buren 
County, Mich., in 1879. Politically, he was first 
a Whig, and later afliliated with the Republican 
jjarty. 

The subject of this notice was born in Allegany 
County, N. Y., in 1833, and remained at home un- 
til reaching his majority. He then began by rent- 
ing land and farming on shares for five j^ears, be- 
ing thus occupied both in Van Buren and Kala- 
mazoo Counties. For five years he was engaged 
in merchandising at Lawton, Mich., and from 
there removed to Cass County, where he purchased 
eighty acres in La Grange Township, and at once 
began to cut the brush and clear the place. He 
began not onl)' without capital, but with an in- 
cumbrance of $2,000 on his place. Through excel- 
lent management he has not only paid off the en- 
tire indebtedness but has also accumulated a hand- 
.some property, being the owner of two hundred 
and thirty-three acres, the most of whicli has been 
placed under improvement. Here he engages in 
the raising of fruit and grain, in the former mak- 
ing a specialty of peaches, pears, cherries and other 
fruits. He has probably been the most successful 
fruit-raiser in Cass County, and richly merits the 
prosperity which he now enjoys. The frame struc- 
ture which stood upon his place has been convert- 
ed into a tenant house, and the family now occu- 
pies a beautiful brick residence, surrounded by a 
smooth and grassy lawn, with other inviting en- 
vironments. 

In Van Buren County Mr. Engle married Miss 
M. L., daughter of Jonathan and Betsy (Burton) 



Elliott, and unto them were born five children: 
Frank; May. the wife of Nathan Burnham; Ilat- 
tie, who married .loiin Bramer; and Silas and 
Laura, deceased. In his political afliliations, Mr. 
Engle works with the Republican party, and uni- 
formly votes that ticket. Socially, he is identified 
with the Ancient Order of United Workmen at 
Dowagiac. He and his estimable wife are active 
workers in the Methodist F^piscopal Church, and 
are prominent in social circles of the community. 
His son Frank, who resides at home, cultivates the 
farm and relieves him of many of the .anxieties 
and cares incident to its management. 

Since starting out in life for himself at tlu^ age 
of twenty-one, he h.as twice met with the misfor- 
tune of losing everything he possessed. While 
the greater part of his life has been spent in agri- 
cultural pursuits, the}' did not wholly command 
his entire attention, for he devoted five years to 
mercantile business in Lawton, and from there re- 
moved to Whitmanville in 186.') and engaged in 
trade. One year subsequently he removed to the 
farm on which he now resides, and commenced for 
the third time to build himself a home, being at 
this time far removed from the bottom round of 
the ladder of fortune. Li addition to farming, he 
devotes much attention to fruit-growing, and to 
this latter fact he is indebted for his financial suc- 
cess. From the moment misfoitune ceased to fol- 
low him, the Latin phrase, Fortes For tuna Juvat, is 
applicable to him. 



OSEPH DICKINSON, born February 2, 
18.'?6, amid the pioneer scenes of the State 
of Micliigan, was a native of St. .Joseph, 
and a son of Robert Dickinson, an early 
settler of Berrien County, widely known as a cit- 
izen of ability and integrity of character. The 
father was but a young man when he crossed the 
broad Atlantic and m.ade his home in the then far 
Western State. By birth an Englishman, he had 
received a good substantial education in the 
Queen's dominions and came to the New World 




Joseph Dickinson. 





J[, (/Cl&^. 



t-^t^-^ytX.^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRArinCAL RECORD. 



385 



full of energy aiul JKipe. The irooil niotlier of 
our suliject, Mrs. Susannah Dickinson, bore live 
fliildren, of wlioni .losepli was tiie eldest. The 
others in the ordcn- of their l)irtli were Eliza. Mrs. 
Charles II. Fai-uuin; Susan, deceased; Sarah; and 
Arlluir. .loseph Dickinson, reared upon the farm 
of his parents, was trained to the daily round of 
.aitricultural duties, and also enjoyed the benelil of 
instruction in the district schools of the home 
neighborliood. An earnest, capable man, hard- 
working and enterprising, he reached the years of 
maturity and began the struggle of life for him- 
self. 

Our subject was united in marriage with Miss 
Hannah Davis, and with his wife located on the 
old homestead where his widow and family yet 
reside. Three sons and two daughters blessed with 
their clieerfid presence this pleasant home. George 
C., the eldest-born, is connected by business with 
the First National Bank of Benton Harbor; Fred, 
a promising lad, died at the age of twelve years; 
Stanley manages the productive farm; Florence 
is deceased, and Carrie completes the family circle. 
To these sons and daugliteis the father and mother 
extended every possible advantage for an educa- 
tion and aided them to well lit themselves for the 
battle of life. (!eorge is a graduate of the business 
department of the Valparaiso school. Stanley also 
completed a course of study in the same institu- 
tion and giadualed with an excellent record. 
Florence has a talent for music and graduated 
from the musical de|)artment of the institute at 
Benton Harbor. 

Our subject survived to clear seventy-five acres 
of his farm and brought the land up to a high 
state of cultivation. Ever anxious to provide for 
the comfort and well-being of his family, he 
erected the substantial and commodious buildings 
which are now on the property, lie was a devoted 
husliand and father, and in all the relations of 
life, as a friend, neighbor and citizen, commanded 
the esteem and high regard of all who knew him. 
He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and throughout his mature years was an 
etlicient Christian worker. His estimable wife, his 
son Stanle}- and his daughter Florence are also 
memliers of the Methodist Episcopal Church and 



are prominently connected with its social enter- 
prises. Politically, Mr. Dickinson was a sturdy 
Republican and, at various times elected to school 
ollices, served with able fidelity and to the great 
satisfaction of the community by which he w.as 
surrounded. In all matters pertaining to the gen- 
eral good he was especially active, and w.as a true 
friend to local progress and educational advance- 
ment. 



\|^;RED N. BONINE, M. D., a resident physi- 
J-Wg] cian of Niles, is one of the native-born 
/i\ citizens of Michigan, in who.se success his 

fellow-citizens take just pride. Notwithstanding 
the fact that he is scarcely thirty' years old, he has 
attained to a position of prfuninence in the medi- 
cal fraternity, and enjoys the confidence of the 
people of Niles, who have watched his career with 
interest and looked forward to his future with the 
certain belief that it will bestow added honors to 
his fame. B3' travel and study in foreign lands 
he has acquired a fund of information concerning 
his chosen profession which is both broad and 
deep. He is especially interested in diseases of 
the eye, ear, lungs and throat, and has met with 
success in their treatment. 

Born at Niles on the 21st of October, IHII.'S, our 
subject attended the schools of this place, but fin- 
ished his education in Freiburg, (iermany. Af- 
terward he entered the medical dei)artment of the 
State University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, grad- 
uating from that institution in 188G. He then 
returned to Euroiie and took a post-graduate 
course at London and Paris, devoting his entire 
time and attention to the study of the e3'e, ear 
and throat. In order to better lit himself for the 
work, he m.ade an extended trip, visiting Berlin, 
Vienna, Egypt, the Soudan, Palestine and South- 
ern Asia. 

Upon his return from Europe, the Doctor re- 
sumed his professional labors at Niles, where he 
has since resided. In leganl to soci.al connections, 
he is identified with St. .losepli Valley Lodge 
No. 4, A. F. it A. .M.; SI. .losepli Valley Chapter, 



386 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



R. A. M.; Niles Cominandery No. 12, K. T.; Is'iles 
Council No. 19, R. & S. M.;an(l the (iiaiul Rapids 
Consistory'. He is also a prominent worker among 
the Knights of P^ythias. His marriage occurred in 
1886, and united him with Miss Viva M., daugh- 
ter of Martha E. (Finley) Thomas, of Niles. Tlie^' 
are the parents of one child, a daughter, Natalie. 
Dr. Boninc is Division Surgeon of the Michigan 
Central Railroad. 

We would regard this sketch incomplete were 
no mention made of the honored father of our 
subject, who for years was closel}' connected with 
the progress of Niles. We cannot do better than 
to quote fr07n the Niles Daily Star, of December 
29, 1892: "Evan J. Bonine was born on the lOth 
day of September, 1821, at Richmond, AVayne 
County, Ind. His parents were liberty-loving 
Quakers, opposed to strife, slavery and every form 
of oppression. The foundation of his education 
was laid in the common schools of Centreville, in 
the same count3'. After completing his ordinary 
studies, he remained to read medicine with a promi- 
nent physician of that town, where he was brouglit 
into intimate association with such original and 
vigorous thinkers as Oliver V. Morton, Ambrose 
E. Burnside, George W. Julian, and others whose 
names have since become famous. Later he was 
graduated from the Ohio Medical College at Cin- 
cinnati. 

"In 1844, Dr. Boninc was united in marriage with 
Mis- Eveline Beall, and for nearly a half-centur}- 
they were a mutual comfort to each other. Like 
:i true wife she divided his sorrows and doubled 
Ins joys. Hand in hand they passed bravely' 
tluough the dark clouds of affliction, and heart 
to heart they rejoiced when the sunshine of 
prosperity attended their footsteps. Soon after 
their marriage they removed to Cassopolis, Mich., 
where the Doctor engaged in practice until 1849. 
when, with his brother-in-law. Laban Harter, he 
made an overland trip to California. He returned 
ill 1851 and settled in Vandalia, where he resumed 
liis practice and also served as Postrasister. In 
IS.OS he removed to this citj' and at once entered 
upon a large and successful pr.actice. Prior to lo- 
cating iierc he had served as a member of the 
Michigan Legislature. 



" By the appointment of President Lincoln in 
18(;2, Dr. Boninc became Surgeon of the Second 
Michigan Infantry, and for a time was Division 
Surgeon and Chief Operator of the Third Division, 
Ninth Army Corps, with twenty or more surgeons 
under his direction. He came home to enter upon 
the duties of Surgeon of the Board of Enrollment 
for the AVeslern District of Michigan, with head- 
quarters at Kalamazoo, where he remained until 
the close of the war. In 1865 he was elected to 
the Legislature on the Republican ticket. Two 
years later he represented Berrien Countj' in the 
State Senate, and in 1869 he was returned to the 
Lower House. In 1873 he received the appoint- 
ment of Postmaster at Niles and resigned the State 
office to accept the Federal, which he retained for 
twelve years. In 1868 he was a delegate to the 
Chicago Convention. He served as Mayor of 
Niles for three terms, besides lilling various minor 
offices to the full satisfaction of his constituents. 
For man}' years he was the trusted Surgeon of this 
division of the Michigan Central Railroad. 

"Dr. Boninc's success as a surgeon was phe- 
nomenal and proves that surgeons are born, not 
made, and a fact not generally known may help 
to account for it by those who believe that talent 
is transmitted by hereditary descent. The blood 
that flowed in his veins came from the same foun- 
tain (two or three generations back) as that of the 
Agnews and Pancoasts, of more than national re- 
nown. Dr. Bonine was constructed after Nature's 
grandest pattern from his heart outward. His 
magnificent physical development, rugged con- 
stitution and great power of endurance stood him 
in good stead during his fatiguing rides over poor 
roads by day and night, and only these generous 
gifts of nature enabled him to endure the hard- 
ships and exposures incident to the life of a con- 
scientious army surgeon. We are told that when 
his superior offleers urged him to take needed rest 
after long hours of labor among the wounded and 
dying, assuring him that younger men could do 
i\H: work, he would shake them off with the re- 
mark, 'No, the boys and their friends at home hold 
me responsible. How can I leave the fluty to 
others ?' 

"The labors of this loved physician are ended, 



KiRTUAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



387 



:iM(l (inc might lliiiik with sucli an cartlily record 
ho would fear naiifjhl for the future. lUil it will 
<,'ive pleasure to ids friends to learn that long be- 
fore he was confined to his bed, and when his mind 
was alert and vigorous, lie said to his friends: • I 
have tried to do something to make the world bet- 
ter for my having lived in it, but my life has not 
been what it should have been and I claim no 
merit of my own; my soleU'ust is in Christ.' For 
some hours before his death his mind was clouded, 
but .as the last hour approached he realized that 
he was dying. Too exhausted to speak, he gave a 
look of fond recognition to the weeping friends 
around iiim, and with his hands el.asped in theirs, 
his breath ceased and he passed away without a 
struggle on the 28th of December, 1H92, aged sev- 
enty-one years. Mrs. Bonine and an only son. 
Dr. Kred N., survive him.' " 



?^HOMA.S C. UODGERS. Prominent among 
the young business men of Cass County 
^Jf stands the name of this popular citizen of 
.Surnmerville, Pok.agon Township. He was born 
.July 13, IfS.").'}, one mile west of Summeiville, on 
the old homestead which his grandfather had en- 
tered from the (iovcrnment in 1828. Elsewhere 
in this volume ajipears the biographical sketch of 
his parents, Thomas and .Sarah Jane (Rogers) 
Rodgers. He was reared to manhood upon the 
home farm and in his youth was the recipient of 
the best educational advantages afforded hy Poka- 
gon Townshi}). 

At the early age of eighteen years the subject of 
this .sketch entered the llourisliing mill business at 
Summerville, and remained thus occupied for a 
number of years, becoming thoroughly familiar 
with the work in all its details. Finally, however, 
he abandoned that business and for the past few 
years he h.as given liis attention exclusively to 
house-painting, in which he h.as been very success- 
ful, lie has steady employment during the entire 
year, and as a business man has proved himself to 



be prompt, reliable aiicl honoiaiile, possessing good 
judgment and abilities .above the average. 

A very important event in the life of Mr. Rod- 
gers occurred May 10, 1877, at which time he was 
united in marriage with Miss Emma, daughter of 
Edward and Julia B. (Drake) Badger. Mrs. Rod- 
gers was born in New Jei'sey, and her father and 
mother were natives respectively of England and 
New Jer.sey. One son, Carl A., has been born to 
brighten the home and hearts of Mr. Rodgers and 
his cultured wife. .Socially, he is identified with 
the Masonic fraternit}' of Pokagon Township and 
has reached the Royal Arch degree, being also a 
member of the latter lodge at Dowagiac. He is 
prominent in the Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
lows and alliliates with Crystal .Spring I.,odge No. 
.•!2.'j. 

In his political opinions, Mr. Rodgers is a Repub- 
lican and a strong sui)porter of his party, being 
one of the leaders in its ranks. He h.as ofliciated 
in man}' positions of trust and responsibility in 
the community, having first been chosen to serve 
as Constable, later elected Justice of the Peace, 
and afterward appointed Deputy Sheriff. In addi- 
tion to these positions he has also served .as Census 
Enumerator and Notary Public. In the spring of 
18'J3 he was chosen Supervisor of his township, 
and although it has a Democratic majority' of 
twenty, he was elected by a m.ajority of sixteen 
votes. He gives his inllucnce to all measures hav- 
ing for their object the proniotion t»f the village, 
morally, socially or materially, and aids so far .as 
possible all public-spirited and progressive enter- 
prises. 



^^©^@l^l«=^^ 



WILLIAM L. (iARRATT, M. D. It gives 
us great pleasure to make mention of this 
worthy gentleman, .as he is not only a 
prominent physician, but a good citizen of Water- 
vliet, Berrien County. Dr. Oarratt was born in 
W.ayne County, N. Y., August 22, 184(1, and is the 
son of Mott and Nancy (French) Oarratt. Isaac 
(Jarratt, the grandfather of our .subject, was born 
in Dutchess County, N. V., in the Colonial days. 



388 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



His father came from Ireland and selMed in Diileli- 
ess County in an early da3', and tluie leaied eight 
sons and two daughters, five of wliom lived to be 
over ninety years old, and all were of the (^naker 
religion. Prior to the War of 1812, Isaac (Jar- 
ratt moved to Prince Edward County. Canada, 
and settled near Picton, where he spent the rest 
of his daj-s, and died about 1845, at the great age 
of ninety years. His wife was a Miss Carman in 
her maiden da3S, and proved herself a faithful 
comi)anion and loving mother. 

The father of our subject was born in the month 
of September, 1787, in Dutchess County, N. Y. In 
his 3'outli he was pressed into service in the War 
of 1812, lighting bravely in the British ranks, but 
as soon as he came from the war he went to Wayne 
County, N. Y., where he settled on a farm and im- 
mediately began to improve it. In addition to 
this land he purchased more, and in time w.as the 
owner of two or three good farms. In politics, he 
was formerl}' a Whig, and in the latter 3'ears of 
his life became a stanch supporter of the Republi- 
can part}'. Our subject's father was married three 
times — first to a Miss Carman, who bore him thir- 
teen children, nine of whom reached their major- 
ity. The mother of these children died in the 
State of New York about the 3'ear 1834, and some 
time after Mr. (^arialt married Nancy Strong, a 
widow with threesons, Lyman, Lucius and Cephas. 
Hy her secoinl marriage, Mrs. Strong became the 
mother of live children, all of whom are still liv- 
ing but one. Thej' are: Rebecca, George W., 
Naomi (now Mrs. Pierce), and William L., and all 
make llieir home in Watervliet. The mother of 
the above-named children died in Waj'ne County, 
N. Y., lebruaiy 22, 1852. She was a native of 
Ma.ssachusctts, her birthplace being in the town 
(if Aniheist. She was born in 1800, and was the 
daughter of French parents, who were among the 
early jjioneers of Massachusetts. 

Our subject remained on the farm with his par- 
ents until he was fifteen years old, in the mean time 
getting all the education that he could. On reach- 
ing his fifteenth year, William started in life for 
hiiiiself and soon found employment in aprinting- 
(illiee, beginning with Pomero}' Tucker, in Pal- 
myra, N. Y., on the Wayne Democratic Press. 



Eight years after, Mr. ( inriatt began the study of 
medicine, liiit had l)aiely started when the Civil 
War lnoke out. Mild he enlisted .lauuary 1, 18(J4, 
in Company' II, Ninth New York Heav}' Artillery. 
He was immediately transferred to the hospital 
service in AVashington and vicinity, and in 1805 
was discharged as a hospital steward. After the 
hoirois of war were over, the Doctor attended 
lectures at the Buffalo .Medical College in the win- 
ters of 1860-67, and at the close of that period 
went to Lyons, Ohio, where he formed a partner- 
ship with Dr. L. D. Hill. There he succcssfiill}- 
practiced for lifteen years, and in the spring of 
1880 located in Watervliet, where he has since 
continued [iractice, with the exception of two j'cars' 
time which he spent in Ohio. 

Dr. (iarratt has taken a great interest in the up- 
building of the town of Watervliet, and in com- 
pany with a Mr. Pierce erected the first evapora- 
tion system in the village in 1887. Politicall}', 
our subject is a warm-hearted Republican and 
always u.ses his inliuence in that direction. He 
attends all the conventions and is also a promi- 
nent member of the Knights of Honor and other 
societies. 

October 6, 1868, our subject w.as married to 
Miss Adelia Parker, a native of West Unity, Ohio, 
and a daughter of Dr. .7. C. and Maria (White) 
Parker. Dr. Parker was born in New Yfirk and 
moved to Davenport, Iowa, in 1852. When the 
war broke out he formed a company, over which 
he assumed command, but resigned before reach- 
ing the lield, and died soon after. His widow still 
survives, and is now the wife of Mr. Port. She 
has had four children, two sons and two daugh- 
ters. 

Mrs. Garratt's paternal grandfather, .Terred C. 
Parker, was a native vf Onondaga County, N. Y., 
and an early |)ioneerof Ohio. Iler maternal giand- 
fatlier, Wiiliain P. White, was born in the same 
county and was a caiitiiiii in the militia during tlie 
late war. He w.as a merchant and saddle-maker In 
early life and siibsei|uently followed the occuiia- 
tion of a farmer. He w.as twice married, lirst to 
Maiy Pixley, who bore iiini one chilil, Maria; and 
later to Polly Iligbee, who became the mother 
of two sons, Whitfield and Isaac. 



PORTRAIT AND 15100 RAPHICAL RECORD. 



389 



Oflr siibjc'ft .ind liis wife arc tlic parents of three 

cliilihcii: \':ui (',. K(lii;i L. iiiid Liiveiii. Tlii'V 
well' ImpIIi aclivi' iiK'iiilieis of tlie liaplist Cliiuc-li 
ill Davfiipoit, Idwa, and since their removal to 
Mii-hiicaii have been iiu'iiil)er.s of the ('oiiLir('jj;a- 
lioiial Chinch in this village. Tiiey are both good 
workiT.s in allsocicliis eonneeted with ehiireh woriv 
aiui aid both liiiaiicially ami s|iiiitually in liie u|i- 
bnildimr of liie cau^e. Dr. (iarratt is widely and 
lavor.ably known, .and his sterling worth and striet 
iiilvi;rity have won him liie eonliiknce and the 
high regard of all with whom lie has been bioughl 
in ei)ntael. 



\ ATIIAN SKINNKR. one of Porter's lead- 
ing citizens and a prominent fanner of the 
township, w;is born in I'erry County, Ohio, 
.June I.j, IcS2'2. His [larents, (Jeorge and Mary 
((Jooden) .Skinner, were liotli Ijorn in l'enns\l- 
vania in 1781. The names of the grandparents are 
iiiikiiown to us, as is also the origin of the families. 
The parents were married in the Keystone State 
and in an early day removed to Ohio, settling in 
I'erry Coiinly, and later entering one thousand 
acres of land in .Sandusky County. The mother 
died on the "iltli of September, 18;!1, when Nathan 
was a child of nine years; the father passed away 
on the 2r)lli of September, 1838. 

The parental family consisted of twelve eliil- 
dieu: Uhoda, wlui was born on the 26tli of April, 
1800, married William lilack and reared a family 
of six ehildreii in Sandusky County, Ohio; siie 
<lied in the spring of 1890, at the age of ninety 
years, having been a widow during the last forty- 
one years of her life. David, whose birth occurred 
on the 17tli of Kebruaiy , 1802, married Abigail 
Hulla in I'erry County, Ohio, later intived to Del- 
aware County, the same State, and died in \'an 
Weit County, Ohio, in November, 1879; he ami 
his wife were the ])arents of eight children. Fanny 
was born October 5, 1803, and died October l.j. 
1818, at the age of fifteen years. Klizabeth was 



born October 1, 1805, and died on Christmas Day, 

1821. .lohii, who was born December 7, 1807, 
niarrie<l Il.annaii Ihown on the 12tli of .Inly, 1828, 
and went to Livingston County, INlieh., in 1815, 
where lie died March (>, 1888. His wife had passed 
.away thirteen years prior to his demise. They 
had four daugiilers and two sons, all of whom are 
living with the exception of one son. Jane was 
born March 21, 1810, and died Augu.st 1, 1825. 
Rebecca, who was born Aiiril 22, 1812, married 
Samuel lilaek in I'erry County, Ohio, and later 
went to Sandusky' County, where Mr. IJIack died 
April 1, 18l(). She afterward married Hugh Fur- 
gesoii, of Cass County, Mich., and removed to 
Illinois, where she died April (>, 1889. Samuel, 
whose birth occurred on the lOlh of May, 1811, 
married twice and had one son and nine daugh- 
ters, all of whom are living and have families, 
there being at this time one hundred and ten de- 
scendants. Samuel is a wealthy retired farmer re- 
siding in Fremont, Ohio. (Jeorge, who was born 
August 22, 1816, married Klizabeth Kimesiii 1810, 
and lives in Williams County, Ohio, where he has 
been engaged in farming; he lost two sons in the 
l.'ite war. Aaron, who was born Seiiteinber 20, 
1819, married Elizabeth Fickel and settled in Eff- 
ingham County, ill., where he follows agricultural 
pursuits. The next in order of birth is the sub- 
ject of this sketch, who was liorn .Iiiiie 15, 1822. 
Mary Ann, born June 13, 1825, married .lolin W. 
Walter in Sandusky County, in September. 1815. 
and died in Tillin, Ohio, October 6, 1865, having 
become the mother of two .sons and one daughter. 

In his early life Nathan Skinner had but meagre 
advantages for obtaining an education, as his jiar- 
eiits died when he was quite young, his inolher 
when he was nine years old and his father when 
he was sixteen. At that age he was thrown up >ii 
his own resources to work his way in the woihl. 
For a time he worked in the employ- of others and 
attended school at such opportunities as were 
afforded. I5y diligence in his studies he obtained 
sullieient education to enable him later to teach 
school. 

November 27, 1812, Mr. Skmner m;irried .Miss 
Sophia Dayhuff, wlio was born in Richland County, 
Ohio, July 23, 1821. Her father, Moses D.iyhufif, 



390 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



was born September 15, 1793, in the eastern part 
of Pennsylvania. Wlien quite young lie accom- 
panied his father to Maryland, and in the city of 
IJaitiniore learned a trade. During the War of 
1812 he and an older brother went into tlie army 
and reraajned until the close of the contlict. After- 
ward he began preaching as an itinerant in the 
Evangelical Church, and joined the first conference 
in that denomination. For six years he labored 
as an itinerant preaciier, usually speaking in the 
German language, altliougii he also used English 
fluently. He had live brothers and two sisters. 
In 1820 he married Miss Barbara Blough, of Berlin, 
Somerset County, Pa., and three years afterward 
ho moved to Ohio, where he resided until 1851. 
During that year he came to Michigan, and after- 
ward lived with his children until his death at the 
home of his son-in-law, the subject of this sketch, 
which occurred in 1870, when he was seventy- 
seven. His ancestors, as well as those of his wife, 
were of German origin. They were the parents 
of eight children, three sons and five daughters. 

The grandfather of Mrs. Skinner, John Dayhuff, 
was a man possessing great energy and force of 
character, and was particularly zealous in religious 
matters. When he considered that the time had 
come for building a church, he went to work him- 
self, without asking assistance of any one. He 
erected the edifice on his own land, deeding it to 
the Methodists. Dutch and English. Being a 
splendid singer, his services were frequently called 
into requisition for public occasions, and he was 
chorister for several different denominations at 
the same time. For many years lie kept a note- 
l)f)ok and the writing in it was so beautiful as to 
attract general attention. Upright and honorable, 
he won the esteem of all who knew him and his 
memory is revered by his descendants. 

Coming to Michigan in 1845, Mr. Skinner set- 
tled in Porter Township two years later, and here 
improved a farm that he sold in 1865. During 
the same year he purchased his present place and 
has embellished it with the best of improvements. 
He spent twelve years in Jones, this county, hav- 
ing retired from his farm, but again returned to 
this place and has since made it his home. He 
served for five years as Justice of the Peace, for 



four years was Supervisor from Porter Township, 
and while in Jones he served as Supervisor from 
Newburg Township and was also Townsiilp Clerk. 
When he was but seventeen years of age he united 
with the Methodist Episcopal Church, but his wife 
became a member of that denomination when she 
was sixteen. Since that time he has lived an ex- 
emplary Christian life, and has been quite promi- 
nent in the church. He has served as Class-leader 
and Superintendent of the Sunday-school. He has 
also been a lifelong temperance man. 

For many years Mr. Skinner has done hut little 
work on his farm. lie has been largely interested 
in settling estates and has been administrator 
and guardian for seven or eight important ones. 
Now he is living in quiet retirement on his farm. 
Mr. and Mrs. Skinner have had four cliildren, as 
follows: Mary Ann, who was born October 6, 
1844, and died October 7, 1845; Rhoda, who was 
born April 6, 1846, married Henry T. Cutler and 
now, widowed, makes her home with her parents; 
William H., who was born September 24, 185(1, is 
unmarried and resides with his parents; Samuel F., 
wlio was born Octol)er 16, 1853, married Maria K. 
Roof, and lives on a farm adjoining that of his fa- 
ther, having the management of both estates. 



"SI 



1^+^^ 



/^EORGE H. REDFIELD, better known as 
[|| ,_— , "Ham" Redlield, comes of a long line of 
^^^iS! worthy ancestors, and the history of the 
family in America dates back to the landing of 
the Pilgrims. He is of English descent, and for 
many years his family was identified with the 
history of the Nutmeg State. Mr. Red field was 
born in Cass County, Mich., August 21, 1855, and 
was the only .son of the late Hon. George Red- 
field, wtio was the fifth son of Peleg Redfield, the 
latter a native of the State of Connecticut, born 
October 6, 17'J(). I'eleg Redfield was the son of 
George Redfield. 

When George Redfield, the father of our sub- 
ject, was a mere boy, he moved with his parents 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



391 



from Coiiin'c'ticut lo Oiilario County, N. Y.. where 
lie rfccivcii his (•(liicMtiiiii, and wlierc lit' rtMiuiiiied 
until 1M22. From llioie he went South for Ihi- 
purpose of le.'iehin'^ school, and remained there 
several years, in the vicinity of Milledijeville, 
(ia. While theie he became acquainted with and 
had for iiis pupils lliose who later hecanie leading 
men m tlie politics of that State, among them heing 
ex-State Treasurer Jones. In 1831 he, in com- 
pany with eleven other young men, started foi' 
the wilds of the ureat West, Michigan being the 
olijective point. They went there for the pur- 
pose of seeking a home, an<l made the trip from 
Detroit to St. .losepli County on foot, cai'rying on 
their hacks provisions, etc., and cunping wherever 
night overtook them. 

The company came as far West as White Pigeon, 
St. .losepli County, and, being much i)leascd with 
the. country, Mr. Kedlield returned to New York 
ill order to make more complete arrangements for 
Ins permanent settlement there. He intended to 
return in tin: spring of l,s:?2, but when the next 
spring came the memorable cholera scourge com- 
pelled him to abandon the trip for the time being. 
In l.S.t.S, in company with his brother Lewis, he 
made another trip to Michigan, but again re- 
turned lo the Last. In 1834 he came back and 
purchased eight hundred acres of land in Cass 
County, a [lart of which he lived on the balance 
of his days. This land was located near Adams- 
ville. 

On the Itth of January, 1835, Mr. Ucdlield mar- 
ried Miss .lulia A. Mason, of Palmyra, N. Y. In 
183() he purchased from the (ioverniiicnt three 
thousand acres of land in Calvin Township, one 
thousand acres in .lelTerson Township, one thou- 
sand acres in Mason Townslii|), and other tracts 
ill dilleieiit. parts of the coiiuly, ten thousand 
acres in all. lie became one of the most noted 
men of the State. He built the first water saw- 
mill in Ca.ss County, it being in Jefferson Town- 
ship, and rebuilt it in 1 SoO. After it w.is burned 
down he rebuilt it again, m 1862, and connected 
with it a llourmill. This is still' known as Hcd- 
lield's Mill. Mr. Hedlield was elected State Hep- 
reseiitativc, and served in that ineiiiorablc one 
hundred days' session of 1811. In 1S12-13 he 



served as Senator, was a Presidential elector in 
184'1, and in 1845 was appointed Stale Treasurer 
by Gov. Harry. 

The credit of the State at the time was at a 
very low ebb, bonds could not be sold, money was 
needed to meet interest then due on bonds pre- 
viously disposed of, and he, with George Harry, 
took out of their own . ample fortune ^24,000, 
which they applied towards paying the obligations 
of the Stale. This was not only a very liberal .act 
on the part of Mr. Redlield, but one that proved 
of untold benelit to the Stale at large, for it re- 
stored confidence. In 1850 Mr. Redfield was ap- 
pointed Secretary of the State, and was a mem- 
ber of the convention that framed the Constitu- 
tion. To none of the |iositioiis did he .aspire, but 
had he .aspired to political positions he might 
have filled the highest in the gift of the people of 
his State. 

A thorough business man, Mr. Redlield was also 
very domestic in his taste. In late years he posi- 
tively refused to accept any ollice, although often 
solicited to do so. When the colored people set- 
tled in Calvin Township Mr. Redlield sold much 
of his land to them, in most cases on time. He 
was generous to a fault, anil no poor man. either 
while or black, came to him for a.ssislance and 
went away empty-handed. For years a favorite 
(luotation among the poor when they hail no 
money to buy, and went lo him for their supply was, 
"Going to Egypt for corn,'" and Ihey always 
got it, for (ieorge Redfield was a benefactor of 
the country and always had |)leiity. His first 
wife died in August, 1818, leaving him two 
daughters and one son. The latter, Lewis by 
name, died in 18()8, when twenty-six years of 
age, having been married but six months before. 
Uertlia K. became the wife of II. E. Bucklon, the 
wealthy [latent inedicine manufacturer of Chicago; 
and Jennie M. is the wife of Prof. Walter C. 
llewett, of Oshkosh, Wis. Mrs. Hucklon and Mrs. 
W. C. Hewett are of the second marriage, as is 
also Abb^'. 

In September, 1854, Mr. Redfield maiiied Miss 
.lane K. naniniond. daughter of .ludge llaniiiiond, 
of Essex County, N. Y. She died in 18G5, leav- 
ing him one son and three daughters. Of these, 



392 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAIHICAL RECORD. 



George H.. whose name heads this article, is the 
eldest; Ann Maria married a wealthy merchant, 
A. N. Ilaskel, of Goslicn, ind., Imt is a widow 
now and resides with a son at KIkliart, Ind.; Julia 
became the wife of Dr. M. M. Latla, a [ironiinent 
ph3sician of (joshen, Ind.; and Abby died in 
:»»[). The father of tlicse children died in 1887. 
Fur the last fifteen years of his life he was to- 
tally blind, but even then he managed his affairs 
up to the time of his death. He was then the 
owner of about two thousand acres of land, and 
was one of the best men who ever made their 
home in Cass County. He left to his children a 
large estate, and, what was much better, a stainless 
reputation. 

No man is better or more favorably known in 
the county than "Ham" Redficld, whose friends 
are legion. He enjoyed all the advantages in 
youlii that money could give, first attending a 
Quaker and later a Catholic school, but not because 
he or his family adiiered to the faith of either, 
but because the training was more thorougli. 
However, lie leftschoi)l at an earl^' age, and when 
he liad reached his twentieth birthday he was mar- 
ried, selecting his companion in Miss Julia A. 
\'an Antwerp, daughter of Simon and Louisa 
(Hewitt) Van Antwerp. Mr. ^'an Antwei|) was 
of a prominent pioneer family. Detlhic Hewitt, 
father of Mrs. Van Antwerp, held the oflice of 
.lusliee of the Peace for forty years. 

]\Irs. Redlield is a lady of intelligence and re- 
linement and was well educated, having taught 
school for a number of >ears previous to her mar- 
riage. To this union were born two children, 
the eldest son being now deceased, his death oc- 
curring in 1881, when he was but four years of 
age. The second child, George Russell, was born 
January 8, 18'Jl,and is a blight and promising 
little fellow. Following his niariiage our subject 
remained with his father in the mill for two years, 
and then came to the farm where he n<iw lives, 
and which was deeded to him at the lime of his 
marriage. For the past seven years he has been 
engaged in the dairy business, and four years ago 
(1889) he built his creamery, in which he is doing 
an extensive business. He has held the offices of 
Township Clerk and Township Treasurer, and for 



twelve years past has been Justice of the Peace. 
During that time he has not had a case reversed. 
Socially, he is a Knight of Pythias and a Knight 
of the Maccabees. He is a line musician and is 
one universally liked and res[)ected. 




ON. JAMES r,. THOIMSON. A man seems 
living nearer to nature who adopts as his 
life calling some occupation that has been 
honored from the earliest time. That of 
the agriculturist and that of the weaver are of 
historic growth, and these our subject has been 
reared to know best, he himself having adopted 
the former, while his father devoted himself to 
the latter. Samuel Thomson, the immediate pro- 
genitor of our subject, was born in Glasgow, Scot- 
land, and there grew to mature years. He learned 
the weaver's trade, but in connection was also en- 
gaged as a merchant for many years. He married 
Miss Lillias Aitken, a native of the same place, 
and shortly afterward emigrated to America. In 
1844 this enterprising young couple settled in 
Berrien County, Mich., and took ii|i land where 
our subject now resides. With few conveniences 
and very few comforts, thej' settled in a logcaliin, 
and went actively to work to clear and iini)iove 
their farm. As the years i)assed away, the com- 
forts of life came to them, the home i)lace became 
one of the besf in the county, and eight children 
gathered ari)Uiiil the hearth. 

Mr. Thomson was one of the best known men of 
the county, and was highly esteemed throughout 
its length and lueadth. For many years he was 
Justice of the Peace, and also held the ollice of 
Highway Commissioner, discharging the duties of 
the same in a very satisfactory manner. For 
many years he was a member of the Farmers' 
Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and the second 
President of the same, holding that position for a 
number of years, and to the entire satisfaction of 
all concerned. He lived to be quite aged, and 
died on the place where he had spent the best 




John Martin. 



FORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPmCAL RECORD. 



395 



years of his life, when eightv-four years of age. 

His will; is still liviiii; Mini liiiils ;i ciiiiifortable 
lioiiK' with luT sdii, <nir sulijcct. 

Hon. .hiines ]'. Thonisoii was lioiii on Ihc farm 
wliiTi' 111' MOW resides, in I'lCiiion County, Mich., 
Aiij;iist r.i, 18.').S, and was the youngest of eight 
children, four sons and four daughters, all of 
wlioMi grew to iii.itiire years. As he grew to niaii- 
liood ill ills native place, his educational advan- 
tages were con lined to the district school of his 
iicigliliiirliood. Reared to the arduous duties of 
the farm, it was certain from the lirstthat he would 
choose that as his calling in life, and that he has 
liccn successful in that inusuit it is hardly neees- 
,saiy to add. .V glance over his wcll-keiit farm 
will tell it all. He is ambitious, enterprising and 
progressive, traits of character that will hardly 
fail him in his future career, and that have already 
won for hill) honor and distinction in his native 
(••unity. 

I'nhlie-spirited and enterprising, our suhject has 
hchi a number of prominent olliees, and discharged 
the duties of all in a iiianncr reflecting the great- 
est credit. He was lirst elected Supervisor of 
Xiles Township, and held that position from 1887 
until 1892, a period of live years. In 1892 he 
was elected to represent the Second District of 
Berriei\ County in the J.,egislature. He was School 
Inspector for many years, and has ever been deeply 
interested in educational matters. A member of 
the Presbyterian Church, he contributes liberally 
to its suiiport. 



JI/OHN MARTIN, deceased. It has been said 
I that life is not measured by years but by 
I intensity. Scarcely fifty years from his 
^_/' birth, Mr. Martin passed to his final rest. 
Hut tliough called hence in the prime of his u.seful 
and vigorous manhood, he had accomplished much 
for the good of his fellow-men, and if existence 
were counted by years and not by deeds, he 
might well be called the most venerable of men. 
For a long lime he was closely connected with the 

19 



best interests of .St. Joseph, and was one of the 
proininent merchants of the city until his demi.se. 

Uorn in Ireland in 1832, our subject was the 
son of Charles and Ann Martin, natives of the 
Emerald Isle. The biographer finds little of 
special interest to record concerning his childhood, 
which was pa.ssed in an uneventful way on the 
Isle of Erin. He attended the schools and ac- 
quired the rudiments of his education, which was 
afterward broadened by extensive reading and 
travel. Having resolved to emigrate to the New 
World and seek a home in the cf)untry which 
offered such maguilicent opportunities to the poor 
of other lands, he set sail on an American-bound 
vessel in March of 18.")2 and after a safe voyage 
landed in New York in July. 

From that city Mr. Martin proceeded directly 
to St. .Io.sepli, Mich., where for a time he engaged 
in buying railroad tics and staves, which he 
shii)ped to Chicago. Later he embarked in the 
general mercantile business in this pla(«, and by 
the exercise of excellent judgment and conscien- 
tious dealings with all, he acquired a wide reputa- 
tion as a successful and enterprising business man, 
in whom the public had every confidence. His 
death, October 24, 1882, was regarded as a pub- 
lic lo.ss, for iiis influence throughout the com- 
munity had always been elevating and ennobling. 
After his demise, his widow continued tlie business, 
of which she assumed the management. In 1892 
she sold out, and the enterprise went into other 
hands. 

The lady wlio for twenty years w.as the devoted 
helpmate of Mr. Martin bore the maiden name of 
Jane McLaughlin and became his wife December 
29, 18fi2. Mrs. Martin was born in Ogdensbiirgh, 
N. Y., and is the daughter of Francis and Sara M. 
(McMidlen) McLaughlin, natives of Ireland, who 
came to this country when (piite young. Miss 
McLaughlin attended a convent of the Sisters of 
Mercy at Chicago. With her parents she removed 
to the State of New York in IXl-J, and resided 
there until her marriage. Seven children were 
born unto her, five of whom are still living, as 
follows: .loliii F.; Alice, who married Warren 
Ballengee, and resides in St. Joseph; William E.; 
Sarah; and (Jeorge II. The handsome family res- 



396 



i-ORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



idencc is Idcatfd on State Street and is the abode 
(pf iio.spilality. Mis. Martin and lier cliildien are 
members of tlie Calliolic C'liurcli, with wliich Mr. 
Martin was also actively identitied. In his politi- 
cal S3n)|>athies, lie was a stanch Democrat. 






W,ILLIAM SEARES, a well-known citizen of 
Cass County and a prominent farmer re- 
siding on section ;?!, La Grange Township, 
was born in Krie County, Pa., sixteen miles from 
the city of that name, on the lOtli of .Tune, 1816. 
His i)aternal grandfather, Rich.ard Scares, was a 
native of iS'ew Jersey, and followed the occupa- 
tions of a farmer and hotel-keeper. Unto him and 
his wife, whose maiden name was Charity Uennett, 
were born the following-named children: Pha'be, 
who married William Booty; Isaac, father of our 
subject; Polly, who married William Custard; 
Sophia, who became the wife of Lyman Robinson; 
Philema, Mrs. O. W. Brawn; and Bennett. There 
were also two children who died in infancy. Po- 
litically, Grandfather Scares was a prominent and 
active worker in the Democratic party. He was a 
pioneer of Erie Couiit3-, Pa., where he made set- 
tlement in an early day, when settlers were few 
and hardships numerous. 

The father of our subject, Isaac Scares, was 
born in Connecticut, near Hartford, and was reared 
to manhood in New York, receiving his education 
in the common schools. When about nineteen 
years old he accompanietl his parents to Pennsyl- 
vania, and at the same tinjc, or soon afterward, he 
enlisted as a private in the War of 1812. At the 
expiration of his term of service he returned to 
Erie County, where, at the age of thirty, he mar- 
ried Mary, daughter of Richard and Su.san (Cus- 
tard) Custard. He resided in various places in 
Pennsylvania, and about 1821 came to Michigan. 
In 1835 he came to Cass County and purchased 
eight hundred and eighty-eight acres, and dur- 
ing the following year he brought his family. The 
land was entirely unimproved, and in order to 
bring his family to the place he was compelled to 



cut the roads. However, as years pa'ssed by he was 
enabled to make many improvements and to bring 
the jilace to a high state of cultivation. Upon the 
home he there established his life was brought to 
a close in 1839 

At the time of his demise Isaac Scares left a 
widow and the following-named children: Abra- 
ham, deceased; Andrew, who went to Texas many 
years ago and has not been heard of for more than 
thirty years; .lohn and Richard, deceased; Will- 
iam, of this sketch; Pluebe, Mrs. Alfred AVhite, 
deceased; Susan, who married Richard Walker; 
Sarah, deceased; Charity, the wife of Mr. Byers; 
and Irene, Mrs. .lonathaii Bangham. The mother 
of tiiis family' p.assed away at the age of seventy- 
four years of age. In his political belief, Mr. 
Scares, Sr., was a Wliig, and served his fellow-citi- 
zens in numerous positions of trust, the most im- 
portant being that of Treasurer of Cass Count3'. 

In his youthful days, the subject of this sketch 
remained beneath the parental roof. His father 
having given hini one hundred and sixty acres 
where he now lives, he commenced the work of 
clearing the soil and developing the land. Through 
proper methods of fertilization and close study of 
the various cereals best adapted to the soil, he was 
enabled to secure the very best rcsultsaiid brought 
his land to a high slate of cultivation. In 1840 
he married Miss Margaret, daughter of Thomas 
Miller, and a native of Peunsjivania. To them 
were born seven children, as follows: Thomas, 
who served for three years in the late war and was 
woundfed in the hand during one of the engage- 
ments in which he participated; Mary A., who 
died at the age of twenty years; Arde l>issa, who 
married Jose[)h Bangham; Abiaham, deceased; Is- 
aac N., a resident of California; Frank, who makes 
his home in Pennsylvania; and George, deceased. 

A member of the Presbyterian Church from his 
youth, Mr. Scares has occupied various mlieial po- 
sitions in that denomination. Politically, he is a 
Republican, and many ^cars ago was chosen County 
Clerk. He filled the [josition for one term, but 
upon being again c>ffered the position declined to 
serve. In addition to conducting a general farm- 
ing business, he has engaged in the sale of farm 
implements for a number of years. At one time 



PORTRAIT AND lUOGRAPIHCAL RECORD. 



397 



he was the owner of three hundred and forty 
:icrcs of land, tlie greiiter part of which he and his 
hrotlifi- phuid iiiuk'r cultivation. Now, in tlic 
declining; ycai> of iii.-s life, he can look back upon 
the past witliout re<,n-et, and can look forward to 
the future without fear. Such has been his life 
that he has won a place among the honorable and 
enterprising citizens of the county'. 



d+4"5»*5'/^ 



H****'^ 






^ 



AMKS IM. IlKri.KK. The name whicii in- 
troduces this sketch is borne by a gentle- 
man [)romiuent in many of the foremost 
' enterprises of Berrien County, and num- 
bered among the successful fruit-growers of St. 
•losepli Township. Mr. Metier li.as passed his life 
princiiially in this county', where he was born on 
the 28th of June, 1859. lie is of immediate Ger- 
man parentage, his father, Cottleib Metier, being a 
native of (iermany, whence he emigrated to Amer- 
ica with his parents in childhood and located in 
Seneca County, Ohio. Me was reared to manhood 
in the Huckeye State, removing thence to Michi- 
gan in lSo(). 

In the fall of the above-named year Gottleib 
Metier was united in maniage with Miss Martha 
Crill, tlin ceremony wiiicli united their destinies 
being performed in Ohio. Tiie Ijride was the 
daugliter of William Crill, a descendant of English 
ancestors. Upon coming to Michigan the senior 
Mr. Metier located in Royalton Township, Berrien 
County, where lie purcliasiMl ;i tract of unimproved 
land, consisting of one hundred and si.xty acres in 
llie midst of a dense forest. With unwearied in- 
dustry lie cleared about forty acres, placing a por- 
tion of the tract under cultivation and rendering 
it of greatly increased value. After residing there 
for about twelve years, he removed to the place 
wiieic oui' subject now resides, and upon disposing 
of his properly in Royalton Township he pur- 
chased forty-four acres in St. .Iosc|)h Township. 
Me cleared and improved a part of llic farm, and 
made his home iiere until the time of his ch'ath, 
which occurred in June. 1872. 



There were nine children in the family of 
Gotilieb Metier, of whom seven grew to maturity 
and six are now living. They are as follows: 
G. W., who owns a fifteen-acre farm in .St. Joseph 
Township; William, a resident of Royalton Town- 
ship; Joseph, who owns a farm in St. Joscjjh Town- 
ship; James M.; Nancy J., who is the wife of (i. 
R. Davis; and Catherine, Mrs. William Tolton, a 
resident of Chicago, where her husband follows 
the trade of a machinist. The father of this fam- 
ily was identified with the German Evangelical 
Church and was a man of upright and consistent 
Christian character. For nine con.secutive years 
he lilled the position of Justice of the Peace, and as 
one of the pioneers of the county was highly re- 
garded by all who knew him. 

At the age of nine years our siil)ject accompa- 
nied his parents in their removal from Royalton 
Township to St. Joseph Township, settling upon 
the place where he now resides. At the conclu- 
sion of his school studies, he worked 1)3' the month 
for a number of years in his father's employ-. In 
1881, forming a partnership witli his brother, J. 
W., he purchased the place where he now resides, 
and for about four years they tilled the soil in 
common, after whicli the property was divided. 
Mr. Metier now owns twenty-four acres, one-half 
of which is set out to fruit trees. Me has about 
three hundred pear trees, two hundred [teach trees, 
and raises berries of every variety, finding that 
occupation botii pleasant and remunerative. 

November 17, 1881, Mr. Metier married Miss 
Flora Match, who was born and reared in Lapeer 
County, this State. Her father, Chester Match, 
was for many 3ears a resident of Indian River, 
Clieboygan County, Midi., where he followed the 
occupation of a farmer and was also engaged as 
a mechanic. Cnto Mr. and Mrs. Metier were 
born three children, two t>f whom arc living: 
Nettie J. and Mabel M. Freddie, the onlj- son, 
died when eleven months old. The religious 
home of the family is in the Congregational 
Chuicli, aii<i the}' are regular attendants at the 
various church services. In his politic;il views, 
Mr. Metier is a Republican and takes an intelli- 
gent interest in all matters of public concern and 
general importance. Mis life lias Ijeen an active one, 



398 



PORTRAIT AND inOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and the results speak for themselves. He com- 
mciiferl witli little capital, but being a good man- 
ager lie has acquired the ownership of one of the 
best fruit farms in tlie vicinity. The improve- 
ments upon the place have been made under his 
(HTsonal supervision, the land cleared, trees setout, 
l)uildings erected, and such changes made as have 
lici'u t)f a most desirable nature, as well as pleasing 
In the licneral effect. 



^tlOHN F. CLENOENEN. Many of the best 
known farmers and residents of Cass Coun- 
I ty liave been born and reared within its 
' confines. In them we hnd men of energy 
and enterprise, who in the trite parlance of the 
present day might api)roprialely be called "liust- 
lers," and who are bound to become wealtiiy and 
influential citizens as the years go by. John F. 
Clendenen was born on the farm where he now 
lives, December 22, 1801, and, although young in 
years, is old in experience. He is a man whom 
nature seems to have intended for a farmer, for, 
owing to his desire to keep out of the beaten path, 
and to his adoption of new and improved meth- 
ods, together with industry and good judgment, 
he has met with more than the average degree of 
success in pursuing his calling. 

The parents of our subject, Oscar and Harriet 
(Swisher) Clendenen, were natives of Virginia and 
Ohio, respectively, and his grandparents, Robert 
and Amanda (Hinchman) Clendenen, were na- 
tives also of the Old Dominion, where they resided 
many years. At an early date the grandparents 
emigrated to Michigan and settled in Cass Coun- 
ty, where the closing scenes of their lives were 
passed. Oscar Clendenen was born December 20, 
1829, and was quite young when became to Mich- 
igan with his parents. All his scholastic training 
was received in the district schools, and his time 
was spent, when out of school, in assisting to im- 
Ijrove the home place. He was married in Cass 
County, Mich., to Miss Harriet Swisher, daughter 
of .lohn Swisher, and shortly afterward purchased 



eighty acres of the farm upon which our subject is 
now living. To this he added from time to time 
until lie became the owner of one hundred and 
tifty-live acres, all improved and under a good 
state of cultivation. On this farm his death oc- 
curred ill March, 1870. He was a hard-working, 
industrious man, and one who was universally re- 
spected. In politics, he was a Democrat, and held 
a nuuiber of the local ollices. His widow was mar- 
ried the second time, to William Kelchum, and 
now resides in Dowagiac. 

Of the three children born to his parents, our 
subject is first in order of birth. Frank, the sec- 
ond child, married Miss Lena Flanigaii. The 
other child was named Florence. .John F. re- 
ceived a good practical education in the distiict 
schools of Silver Creek Township, and remained 
with his mother until grown. In December, 1881, 
he married IMiss Flmma Oyler, a native of this 
county, and the daughter of Daniel and Catherine 
(Robinson) Oyler, who were early pioneers of Cass 
County. To this union were born four children, 
as follows: Bessie; Lula; Niel, who died at the age 
of two years; and Earl. In politics, Mr. Clendenen 
is a Democrat, and has held a number of local 
offices. He was Township Clerk for two years, 
Highway Commissioner one year, and in 181)3 he 
was elected the second time as Township Treas- 
urer. He is a public-spirited young man, and one 
of the best farmers in his section. 



^]>-^^<^ 



ACOB BRENNER, a representative general 
agriculturist and successful stock-raiser, 
handling a superior grade of Shoithorns, is 
ple;tsanlly located upon section 15, Berrien 
Township, Berrien County, Mieli.,and owns a fine 
farm of one hundred acres. Our subject is of 
German descent, his paternal great-grandfather, 
.lohn Brenner, having emigrated to the United 
States in a very early day in the history of our 
country. He settled in the Quaker State and, 
passing away at a good old age, was buried in a 



PORTRAIT AND BIOORAIMIICAL RKCORD. 



399 



fotlin of one-iiuli wliilv (i:ik Imiilic'i-. His son, 
( iraiulfMtlicr ri'tci' liiciiiu'r, si'ivcd witli courage 
in the Wur of l!S12. !iii(l left as a Ipfjac'V to liis 
(lt'srcii(laiit.s u clipst, liaviiiij his name inlaid with 
lirinistdiic and lioaiint; liic date of 177(>. Tliis 
rclif, made in Middlclowii, I'a., aiuJ now ui jios- 
session of our snhjcct, is hij^idy valued. The 
father of our subject, I'eter Hrenner, was a native 
of Dauphin County, I'a., and was l)orn in l.HO'2. 
lie was a life-long farmer and a man of intelli- 
gence. The mother, Mr.s. Rebecca (Zimmerrnan) 
I'.icnner, was born in Swalara Towushi|), Dauphin 
County, Ta. The parents passed their lives in 
their native county, where the mother died in 1853, 
the father surviving until 1K77. Until IH17 the 
worthy couple with tiieir family continued to re- 
side in a hundile log house, but at this latter date 
the father built a modern brick dwelling. 

Twelve sons and daughters gathcied in the old 
Pennsylvania home, and but four of the family 
are now living. The parents were both devout 
members of the Lutheran Church, of which the 
fatiier was for many years a Trustee. He gave 
one-half acre of land now in the village of Ober- 
lin. Pa., to the church, and w.as ever gencro\is in 
the behalf of religious inlluenee and of church 
work. lie was well educated in (ierman, and held 
with failliful ability the odice of Supervisor of 
Swalara Township. The old homestead of Grand- 
f.'ither IJrenner remained in the family for three 
generations, or nearly sixty years. Our subject, 
Jacob Urenner, vyas the fourth child of his parents' 
large family who atlained to maturity. Mr. 
Hrenner was born April I 1, lcS.'?(l, in Swatara 
Township, I'a. Uearecl upon a farm and early 
obligtrd to assist in the daily duties, he attended 
the district school but two months in the winter of 
each year. Before he was quite twenty years of 
age, our subject married Miss Margaret Wolfe, a 
daughter of David and Anna (Corman) Wolfe, 
both natives of Cumberland County, Pa. The 
father of Mrs. lirenner was born in the \ear 1810, 
themotherin 1811, and both s])ent their entire lives 
in Middlesex Township. Mr. A\dlfc was a man of 
enlerpri.sc and ac^hieved success in life. He owned 
three hundred and twenty acres of land in one 
body, and occupicnl a position of honor and intlu- 



ence. He passed away April 17, 1873; ihc uiolhcr 
of Mr.s. Brenner survived her husband until 
February 21, 1879. 

Mr. and Mrs. Wolfe were membeis of the Cer- 
man Reformed Church, and Mr. Wdife was espe- 
cially active in religious work, lie was in political 
atliliation a Democrat, and was a Director of the 
poor of the county. Mrs. Brenner was l)orn 
October 21, 183G, in Cumberland County, Pa. She 
attended school and .assisted in the home work un- 
til arrived at nineteen, when she w.as m.arriiMl. 
Mr. and Mrs. P>renner were weddecl in Il.'urisburgli, 
Pa., February 21, IM.'iti.and resided on the Bren- 
ner farm until isri'.t, when they removed to 
Grjindfather BnMiner's homestead, and ther(? they 
remained until 18(i;"), when they journeyed to 
Michigan and located upon their piesenl f.•lrl■l^ 
which is all cleared with the exception of twenty- ^« 
live acres. The land, highly cultivated, is de- 
voted to mixed farming, and full-blooded Short- 
horns are protitably r.aised niion the homestead. 
Mr. Brenner remodele<l his hou.se at a cost of 
several hundred dollars, and in 1868 built, a 
commodious barn at an expense of >!l,1()(l. Our 
subject has i)lanled out four acres in a new orchard 
and will give a portion of his lime to fruit culture. 
Financially prospered, he h;is purchased several 
farms and given them to his sons. .At |ire.sent he 
has only one hundred acres in the homestead. 
The pleasant home of Mr. and Mrs. Brenner was 
blessed by the birth of eight children, four of 
whom yet survive. David E. married Miss Eva 
Smith and lives with his wife and three children 
in Silver Creek Township, Cass County. Anna R. 
is the wife of Burton J. .Sparks and has no 
diildren. She lives in Berrien County. William 
mariied Miss Delorah Myers and is the father of 
one child. Ida E., wife of Edwin Sparks, has two 
children and resides in Berrien Township. Mr. 
and Mrs. Brenner arc both valued members of the 
(irange. He has held all the v:irious ollices with 
the exception of Master, and is at present Steward. 
She h.as also held ollice and is I'oniona. Our 
subject is fraternally connected with the Independ- 
ent ( hder of Od<l Fellows, and has been through 
all the chairs. Mr. Brenner is a member of the 
.Schot)l Board and Moderator of District II. His 



400 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



\ 



family all enjoyed excellent educational advanta- 
ges. Politically, our subject has always been a 
Republican and has held with abilitj- various 
offices of trust. In Pennsylvania he was Assessor 
and Collector, and did militia duty in the Quaker 
State a part of the time during the Civil War. Mr. 
Brenner has been Highway Commissioner of 
Berrien Township for two years and h.as served 
most acceptably as delegate to conventions. Aside 
from liis farming duties, our subject has the local 
agency for the Buckeye Jlachines and, possessing 
executive business ability and energy, makes this 
flepartraent of work a success. During his resi- 
dence of over twenty-six 3-ears in the count}- he 
has been largely identified with the progressive 
interests of the township and is numbered among 
the liberal-spirited citizens of the State. 



EMERY F. FERRY, a leading agriculturist, 
cultivating a fine farm located upon sec- 
tion 15, AVeesaw Township, Berrien Count}', 
Mich., is pleasantly located four miles north and 
one mile west of Galien, and is widely known as 
a public-spirited and patriotic citizen, who, bravely 
serving the Government in its hour of need, con- 
tracted a disease, which resulted in the total loss of 
sight. Born in Tioga County, Pa., May 22, 1833, 
our subject has. with the exception of his absence 
during the Civil War, constantly resided in his 
present locality since 1858. The father and 
mother, Charles and Phoebe (Slate) Ferry, were 
well known in the Quaker State, where they made 
their home for many yeai-s. Charles Ferry was 
born in Vermont in 1807, and was a son of Eben- 
czer Ferry, also a native of the Green MouiitSTn 
State, but of direct English descent. Grandfather 
Ferry fought with courage in the War of 1812, 
and was a man of energy and sterling character. 
Marrying in Vermont, he later in life removed to 
Pennsylvania, and the father of our subject was 
a lad of twelve years when, with the paternal 
grandfather and grandmother, he settled in Tioga 



County. The veteran of the War of 1812 passed 
away in the Quaker State, mourned by many 
friends and relatives. 

The father attained to adult age and was mar- 
ried in Pennsylvania, and with his wife and fam- 
ily emigrated to Berrien County, Mich., in 18.')S. 
He survived many yeai-s, and died at the home of 
our subject in 1891. He was a man of strong 
character and convictions, and was in religious 
belief a Uuiversalist. The mother preceded her 
husband to the better land in 1870. She was born 
in Cortland County, N. Y., and passed away in 
Berrien County. She was a devout Christian 
woman and a member of the Wesleyan Church. 
Her father, the maternal grandfather of our sub- 
ject, Thomas Slate, was a native of the Empire 
State and served bravely as a soldier in the War 
of 1812. The maternal grandmother. Prudence 
(Fitzgerald) Slate, was of Irish descent. The pat- 
ernal grandmother, Sarah (Taylor) Ferry, a woman 
of bright intelligence, survived to sixty-five 
years of age. Mrs. Pluebe (Slate) Ferry was 
blessed by the birth of three sons and three 
daughters, of whom five are now living. Our sub- 
ject, the eldest-born, remained in his Pennsylvania 
home until twenty-three yeai-s old. He received 
his education in the common schools of the district 
and attained to manhood an energetic and self-re- 
liant youth. In 1855 he was united in marriage in 
his native State with Miss Samantha Longwell, a 
native of Pennsylvania, who survived her marriage 
only about three yeai-s, passing away in 1858. 

In 1859, Emery F. Ferry a second time entered 
into marriage relations, wedding Miss Clara Jack- 
son, who died in 1861. In 1864 our subject mar- 
ried Miss Martha Hazen, who died in 1870. lu 
1871 he married his present wife, Mre. Alma 
(Thaxton) Ferry, who is the mother of ten chil- 
dren: John; Ella, wife of William Flowers; Alfred, 
Maude, Charles H., George, Nora, Mina, Peter and 
Olive. August 23, 1863, Mr. Ferry enlisted in the 
Union army, joining Company K, Twenty-fifth 
Michigan Infantry, serving gallantly until his dis- 
charge, December 10, 1864. Our subject .ictively 
participated in the battles of Stone River, Chicka- 
iiiauga, and Knoxville, and was with Sherman in 
his famous march to the sea. He was later attacked 



PORTRAIT AM) BIOGRAPHICAL RKCORD 



•1(1 1 



violently witli measles, whicli settled in his eyes, 
:in(l he is now t(it;illy lilind, li:iviiiy, in fact, been so 
I'vci- since the war. After his arrival in llerrien 
County. Mr. Ferry Iwuj^ht forty acres of liinbcr- 
htiid, and now h:is in his lioniestcad <Mie liuiidrcd 
acres, also owning an eigiity-acrc tract elsewhere. 
An important f.actor in the [nogressive interests 
of liis locality, our subject is a nienilier o( the 
Fanners' Mutual Fire Insurance Com[)any. Fra- 
ternally, he is a member of Custer Post No. 208, 
(i. A. K., at (i.alien, and takes u;rcat ple.a.sure 
in the re-unions and reminiscences of his former 
comrades upon the field of war. In his polit- 
ical \iews, he is a stalwart Republican, and cast 
Ids first Presidential vote for (ien. Fremont. Mi'. 
Ferry is a liberal-spirited citizen, a friend to 
education;d advancement, and without being es- 
pecially active in k>cal politics takes a great inter- 
est in all the vital questions of the d.ay. His home 
is the al)ode of hospitality, and he numbeis among 
his large acquaintance a host of sincere friends and 
well-wishers. 



-^=^1 



m®H> 



I yr° — ^ — • 



KNRY .STARKWKA rilKR. Uerrien Coun- 
ty is conspicuous for its magnificent farms, 
•^^ Ih-it aic f.'uiltless in the w.ay of manage- 
(8^ nient and the order in which they arc 
ke[)t. Those in Niles Township are especially ad- 
vantageously located, the land being rolling and 
well watered, fertile .and pioductive. No one is 
to be more complimented on the perfect method 
and order with which his agricultural alTairs are 
I'ondiictcd th.in he whose name is above. He is a 
farmer and stock-raiser on section (i, where he li.as 
a line hume. the house being commodious and at- 
tractive, and the outbuildings substantial and ca- 
pacious. 

Mr. Starkweather claims New York .as his native 
State, his birth occurring in Cayuga County, 
twenty miles sf)uth of Otibourn, September 18, 
182(1. lie is a son of Henry S. and Kstlier (Hakes) 
Starkweather, both natives of Connecticut. The 
grandfather, Kphraim .Starkweather, was also born 



in the Nutmeg State, and there followed farming 

all his life. The parents of our subject were mar- 
ried in their native .Stale, and there the father 
tilled the soil for many years, or until his removal 
to Cayuga ('onnt\, N. Y. After .settling in that 
.State he continued his former occupation and 
there died when lifty-five ^ears of age. The mother 
died younger. 

Our subject, the .seventh in order of birth of 
eleven children ,bf)rn to his parents, attained his 
growth in his native pl.ace. and there rem.ained 
until seventeen years of age. Deciding to make 
a start for himself, he turned his face toward tlie 
.setting sun and reached the undevelopeil State of 
Michigan in IS.'iO. He made the trip with a man 
by the name of Is.aac (irillin, settled in IJerrien 
County, and remained with him until lie had at- 
tained his majority. During this time he worked 
on the faim and received as compensatifui his 
board and clothes. When he I'cached his twenty- 
first birthday Mr. Oritlin gave him one hundred 
acres of timber-land in M.arshall County, Ind., and 
in 1810 he returniul to his native pl.ace. Two 
years later he returned to Niles, Alicli., and again 
maile his home with Mr. ( Irillin, continuing with 
him two 3' ears. 

In 184;") our subject was married to Miss l'",liza- 
beth Long, a native of Montgomery County, ( )hio. 
born May 28, 1821, and the danglitci- of \Villi:im 
Long, a native N'irginian, who followed merch.an- 
dising in that State for many years. .Her mother's 
maiden name was Elizal)etli Aiken, and she w-as 
born in Kentucky. Mrs. .Starkweather came to 
Michigan in 18.'5G, .as near .as can be remembered, 
and taught school in this .State and in Indiana for 
several years. After his marriage, Mr. .Stark- 
weather rented a farm on Burgis' Prairie and cul- 
tivated the soil for two years. Then, as he iiad a 
raw farm of one huiuUed acres in Indiana and 
Mrs. Starkweather had one of one hundred and 
lifty acres in the same .State, they tiaded these for 
two farms in Mas(ui Township. Cass C'ounty, 
Mich., and located on one of them. Three years 
later they .sold, and bought another farm in the 
same township, but Liter they al.so sold this and re- 
sided at Elkhart, Ind., for one summer. 

The year that Gen. Grant was first elected Pres- 



402 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ideiil tliey leniuved to lierricn County, and in 
1873 l<x;ated on tlie farm where tliey reside at the 
present time. Tiieir house and contents were de- 
stroyed by Arc the same year. Shortly afterward 
Mr. Starkweather erected one of the finest houses 
m the township, and now has one hundred and 
sixtj' acres of verj' productive land, thirty acres 
being in timber. Four interesting children were 
born of their marriage: May and Edwin, deceased; 
Emma, who died at the age of twenty years; and 
Frank J., who is now in the hardware business at 
Niles. In his political views Mr. Starkweather is a 
Republican, and in religion was reared a Quaker. 



W^ILLIAM A. RITNKLE, a prosperous and 
extensive agriculturist of Jefferson Town- 
ship, Cass County, Mich., lias since 1880 
been a resident of his flnely-iniprovcd homestead 
of two liundred and ten acres, located on section 
31. Our subject was born in Milton Township, 
October 31, 1851, and is the son of Cool P. and 
Margaret (Wilson) Runkle. The paternal grand- 
father, Adam Runkle, was of German descent and 
settled in New Jersey'. He afterward made his 
home in Pennsylvania, but removed thence to the 
near localitj' of Morrisville, N. Y., where he and 
his excellent wife both died. Grandfather Runkle 
was a farmer, and upon his homestead reared four 
sons and four daughters. The sons were Cool P., 
Henry, John and Richard. The daughters were 
Sarah, Matilda, Euphcmia and Hannah. The fa- 
ther of our subject was born in New York in 1817. 
Leaving his native Slate, he afterward removed 
with his parents to the (Quaker .State, but with his 
father and mother once again settled in New 
York. 

In the winter of 1844-45 the father journeyed to 
Cass Count}-, Mich., and worked by the month a 
few years, when he purchased eighty acres of land 
in Milton Township, and gradually .accumulated a 
fine property, being now considered one of the 
wealthiest men in his township. He is an enter- 



prising citizen, and is politically a Democrat. He 
has been thrice married. His first wife was the 
mother of one child, who died in early infancy. 
The second wife bore her husband five children, 
four of whom reached maturity: Margaret Kingsle^', 
William A., Ileniy S., and Ida S.,who passed away in 
the bloom of girlhood, aged sixteen. The second 
wife died in 1882. She was a member of the 
Presbyterian Church and was a trulj^ excellent 
woman. Born in Pennsylvania, she was the daugh- 
ter of James AVilson, a farmer of the Quaker State. 
Her paternal ancestors, the Wilsons, were of 
Scotch origin. Margaret Haslett, wife of James 
Wilson, was the mother of three daughters, and 
one son, Samuel. The daughters were Sarah, 
Jane and Margaret. The maternal grandfather of 
Mr. Runkle died in Pennsylvania. The grandmo- 
ther, who still survives, was married again, be- 
coming Mrs. Richard Savidge. By her second 
husliand she bore one son, AVMlliani T. They em- 
igrated from Pennsylvania to Michigan in 1841, 
and made the long journey bj' wagon. She is a 
member of the Presbyterian Church, and trained 
her family up to religious observance. 

Reared on a farm, our subject early became self- 
supporting and from thirteen years of age made 
his own way in the world. Being the eldest of the 
family, he was obliged to assist his father in pay- 
ing off debts on tiie farm, but at twenty-two 3'ears 
of age he began work for himself. He first rented 
a small farm of eighty acres belonging to his mo- 
ther, and whicli was located on the State line of 
Indiana. In the S|ning of 1880, he bought the 
homestead of one hundred and sixty acres where 
he now resides upon section 31, and has since 
added to the size of the home farm, which contains 
two hundred and ten acres. Mr. Runkle also 
owns a half-interest in forty acres of valuable 
land. He was married February 25, 1875, to Miss 
Jennie M. Baker, born in Crawford County, Pa., 
the daughter of Joseph and P>lizabeth (Hartman) 
Bakei. Joseph Baker, a native of Crawford 
County, Pa., was a farmer b}' occupation. He re- 
moved from his early home to Summit Count}', 
Ohio, and later located in St. Joseph County, Jnd. 
He finally settled in 1867 in Cass Countj^ Mich., 
but is now a resident of Florida. Mrs. Baker w.as a 




&U4^ 




iJ'hAA (fjW, 




PORTRAIT AND mCGKAPIIICAL RECORD. 



405 



native of I'emi.sylvaiiin. and a dauglilcr of .lacob 
Ilartinan, wlio witli liis wife I'lnigiatetl from (ier- 
many carl}' in life. Joseph Haker is a stanch Re- 
publican. Ilis fatlier, .loiiii r>ai<er, was a lumber- 
man and was killed in a sawmill in Ohio. lie 
left thi'ce sons and three daughters to mourn his 
loss. Mr. and Mrs. Runkle are prominent in the 
social and religious life of their home neighbor- 
hood and are ever rea<ly to lend a helping hand 
in all matters of local enterprise. 



=^^-f^l=- 



^^\ Yia S Tl'TIULL. Secretary of the Farmers' 
(|( _ Mutual Kire Insurance Company of Dowa- 
^^^' giao, was born in Orange County, N. Y., 
March 12, 1H27. Ilis father, Gideon Tutliill, w.as 
born in the same State and county, on the 1 2tli of 
September, 1791, and was the son of Benjamin 
Tuthill, who was probably born in the same coun- 
ty. The first member of this family that came to 
America was John Tuthill, who emigrated from 
Kngland in 1(120, and settled on Long Island in 
the State of New York. His descendants are now 
scattered through nine of the States, audit is a fact 
of which they may well be proud that, so far as 
known, not one of the number has ever been ar- 
lesled on a criminal charge. 

The greut-giand parents of our subject were Na- 
thaniel and Margaret Tuthill, the former of whom 
was born January 17, 17.'?0. Grandfather Tuthill 
was born June (J, 17(>1, and b^- his marriage to 
Uutli Knapp became the father of nine children, 
eight of whom attained manhood aiul svomaiihood, 
Gideon being the eldest of the number. In the 
lioniiiable pursuit of the vocation of a farmer, 
lienjamin Tuthill gained prosperity and acciiniu- 
laled a ((iinpcteiicy. His death occurred M.-iy 17, 
18211; his wife siirvive(l liiin for a number of 
years, passing aw;i}' on the 21th of April, 1818. 

In Orange County, N. Y., where he grew to 
manhood, ( iidooM Tuthill married Margaret Pad- 
dock, the daughter of Nathaniel Paddock, an<l a 
great-aunt of Mi.ss Fiances .1. Ciosby (the blind 
poetess). At the ,age of thirty-five, Mr. Tuthill 



removed to Tompkins County, N. Y., where he 
purchased land and made his home until death 
terminated his useful career, on the 22dof Septem- 
ber, 1867. Ilis wife passed away April 13, 1868. 
They were the parents of eight children, five of 
whom are still living, as follows: David, a promi- 
nent farmer residing in Tompkins County, N. Y.; 
our subject; Mary, Mrs. Abram Lane; C. D., who 
is engaged in farming in Minnesota; and .Tohn P., 
a capitalist of Ithaca, N. Y., and the owner of the 
old homestearl in Toini)kins County. The de- 
ceased children were: Laura, who married Isaac 
Banfield, .and died in New York State; George, 
who died in New York; and Ruth, who married 
William Gardner, and died in the Empire State. 
Abram Lane, brother-in-law of our subject, was a 
farmer in Tompkins County, and during the late 
war enlisted in the service of the Union. Being 
taken prisoner by the Confederates, he w.as placed 
in Libby Prison, and died from the effects of 
starvation one week after his return from the war. 
His widow makes her home in Dowagiac. 

When nine years of age, our subject accom- 
panied his i)arents to Tompkins County, N. Y., 
where he grew to manhood, receiving a good edu- 
cation in the common schools, and also conduc- 
ting his studies in I tli.aea Academy. He taught 
school in Orange, (Chemung and Tom|)kins Coun- 
ties, receiving for his first term ^1(1 per month, 
and for his l.ast term ^21, the latter amount I)eing 
then considered very high w.ages. For a short 
time he was in the employ of the Erie Railroad 
Company, and later engaged in merchandising at 
Howells, N. Y.; he also was railroad agent for two 
years at that point. In 18.").") he came to Michigan 
anil locateil in Dowagiac, where for six and a- 
half years he engaged in the mercantile business. 
From that he turned his .'ittention to agriculture, 
and, purtliasing a partly impiovi'd farm in Poka- 
gon Township, made his home there for fourteen 
j-ears, and conducted general farming upon its one 
hundred and thirty .acres. 

Leaving the farm in 18711, Mr. Tuthill came to 
Dowagiac and engaged ill the insurance business 
here. On the KUh of November, I 8r)2, he married 
Miss Frances, daughter of Joseph Beakes, an ex- 
tensive fanner of Orange County, N. Y. Mrs. Tut- 



406 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



hill died June 24, 1879, leaving tlnee children: 
Annie .1., the wife of John Caniight, a resident of 
Saratoga, Wyo; Harry B., a suceessful lawyer of 
Michigan Cit.y; and Victor M., a manufacturer of 
mill supplies at Grand Rapids, and a mcnilier of the 
firm of Baldwin, Tuthill & Bolten, prominent bus- 
iness men of that city. Politically, IMr. Tuthill 
was a Whig until 1856, and since then has been a 
Republican. At the present time he is President 
of the Board of Education of Dowagiac, and has 
served as Supervisor for a number of years. While 
residing in Pokagon Township he was Justice of 
the Peace for two years. Socially, he is a member 
of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is 
Past Grand of the lodge. He is a devoted mem- 
ber of the Congregational Church, and takes great 
interest in religious work. 

The Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Compaii}' 
of Cass County was organized May 8, 1863. Mr. 
Tuthill was a|>pointed Secretary- in March, 1876, 
and has held that position ever since. The terri- 
tory of the company' covers Ben ieii, Cass and Van 
Buren Counties, and on the 31st of December, 
1892, there were three thousand six hundred and 
fifty members. The charter of the company ex- 
pired May 8, 1893, at which time a new company, 
called the Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Com- 
pany of Dowagiac, was organized. The charter 
of the old company expired by constitutional lim- 
itation, and the new company was organized 
February 2, 1892, and a charter adopted. At a 
meeting held May 17, 1892, ollicers were elected, 
and our subject was chosen Secretary of the 
new company. There are now about thirty-one 
liundrod stockholders, and when there is a loss 
an assessment is made to pay the damages. The 
rates do not exceed one-half of the regular stan- 
dard companies, thus securing cheap and safe in- 
surance. The fee is 12 for membership, and ten 
cents on each i!100 invested. 

The I'resident of the company- is C. II. Kim- 
merly, a resident of La Grange Township, Cass 
County. There are seven Directors, including the 
Pjesident and Secretary. The others are as fol- 
lows: John W. Bedford, of Berrien County; Eras- 
tns OsbDiii. of Van Buren County; M. J. Gard, of 
Volinia Township, Cass County; William K. Bogue, 



of I'enn Townshi|). Cass County; and T. T. Hig- 
gins, of JefTorson Township, Cass County. The 
company is chartered by the State, and is upon a 
solid financial basis. An annual statement is is- 
sued and piil)lished for two consecutive weeks in 
the county papers during the month of January. 



*=s*^=* 



^,' AMES F. DUNBAR. Few families in I'enn 
I Township have a higher standing for char- 
acter, ability' and enterprise than the one 
represented by the name at the head of this 
paragraph, and in its various members it is emi- 
nently worthy' of the respect which is universally 
conceded to it. The county has been fortunate in 
being developed by such men, who were not 
only ambitious, but broad-minded and far-seeing. 
Many portions of this county are as attractive as 
though laid out b}' a landscape gardener, and in 
any part of it there is no more diversity of scen- 
ery than in Penn Township. 

James F. Dunbar was torn in Berrien County, 
Mich., July 28, 1855, and is a son of Archibald 
and Elizabeth (Frame) Dunbar. The father was 
born in Ohio about 1819, and was a farmer by oc- 
cupation. He left his native State at an early day 
and made his way to Berrien County, Mich., whore 
he tilled the soil successfully for many years. 
There his death occurred about 1872. His wife 
was born in Ohio, and died at South Bend, Ind., 
about 1877. Granilfather Dunbar was also a na- 
tive of Ohio, and during his entire career was en- 
gaged in cultivating the soil in that State. His 
death occurred in Berrien Count}', where he was 
well and favorably known. 

The original of this notice grew to mature yeais 
in Berrien County, Mich., and received his scholas- 
tic advantages in the common schools, never at- 
tending after his father's death. The latter was 
twice married — first to a Miss Mylor in Berrien 
Count}', and one child, who died young, was the 
result of this union. The father ran a meat-market 
and grocery in Buchanan for about five years. In 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



407 



till! yt'-ii' • ^"i'-* <""' siiliject was married to Miss Min- 
nie K. Uoylc. wiiosc liiitlipiacc i.s liorrieii Ctmiity, 
Mich. Her parents, (iodli)) and Mary Boyle, were 
early settlers of that county, and both natives of 
German 3'. 

The marriage of our subject resulted in the 
hirtli of one child, Ihittie M.i^-, who is a bright, 
intelligent little girl. Farming has l)cen our sub- 
ject "s chosen c;dling through life, and the earnest 
manner in wliieh he has taken hold of all advanced 
ideas and principles h.as had much to do with the 
success he has made of this calling. lie has two 
good farms — one t)f forty acres, five and a-half 
miles northeast of the county seat; and the other 
one hundred and fort}' acres six and a-lialf miles 
northeast, on section 9. 

In his religious views, Mr. Dunbar is a Quaker, 
and his wife holds membership in the same church. 
They take a deep interest in their church and its 
progress, but are also interested in all other worthy 
enterprises and contribute frecl}' of their means to 
their supiwrt. Both are liighl}' esteemed and have 
many warm friends. Mr. Dunbar is a member of 
the Farmers' Alliance. 




|(_^ I<:NRY first. Of that sturdy and inde- 
pendent class, the farmers of Michigan, 
none are possessed of more genuine merit 
and a stronger character than he whose 
name stiinds at the head of this sketch. He has 
risen to more than an ordinarj' degree of success 
in his calling .as an agriculturist, and wherever 
known he is conceded to be an energetic and pro- 
gressive tiller of the soil, imbued with all those 
(pialities of go-ahead-ativeness which have char- 
acterized his ancest(,)rs. 

(hir subject's birth occurred in Berrien Countj-, 
Alich., in IH;')',*, and he is the son of Fred and 
Louisa (Kukellian) First. The grandparents of 
our subject, F'red and Angeline First, were natives 
of Germany, where they were reared and married. 
At an earl}' date they emigrated to the United 
States and located in Berrien County, Mich., where 



they became the owners of large tracts of land, 
seven or eight hundred acres. The grandfather 
was a man of means when he came to this country, 
and he lost nothing by setting his feet on Amer- 
ican soil. He followed the occupation of a fanner 
principally', and ail his operations were attended 
with success. His marriage resulted in the birth 
of four children, who are in the order of their 
births .as follows: Fred, the father of our subject; 
Henrietta, Mrs. Fied Kukellian; Angeline, wife of 
William Kroline; and Sophia, the wife of llenrv 
Horseman. Mr. First was a Lutheran in his re- 
ligious views, and, in politics, was a Republican. 
All his children were natives of the Old Country, 
and came with him on the voyage across the 
ocean. 

When about fourteen years of age, Fred First, 
Jr., started out for himself and began working bj' 
the month on a farm. After working several years 
he married Miss Louisa Kiikelhan, a native of 
Oliio, and shortly afterward bi)Ughl t)ne hundred 
and sixt}' acres of land in Berrien County, where 
he has since lived. He has added from time to 
time to the original tract of land until he now 
has about nine hundred acres, part in Berrien and 
the remainder in Cass County. Although he be- 
gan at the foot of the ladder, he worked steadily 
away, and has now almost reached the topmost 
round. His chief occupation has been farming, 
and in that he excels. The fruits of his union 
were nine children, three of whom died young, 
the others being Sophia, who married Herm.an 
Grabem3'rc; Ileniy, our subject; Lizzie, who mar- 
ried Fred Filling; Lewis; F'rank; and Emma, who 
became the wife of Fritz Woolf, but is now de- 
ceased. 

(Jur subject with his parents holds membership 
in the Lutheran Church, and all are highly re- 
s])ected as worthj' and exein|)lar3' inember.s. The 
father was an ardent Republican in his political 
views. Henry FMrst remained under the paiental 
roof until his marriage, .and received a good prac- 
tical education in the common schools. When 
twenty-three years of age he married Miss .\iina 
Varnau, daughter of F'red and Caroline \';niian. 
Four children were the result of this marriage, and 
are named as follows: Freddie, F^ddie, Clara and 



408 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



May. Like liis fallier, our siil>ji'ft is a .strong sup- 
porter of Kepublican principles, and lias l)een 
Townsliip Clerii two 3'ears. At tlie time of his 
marriage liis father gave him one hundred and 
forty .acres, on whidi lie is now living, and on 
which he has made many great improvements. 



'^ 



^^S-^-i^ii^^i^ 




LONZO VINCENT, proprietor of Hotel 
Benton, was born in the village of Clay- 
ton, Jeffer.son County, N. Y., January 16, 
1844. His parents, Albert and Harriet 
(Slater) Vincent, were natives of New York, who 
eame to Michigan in 1845, locating in Marshall, 
and thence, three years afterwards, removed to 
Berrien County. They settled on a farm, where 
the father engaged in agricultural pursuits for 
some time, and later came to Benton Harbor, where 
he died in 1885. His widow is still living and 
makes her homo in this city. 

In the parental family there were five children, 
three sons and two daughters, Alonzo being the eld- 
est in order of birth. He was reared to manhood in 
Berrien County, where he gained his e<Uication in 
the common schools. In 1861, when a youth of 
seventeen, he enlisted in the service of the Union, 
becoming a member of Company D, Sixty-sixth 
Illinois Volunteers, the Western Sharpshooters, 
and participated in a numlier of the h.ardest 
fought battles of the war, including the engage- 
ments at Ft. Donelson, Shiloh, luka, the siege 
of Corinth, and later the battle of Corinth and 
numerous other engagements. Later he was 
transferred to the Fifteenth Army Corps, Gen. 
Logan commanding, and served with fidelity and 
v.alor until the close of the war. The regiment 
particip.ated in the march to the sea with Sheiiii.an 
and weiit thence through the Carolinasand Virginia 
to Washington, where they took part in the Grand 
Review. Our subject was mustered out at Spring- 
Held, III., in .Tuly of 1865. 

Keturning to Berrien County, Mr. ^'incent em- 
barked in the hotel business at Coloma, but soon 
alterwards came to Benton Harbor, and assumed 



the management of the American House. In .luly, 
18',t(l, he became proprietor of Hotel Ik-nton, the 
finest and most successful hotel in Benton Harbor, 
and one of the best in southwestern INIichigan. 
The house contains sixty-seven rooms for the 
accommodation of his guests, and is conducted in 
first-class style. Mr. and Mrs. Vincent carefully 
supervise all the departments of the business for 
the jmrpose of pleasing their guests, and the table 
service is unexcelled. The superior character of 
the .accommodations afforded have secured for the 
house the favor of the citizens of Benton Har- 
bor and the traveling public. 

In 18()('>, Mr. Vincent was united in niarri.age 
with Miss Elmua E., daughter of .losepli and Lucy 
(Young) Enos, of Bainbridge Township, Berrien 
County. They are the parents of two children: 
Maude E., an accomplished and refined young lady, 
and Gertrude Marie, a bright and winning child. 
In his political preference Mr. Vincent gives his 
support to the Republican party and takes an 
active interest in the issues of the day. Socially, 
he is identified with Lake Shore Lodge No. 208, A. 
F. it A. M., and is also a prominent member of 
George H. Thomas Post No. 14, G. A. R. 



ggy ,5..j..{.,j.C 




YLVANUSB.GLINE.S. Prominent among 
Mason Townsliip's wealtliy and intlucn- 
tial citizens stands .S. B. Glines. who 
is a native of Vermont, born in Orleans 
County, Derby Township, near the Canada line, 
March 20, 1823. He was the third in order of 
birth of eleven children, and the eldest of six sons 
born to A.sa and Roxanna (Sinclair) Glines, both 
natives of Vermont. 

An old Vermont family, the (ilinesos are of Eng- 
lish descent, and trace their ancestors back to the 
landing of the I'ilgrinis. Asa's father was a sol- 
dier in the War of 1812, under Perr^', and was sta- 
tioned on Lake Erie. He was for many years an ho- 
tel-keeper near the Derby line, on the Vermont side, 
and was a shrewd, hard-working Vermont Yankee 
who knew how his money came, and how to take 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, 



409 



(•HIT of it. Aliiiul I .s 1 1 Asa Gliiics turiu'd Ilis face 
towards tlie seltiiiii; sun and selected a home near 
I'aincsville, Lake County, Oliio, al)ont tliii ty miles 
from Cleveland, iind then sent h.ack for Ins family. 

Tlie original of this notice beinj; the eldest son, 
ail the responsibility of bringing the family 
through rested on liis shoulders. Although but 
eighteen years of age, he disi)tayed an unusual 
amount of good judgment and ability in the man- 
agement of this responsibility. Me went by way 
of Lake Champlaiu and the Canal, .-ind reached 
the Buckeye Stale without an accident. The good 
sound sense and excellent business tact displayed 
at tli.'it time have marked his career through life, 
and liavt' made him one of the substantial men of 
his section. The father of our suoject died in 
Lake County, Ohio, about 18G0. 

The maternal grandfather of our subject, .Joseph 
Sinclair, was also a native of Vermont, and a car- 
penter and joiner by trade. He came West to Ohio 
at an early d;ite and died at Painesville. Of his 
six children all were .st)ns but Mrs. Glines, and 
were named as follows: .Joseph, .lolin, Greenleaf, 
Mdlon and Aaron. All came West to Ohio and 
were fairly well educated, a number of them leach- 
ing school. One or two kept hotel, but the re- 
mainder were farmers, and all became wealthy men. 
Their last days were passed in Ohio. 

Of the brothers and sisters born to our subject, 
Laura, who was a ti'.acher in her early lif(!, married 
and died in Vermont. Lucinda, also a teacher, 
came West and married .lohn Kelsey. After his 
death she moved to KIkhart, Ind., and is now re- 
siding with a daughter. Alexander died in Ohio 
of fever and ague when sixteen years of age. Car- 
los was a merchant near Cleveland, Ohio, and re- 
niaiiHul single all his life. He was at one time 
Postmaster in Wisconsin, accumulated a comfort- 
able comiietency, and died there in 18112. Homer 
came to Michigan and resided in that State until 
his death in Cass County, in 18;>2. He was a single 
man. George, a teacher in early life, was a soldier 
in the Civil War and thus lost his health. For 
ten years before his death he was .Superintendent 
of the poor farm in Summit County, ( )hi(>, and re- 
ceived a good salai'}' for his services. Charles was 
educated at Hillsdale, and followed the occupation 



of a teacher for some time. When but sixteen 
years of age lie went to Oberlin to enter college, 
but instead enlisted in the army as a sharp-shooter, 
and died at Murfreesboro, Tenn. Frank went 
South during the war and was among the missing, 
for nothing was ever heard of him again. 

The youthful days of our subject were si)eiil in 
securing a good education and in assisting his 
father with the farm work, and in the hotel. Later 
he taught school, and then, in 1841, brought the 
family to Ohio. Until twenty-one years of age he 
remained under the parental roof, and then started 
for himself by working out during the summer 
months. For this he received the sum of $1'2 per 
month. In the winter time he attended school, 
and thus laid the foundation for his subsequent 
prosperous career. In 18 41) he married Miss Mary 
Nye, of Painesville, Ohio. Her father w.as a prom- 
inent and wealthy farmer, who gave his children 
good educational advantages. Mrs. (Jlines had 
been a teacher, and her seven brothers Und all been 
teachers at some time or other of their lives. One 
brother, Silas H. Nye, was a prominent plow man- 
ufacturer at I'nion City, Mich., and made a for- 
tune, but reverses came and he lost all. 

In 1850 our subject came to Michigan, bought 
thirty acres in M.ason Township, and engaged in 
the nursery business, having learned grafling in 
Ohio. This he followed successfully for eleven 
years, and then became a large trader in lior.ses, 
cattle and sheep. He bought and .sold land, and 
everything he touched seemed to turn into money. 
For the past few years he has done but little or no 
work, except to look after his various interests, 
and for years he has been a large loancrof money. 
In politics he is a Republican. He was elected 
Justice of the Peace but did not serve, and he has 
been a Director in the schools for eighteen years. 
He has also served as Town Clerk, and was on the 
School Kxainining IJoard of the county. He made 
the race for Supervisor against Henry Thompson, 
one of the most po])ular men of the township, and 
the vote was a tie. The}' cast lots and he lost it. 
Mr. (ilines has been administrator for .several es- 
tates and isa man well liked by all. His wife, who 
for many years had been an invalid, died March 
26,1888. Their children were Mary and George. 



410 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



The eldest was well educated in music and married 
M. J. Nutting, a jirominent and wealthy stock- 
man of Porter Township, and George married 
Miss Cora Pendle, daughter of Colins Pendle, of 
Chicago, and they have three children: Ethel May, 
Glen Hates and Russell. One died in infancy. Mrs. 
George Glines' brother, Theodore, is a hanker in 
Chicago. 



I I I 




H. WP:TI1ERBEE, a prosperous agricult- 
urist and extensive stock-raiser of New- 
11) burg Township, Cass County, Mich., and 
for over a half-century a constant resi- 
dent of the State, has been since 1854 closely 
identified with the growth and progress of his 
present locality'. Our subject was born in Wayne 
County, N. Y., in 1824. His parents, William and 
Laura (Doublcday) Wetherbee, were natives of 
New England, reared and educated in their early 
homes. The father was born in Alassachusetts, the 
mother in Connecticut. After some years in the 
Empire State, "William Wetherbee determined to 
emigrate to the farther West, and with his wife and 
family journeyed to Michigan, and settled in St. 
.loseph County. Our subject was a lad nine years 
of age when he removed with his parents to their 
new home. His youthful days were spent upon 
his father's farm, and he gained an education in the 
district schools of the neighborhood. Having at- 
tained to self-reliant manhood, Mr. Wetherbee be- 
gan life for himself, and married in St. .Joseph 
County, where he later buried his wife. . 

After he located in Cass County, Mr. Wetherbee 
a second time entered the bonds of matrimony, 
and was united in marriage with Miss Miranda 
Stannard. Our subject and his estimable wife 
immediately settled upon the homestead, which is 
now increased to a farm of live hundred acres, and 
is one of the highly improved and most valuable 
farms in this section of the State. The pleasant 
home of Mr. and Mrs. Wetherbee has been cheered 
by the presence of children, two sons, Edgar and 
Charles. Edgar enjoyed the t)eiierit of a course of 



instruction in Valparaiso, Ind. He afterwards 
attended the Agricultural College at Lansing, Mich. 
Chailes is now |iursuing his studies in the Sl:ite 
University at Ann Arbor. Both of the sons arc 
promising young men, and are fitting themselves 
to worthily i)erf()rin their work in life. Our sub- 
ject is a self-made man, and in every sense of the 
word a representative American citizen. Unas- 
suming and unostentatious, he has with energy and 
resolution devoted himself to his daily business 
and with excellent judgment has given to his sons 
that most valuable of capitals, a thorough educa- 
tion. 

Mr. Wetherbee is well known as a friend to 
advancement and progressive industries. He has 
ever taken a deep interest in all matters pertaining 
to local enterprise and improvements. A thoi- 
oughly practical general fanner and experienced 
stock-raiser, he has in his chosen avocation achieved 
more than ordinary success. Although closely 
occupied with the many cares of agricultural life, 
our subject is- widely known and is universally re- 
spected. 



. -^ .'- 



M>^^<m^ 



'^Ij'OlIN C. SCHWENK, an extensive general 
agriculturist jjrosperously handling a high 
grade of stock and industriously tilling the 
soil of two hundred and twenty fertile acres, 
four miles southeast of New Buffalo, Berrien 
County, Mich., is a citizen of executive ability and 
has with great acceptability held the most import- 
ant oflicial positions in the township. Numbered 
among the leading agriculturists, Mr. Schwenk 
has been identified with the growth and history of 
his present locality from his youth. Born August 
19, 1849, about six miles from Buffalo, Erie 
County, N. Y., our subject was the son of .John 
and Elizabeth (Reuss) Schwenk, both parents be- 
ing of German birth and parentage. It was in 
1848 that the father and mother crossed the ocean 
to America. Landing in New Orleans, they re- 
mained there for a time, but during the terrible 
epidemic of cholera left the South and made their 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Ill 



Ihiimc ill New ^'ork. 'I'lify lived in the luiipire 
Male ii|)<)ii a lanii until, reinoviiii; to the West, 
tlioy settled in Micliiijaii and located perinanently 
ill New HufTalii Townsliii), Henien County. The 
father had in his native eountry eonihined the 
trades of a cooper and hrewer. 

Soon after their arrival in lierrien County the 
fatherand two hrothers purchased two hundred and 
forty acres of land, heavily tinilieied. This land, 
cleared and ciillivaled, is now laid out into line 
farms. 'l"he land was all iiiipruved by the Schvvenk 
family, who were energetic and industrious. The 
paternal grandf.itlier, Henry Schwenk, died in his 
native land. The father of our suliject survived 
about twelve years after he niad(^ his home in the 
township, and passed away in l.Slj'.l. His excellent 
wife, now a resident of New 15uffalo, was blessed 
by the birth of ten children, live sons and five 
daughters. During the cold winter of 1864 the 
faniil3' were violently attacked with scarlet fever, 
and three sons and t«o daughters succumbed to 
the terrible disease. The devoted mother, caring 
tenderly for her children, experienced many trials 
and sufferings in those days. .She is now sixty- 
five years of age and is not far separated from tlie 
remaining members of her family. John C. was 
the eldest of the ten children, and, educated niostl}' 
ill Berrien County, received only six months of 
schooling all told. As soon as old enough he was 
obliged to take an active part in the daily work 
of life. Ambitious to improve his stock of knowl- 
edge, Mr. Schwenk look private instruction from 
the book-keeper of his father, and by close and in- 
telligent observation and reading has gained a 
varied store of practical information. 

Our subject was married January 21, 1871, to 
INHss Barbara (Jropp, a native of Ohio, and a daugh- 
ter of Frederick and Barbara (Venncy) Gro|)p. 
The parents of Mrs. Schwenk were early settlers of 
l,a I\)rte County, Ind. Mrs. (irop|) died in New 
Buffalo Township April 1(1. 1833. Our subject 
and his estimable wife are the parents of two .sons, 
diaries F. and John R. The family are attend- 
ants of the German Lutheran Church, of which 
Mr. and Mrs. Schwenk and the parents of our sub- 
ject have been active and influential members, 
rulilically, Mr. Schwenk is a prominent Democrat 



and has for years almost eonlinuously held ollicc. 
He cast his lirst I'residenlial vote for Greeley, and 
later served with elliciency two terms as Highway 
Commissioner. He was Township Treasurer one 
term, and in 188',) elected Supervisor, has held that 
important ollice ever since, and now. with faithful 
ability, is discharging the duties of his fifth term. 
Kspecially interested in all matters concerning 
educational advancement and extension he has for 
twenty-one years as School Director aided materi- 
ally in bringing the schools of the district up to 
their present high sUiiidard of scholarship and in- 
struction. Fraternally, our subject was a charter 
member of the Knights of the Maccabees, and car- 
ries *2,000 insurance in the order. As a leading 
factor in New Buffalo Township improvementsand 
as a sincere and earnest man, conscientious in his 
work of life, Mr. Schwenk is appreciated by all 
who know him, and he possesses the high confidence 
and esteem of his fellow-townsmen. 



<Sj 1^ H. WALKER. No more highly respected 
\/jJf/ an<l esteemed citizen lives in C^ass County 
^^ than the one of whom we write, who has 
been a successful agriculturist here for many vears, 
and throughout all that time has so conducted 
himself as to earn the just admiration and regard 
of his neighbors and associates. He was born in 
Trumbull County, Ohio, November 28, I84'J, and 
is a son of Jesse P. Walker, and grandson of Rob- 
ert Walker. The latter was an early settler of 
Trumbull County, Ohio, and there passed his last 
days. Jesse P. Walker was born at Beaver Falls. 
Pa., and remained there until ten years of age. 
when he went with his parents to Trumbull Couiit\-. 
Ohio. He was one of ten children. After reach- 
ing manhood he was married in Trumbull Couiit\- 
to Miss Orlina Benedict, daughter of William Ben 
edict, who was a native of Connecticut, and a 
prominent farmer of Trumbull County. lie servecl 
through the War of 1812. 

After marri.<ige Jesse Walker located in Trumbull 



412 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



County and was engaged in agricultural pursuits 

imlil 1867, wlien lie moved to Cass County, Mich., 
engagpd in farming, and was thus busily employed 
for twenty-three years. From lliere he moved to 
Marcellus, and died in that town on the 20th of 
January, 1890. He was a good man, and for many 
years was identilied with the history of the best 
movements of Cass County. Of tiie six children 
born to his marriage, three reached mature years. 
The motlierof our subject died on the 20tli of No- 
vember, 1885, and Mr. Walker's second marriage 
was witii Mrs. Louisa Bogart, who bore him one 
ciiild, Jesse. Mr. Walker was Highway Commis- 
sioner in Newburg Township, this county, and in 
politics was a Republican. He held membership 
with the Methodist Protestant Church, and was 
Class-leader in the same for years. He met with 
good success in his chosen occupation, an<l was the 
owner of one hundred and si.xty acres of land, on 
winch were substantial buildings, barns, etc. 

The suijject of this notice attained his growth 
and secured a fair education in the Buckeye State, 
attending the subscription schools of the same un- 
til seventeen years of age. He then came to Mich- 
igan with his parents, and on the 24th of Decem- 
ber, 1871, he was married to Miss Alice Rudd, 
daughter of B. Rudd, who was a farmer and car- 
penter of Newburg Townslii|), this county. Her 
father was a native Vermonter and came to Miclii- 
gan about 1840, settling in La Grange Township, 
Cass County. After marriage Mr. Walker settled 
ill Newburg Township, on section 4, improved a 
good farm, and there resided for twenty years, 
wlieii he moved to Marcellus. This was in 1872, 
and he has been a resident of tliis town since. He 
has two hundred and seventy acres on section 4, 
and ills all in a good state of cultivation. He is 
a general fanner and stock-raiser, and aims to keep 
the best kind of stock on his farm. His buildings 
arc all in good condition and are an ornament to 
the |)lace, and his fences are kept in good repair. 

Mr. AValker has been Justice of the Peace of 
Newburg Township for three successive terms, and 
has also been Highway Commissioner of his town- 
ship. In his religious views lie is a Methodist, 
and he was Class-leader for a number of years. The 
four children born to his union were as follows: 



Viola, Earlie, Birdie and William Edward, all at 
home. Barker Rudd, the father of Mrs. Walker, 
served all through the Rebellion and was wounded 
and taken prisoner at the battle of .Stone Kiver. 
This severe wound was partly the cause of his 
death in 1880. 



B' 



H 



i^Sf'-^ 



OBERT A. WALTON. Mr. Walton is a 
man whom nature seems to have especi- 
\V ally designed to be a farmer, for owing 
%^ to his desire to keep out of the beaten 
path and to his adoption of new and improved 
methods, together with industry and good judg- 
ment, he has met with more than the average 
degree <jf success in pursuing his calling. He is 
now the owner of one hundred and seventy-nine 
acres on sections 9 and 16, Niles Townshiii, and 
although the most of it was improved when he 
settled on it, it is now in a tine state of cultivation 
and IS one of the finest places in the township. 

Our subject was born in Sussex County, Del., 
near Milford, November 11, 1832, and hi.s father, 
Joseph Walton, was also a native of that State. 
The latter was married in his native State to Miss 
Eliza A. Houston, of Delaware, and farming was his 
principal occupation in life. Mrs. Walton's fa- 
ther, Clemont Houston, was a product of Delaware 
soil also, and in that State spent his entire life. 
After marriage the [larents of our suV)jecl farmed 
for a number of years in their native State, but in 
March, 1836, removed te Michigan, locating in 
Howard Township, Cass County, on a farm. About 
three years afterward the father was killed by a 
falling tree. His wife followed him to the grave 
when about eighty-three years of age. They were 
the parents of nine children, live sons and four 
daughters, six of whom are now living. 

Of the above-mentioned children, our subject 
was the seventh child and fourth son. He was 
about four years of age wlien he came with his 
l)arents to Cass County, Mich., and as a conse- 
quence all his recollections are of this State. His 
lime was divided in youth between assisting to clear 



^^^5. 





■Oy^t.^!^^ 



rORTHAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RKCORD. 



415 



the farm and in attending tlic district school, and 

he icMKiiiicd inidiT llio inui'iilul roiif until hIiouI 
si'vt'iitfi'ii yt^•lrs of :v^v. Wiien slarlini; ()\it for 
liiiiisi'lf he \vorl<0(1 by Hie month on a farm, and 
Ihi'ii spi'iit (iiif year in acarding-mill. The breai<- 
ing oiil of Uif Civil War tilled him with patriot- 
ism, and in 1H()I ho en listed inCompany F, Twelfth 
IMichigan Infanliy. Four years of his life were 
|)asse(l ill lighting for the Stars and Stripes, and he 
paitiei[)aled in many hard-fonght liatlles. lie was 
promoted to the rank of Sergeant, took an active 
l)arl in the liatlle of Shiloh, and was wounded at 
Clarendon, Ark., .a pieee of shell striking his shoul- 
ilcr. In March, IS()(!, he reeeivi'd his discharge at 
.laekson, Mich., after which he returned to Cass 
County and engaged in farming. 

ill October, IHtiG, our subject w.as mairied to 
Miss Melvina Kibltle, a native of IJerrien County, 
Mich , of which State her parents were early set- 
tlers, locating in the same about I82K. In the 
spring of 18(57 Mr. Walton bought his present 
farm. This was then in an undeveloiied state, only 
a log house on the place, butth-e youngcouple went 
actively U) work to cultivate and improve it. By 
their marriage were born six sons: Byr<)n A., a grad- 
uate of South Bend Business College, who is now 
a stenogra()hei- and type-writer in that city; Jay Fl, 
who is at home; Herbert, Roy, IJwighl and Arthur. 
All the children were born on the farm where our 
subject now lives. Formerly a Rei)ublican in his 
political views, Mr. Walton is now a Prohibition- 
ist. He is a member of F'rank Graves Post No. 164, 
(;. A. R., at Nih's, and is a consistent member of 
the Methodist Kpisco[)al Church at Niles, being 
a Steward and Trustee in the same. 



^1/ KWIS SnTIIKRFANI), a prosperous general 
ll (fe) farmer and substantial citizen of Berrien 
/l iii^ County, Mich., has been a constant resident 
of Benton Townsliij) for more than two-score 
years. A native of New York, he was born in 
Broome County in 1831. The Empire State was 

^0 



also the birthplace and long-time home of his 

parents, Lot and L3dia (Bliss) Sutherland. The 
paternal great-grandfather emigrated from Scot- 
land to the I'niled States in an early day. Our 
subject vv.'is one of tin; eight sons and daughters 
who blessed the home of his parents. A littU; 
boy five years of age, he accompanied his father 
and mother to Michig.aii in 1H;3C, .and with them 
settled in Kalamazoo, which w.os then unnamed, 
having only a land-ollice. After four years the 
family located in Berrien County, making their 
home in Bainbridge Township, where Lewis at- 
tainecl l(» mature years. 

Mr. Sutherland received a good common-school 
education in the district of his home, and with 
diligence improved every oi>porlunity U>v educa- 
tional advancement. Trained by his parents into 
habits of thrift}' industry, he arrived at manhood 
energetic and enterprising. In 1853, he began 
life for himself, and, coming to Benton Township, 
received immediate employment in the service 
of M.aj. Pearl. At about that same time he in- 
vested his small ('apital in a (piarter-section of 
land, ;ind since, winning his way rapidl}' upward. 
has become the owner of large tracts of valuable 
■ acres. 

In 1860, Lewis Sutherland and Miss INlatilda 
A. Howard, daughter of Joseph S. Howard, weie 
united in marriage. Unto Mr. Sutherland and 
his estimable wife were born six children, two of 
whom died when young. The three sons sur- 
viving are Sterling L., Darwin B. and Lot F., all 
practical and successful general agriculturists and 
men of usefulness and inlluence in Benton Town- 
ship. The daughter, Addie, is the wife of Rodney 
. Pearl, a son of Maj. L. W. Pearl, and is also a resi- 
dent of Benton Townshij). The sons and daugh- 
ter, reared amid the scenes of their childhood, have 
each and all enjoyed the benefit of the best in- 
struction afforded l)y their home locality. Well 
fitted for life's duties, they have now become 
prominent factors in the development of the social 
and business enterprises of the county, and com- 
mand the confidence and esteem of the entire com- 
munity, with whom, as life-time friends and neigh- 
bors, they have been long associated. 

Mr. Sutherland votes the Democratic ticket, aud 



4 It) 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



has discharged with efficiency the duties pertain- 
ing to v.'uious town offices. Fraternally, he is a 
valued inemher of the Ancient, Free & Accepted 
Masons. He was also one of the diarter nieniliers 
of Pearl Grange and has been an active worker 
in that organization. Our subject has never had a 
mortgage on his pro[)erty. nor ever had a law suit. 
Devotuig his life mainly to the tilling of the soil, 
he has achieved great success, and as a repre- 
sentative agriculturist and citizen of broad views 
has materially aided in the rapid advancement 
and progressive interests of Berrien County. 
Widely known, he is universally regarded as a 
man of ability and sterling integrity of character. 



©__ 



=-^^^-^[ 




^, ANIEL BAUSHKE, a leading fruit-grower 
and old settler of Berrien County, IMicli., 
jYj*? IS a native of Prussia, and, reared in the 
land of his birth, there married Miss 
Minnie Vileer, and to the husband and wife, 
who long continued in the home of their child- 
liood, were boin six sons and two daughters: 
John C, August F., Albert, l^cwis, Theodore, Will- 
iam and Hannah and Amelia (twins). Our sub- 
ject and his good wife with their family emigrated 
finally to America, and came at once to St. .Joseph, 
Mich., and soon after located upon the farm now the 
home of Mr. Baushke. The [larents had but very 
little mones', and invested their small capital in a 
fort^-aci'e homestead, then all heavily timbered. 
Industriously the father, aided by his sons, set to 
work to clear the land which has since — brought 
up to a high state of cultivation — yielded annually 
a Ijounteous harvest of line fruit. After arriving 
in America one child was added to the famil}' 
grou[), William, now residing in Benton Harbor. 
John Baushke. born in 1842, and the eldest of 
the children, w.as but a boy when he crossed the 
Atlantic tu the United States. When the Civil 
War bvdke out he offered his .services to the 
Government of his adopted country, and, only 
twenty years of age, enlisted in Compan\- B, 
Seventh Michigan Cavalry. August F., the sec- 



ond brother, had previously entered the Federal 

army, and both of them served with faithful 
fidelity until the close of the rebellion. They 
were both engaged with the Army of the Potomac, 
and John Baushke was captured at the battle of 
Cedar Run, at the time Sheridan made his famous 
ride. Confined in Libby Prison, he was a total 
wreck when released, but after a long time |iar- 
tially recovered from his sufferings. He was mar- 
ried in 1866 to IMiss Minnie Brunke, who was also 
a native of Prussia. The union was blessed by 
the birth of two sons, John W. and William C. 
The mother did not long survive, and the husband 
was united to a second wife. Miss Elvina .Sheets, 
also a Prussian by birth. Mr. and Mrs. John 
Baushke are the parents of six children: Benjamin 
R., Levi, Pearl. Irvine, Amy and Rosa. This son 
of our subject began life for liim.self with a capital 
of energetic industry, and owns eighty acres of 
valuable land. In 1866, when he located upon it, 
the land was heavily timbered, but is now linely 
cultivated and improved with substantial and 
commodious buildings. 

August F. Baushke, a successful general agri- 
culturist and iirominent fruit-grower of Benton 
Township, is the second son of Daniel IJaiushke, 
and, born in Prussia in 1844. has spent almost his 
entire life in his [iresent locality. Only a lad, he 
enlisted in 1862 and gallantly fought, serving in 
the Army of the Potomac in Company B, Seventh 
Michigan Cavalry-, and was later under Sheridan 
until he was mustered out at the termination of 
the war. Wounded at Winchester at the time of 
the famous ride, August was taken to the hos[)ilal 
in Baltimore, and two months after, receiving an 
eighty-days fuiloLigh, made a visit to his home. 
He afterward returned to his command and passed 
safely through the other dangers of the campaign, 
and when peace was declared soon found his way 
back to Michigan, and at once entered upon agri- 
cultural )iursuits upon hisown account. Together 
with his brother John C, he i)uichasod a farm, 
and in |iartiiershii> the two cleared it of its growth 
of timbei-. two hundred acres of valuable land. 
They enter|irisingly cut a road frcun the main line 
of nearest travel to their farm, and on the original 
line there is now a public highwaj*. 



PORTRAIT AXD 15IOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



417 



August F. Haiislike and Miss Tena Blankshien 
wore joinuil in iiiMiiijiitc in 1868. V'we children 
hiiifliU'ned the lireside of the husband and wife: 
iMlward, William and Fianlv died in infancy; 
IIk two youngest, Ileiiry and riiili|i, are at home. 
Mr. IJaushke has one hundred acres of excellent 
land under high cultivation, and has imjiroved 
his farm with a comfortable and attractive resi- 
dence, good harns and other buildings. 

Our subject, IXanicI IJaushke, and his two sons, 
■lolin and August, have always been stanch Repub- 
licans. The sons gave patriotic and courageous 
service to the (iovernmcnt in its liour of need, 
and are to-day true and loyal citizens, ever ready 
to assist in the promotion and maintenance of the 
public welfare. Upright, Intelligent and hard- 
working, they have through their .self-reliance won 
success, and po.sse.ss the esteem and best wishes of 
many sincere friends. 



A 



LONZO GOODENOUGH, since 18(i.') a 
leading citizen and successful general agri- 
IJ ill culturist of Berrien County, Mich., was 
^/ born in Windham County, Vt., in 1841. 

His parents were Genesis R. and Eunice (Worden) 
Goodenough. The father of our subject was also 
born in Windham, on the same homestead which 
became the birthplace of his son. He received a 
good common -school education in the home dis- 
trict and early learned the blacksmith's trade, serv- 
ing his apprenticeship in Guilford, in which town 
he resided until the ^-car 1850. At tlie latter date 
he removed to Readsboro, and made his home 
there until 187(1, then locating in Wallingford, 
where he passed away in 1874. He w.as a member 
of the Methndist Episcopal Church, and a man of 
upright conduct and principle. Politically', he was 
before the Civil War a Whig, afterward a Repub- 
lican. The father of our subject took a great in- 
terest in educational matters and was an efficient 
member of the School Board at various times. He 
W!is married early in life to the daughter of Peter 



and Barbara (Allen) Worden, all natives of Ver- 
mont. The eldesj. child of the first marriage died 
at the age of three years. Mary M. married .Icsse 
Haines. Francis H. was the third in order of birth. 
Alonzo was the youngest of the family. 

After the death of the mother f)f our subject the 
father married Miss Phetiina Bolster. Two chil- 
dren, daughters, were born of the second maniage. 
Sarah became the wife of James Legate, and Fannie 
married (iilbert Lyons. The father, surving his 
second wife, wedded Miss Cassendana Ballon. 
There were no children from this marriage. At 
fifteen years of age our subject began to learn the 
blacksmith's trade and at twenty years entered the 
army. In 1865 Mr. Goodenough, then about 
twenty-four years old, came to Galien Township 
and bought a fort3'-acre farm, where he 3'et resides. 
To his original homestead he has added until he 
now owns one hundred and twenty-nine acres. 
The succeeding year after his arrival in Michigan, 
1866, he married IMiss Margaret, daughter of 
Daniel and Mary Heckarthorn. The nine chil- 
dren who have blessed the pleasant home of our 
subject and his wife are Henry A., Ca.ssendana M., 
Charles E., Jesse, Burton, Minnie, Christopher) 
Ralph E. and Hazel. Jesse is a graduate of the 
Galien High School and has prepared himself to 
follow the avocation of a teacher. 

When the Civil War broke out Alonzo Good- 
enough entered the service of the Government, 
enlisting in Company A, Second Vermont Regi- 
ment, under McDowell, and was afterward with 
McClellan 's command. Our subject actively partic- 
ipated in the battles of Bull Run, Lee's Mill, 
Williamsburgh, Sav.age Station, White Oak .Swamp, 
the second battle of Bull Run, Antietam and Fred- 
ericksburgh. Upon the second field of battle Mr. 
Goodenough was wounded in the left leg by a 
minie-ball. For three months he was con lined to 
the hosjiital and then returned to his regiment, 
subsequently engaging in the battle of the Wil- 
derness, the three lights at Spottsylvania and 
the conflicts at Cold Harbor. Petersburgh and Ce- 
dar Creek, Va., in the latter battle being wound- 
ed l)y a minie-ball in the right shoulder. Again 
severely injured, he p.assed four months in the 
hospitals in Baltimore and Montpelier, Vt. As 



418 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



soon :is alile fnir sul)ject lejoined his regiment ;it 
Petci'sbuigli and was present at the surrender of 
(ien. Lee. Mr. Goodcuouoii took an active part 
in aliout thirty-eiglit battles, all told. He served 
as Sergeant. Although constantly siurounded hy 
perils, and twice dangerously wounded, our subject 
escaped capture and the prison-pen. 

When Mr. (ioodenougli made his home in the 
West he abandoned his trade and devoted himself 
to the pursuit of agriculture with most profitable 
results. He has been prospered in his Western 
home and is now one of the substantial farmers of 
Uerrien County. Politically, he is a strong Repub- 
lican and a lirm believer in "the Party of Reform." 
Fraternally , he is a member of the Ancient Vrce & 
Accepted Masons and belongs to Three Oaks Lodge 
No. 239. Mr. and Mrs. (ioodenough and their 
family enjoy the esteem of the entire community 
of Galien Townshi|) and are active in all matters 
pertaining to the mutual welfare and various en- 
ter[)rises of the localit}'. Our subject is known 
and respected as an upright man and true Ameri- 
can citizen. 



^> 



/ ACOB .SCHNEIDER. In the perusal of this 
volume, the reader has doubtless been im- 
pressed with the fact that the majority of 
the successful men of southwestern Michi- 
gan have risen from |)overty and humble parent- 
age to positions of responsibility solely through 
the exercise of their aliilities, unaided by aii}' ex- 
traneous circumstances. Indeed, the remark is 
not infre()uentl3- made that he who woos sweet 
Fortune must not offer a tribute of gold to the 
tickle (ioddess of Wealth, else the coveted success 
will not be gained. The subject of this sketch is 
one of ll'.ose men who have made their own way 
ill the world, attaining prosperity- through arduous 
and unceasing exertions. 

Now a resident of section 9, St. Joseph Town- 
ship, Berrien County, our subject was born in Ba- 
varia, (Termany, on the 27 Lh of March, 1833, and 
is a son of -lohn Jacob and Margaret Schneider. 



His father was a farmer in Bavaria, and was one 
of the men who served in the war with Napoleon 
Bona()arte. While in active service, he was taken 
prisoner, remaining in the enemy's power for one 
hundred days. A man of public s|nrit and enter- 
prise, he w.as one of the most prominent citizens 
of his community, and served acceptably as an 
Alderman. He was also Coininander of the ^'illage 
Guards. He and his good wife have lieen called 
from earth, and one of their children is also de- 
ceased. The surviving members of the family are: 
Jacob, of this sketch; and Henrietta, Margaret and 
Phili]3, residents of German}'. 

After having acquired an education in the etun- 
mon schools of Bavaria, at the age of sixteen he 
began to learn the trade of a weaver. ' In 1850 he 
emigrated to America, making the long voyage 
alone, and upon arriving in the I'liited States he 
located in Cleveland, Ohio, where for one week 
he was employed on a farm, receiving a salary of 
$1. He then worked in a liaker^' for one month, 
his wages being •'5'8, and afterward secured employ- 
ment as a cigar manufacturer at a salary of #10 
per year. After twelve months thus spent, he 
went to Buffalo, and he for two years occu|)ied a 
position in a vessel on the lake. 

We next lind Mr. Schneider a cigar manufac- 
turer in Syracuse, N. Y., where he resided from 
1854 until 18()2. Thence he removed to Lyons, 
N. Y., where he embarked in the cigar business 
and conducted an extensive and profitable trade, 
having usually a force of ten men in his emi)loy. 
In 1887 he disposed of his interests in L^'ons, and, 
removing to Illinois, made a tem]jorary sojourn in 
Chicago. In the spring of 1888 he came Iv iMich- 
igan, and settled upon the farm which he has since 
occuiiied. Here he owns nineteen acres of highly- 
improved land, upon which he carries on an ex- 
tensive business as a fruit-grower, raising all vari- 
eties of both small and large fruits. The location 
of the place is desirable, being beautifully situ- 
ated on the lake shore. 

The marriage of Mr. Schneider occurred in 1857, 
his wife being Miss Margaret, daughter of Jacob 
Becker, and a native of (iermauy, although at the 
time of her marriage a resident of Syracuse, N. Y. 
They are the parents of two children: (ieorge W., 



POKTRAIT AND IHOGRAPIllCAL RECORD. 



419 



a cigar mnmifacturer residing in St. Joseph; and 

ilciirit'tl:i I)., who icsides at iiorne wilh hci' par- 
ents. In iiolitics a Democrat upon subjects of 
national iriipoitanco. Mr. Schnci(h'r is independent 
in hical affjiirs, and casts iiis liaUol Tor tlie man 
wiioin he consideis best ([uahfied for the position. 
lie is quite prominent in local politics, and has 
held a number of responsilile positions. For four 
years he served as Alderman of the village of 
Lyons, N. V.. and was also Assessfir for two years, 
lie was School Inspector for two \cars, and Mod- 
erator of the schools of his district. St)cially, he 
is i<lentilied wilh the Masonic fratornity. holding 
membership in the commandery at l-'.lniiia, N. Y., 
and the blue lodge at St. .Joseph. 



"•'$5B?^>\^C52_ 



I RAM 15. WILCOX, M. D., a pr.aeticing 
11, physician and surgeon of Three Oaks, w.as 
born in Cattaraugus County, X. Y., No- 
])i vember 21, 1.HI8. He is the son of Oliver 
Wilcox, whose fathei', .lolin, is entitled to consid- 
erable mention in this volume, for he w.as a hero 
of the Hevolutionary War and a pioneer of the 
Holland I'urch.ase. Duiing the opening years of 
the great .struggle between the Colonies and the 
Molhei- C()untiy. he enlisted for service and be- 
came an ollicer in the army of Ocn. W.ashington. 
He went into campat Valley Forge a Sergeant, but 
was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and was 
selected by Col. Piaiton as one of his lieutenants 
for the famous expedition into HlK)dfc Island 
against the British. 

At the close of the W;ir of the Revolution,. John 
Wilcox retm-neil to his home ne.ar Plymouth, 
Mass., bearing with him the consciousjicss of hav- 
ing done his duly to his country, and bearing also 
the record of a daiiiig and gallant ollicer. In 
1805 he removed from New F.ngland and became 
one of the earliest settlers on the Holland Pur- 
chase in western New York, where he remained 
until death closed his career. The father of our 
subji'ct. Oliver Wilcox, was born in Massachusetts 
and accompanied his parents to New York, where 



he ni.arried Miss Hannah Barnes, a native of the 
State of Maine. He w.as a carpenter by trade, and 
in connection with that occupation also followed 
fanning pursuits. In l>^2l he removed to Cleve- 
l;iiii), ()liio, where he worked at his liade until 
1H27, when he died. 

After the death of her husband, the widowed 
mother remained for a few years in Cleveland, 
removing thence to Huron, Ohio, and in Ih:51 set- 
tling in La Porte ('ounty, Ind., where she entered 
some laixl from the (Jovernment. She died in the 
house where our subject now lives, on the 2i)th of 
•January, IS7(l. At the age of fourteen our 
subject commenced to clear the wild Land upon 
which his mother had settled, and succeeded in 
clearing fifty .acres of the entire tract. He also 
assisted in clearing one hiimlred acres belonging 
to his uncle. His education was acquired at the 
old Cleveland Academy. 

At Rolling Prairie, Ind., our subject commenced 
the stud\- f)f medicine under Dr. 15. C. Bowell,and 
after studying with him for a short time he went 
to White Water, Wis., in I, si.'), where he con- 
ducted his medical studies under the piecc|)torship 
of Drs. Clark niul Rice, completing with them his 
three-years course of study. Before he began his 
studies, he alteiHhMl oik^ term of lectures at the 
Indiana Medical College, and after he had studied 
with Drs. Rice and Clark he entered the Rush 
Medical College, ;it Cliic.'igo. During the two 
terms he spent at that institution, he was in the 
oHice of Dr. N. S. Davis, of Chicago, for two win- 
ters. Subse(pientlv ho went tf) Cleveland, where 
he spent some time in the medical deiiartinent of 
t!ie Western Reserve University, being under the 
tutelage of Dr. J. P. Kirtland, one of the most re- 
nowned scientists of this coiintr\', and the peer of 
any physician in America. He was graduated 
from the Western Reserve University in 18JJI. It 
will thus be seen that he availed himself to the 
utmost of everv opportunity for acquiring a per- 
fect theoretical knowledge of his profession, and 
through later years he has kept in close touch with 
the latest development*! in the medical worhl. 

In (Jalena Township, La Porte County, lud., the 
young Doctor commenced the practice of his pro- 
fession. At that early day he was the only physi- 



420 



PORTRAIT AND BIO(TRAPniCAL RECORD 



cian within a radius of twenty to tiiirty miles, and 
liis practice extended throughout the entire section 
of country. It was his custom to ride on horse- 
back to visit his patients, and he was obliged to 
travel through the dense forests and over rude 
roads. Ills life was one of hardship and toil, but 
his devotion to his profession was amply repaid, 
for he gained a place in the regard of his fellow- 
citizens such as falls to the lot of but few. In 
1860 he removed to Berrien Springs, where he so- 
journed for a short time. 

In 18G2 Dr. Wiluox came to Three Oaks, where 
he has practiced continuously since, with the ex- 
ception of three years (1870-73), when he was a 
resident of Cadillac, Mich., and examining surgeon 
for pensioners at that place. In 1844 he married 
Miss Sabrina, daughter of Samuel Webster, a resi- 
dent of Galena, Ind. This lady was born in 
Onondaga Countj', N. Y., and was reared and edu- 
cated in the Empire State, accompanying her 
parents to Michigan when a young lady. Four 
children were born of this union, one of whom, 
Mark H., died in infancy. The others are: Maria, 
who is the wife of John C. Ingham, a prominent 
business man of IJenton Harbor; Lucy, Mrs. 
Charles M. Valentine, of La Moure, N. Dak., her 
iiusband being a druggist of that city; and Hen- 
rietta, wife of William Russ, a traveling salesman 
of Chicago, The mother of these children died 
on the 9th of November, 1871. 

The Doctor was married again, on the 24tli of 
November, 1872, choosing as his wife Miss Nellie, 
daughter of James Fuller, a carpenter residing in 
Vermontville, Mich. Mrs. Wilcox was born in 
Vermont, and was there reared until twelve years 
of age, when she went with her parents to Detroit 
and one year later to Rolling Prairie, Ind. This 
union has been blessed by the birth of two 
children: Oliver H., who is engaged in teaching 
school ill Berrien County; and Joj-e, who is 
attending the High School in Three Oaks. 

In politics, the Doctor is a Democrat with Pro- 
hil)ilion proclivities. In religion, he is a member 
of the Christian Church and a prominent worker 
in the Sunday-school. During the late war he 
offered his services to the Government, but was 
rejected on account of his health. In former 



years he had a very large practice, extending 
throughout this entire section of country. Now 
enfeebled by advancing years, he has somewhat 
retired from active practice, although he is still 
phj'sician for a number of prominent families, who 
are loath to dispense with his services. He has 
been the recipient of justl}^ merited honors. He 
was elected a member of the Historical .Society in 
Onondaga, N. Y., and the National Historical So- 
ciety at Davenport, Iowa. 




[(!__^ ENRY HESS, a prosperous general agricul- 
turist, has since 18G7 resided upon his val- 
uable homestead located on section 1.'), 
l)) Berrien Township, Berrien Count3', Mich., 
and has for more than a quarter of a century been 
intimately associated with the growth and history 
of his present locality. His father, Andrew He.ss, 
a native of Northumberland County-, Pa., was born 
in 180C, and made farming the occupation of his 
life. He removed from his birthplace to Ohio 
when quite young, and having attained to mature 
years married Miss Mary Hemiy, a native of the 
Buckeye State. The parents of our subject 
settled in Crawford County upon wild timber- 
land, which the father cleared, cultivated and 
improved, making his permanent home there until 
his death, in December, 1875. Andrew Hess wiis 
an earnest, hard-working man, a kind father and 
husband, and was universally respected. He was 
a well-educated man, and gave his children every 
possible opportunity for stud^- and schooling. 
He was a prominent member of the Lutheran 
Church, to which his estimable wife belonged from 
her early youth. The widow, yet surviving and 
seventy-nine years of age, resides with her cliil- 
dren. 

Of the twelve sons and daughters who blessed 
the home of the parents, seven are now living. 
Our subject. Henry Hess, was the third child and 
was born May 2, 1838, in Crawford County, Ohio. 
Mr. Hess was reared upon his father's farm and 
early trained into the daily routine of fanning 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



421 



duties. lie icci'ivcil a yond coiiiinoii-scliool edu- 
(•."itioii, and at IwciiU-oiic yours of age began life 
for liiiiiself. lie worked in a mill one year, and Au- 
gust 1'), ISdl , answering to the call of the (iov- 
ernnient, enlisted in Company C, Forty-iiiiitli Oliio 
Infantry, and entering upon servi(-e as a eorpornl 
was later promoted to be Sergeant. From (ami) 
Dennison, Ohio, our subject was sent to Kenlueky, 
and participated in the battle's of Sliiloh (under 
(Jen. r.uell). Serifs Hill, I'lniyville, Stimc IMvcr, 
Liberty (iap, 'runnel Hill, Iiu/.zard Koost, Kingston 
(da.), Pumi)kinviiie (reek, IJurnt Hickory and 
Dallas (Ca.), in which latter fight Mr. Hess was 
wounded May 27, 11S(J t, by a musket-ball, which 
penetrated iiis right lung. For two days he lay 
Ml the held hospital and was then forwarded to 
N.ashville, where he remained ten days. The sue- 
cee(ling two weeks he pa.ssed in .letTersonville, Ind., 
and fioni there w.is sent to Madison, Ind., where he 
was likewise detained for two weeks. He finally 
returned to Camp Dennison, and w.as located 
permanently in Ohio until April 3, iSf!."), having 
charge of a steam laundry. 

Our subject w,as — .as one of the \'eterau Reserve 
Corps — detailed to guard the prisoners at Rock Is- 
land, 111. The war ended, Mr. lless after fouryears 
and three months of service was honorably dis- 
charged at Springfield. 1 11. Although on dutycon- 
cjnuously for so long a time, he w.as never wt)unded 
but once, and w.as only confined to a sick bed one 
week. He took part in fifty eng.agements, and, con- 
stantly exposed to captui'e, escaped the prison pen. 
Immediately after he left th(> .army Mr. Hess made 
a visit to Michigan, and then returned to his 
old Ohio home, llpon February 1, \HGC>, he was 
united in marriage with Miss Julia S., a daughter 
of William and Margaret (French) Ramsey, highly 
respected residents of Crawford County, in which 
part of Ohio Mrs. Hess wa» born, Sc|)tember ."30, 
18J(). The excellent wife of our subject enjoyed 
good educational advantages and was well fitted 
to assume the cares of a household. In l.SfJG the 
newly-wedded husband aixl wife settled on the 
farm since their permanent home. The eighty 
acres were then entirely in theii- prindtive con- 
dition, but now seventy acres arc under fine culti- 
vation. In ISST. Mr. Hess erected an attractive 



and commodious residence at an expenditure of 
*l..'i(t(l; the barn built at the same tiTiic is a sub- 
stantial and well-finished structure, costing ^lOi). 
Of the five children born unto Mr. ami Mrs. 
He.ss, four survived to maturity. Nora C, is the 
wife of Arthur .1. Miars; she lives in IJerrien 
Township and is the mother of one elidd. M.agno- 
lia is the wife of Dwight Fisher, of Nan Buren 
County. Klro.y .1. and I-odema are at home. The 
family are members of the Lutheran Church find 
Mr. Hess is especially active in religious work. 
He is Assistant and has been .Superintendent of 
the Sunday-school. He has been a member of the 
School Board almost the entire time of his resi- 
dence in the county, and, an ardent advocate of 
extended education, aided his children to obtain a 
thorough course of instruction. Fraternally, our 
subject is a member of the Grange and has been 
an ofticer of the society; he is also a member of 
(xeorge Ci. Meade Post No. 36, (i. A. R., and has 
held most of the offices and been Commander 
of the Post. Politically, Mr. Hess is a stanch 
Republican, and when elected To\vnshi|) Treasurer 
ably discharged the trusts reposed in him and 
gave universal satisfaction to the community 
in which he has a host of sincere friends. 



I \ > 1 « 



^P^F:0RGF: W. HKTI.FR. one of Berrien 
ill J— _ County's progressive citizens andasuccess- 
^s4l '^'i' fruit-grower of St. Joseph Township is 
the subject of this biograi»hical sketch. He was born 
in Seneca County, Ohio, August 23, 1852, .and at 
the .age of four years was brought by his parents, 
Gottleib and Martha Hctler, to Michigan, locating 
in Berrien Count}'. He resided in Hoyalton Town- 
ship until he was about fourteen, when he accom- 
panied his father to the farm which ha.s snure been 
his home. His educational advantages were limited 
to the knowledge obtain.able in the neighboring 
schools, but by thoughtful observation an<l .sys- 
tematic reading he has become well informed. 

In liHdil Mr. Hctler embarked in the fishing bus- 
iness cm Lake Michigan, .and continued thus en- 



422 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



gaged for seven years, meeting witli fair success 
in the enterprise. Afterward he went into the 
pineries of northern Michigan, wliere he remained 
about ten years, engaged in the lumber business, 
being rewarded witli a fair degree of success. On 
tlte 31st of March, 1872, he was united in marriage 
with Miss Mary Lang. This estimable lady was 
\x>vn in Chicago and was reared to womanhood in 
Covert, Van Buren County, Mich., where her fa- 
ther, Michael Lang, is a successful general farmer 
and stock-raiser. 

Upon leaving the pineries Mr. Hetler returned 
to Berrien County and settled upon the place 
where he has since made his home. Here he owns 
fifteen acres of land, which he devotes to the rais- 
ing of small fruits, m.aking a specialty of berries. 
Through his arduous labors he has succeeded in 
clearing the land, erecting the necessary build- 
ings, setting out all the fruit trees, and, indeed, 
making all the improvements now to be found 
here. This has resulted in vastl}' increasing the 
value of the property, which now lakes rank with 
the best in the vicinity. 

Mr. and Mrs. Hetler are the parents of six chil- 
dren, four of whom are living: Charles Sumner, 
Joseph Edward, George Mich.ael and James Harri- 
son. Two died in inf.ancy. The religious home 
of the famit3- is in the Evangelical Association at 
St. Joseph, in which Mr. Hetier has held the office 
of Steward, and to the support of which lie has 
contributed generously. In his political belief he 
adheres to the platform of the Prohibition party 
and gives his ballot to the support of the cause 
he has espoused. 



^>-^^<i 



y.ILLIAM HISLOP, an able and energetic 
business man of Dowagi.ac, Cass County^ 
^^^ Mich., is extensively engaged in the lum- 
ber and logging interests, and makes a specialty of 
handling railroad stock and allkindsof hardwood. 
He has also recently operated a brickyard and 
tile factor}' in the township of Pokagon. He is 
ever foremost in the promotion of the enterprises 



of his locality, and, a public-spirited citizen, has 
held with efficient service important positions of 
official trust. 

Our subject w.as born in Canada, November 30, 
18-13, and spent his early life in his birthplace, at- 
tending the schools of the neighborhood and re- 
ceiving a careful training in habits of industrious 
thrift. In 1865, he became a citizen of the United 
States, and located in Silver Creek, where he was 
employed in agricultural pursuits, and also en- 
gaged in the work of his trade as a carpenter. In 
1879, became to Dowagiac and found immediate 
occupation in this thriving town as a carpenter 
and builder. At the expiration of two 3'ears he 
entered upon the duties of Marshal, and at the close 
of a twelvemonth went into his present profitable 
lumber and logging business. 

For over a score of years constantly devoting 
his time to the lumber trade, Mr. Hisloi) has 
achieved most lucrative and gratifying results. 
Conducting an already large and rajiidlv extend- 
ing business, Mr. Hislop will handle in 1893 about 
two million feet of lumber, the annual business 
for the past ten years being from one million five 
hundred thousand feet to two million. Our sub- 
ject is also meeting with remarkable success in his 
new venture, the brickyard and tile factory, which 
seems to fill a long-felt want of the general pub- 
lic. The beautiful and commodious home of Mr. 
Hislop, built by him in 1888, is one of the hand- 
somest residences in the city. His estimable wife, 
to whom he was united in marriage upon January 
1, 18C7, was Miss Elizabeth C. Hartsell, of Silver 
Creek. Mrs. Hislop was the daughter of John and 
Mary Anna (Buck) Hartsell, liotli of whom were of 
German descent, but old-time settlers in Silver 
Creek, widely known and highly respected. One 
child, a daughter. Miss Nellie Hislop, shares the 
pleasant home of the father and mother. 

Our subject is fraternally .associated with the 
Ancient Free tV. Acceiitcd Masons, and is a valued 
member of the Dowagi.ac lodge, with which he has 
been connected since 1869. He is also a charter 
member of the Knights of Pythias lodge, and an 
.active member of the Ancient Order of United 
Workmen. Mr. Hislop has always been a sturdy 
advocate of the principles of true Democracy, and 




RESIDENCE OF A, P. LEITER, SEC.I8. BERTRAND TR BERRl EN CO . MICH . 






^<- 

*■»•>■ 








- ■'SSSS^^^^^m-^s^^ 







KlSIDENCF. OF WlLLIAl^yi H ISLO P, COU RTLAN D 5T., DOWAGI AC , MICH 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



425 



is :ictivcl\' interested in local and national affairs. 
Kitniiuially prospered, hi' is ivyarded as one of the 
substantial citizens of tlio county, whose assistance 
and counsel may be depended upon in all matters 
of public welfare. He is especially alive to the 
importance of educational proi^ress, and, a liberal 
man, occupies with honor a position of usefulness 
and inlluence. 




'^; HUAIIAIM 1*. LEITEU, a well-known agri- 
culturist and prominent citizen, has been 
ft a resident of his home npon section 17, 
Bertrand Township, Berrien Count}', for 
about twenty-seven years. During this time he 
has devoted himself to the cultivation of the 
farm, now a productive and valuable i)roperty, 
yearly yieldinsj handsome returns for the labor ex- 
pended npon it. Mr. Leiter was born in Perry 
County, Pa., August 4, 1835. The paternal great- 
grandfather was a native of Germany, but early 
emigrated to the United States, settling in Penn- 
sylvania, the home of the succeeding two genera- 
tions, the paternal grandfather, John Leiter, and 
the father of our subject. Christian Leiter, having 
been born, reared and married in the (Quaker State. 
The mother of our subject, Barbara (Page) Leiter, 
and the maternal grandfather, Abraham Page, were 
also natives of Pennsylvania, their ancestors hav- 
ing been loyal subjects of the German Empire. 
The parents of Mr. Leiter married in their native 
State, and resided at first in Perry Count}', and 
afterward made their home in Juniata County, re- 
maining in that locality from 1845 until their 
death, both passing away at about sixty years of 
age. 

Eleven children gathered about the fireside of 
the old Pennsylvania home, six sons and five 
daughters, all of whom lived to reach mature 
years. The sisters and brothers in order of their 
birth were Samuel, Margaret. Christian, Barbara, 
Catherine, Abraham, Anna, ,Iohn, Jacob, Elizabeth 
and .loseph. Our subject, when twelve years old. 



removed with his parents to .luniata County, and 
completed his sUidies in the district schools of 
that part of the .Slate. Reared upon a farm and 
early trained in the duties of agriculture, Abra- 
ham P. Leiter was only ten years old when he 
began to plow, and from that lime until twenty- 
two years of age constantly assisted in the daily 
round of care. P'or the first year's work after attain- 
ing his m.ajority he received from his father the 
giftof a horse, his sole capital in life. In 185;) he 
journeyed to Indiana, and remained for a time 
near Elkhart, working on a farm. At the expira- 
tion of three months he came to Berrien County, 
INIich.. and worked by the day on the homestead 
of W. R. Rough. He returned to Pennsylvania 
in the fall of the same year, and for a twelve- 
month farmed for his father, receiving one-sixth 
of the crop raised. 

In December, 185S), Abraham P. Leiter and 
Mary Slietterley were united in marriage, but 
the estimable wife survived but ten months. Our 
subject was a second time wedded, in 18()2 marry- 
ing Miss Sarah Messner, a native of Pcun.sylvania, 
who was born June 5, 1836. They settled on the 
old homestead and remained amid the familiar 
scenes of childhood until 18C(J, in which year 
they came to Michigan and located on David 
Rough's farm, in the eastern part of the town- 
ship. The same fall Mr. Leiter bought ninety 
.acres where he now resides. Steadily .accumulat- 
ing, he owns one hundred and sixty finely-im- 
proved acres in one body, as well as other excel- 
lent property, among which is a lot of ten acres 
situated in (iaiicn Township. 

Seven sturdy sons, all now living, have blessed 
the home of our subject and his good wife. Chris- 
tian L., named in honor of his paternal grand- 
father, is the eldest-born. Then follow \Vil>oii 
W., Edward F., Elmer E., Iliram E., .loliii II. and 
William A. These young men, reared carefully 
and by nature industrious and self-reliant, have 
a bright future before them and cannot fail to 
be worthy of their honored and useful ancestry. 

In political alfiliation Mr. I.,eiter is a Republican, 
and in religious conviction is connected with the 
United Ihelhren Church, of which religious de- 
nomination he has been a consistent irieiiitier ever 



426 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



since he was seventeen years of age. During this 
long period he has been active in goo«l work anil 
has occupied with efficient fidelity various offices 
in the church, having been Class-leader, Steward. 
Trustee and sexton. Our subject lias been, in 
fact, the leading member and most liberal sup- 
porter of the United Brethren Church in the town- 
ship, and through his upright life and sterling 
integritN" of character ha^; won the lasting regard 
and thorough confidence of his fellow-townsmen 
and a wide acriuaintance throughout the count\'. 



*^^1 



eHARLES R. KINGSLEY, a prosperous gen- 
eral .agriculturist and successful stock-raiser, 
of Ontwa Townshi|>, Cass County, Mich., is 
a native of the Old Bay State and was born in 
Bernardston, Franklin County, Mass., May 21, 
1831. The parents of our subject, Elijah and 
riarriel (Carpenter) Kingsley, were of New England 
birth and were reared among the good old Puritan 
stock. The paternal grandfather, Gamaliel Kings- 
ley, was a son of Elijah Kingsley. who came from 
Europe and settled in Franklin County, Mass. lie 
was of Irish ancestry •ind was a thrift\' farmer. He 
actively participated in the war for independence 
and died at the good old .age of ninety-six years, 
lie was a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church and was strong in his rcligic>us and political 
convictions. The paternal grandfather was born 
and lived and died in Franklin County, Mass., and 
was. like his father, an active member of the 
Metlioilist Church. He was wedded twice, beiug 
tiist united iu marriage with Miss Hulda Hale, who 
bore him three children: Elijah. Millie and Chester. 
The second wife, Linda Pickett, was the mother of 
Alien, Saxton, Clesson, Hulda, Lucien, Sabrlna 
and Uoxanna. Grandfather Kingsle3' was a practi- 
cal fanner and a public-spirited citizen. 

The father of our subject was born on the old 
Franklin County homestead, October 15, 1706. 
lie was a liiiished cabinet-maker and learned and 
piaclKi'd his trade in Boston. Attracted by the 
opportunities of the West, he started for Michigan 



May 21, lt<.?9. and traveled by team to Albany, 
thence by canal and lake to Detroit and soon after 
reached Mason Township, having been three or 
four weeks on the way. The year before, he had 
entered two hundred acres of laud, which he now 
cleared and industriously cultivated. In 1852, he 
sold his first Michigan farm and located on one 
hundred and forty acres, which he brought up to a 
high state of cultivation and where he died, October 
29, 1890. He was one of the original Republicans, 
but died a firm believer in Democracy. In relig- 
ious faith a Unitarian, he fraternized with that 
societ}- in Massachusetts. He was the father of ten 
children, eight of whom ho reared to mature years. 
Warren, who is deceased; Mary J. Allen, who re- 
sides in Coldwater; Charles R.; Harriet C. Fisk; 
Arabella A. Reading, now deceased; Charlotte 
Reading, of Bangor; Mortimer, of Elkhart; and 
Newscomb E. 

The mother of our subject was born in Massachu- 
setts in 1805, and died October 18, 1882. She 
was the daughter of David C. and .lemima Car- 
penter. The father was a hotel-keeper in Lydeii, 
Mass. Our subject w.as educated in the primitive 
schools of his home locality, and at twenty years 
of age began life for himself by renting a farm of 
his father and cultivatiing the soil. At twenty- 
one years of age he bought forty acres of land ii|ion 
section 9, Ontwa Township, and afterwards added 
twenty acres, and continued to reside upon the 
place until he entered the arm>', when he sold out. 
After his return from the war lie bought one hun- 
dred and forty acres in Elkhart County', I nd. There 
he lived until 18,S0, when he located with his father 
on the homestead which he owns, one hundred and 
twcntv-eight acres of valuable land. He sold his 
Indiana farm and devotes himself to tilling the 
soil of his Michigan homestead, where he raises a 
choice variety of good slock. Beginning life with 
a capital of *200 he h.as been prospered, and 
through his self-reliant etTorts has won his upward 
way. 

In l.S(J2 Mr. Kingsley enlisted in the service of 
the Government, and in August entered the ranks 
of Company D, One Ilundredtli Indiana Infantry, 
and actively participated in twenty-eiglit liattles. 
He was present at the siege of Vicksluiig, Champion 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



427 



Hills. liljick Uivcr, Missionary Ridge and in tiie 
Atlanta campaign. Iln acted as the Orderly of 
the Colonel for two years. His last fight was at 
Hentonville. He took part in the Grand Review 
at Washingtf)!! and, lionoraljly discharged in .June 
at Indianapolis, returned at once to his home, and 
purchased another farm. C)ur subject was united 
in marriage with Miss Olive .Johnson, .January 6, 
1852. The estimalile wife of Mr. Ivingsley was 
born in Vermont, .September 9, 1831. .She was the 
daughter of Solomon aniJ Minerva (Powell) John- 
son, natives of Vermont, living in Charlotte, \'t., at 
the time of Mrs. Kingsley's birtli. Mr. .Johnson 
was a bricklayer and farmer and came in 1836 to 
I'llkhart, where both he and his wife died. He was 
in faith a I'niversalist, and early a Whig was after- 
wards a Republican. He and his excellent wife 
reared six children: Gu^- C, Charlotte .J., Rlioda J., 
Laurett A., Olive and Ruel M. The paternal grand- 
father, Solomon Johnson, also liorn in Vermont, was 
a brave soldier of the Revolutif)nary War. He was 
a farmer, and journeying to the West in about 1830, 
became one of the pioneer settlers of Elkhart 
County, Ind., where he died at an advanced age. 

Mr. and Mrs. Kingsley have two children: Alice 
C, wife of KriiroSchutt, of Elkhart; and Roy E. Po- 
litically our subject is a Democrat and in all matters 
pertaining to the public welfare is enterprising 
and ever ready to lend a helping hand, l-'rom his 
early youth intimately associated with the growth 
of his present locality, he has long been identifiecj 
with the best interests of the county, and is 
esteemed a liberal and pntgressive citi/.en. 



f[,-. ENRY MOLLllAGEN, one of the jiromi- 
jl! nent and prosperous German-American 

\'y^ citizens of He 

\^) pics a farm i 
Township. He was born in Prussia, Germany, on 
the 22d of April. 182(!, and is the son of Cliristof 
and Aphi-re/eana M. Mollh:igen, natives of the 
Fallierland. Tlic lather eniinraled to America in 



citizens of Berrien County, owns and occu- 
\J^j pies a farm on section 34 of .St. Joseph 



1845, and, locating in New York, remained tliere 

for ten months, after which he removed to Wis- 
consin and made settlement in Wayne County. 
There for a number of years he followed the occu- 
pation of a fanner, and thence he proceeded still 
further Westward, settling in Kansas, where he re- 
mained until death terminated his career. 

In the |)arental family tliere were five cliildren, 
of whom three are now living Henry, Charles and 
Hannah, the latter being a resident of ,St. Joseph, 
Mich. Henry passed the years of his childhood 
and youth in the land of liis birth, where he 
gained a practical education in the common 
schools. He was early trained to habits of indus- 
try and energy, and these trails, together with ex- 
cellent business judgment and sound common-sense, 
have contributed to his success in life. He was a 
youtliof about nineteen years when heaccompanied 
his father to the I'nitcd Slates and located with him 
in New Y'ork. Later he removed to Wayne Coun- 
ty, Wis., where he resided until he was twenty-six 
years old. 

From Wayne County Mr. MoUhagen proceeded 
to Milwaukee and St. Joseph, and engaged in 
fishing on the Lakes for about thirty- ^ears. In 
connection with his In-other Charles he purchased 
and ran a tug. from which he received a good in- 
come. During his long life on the water he had 
many interesting and memorable experiences, and 
while he enjoyed the life, yet he did not regret 
exchanging it for the ijeaceful occupation of a 
farmer. When about twenty-six years of age he 
was united in marriage at Milwaukee, Wis., with 
Miss Sophia Stock, of that cil}-. Six children were 
born of the union: Henry; Alfred and .Jolin. who 
own a tug on the lake and are doing a good busi- 
ness; Alinnie, who resides in St. .losejih; Annie, 
who makes her home in Chicago; and Martha, who 
died in 18'.) 2. 

While the farm owned by Mr. MoUhagen is (juite 
small, consisting of only twelve .icreSjthe property 
is valuable, owing to the adai>tability of the soil 
to the cultivation of small fruits. .Since locating 
here he has made many improvements on the pl.ace, 
tlie most important of wliich is the erection of the 
siibstanliid and commodious rc^sidcnce now adorn- 
ing the liomestead. During Ins sojourn in Kansas 



428 



PORTRAIT AND IJIOGRATHICAL RECORD. 



lie WHS in the militia for two and one-half months 
and had some experience of active service on llic 
Kansas frontier. In his political .attiliations he is a 
Republican, firm in his adherence to the party of his 
choice. In his religious connection he isa menil)cr 
of the German Baptist Church and contributes 
with generosity to the support of that denomin- 
ation. 



=^-^ 



i^ 



El 



l^\ ICHP:L W. hoover, a well-known gen- 
/// l\\ ^^^^ agriculturist of Cass County, and a 
I >S> prominent citizen of Howard Township, 
^ where he owns and operates a farm on 

section 5, is one of the many honorable and up- 
right men whom the Kej'Stone State luas furnished 
to Michigan. He was born in Lancaster County, 
Pa., Februarj' 18, 1822, and is the son of Christian 
and Catherine (Kair) Hoover, natives of Pennsyl- 
vania, who were there reared and married. The 
father removed from Lancaster County to New 
York, and in 1824 settled in Erie County, where 
he conducted general farming operations. In 
1843 he removed to St. .Joseph, Ind., where he 
died at the age of sixty-six. His wife survived 
him a number of years, passing away at the age of 
eighty-four. 

In the parental famil}' there were eight children, 
two daughters and six sons, all of whom grew to 
maturity. The sixth child in order of birth is the 
subject of this sketch, who was two years old at 
the time the family removed to Eric County, N. 
Y. There he grew to a sturdy, self-reliant man- 
hood, and at the age of nineteen commenced to 
learn the trade of a cooper at Williamsville, the 
same county. He came West to Indiana in 1840, 
and worked at his tr.ade in Mishawaka, St. .Tose[)h 
County, Ind., for about ten years. November 11, 
1847, he married Miss Margaret Smith, a native 
of Stark Count}', Ohio, who was born in 1828. 
Wli<n about eight years of .age she .accompanied 
lici |i;uiiits to Indiana and grew to womanhood in 
St. .losc|)ii County. 

After his inarriagc our subject settled on a farm 
consisting of one hnndied and forty acres in St. 



Joseph County, Ind., but some time later he re- 
moved to La Grange County, that State, and re- 
sided on a farm there for three years. He then 
purchased the old liomestead in St. Josc|)h Count}', 
but after residing tliere for three years dispo.scd 
of the projicrty and came to Cass Count}', where 
he purchased his present farm in 1860. He and 
his wife have been the parents of nine children: 
William H.; Andrew IL; Harriet I., wife of George 
Hofferbort; Sarah A., who is with her parents; 
Emma S., the wife of Simon M. Witwer; Augusta 
A., deceased; .lohn P., who operates the home 
farm; Elmer A., who is at home; and Anna, de- 
ceased. 

The fine propertj' of Mr. Hoover consists of one 
hundred and sixty-eight acres, mostly under cul- 
tivation. Many lessons may be learned from the 
example of his useful and honorable life, for he 
commenced in the agricultural business poor and 
without I'esources, but through industry and good 
judgment, combined with sound common-sense, 
he has attained a position of independence and in- 
fluence. In his religious connections, he is a mem- 
ber of the Free-Will Baptist Church, and has 
served as Deacon in that denomination. Politi- 
cally, he is a Republican, but has never mingled 
actively in public affairs, preferring the trancpiil 
enjoyment of domestic life and associations. In 
189(1 he erected a two-story modern residence, at 
a cost of $1,500, which is one of the most comfort- 
able homes in the community. 



^ 



I AMES H. COX, an influential citizen of 
Berrien County, and a successful fruit- 
grower of St. Joseph Township, residing on 
section 111, was born in Baltimore, Md., on 
the 8tli of August, 1848. His father, James G., 
was also born in the city of Baltimore, where he 
was reared to manhood and married. About 1850 
he came West to Indiana and settled in Cass 
County, where he followed the occupation of a 
farmer. His wife having died prior to his West- 



PORTRAIT ANr BIOGRAPmCAL RECORD 



429 



wnnl iTiiiov.'d, lie w:is ;ii;;iiii nianicd, cliiiosing as 
his wife Miss M;iri;i, daunlitor of .lames Twells, a 
native of l*liii:i(h'l|iliia. Fa. 

I'poii lotatiiii; 111 Ciuss ('oiiiitv, .laiiu's (■. Cox 
piMX'liaseil six iHindicd acres of laii(i and liicrc de- 
voted his attfiilioii to the impioveinenl and ciil- 
livalion of the (ilaee, whicli lie made his liome un- 
til his death, in September, 1862. His wife passed 
away in 1H7.5. They were a worthy eonph;, who 
wen' hiirhly esteemed in the community where so 
many yeai's of their lives were passed. Kind- 
Iieaiti'd and generous, possessinji; noble impulses 
and industi ions lialiils, they aeiiuired a eo!n|)etency 
of this world's goods, and were enabled to give 
■•ood advantai^es to their nine children. The pa- 
ternal ifreat-grandl'ather of oursubject was a soldier 
in the Revolulioiiary War, and his ancestors on 
both sides of the house were of substantial stock. 

'I'lic nine children constituting the [larenlal fam- 
ily all grew to mature years, and four of the num- 
ber are now living, our subject lieing the eldest. 
He was reared in Cass County, Ind., where he car- 
ried on his studies in bt)tli public and [iiivate 
schools. At the age of about twenty years he 
went to Kansas, and embarking in the stock busi- 
ness, was thus engaged for two years. For the 
eighteen ensuing years he traveled throughout the 
Western .States and conducted an extensive stock 
business, meeting with fair success in his enter- 
prises. This roving life, however, was not exactly 
suited to his tastes, and he linally returned to his 
childhood's home in Indiana. 

March 20, 1885, Mr. Cox and Miss Martha Yan- 
ties were united in marriage in Cass County, Ind. 
The bride was the daughter of Robert Yanties, a 
prominent and successful general farmer and stock- 
rai.ser of Cass County, Ind., where she was born. 
Alter his marriage Mr. Cox located in Chicago, 
where he secured a position in the Studebaker 
Bros.' Wagon Jlanufactory, remaining thus en- 
gaged for two years. In 1890 he came to Berrien 
County and located on the place where he now 
resides. His fruit farm is one of the linest in the 
township, and consists of twenty acres planted to 
gra|)es, pears, pe.aehes and blackberries. 'I'he fruits 
are shipped principally to Chicago and Milwaukee, 
and liiul a read}' sale. A successful fruit-grower 



and a keen and sagacious business man, Mr. Cox 
occupies a position of prominence in tiie county. 
He is liberal in polities and votes for the ni;in 
whom he considers best qualified for the olliee in 
(piestion. When our subject's father left Balti- 
more, Md., for Indiana he had a number of slaves, 
whom he set free. 



€^ 



ON A. FLETCHER, an enterprising and 
po|tular farmer of Cass County, whose 
home is pleasantly situated on section 10, 
La Grange Township, was born in Wayne County, 
N. Y., April 7, 18.37, being the son of William R. 
and Sarah A. (Stearns) Fletcher. The family 
is one of the oldest in America, and the first 
representative emigrated to this country in the 
"Mayllower." The paternal grandfather, Russell 
Fletcher, was a native of Woodstock, Vt., and 
followed farming pursuits. About 182.5 he re- 
moved from Vermont to Wayne County, X. Y., 
where he purchased fifty acres and engaged in 
general farming and stock-raising. When three 
years of age he had scarlet fever, which left him 
(juite deaf. 

The union of Russell Fletcher with Rachel 
Scott resulted in the birth of four children, one of 
whom died in infancy. The others are: William 
R., Henry K. (deceased), and Charles M., a resi- 
dent of Kalamazoo. (Jrandfathcr Fletcher came 
to Michigan about 1847 and i>urch:ised eighty 
acres in Kalamazoo County, where he imulu his 
home for six ^ears. Thence he came to Cass 
County, and here his life w.as brought to a close 
at the age of seventy-live. The father of our 
subject, William R. Fletcher, was born in \'criiiont 
in 1807 and received a common-scliool education. 
He went to New York one year prior to the 
removal of his i)arents thither, and for a time 
worked by the month for others. 

In 181() William R. Fletcher moved to Cass 
County, Mich., and later went to Kalamazoo 
County, where he |-?mained for three years. Re- 



430 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



turning to Cass County, he purchased the farm 
adjoining the present property belonging to our 
suliject,anrl through industry and energy accumu- 
lated landed possessions aggregating four liun- 
dred acres in La Grange Townsliip. Politically, 
he was a Democrat and at diffeient times he was 
chosen to till various ollices of trust in the town- 
ship and county. He married Sarah A., daughter 
of Thomas Stearns, and the}' became the parents 
of live children: Don. A., Delinda C, Caroline 
K, (widow of E. Hunger). Joseph W., and Cecilia 
15., who nmrried Albert Stevenson. The mother 
of this family passed away in 188U, and the father 
died during the following year. 

After completing his studies in the common 
schools of the district, our subject entered upon 
the vocation of a farmer. At the age of twenty- 
five he married Sarepta, daughter of Isaac and 
Mary Shurte. Mrs. Fletcher was born in Cass 
County, October 27, 1838. Her father was born in 
New Jersey in 1796 and removed to Butler County, 
Ohio, where he married, his wife, Mary Wright, 
also being a native of New Jersey. In 1829 they 
can)e to Cass County, being very early settlers of 
this part of the State. Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher are 
the parents of four children, namely: William I., 
Mary L., Ross A. and Charles C. The eldest son,who 
resides in Oregon, married Cora Jones and they 
liave one child, Mabel E. Mary L. is a graduate 
of the Dowagiac High School and the Soutli Bond 
Commercial College; Rossis also a graduate of the 
South Bend Commercial College; Charles C. is 
now a student in the Cassopolis High School. 

Following his marriage Mr. Fletcher operated 
as a renter for a number of years, but by saving 
his earnings he was enabled to purchase two 
hundred and twenty-six acres of his father's farm. 
To this he has since added forty acres, the most 
of which has been improved and |)laced under 
cultivation. As a farmer, he studies the science 
of agriculture and aims to raise only such cereals 
as are adapted to the soil. A neat set of farm 
buildings may be found upon the place, and the 
air of thrift noticeable everywhere proves the 
energy and industrious nature of the proprietor. 
Socially, Mr. Fletchei is identified with the An- 
cient Order of United Workmen, belonging to the 



lodge at Cassopolis. In political belief a Demo- 
crat, he is influential in the ranks of his parly and 
has held a number of township offices. 

Besides the farm Mr. Fletcher owns a one-third 
interest in the gristmill at La Grange. 



ARIUS BOYNTON. Another of the pn.mi- 
) nent fruit-growers of Hagar Township is 
(^^fc^ Darius Boynton, a man of recognized 
influence and abdit}', who by a systematic 
and careful, thorough manner of work has attained 
to a success which is justly deserved. Since 18G2 
he has been a resident of Berrien Count}', INIich., 
and during that time his career has been upright 
and honorable, and he has won a host of warm 
friends. IMany are the changes which have oc- 
curred since this worthy citizen located here, and 
he has witnessed the growth of what was once a 
vast forest to one of the most prosperous and in- 
fluential counties in the State. 

Mr. Boynton is the owner of one hundred and 
fifty-nine acres of land, and most of this he him- 
self has improved. lie was born in Addison 
County, Vt., and in that State made his home un- 
til twenty-two years of age, when he moved to 
Monroe County, N. Y. There he met and married 
INIiss Lucy E. Hanford, with whom he came to 
Michigan in 1860. They settled in Wayne County, 
and one year later Rlrs. Boynton died. About 
1854 Mr. Boynton married Miss Helen M. Olcott, 
whose parents were old settlers of Wayne County, 
and three years later moved to Jackson County, 
Mich. FYom there, in 1862, he moved to Berrien 
County, where he carried on a fruit farm east of 
Benton Harbor, and lie has been engaged in fruit- 
growing for the most part ever since. 

He has met with unusual success in that calling, 
and what he has accumulated in the way of this 
world's goods has been from the interest he has 
taken in this industry. He has one of the most 
extensive peach orchards in the county, about two 
thousand five hundred trees, most of them bear- 
ing, and he has four acres in a vineyard. Every- 



PORTRAIT AM) BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



l.TI 



tliini; about liis plnce indicates that an experienced 
liaiiil isal. till' licliii mid llic lanii is ivcpl in |)fifcct 
oilier and uoaliK'ss. Ill' also raises any iiuanlily 
(if siiiall fniil, etc., and ships to Chicago and otlicr 
poiiils. The utmost vigilance is made necessary 
in view of the perishalile character of the goods, 
expedition being used in transportation and in 
selling. No one understands his business more 
llioroughly than Mr. Hoynton. 

To Mr. and Mrs. ISoynlon weri' boiii live 
children, four of whom arc now living. Robert 
A. died in the year 1H72. when eleven years of 
age; Delia became the wife of Henry K. Ueach. 
of Washington; Fannie is the wife of E. .1. Stan- 
ton; M. Lillian is a lesident of Chicago; and 
Harry is a resident of Washington. Mr. Boyn- 
lon"s |)arents were native Vermonters, and in that 
State they grew up and were married. There they 
reared seven children, of whom ISIr. Boynton was 
third in order of birth. Politically, he is a stanch 
supporter of Democratic i>rinciplcs, and his vote 
has ever been cast with that i)arty. 







IJLXANDKU IIALLIDAY. There is no 
finer farm in Lincoln Township than the 
ll "Cedar Bluff Fruit Farm," which occiH)ies 
a. picturesque location on section 16, and 
is conceded to be one of the most highly-improved 
estates in Berrien County. Mr. Halliday, under 
wliose personal supervision all the im|)roven)ents 
have been made, is an enterprising business man, 
and through his judicious management and un- 
wearied exertions he has attained to a measure of 
success not usually enjoyed. In 1890 he erected 
the commodious residence which now adorns the 
l)lace, and from the upper stories may be obtained 
a beautiful view of Lake Michigan and the coun- 
try for miles around. 

From his Scotch ancestors Mr. Halliday has in- 
herited the (pialities of persistence and thrift 
characteristic of that people. He himself is a 
native of .Scotl.and, having been born in Berwick- 
shire, June 21, 18)2. His paternal grandfather, 



Alexander Halliday, Sr., was a Scotchman and had 

a family of six (children, two of whom were 
prominent clergymen in the church of England. 
The father of our subject, Andrew Halliday, was 
born in Berwickshire, Scotland, and grew to man- 
hood in that country, where he m.-iriicd Miss Helen 
Rcdpafh. He followed agricultural pursuits in his 
native land. 

F'.inigrating to America in 1811, Mr. Halliday 
settled in Xoifolk County (now Ontario), Canada, 
where he purchased a tract of land and engaged in 
farming pursuits until his death. His wife is still 
living on the old homestead in Norfolk County. 
He met with considerable success in his business 
ventures and accpiired the ownership of hundreds 
of acres in Canada. In his religious views he ac- 
cepted the doctrine of the Presbyterian Church, in 
which for many years he served as Deacon. He 
and his wife were the [)arents of eight children, all 
of whom reached manhood and womanhood, and 
seven are now living. The only inend)er of the 
family, excepting our subject, who resides in the 
United States is Robert, of this county. 

In Norfolk County, Canada, our subject grew to 
manhood and learned the trade of a millwright, at 
which he was employed until he left the province. 
At the age ol twenty-two he went to Kankakee, 
111., where he followed his trade of millwright and 
was also engaged in carpenter work for eight 
years. While there, in 1869, he married Jliss 
Maggie H.. the daughter of Ephraim Doyle. Mrs. 
Halliday was born in Penns3lvani:t, and in her 
girlhood moved to Kankakee, where she held the 
position of teacher in the Presbyterian School. 
She was well educated in the seminary at Hunting- 
don, Pa., and engaged in the profession of a 
teacher for about fifteen years. 

In 1870 Mr. Halliday came to Berrien County 
and located on section 16. Lincoln Township, 
where he bought twenty acres. He added to his 
property until he had acquired the ownership of 
seventy-five acres, and at the present time lie ;iiid 
his wife have forty acres of well-improved land. 
Here he has planted fruit trees and engages in 
raising small fruits of the best varieties. While 
he has met with more than ordinary success, he 
has also met with reverses. In 1888 he w;is burned 



432 



POKTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



out bj' fire, losing liis residence, and entailing a 
lieavy loss. 15iU ho was undaunted by misfortune, 
and set himself to work at once to retrieve his for- 
tunes. It was not long before he had replaced the 
building, with one more substantial and conveni- 
ent, and his farm is one of the best in the township. 
Mr. and Mrs. Hallida}- have no children of their 
own. but have reared an adopted son, Charles, a 
pKimising young man of twenty-one years. 

A man of note in the comniiinity, Mr. llalliday 
has served for six years as a member of the Coun- 
ty Hoard of Supervisors and is the pieseut (181)3) 
incumbent of the ollice. For two years he filled 
tlio i)osition of Tax Collector and he has also 
served as Treasurer of the township. In iiis [wlil- 
ical views he endorses the platform of the Demo- 
cratic party and is one of its leaders in the 
locality. Socially, he is identified with the Ma- 
sonic fraternity, chapter and council, and St. 
Joseph Lodge. Mr. llalliday is a thoroughly 
practical and experienced man, of superior business 
attainments, and by close attention to the details 
of his chosen occupation has secured justly-merited 
success. 



-^^ 



■«l IMLLIAM 1). .lONES, a successful 
\/\j/' '"'"^ residing in Dowagiac, is th 
V^^ and proprietor of the grocery i 



^ILLIAM 1). .lONES, a successful business 

le owner 
store lo- 
cated on the corner of Front and Commercial 
Streets. Since 1877, when he einarked in the busi- 
ness, he has built up a lucrative and extensive 
trade and has gained the confidence of the people 
to a degree not usually enjoyed. In his establish- 
ment he carries a complete assortment of crockery, 
staple and fancy groceries, vegetables in their sea- 
son, and also has a market, where the best grades 
of fresh meats may be obtained. 

.Among the pioneers of Cass County prominent 
mention belongs to Oilman C. .lones, the father of 
our subject. He was born in llopkinton, N. H., 
July 12, 1819, being the son of Jacob and Lydia 
(Straw) Jones. Jacob Jones was the first reju-e- 
sentative of the family in this country and he was 
an early settler of Mew Hampshire, He served as 



a soldier in the War of 1812 and was afterward an 
officer in the State militia. Of his ten (children, 
(Oilman was the fourth in order of birth, and he 
w.as reared in New Hampshire, being educated at 
I'embroke. About 18-l:4 he came to Michigan and 
settled in Cass County, where for a time he taught 
in the schools of Cassopolis. Later he embarked 
in the mercantile business, becoming one of the 
pioneer merchants of the |)lace, and was in partner- 
ship with two gentlemen under the firm name of 
Lybrook, LoHand & Jones. 

When the Michigan Central Railroad was |)ut 
through Dowagiac, Oilman Jones came hither, and 
with his brother erected the large brick store now 
occupied by Mark Oppenheim, the tailor. In con- 
nection with diy goods he also carried a large 
stock of drugs and hardware and conducted a gen- 
eral business until 187G, when he retired. His 
first marriage w.as to Miss Laura, daughter of 
James Dickson, an early settler of Cass County. 
Five children were born of the union, only two of 
whom now survive: our subject and Dan, the lat- 
ter being the proprietor of the IJuena Yista, Heirild, 
published at Buena \"ista, Colo. In 1872 Oilman 
Jones married Miss Amanda Wall, and they be- 
came the parents of four children, all of whom are 
living and make their home in Ann Arbor, Mich. 

Politicall}', Oilman Jones wsis a Democrat, al- 
though during the Civil War he acted with the 
Rei)ublican part\'. In 1860 he w.as elected to the 
ollice of .State Senator, in which he served with 
distinction. He wjis a strong anti-slavery man, 
and .assisted in raising troops for the defense of 
the Union. As President of the Milage Board 
and Supervisor of Silver Creek Township, he was 
instrumental in securing many improvements here. 
All energetic, determined man, he was successful 
in whatever he undertook, and occupied a high 
place in the regard of the [jcople. In his religious 
belief he was a Universalist. His death occurred 
in Miiy, 1889. 

Born in Dowagi.ac, September 2C, 1854, the sub- 
ject of this sketch was reared here and gained a 
good education in the public schools. After leav- 
ing school he became salesman for his father, and 
continued thus occupied until the retirement of 
the senior Mr, Jones in 1876, During the ioU 




'^ J y()liv^/^-ir^ 



PORTRAIT AND lilOGRAPinCAL Rp:CORD. 



435 



lowing year oui- sulijcct engaj^cd in hiisiiiess for 
iiiniscif and rapidly gained a place among liie sub- 
stantial business men of Dowagiac. A Democrat 
in politics, he lias held the office of City Treasurer [ 
for two terms and served as Alderman for six 
years, representing the First Ward in the City 
Council. At present he is Chairman of the Demo- i 
cratic County Central Committee. lie is interested 1 
in politics and h.as served .as delegate to the State 
convention a number of times. lie was the ori- 
ginator of the paid lire department in this pl.ace, 
and also took a prominent part in the building of 
the water works here. 



' OSEI'Il I. .11 )IINS( )X A brief review of the 
salient points in the life of this useful and 

I upright man will be of interest, not alone 
to the people of Niles, of which city he is a 
resident, but also to the citizens of Berrien County, 
where he is well and favorably known. At pres- 
ent lie is not actively engaged in business, although 
his real-estate interests are extensive and require 
considerable attention on his part. In former 
years he was engaged in railroading, and much of 
his active life has been devoted to that line of 
work. 

Mr. .lohnson was liorii in iMonioe County, X. Y., 
October 17, 183(5, and is the son of Joseph and 
Mary II. (Randall) .lolinson, natives of l\Iaine. 
I'xiih the i)alernal and maternal ancestors were 
Knglish people, and representatives of both fami- 
lies early emigrated to the United States. The 
father of our subject was a sailor, and died in New 
York during the year 1836, when his son was a 
mere infant. The latter was brought to Michigan 
by his mother when three years old, and with her 
settled in .\nii .Vilior. where he grew to manhood. 
The rudiments of his education were acfpiired in 
the common schools of that city, but his schooling 
was limited, and hi> education has been gained 
piincipally in the great school of experience. 

At the age of thirteen years, ,Mr. .lohnson bcg.aii 
his active business life. His lirst position was that 

21 



of liiiinan on .-i locomotive, in which capacity he 
continued for some time. He also held various 
otiier positions on railroads until 1852, when Uv 
took charge of tiie construction train on the Mich- 
igan Centnil Railroad. That work occupied his 
attention for some time, and, having been satisfac- 
torily finished, he accepted a [)osition as Roadmas- 
ter, in which capacity he served until January, 
1881. An accident at that time caused the loss of 
a liml), and compelled him to retire from railroad 
work. 

In 1881 Mr. .Johnson became jiroprietor of the 
Michigan Central Dining Hall at Niles, which he 
conducted successfully for eleven years, selling 
the business November 1, 1892. He is a man who 
takes a deep interest in the progress of the city of 
Niles, and contributes his quota to its advance- 
ment. He is loyal to ever3' cause he espouses, and 
is a zealous champion of the platform of the Re- 
publican |)arty. Socially, he is identified actively 
with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and 
also holds membership in Niles Lodge No. 17, 
A. V. & A. M. 

Mr. Johnson was married January 1, 18(52, to 
Miss Mary, daughter of James and Ella (Blake) 
Allen, natives of Ireland, where Mrs. Johnson was 
also born. The mother died in her native land. 
Mr. Allen is a resident of Tolono, 111. Two chil- 
dren have been born to our subject and wife: 
Ella, wife of William Miley, a resident of Niles; 
and Nettie M., who resides with her parents. The 
social position occupied bj^ the family is one of 
prominence. They maintain a constant interest 
in the welfare of those about them, and their ear- 
nest and benevolent natures endear them to all 
their acquaintances. 






'jir^RANK ATWOOD. The Atwood family is 
jlp^Jgj; one of the prtuninent ones of Wayne 
ilS T()wnshi|), Cass County, for its members 

have l)een identified with its interests from an 
early day, .and have ever been upright and honor- 
able citizens. Wells II. Atwood, the grandfather 



436 



PORTRAIT AND BTOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of our subject, was a native of New York, which 
Slate he left in lb36 to come to Michigan. He 
was one of tlie first setllers of Wayne Township, 
and located on section 20, "Oak Opening."' where he 
made a i)ermanent settlement. Later in life he 
retired to Dowagiac, and there received his final 
summons in 1864. Three of his children are now 
living: Lafayette; .lames, who resides in Dowagiac; 
and Hoxanna, who makes her iiome in Wayne 
Township. 

Lafayette Atwood, the father of our suliject, 
was born in the State of New York in 1821, and 
in 1836 came to Cass County, Mich., with his 
fattier. Here he was mai-iied to Miss Adeline 
Allen, who was also born in the Kmpire State, but 
who caine with her })arents to Cuss Count}', Mich., 
at an early date. Iler father, Gideon Allen, was a 
farmei- and a very successful one. Three of his 
children are now living: Ilonry, who resides in 
Wayne Township; Ann Eliza, who makes her 
home in Dowagiac; and Mrs. C. A. Taylor, of 
Wayne Township. The parents of our subject 
celebrated their union in Wayne Township, and 
later settled on the farm, "Oak Opening," at a time 
when very few improvements had been made. Mrs. 
Atwood died in 1864, but Mr. Atwood still sur- 
vives in this township. He was married the 
second time, but no cliildren were born to this 
union. By the first marriage three children were 
born, but our subject is the only survivor. The 
father has taken an active interest in township 
affairs and is one of the foremost and most sub- 
stantial farmers of his section. Formerly a Whig 
in politics, he is now a Hepul)licaii and has held a 
number of township otlices. lie has been High- 
way Commissioner and a member of the Board of 
Review. 

Many of the most active and enteri)rising resi- 
dents of Cass County are natives of the county and 
have here spent the greater part of their lives. In 
them we find men of true loyaltj- to the interests 
of this i)art of the State, who understand, as it were 
by instinct, the needs, social and industrial, of this 
vicinity, and who have a thorough knowledge of 
its resources. Tlie_y are therefore belter adapted 
to succeed here than a stranger could be and are 
prob.abl}' without exception warmly devoted to 



the prosperity of their native place. Such a man 
we find in the person of Frank Atwood, the 
subject of this sketch. 

This gentleman was born in Wayne Township, 
August 12, 1852, and was early trained to the 
duties of the farm. His scholastic training was 
received in the rnion School atDowagiac and the 
district school in AVayne Township. In the year 
187.) he married Miss lielle Ingling, a native 
of Penii Township, this county, born .luly 13, 
1857, and the daughter of Samuel and Jane 
(Stanard) Ingling, natives respectively of Ohio 
and New York. Her [larents reside in Dow.agiac. 
ISIr. and Mrs. Atwood have lived on their |)iespnt 
farm ever since their inaniage and are the parents 
of three children: Fred ()., Fay and Cora. Our 
subject i» interested in school work, has been a 
school ollicer since twenty-one 3ears of age, and 
has given his children good educations. He is a 
member of the Modern Woodmen, and in politics 
isa Democrat, although formerly' a Keimblicaii. He 
was .School Inspector for a number of years, and 
also served as Town Clerk for several years, and 
is now serving his first term as Supervisor of the 
Township. The farm comprises two hundred and 
fifty acres. 



^^ 



^=^EORGE MORLEY, a prominent citizen of 
(Ij g— Berrien County and a successful fruit-grower 
^^1 of Lincoln Township, residing on section 
16, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., on the 14tli of 
March, 1847. ills father, William Morley, was a 
native of England, and there engaged in business 
as a machinist; he also gave considerable attention 
to the knitting business. After his marriage to 
Miss Susan Tini|)son, lie emigrated to Ameiiea.aiid 
for a time sojourned in Massachusetts. Later he 
removed to Philadelphia, where he followed the 
machine and knitting business for a number of 
years. Some time since he retired from active 
business and now, at the advanced age of seventy- 
six years, is living in Philadelphia, Pa. His good 
wife is now (1893) seventy-two. The aged couple 
are hale and vigorous, notwithstanding their years. 



rORTRAlT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



437 



'riif t'.'iiiiilv of wliieh mil- .xulijcct is a member 
t'onsistod of eleven eliildrcn. of wIhum nine siir- 
vivo(J to mature years, and eij^lit are now livinfj. 
'I'Ik'V were all reared in tlie faitli of the Episcoi)al 
Cliurcii, of wliicli their mother is a nienitier. Tiie 
father, while not identified with any denomination, 
has always contributed with liberality to churcli 
work. He is a Democrat in his political opinions, 
and has for many years been an earnest advocate 
of free trade. In the city of his birth the subject 
of this sketch was reared to manhood. In youth 
he learned the trade of a machinist and was 
employed in a knitting faotory. As a child, he 
studied in the common schools of I'hiladelphia, 
but his schooling was discontinued at the age of 
thirteen, when he commenced to learn his trade. 

When a youth of nineteen Mr. Morle}^ assumed 
the management of the Hall & Vezin Knitting 
Works, of Philadeli)hia, and remained in that po- 
sition until 1880. At that time the firm of Cooper, 
Wells & Co., of St. .loseph, Mich., brought him to 
this city as Superintendent of their knitting works, 
and after working for eight years in that capacity 
he piu'chased the place where he has since made 
his home. Here he has thirty-live acres, of which 
about one-half has been set out in fruit trees, in- 
cluding the best varieties of a[)ples, pears and 
peaches. He also raises berries, grapes, etc. The 
trees have been set out quite recently, and will 
soon he in fine bearing condition. 

.luly 1, 1860, Mr. Morlcy was united ni marriage 
with Miss Mary (irindrod. who was one of sixteen 
childien burn to the union of .lames and Elizabeth 
(Smith) (jrindrod. At the i)resent lime (1803) 
seven of the number are living. Her father vvas 
born in England Se|iteinber 1, 1811, and on the 
;i()th of March. 18.') I, married Miss Elizabeth Smith. 
In 18.'(7 he emigrated to the United .States and lo- 
cated in Philadelphia, where he follc)wed the trade 
of a dyer. The great-grandfather of Mrs. Morle\' 
was a M:ison and mysteriously disappeared in 
England. Ilei' maternal great-grandmother at- 
tained to the great old age of one huTidrcd and 
four years. In childhood our subject and Mar\' 
(^rindrod lived in tiie same city, and when only 
eleven years old they worked together in a factory, 
where thev conlniued to be employed until their 



marriage. They are highly regarded throughout 
the community, and are prominent members of 
the Episcopal Church. 

In regard to social connections, Mr. Morley is 
identified with the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows, belonging to the encampment, and is also 
a member of the Masonic fraternity, the American 
Mechanics' Society and various temperaiue organi- 
zations. Politically, he has always cast his ballot 
for the candidates and platform of the Republican 
l)arty. lie has attained prominence and success as 
the result of patient i)erseverance and energetic 
effort. His first experience of business was in 
youth, when he loaned some money to a building 
and loan association, and the result was so satis- 
factory that he has always spoken very highly of 
these societies since that lime. While residing in 
Germantown, Pa., he became the possessor of two 
cannon balls used in the battle of Germantown, 
and years afterward taken from the walls of an 
old house in the village. These balls are made out 
of stone. At the battle of Germantown they ran 
out of ammunition and made use of stone for can- 
non balls. 




^AVll) JUDSON, for many years one of the 
most successful instructors in the West 
and now a fruit-grower residing in St. 
Joseph Township, Berrien County, was 
born in Livingston County. N. Y.. .hme 12, 1821*. 
He is the son of Henry Lyman Judson, a native of 
Fairfield County, Conn., born on the l.')th of Sep- 
tember, 171I.T, and reared in the city of I)anl)urv. 
Conn., where he learned the trade of a chairinaker. 
Later removing to New York, he located in Liv- 
ingston County, where he resided until 1836. 
From New York he removed to Michigan, and 
purchased a tract of unimproved land in Hillsdale 
County, to the clearing and cultivation of which 
he gave his attention for a number of years. He 
succeeded in bringing th6 place to a high state of 
cultivation, it reacliing a foremost rank among the 



438 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



farms of tlie county. Upon the old homestead his 
eyes closed in death, September 9, 1840. 

Throughout Hillsdale County Mr. .Judson was 
known and esteemed. By his untiring labor for 
the welfare of the community and tlie good of his 
fellow-citizens, he left an influence which extended 
so perceptibly beyond tlie home circle that it 
called forth a universal benediction of honor 
upon him who so nobly lived and labored. His 
wife was Catherine, daughter of John Christie. 
She was born at Albany, N. Y., on the lid of De- 
cember, 1785, and died in Branch County, Mich., 
February 12, 1857. Her childhood ^ears were 
passed in the city of Albany, whence she moved to 
Livingston County*, X. Y., and from there accom- 
panied her husband to Michigan. 

The parental family- consisted of four children, 
of whom two are deceased, Marj' .lane and Mar- 
gcrj'. The survivors are David, of this sketch, and 
Henry Gilliert, who is engaged in farming in 
Hillsdale Couut3-, this State. David was a child 
of seven years when he accompanied his parents 
in their removal from the Empire State to Michi- 
gan. His boyhood 3ears were spent upon the 
home farm in Hillsdale County, wheie he aided 
his father in the usual routine of agricultural 
work, and for a time he conducted hisstudies in a 
neighboring school. At the age of twenty-five he 
entered Hillsdale College, where he availed him- 
self to the utmost of the oi)portunilies offered 
him. 

rpon leaving College, Mr. .Judson went to 
Soutli Bend, Ind., wlicrc for two years he engaged 
in teaching in the common schools. From that 
city he went to Lansing, Iowa, in 1864, where he 
accepted the position of Principal of the graded 
schools. During the same year, on the 8th of Sep- 
tember, at Racine, Wis., he was united in marriage 
with Miss Helen E., daugliter ot Hon. George W. 
Selden, a prominent citizen of Mt. Pleasant, Racine 
County, Wis., and a member of the State Legis- 
ture of Wisconsin. Ivcturning to Lansing ac- 
companied hy his wife, Mr. .ludson resumed his 
professional labors, and for four years tilled the 
position of Princi|)al of scIkjoIs, while his wife was 
assistant Piiiinpal. 

In the autumn of 1868 Mr. .ludson came to 



Berrien County and purchased the place where he 
now resides. He did not, however, locate here at 
that time, but for two years engaged in teaching 
in Berrien County. In 1^(71 he and his wife re- 
turned to Lansing, Iowa, where they taught in the 
schools for three years. Thence they returned to 
Berrien County, and for one year (1874-75) after 
coming back to Michigan Mr. Judson was Princi- 
pal of the St. .loseph schools. 

Ill 1875 Prof. Judson removed to Waukon, Al- 
lamakee County, Iowa, where he was Principal of 
the schools for five years, his wife being one of 
his assistants. .Subsequently he had charge of the 
schools in ^'illi^ca, Montgomery County, Iowa, 
for one year, and the school at Bed Clcuid, Neb., 
for two years. In 1884 he discontinued teaching 
and has since resided u[)on section :\6, .St. Joseph 
Townshii). The farm consists of ten acres and is 
devoted to the raisingof peais,apples, strawberries, 
etc. Both as a teacher and a fruit-grower, ]Mr. 
Judson has been successful. During the period 
of more than twenty years in which he was en- 
gaged in teaching, he was the instructor of many 
men wlio have since gained prominence in business 
and political circles, and who attributH their suc- 
cess in no small degree to his painstaking efforts 
and cheerful assistance. 

In all matters pertaining to the welfaie of the 
community and the best interests of the nation, 
Mr. Judson maintains a deep sympathy, and all 
measures having for their object the promotion of 
benevolent projects or public-spirited enterprises 
receive his hearty co-operation. In his political 
belief, he is a Republican. He has held the otiice 
of School Iiis|(ector of the township and llighw.ay 
Commissioner, and has also served as Treasurer of 
his school district for the |)ast six years. 

j*«s^TEPIIEX COOK. No more highly re- 

^^^ sjiected and esteemed citizen lives in llagar 

lil/^u) Township tTian the one of whom we write, 

who has done business here for many years, 

and thidiighout all thai lime li.as so conducted 

himself as to earn the just admiration and regard 



PORTRAIT AND BTOGRArlllCAL RECORD. 



439 



of his neiglibore. He is not only one of llie old 

settlers of the couiily. iiMt diii' uf tlic inoiniiient 
fruit mid hcrry yr<i\vcrs of llio saiiic. lie n('('(ls no 
iiiti'i>(Iiiflii)n to the i)('o|)l(> of IJeriKMi County, for 
ft loni» residence hero and, altovi' all. a career of 
nsefulncss and prominence have given liiin a very 
exteiisive aci|uainlanci'. 

He is a son of the Empire State, born in C'ay- 
nga County in 1823, and is one of twelve children 
born to Henry and Maria (Munil)riie) Cook, na- 
tives also of the Stale of New York. At an early 
date the parents came to Michitjan and settled in 
Calhoun County, when it was a complete wilder- 
ness, and (ui the edge of what was known as Cook's 
Prairie. Henry Cook was a man possessed uf more 
than the ordinary attainments, and w.as a niemlier 
of the Legislature when the .State was a Territory'. 
He was a soldier in the War of 1812. His son, 
William, lirother of our sulijecl, served two terms 
in the State Legislature, and the same lenglh of 
time m the Senate. He w.as a prominent man of 
Ihe .State, hut is now deceased. Our sulijoct lias 
three brothers in Calhoun and one in this county. 

The original of this notice passed his boyhood 
and youth in Calhoun County, and in addition to 
liis primary education attended the aca<Iemy in 
llomei-. He was bntsni.all when he came with his 
parents to Michigan, and .as a consequence nearly 
all his recollections are of this State. He assisted 
his father in clearing the home place of the heavy 
limber with which it was Cf)vered, and he grew to 
stindy manhood amid these wild surroundings. 
.June 15, IMd.s, he was united in marriage witli 
Miss Mary H. .Sheldon, daughter of II. >.'. Sheldon, 
and their union was ble.ssed by the birth of four 
ehihlien: .Icnuie IL, wife of Daniel IJailiff. of St. 
.Joseph; .Stephen 11.; Jessie, and Minnie, who died 
in infancy. 

Mr. Cook left Calhoun County and came to Her- 
rien County in 185S, where he purchased his pres- 
ent farm, one of the finest in the county. He is 
.•I ^lioneer in the fruit-growing industry. For the 
piist thirty years he has raised fruit for the Chi- 
cago markets, and as his fruit is always fresh and 
perfect, he gets the highest market price for his 
products. He owns two hundred acres of very 
valuable land, having over one mile of lake front, 



and although heavily timbered when he first set- 
tled on it, he has cleared this all off and erected 
l)nildings that beautify and improve it. Industri- 
ous and progressive, he has worke<l hard to bring 
his farm to its present prosperous condition, and 
no man is more wortiiy of success than lie. All 
his life Mr. Cook li.as iilliliatcd with the Republi- 
can party and has held a number of local ollices, 
among them .Supervisor, which position he held 
one ^ear. He and Mrs. Cook are exemplary mem- 
bers of the Congregational Church. 



-^ 



ORERT R. ALLEN owns and resides upon 
a finely-improved farm in C.ass County. 
\V and is numbered among the most prosper- 
\^ ous general .agriculturists in Howard Town- 
sliii), of which he is a prominent citizen. He was 
born in Cayuga County, X. Y., October 28. 182'.>. 
His father, Asa L. Allen, was born in the Green 
Mountain State on the :?Oth of April, 1 T'.MI, and in 
his youth learned the trade of a harness-maker and 
saddler, which he followed for some time at East 
(ireenwich, X. Y. The lady whom lie marrieil 
bore the maiden name of Diantha Dean, and was 
born in New York on the I'.Hh of .lune. lisill. 

After his inarri.age the senior Mr. Allen located 
in E.ast (Ireenwich, where for many years he en- 
gaged in the l)usiness of a harness manufacturer. 
In 1810 he came to Berrien County, Mich., and 

I located in Weesaw Township, where he purchased 
a trtict of heavily timbered land an<l commenced 
the improvement of a farm. In the little log cabin 

, which he erected, the family resided for some time, 

I and the home, although an humble one, was lilessed 
with happy hearts and serene contentment. In 

I their advanced years they removed to Niles, where 

I both died, the father (ui the Ith of April. 18,i4, 
and the mother November .'>, 18t)(i. 

In the parental family there were eight children, 
as ft)llows: Adaline, who was horn October l.j, 

1 1821. and is now deceased; .John L., whose birth 
occurred October 2.5, 1823, now residing in Xiles; 

: Charles L., born May 25, 1826, now of Niles; 



440 



POxiTRAlT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Robert R., of this sketch; Harriet M., who was 

boin November 2, 1832; Albert, July IC, 1834, 
and now deceased; Harvey S., born Avigust 18, 
1836, also deceased; and Minerva T., whose birth 
occurred on the 18th of August, 1838, and who 
is now deceased. Of this family our subject is 
the fourth in order of birth. He spent liis early 
childhood 3'ears in New York, and after coming to 
Micliigan attended school for about three years 
during the intervals of farm labor. 

At the age of fourteen, Mr. Allen began to be 
self-supporting, and for a time worked by the 
month on a farm. After coming to Michigan he 
learned the trade of a carpenter and joiner, work- 
ing for three years in the employ of Alfred .John- 
son, in Niles. Altogether he spent about twelve 
years at his trade, and assisted in the erection of 
houses in town and throughout tiie country. Dur- 
ing a portion of the twelve years he was with the 
Michigan Central Railroad as foreman over the 
carpenters on depots and bridges. In 1858 heex- 
eiiangcd tlie duties of his trade for the calling of 
a farmer, and at that time came to the farm whereon 
he lias since resided. During the same year he was 
united in marriage with Emily Abbe, who was Iforn 
in Van Buren County, Mich., in 1839. They are 
the |)arents of two daughters: Grace, who is a grad- 
uate of the Niles school; and May, a graduate of 
the Niles school and of the Ypsilanti State Normal 
School in 1888. now a teacher in' the schools of 
Benton Harbor. 

When Mr. Allen located on his present homestead, 
there were no improvements here, but through in- 
dustr}' he has succeeded in bringing it up to a high 
state of cultivation. The property consists of 
one hundred and ninety-eight and one-half acres, 
and is embellished with modern improvements, 
chief among which may be mentioned the fine 
residence, which was erected in 1880 at a cost of 
$3,000. There are also substantial barns and other 
outbuildings to be found on all first-class farms. 
A Republican politically, he does not take any ac- 
tive jiarl in public affairs other than to cast his 
ballot foi- the candidates of his part}'. He is a 
strong temperance man, and has never used to- 
bacco in any form. lie is identified with the Tem- 
ple of Honor, being a prominent member in that 



organization. In his religious connections he is a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at 
Niles, in which he has served as Trustee and 
Steward; he h.as also otHciated as Trustee of the 
Methodist Episcopal District Camp Meeting at 
Crystal Springs. 




li^^ir 



AVID T. TRUITT. No family of Milton 
Township has been more intimately asso- 
ciated with its growth, or contributed 
more largely to its development, than 
that of which the subject of our sketch is an hon- 
ored member. His father, Peter Truitt, was the 
•'father" of the township, and named it Milton in 
honor of his early Delaware home. Eurther men- 
tion is made of this worthy |)ioneer on another 
page of this volume, in the biographical sketch of 
James M. Truitt. 

Peter Truitt was four times married, David 'J'. 
being the fourth child born of the first marriage, 
lie was born in Sussex County, Del.. June 19, 
1826, and was a child of five years when he ac- 
companied his father to Michigan in 1831, settling 
on a farm in Cass County. In that early day edu- 
cational advantages were limited to such schooling 
as could be obtained in the rude log- houses, where 
the mode of instruction was scarcely less primitive 
than the building itself. While Mr. Truitt, there- 
fore, had few opportunities foi- acquiring an edu- 
cation, he nevertheless became well informed, as 
he has always been a thoughtful reader and close 
oliserver. At the age of twenty-one he entered 
Albion College, and for one and one-half years 
prosecuted his studies there with the utmost dili- 
gence. 

In 1852, stirred liy the w<jndeiful gold excite- 
ment in California, Mr. Truitt crossed the plains 
wish a team and, arriving at his destination, en- 
gaged in mining for two years. He then |)ur- 
chased twenty packing mules and conveyed freight 
from Carson City to Jacksonville, Sterling and 
Eureka. In addition to that enterprise, he also 
traded in groceries and |)i(jduce. In 1858, after 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



411 



six successful years, lip rotuiiuMl Immo via tlio 
Isthmus of Panama to New York City, and thence 
by laih'oad to Michigan, where lie resumed his 
farming ojierr.tions in Cass County. 

The marriage of Mr. Truitt occurred in Feb- 
ruary, I8()l,and united him with Miss Agnes Lov- 
elt, wiio was liorn and reaied in New York, being 
the daughter of James and Emeline Lovctl. Af- 
tPi' his m.irriage Mr. Truitt located on liis present 
liomestead, where he has one hundred and fifty 
acres of as good land as is to be found m that 
county. For many years lie engaged in teaching 
school l)oth in New York and Michigan, liaving 
taught in Cass County and in Adrian, this State. 
As a te.acher he was (juite successful, and intro- 
duced into his scliools many of tlie metliods that 
are now in general use. 

In political belief, Mr. Truitt voted the Demo- 
cratic ticket for forty ^-ears or more, but now gives 
liis intluence and ballot to the cause of Proliibi- 
lion. He is a strong temperance man, and has 
iii'vtr used tobacco in any form, A devoted mem- 
ber of llie Methodist Episcopal (liurcii, he has 
served ;is Trustee, and aided in the erection of tlie 
church of that denoniination here. His wife is 
alxi a member of that church, and has for many 
years lieen a teacher in the Sunday-school. Al- 
though not opposed to secret organizations, he is 
not identilied with any at the piesi'iit lime. He is 
a man of di!cided oi)inions and strong con victions, 
and when resolved upon liis course of action al- 
lows nothing to swerve him from the path of 
dutv. 



',1/ AUS HANSON. No State in the riiiou 
I (b gives greater encouragement to a man who 
I \ ilesires to devote himsi'lf to auiicullural 



'■' AUS HANSON. No State in the riiiou 

lO 

:il 

life than does ^lichigan. Its resources are almost 
inexhaustible, and its climate is adapted to the 
i-ultivalioii of varied crops. Among the most 
enterprising and pushing of licrriun Coimty's 
farmers is l.ais Hanson, who was born in Den- 
mark .\pril (5, 1831, a son of Ilaiiscni and Mary 
(Hanson) Oleson, whose entire lives were spent in 



Denmark. The mother was called from life when 
the subject of this sketch was about thirteen \ears 
of age, he being the second of their six childien. 

Lars Hanson resided in his native land until he 
was about twenty-three years old, and, owing to tlie 
poor health and extreme poverty of his parents, 
in early childhood lie vvas compelled to beg for 
them in order to keep the wolf from the door. 
-Vt the age of ten years lie began earning his own 
livelihood, although he was always a weakly lad, 
anil when about seventeen years of age he hired 
out to a prosperous and extensive farmer in Den- 
mark, receiving *25 for his first year's services. 
After remaining in the employ of this gentleman 
for five years, he decided to follow his stcp-mo- 
tlier's advice and come to America, and upon 
landing in this country almost immediately went 
to Wisconsin, and hired out on a farm through 
harvest time — a period of six weeks. At the 
end of this time he went to Milwaukee, and 
shortly after to St. Joseph, Mich. He arrived in 
the latter place a total stranger, with little of this 
world's goods, and with characteristic energy at 
once started out to seek employment. After a 
few days he secured a place as a farm hand with a 
man by the name of William Tryon. with wluiin 
he lemained two years and four months. At the 
end of that time he had saved sutlicient means to 
enable him to purchase eighty acres of land, for 
which he paid the sum of $800. This land was 
heavily limbered, and he at once set to work to 
elear it. and this he succee<led in doing, and has 
since ailded to it until he now has an excellent 
farm of one liundred and lifty-two acres, located 
about seven and a-h:ilf miles south of St. .Joseph. 
He has been unusually successful in his chosen 
calling, and his good fortune is due to his integ- 
rit}', honesty, business ability and the push which 
is lacking in so many young men. 

In 18(i',» our subject was married to .Miss Louise 
Seal, who. althouifh Amerji -m-bnin, is of (ierman 
descent, and by her bec:iine the father of live 
children: Jt)hn, Delia, William, Charley and Ed- 
ward. Since locating on his pre-sent fai in in IS.'i'.t. 
Mr. Hanson has experienced many hardships, and 
for the seven years jnior to his inaniage kept 
house alone. He is a meinber of the Fariijers' 



442 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Mutual Fire Insurance, has been a member of the 

School Board of his district twice,, and filled the 
position of Township Assessor for two terms. Mr. 
and Mis. Hanson are members of the Free Meth- 
odist Church at Ti'yon's Corner, the buildinu; of 
which was due to Mr. Hanson's liberality and 
jiush. He founded the lirst church of the kind in 
that section, and has always been one of its most 
lion ored Trustees. Schools, churches, and all things 
for the upbuilding of Royalton Township are of 
interest to him, and he is a useful, influential 
and highly respected citizen. 



■^.'AMES WALTON. Nearly eighty years 
have passed over the head of tlie venerable 
man who is the subject of this sketch, leav- 
I ing their impress in the whitening hair and 
lined features; but while the outward garments of 
the soul show the wear and tear of years, the man 
himself is richer and nobler and grander for the 
ex])erience that each successive decade has brought 
him. He is one of the prominent farmers of 
Oronoko Township, and has a comfortable and 
attractive home within its borders. Honorable 
and upright in every walk of life, his long career 
has been without a blot or blemish to mar its 
whiteness. 

Mr. Walton was born in Yorkshire, I^ngland, in 
1814, and his |)arents,John and Mary (Shackeleton) 
Walton, were natives of the same country. 'i"he 
father was a cutter of fustian, corduroy, velveteen, 
etc., but was also interested in farming. He came 
to America in 1841, settling in Pittsburg, Pa., 
and there followed farming for a few years. From 
there he came to Berrien County, Mich., but after 
a residence here of a few j'ears returned to Penn- 
sylvania, and died while visiting in that State. 
lie and wife were the parents of six children: 
Hannah, widow of .James Knight, now in Dickson 
County, Tenn.; James, our subject; .Tohn, who died 
in this county in 1865; Mary Ann, widow of John 
Locke3', who resides in this county; Priscilla, de- 
ceased, who vvas the wife of James Knight, of 



Pennsylvania; and Tamar, deceased, the wife of 
Gilbert Jamison, of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Walton 
died in this State some time previous to the death 
of her husband. 

The schools of Yorkshire, England, furnished 
our subject with his education, and he remained 
in his native country until 1830, when lie braved 
Neptune's tender mercies and came to America. 
For about a year he was located in the Enijiire 
State, and .as he came here witii limited means he 
labored by the month on a farm. As he had 
learned the trade of his father, he attempted to 
get employment in New York Cit}-, but was not 
successful. From there he went to Pittsburg, Pa., 
and w.as employed by a wool dealer, with whom he 
remained until 18.'>(). Previous to this, in 1842 
and 1847, he had made trips to Micliigan, and 
in the latter 3'ear purch.ased his present property, 
then consisting of tour hundred acres, of whicli a 
few acres were cleared, and on which w.as a two- 
story hewn-Iog house. This house w.as not fit for 
occupancy, and Mr. Walton's father and brother 
erected a log house, with the roof sloping only in 
one direction. 

Our subject occupied this liouse one winter, and 
in the spring of 18,01 he returned to Pittsburg, 
where he remained until 1854 or 1855. At tliat 
date he leturned .and located permanently on his 
present property. He paid $4 per acre for liis 
farm, and he now has one hundred and twenty- 
five acres under cultivation. Tiie remainder is 
covered with a fine growth of timber. On his 
farm Mr. Walton raises corn, wheat, oats, grasses 
and has extensive apple and pe.ach orchards. In 
carrying on his large farm he does not lose sight 
of the stock-raising industry, and his broad acres 
are covered with fine cattle, horses and sheep. 
His farm is one of the best improved in this sec- 
tion of the county, and everything about it indi- 
cates to the beholder that he is a man of progress- 
ive ideas and advanced tendencies. 

In 1846 this worthy citizen w.as married to Miss 
Mary A. Ray, an Irish lady, and the daughter of 
natives of the Emerald Isle. Her mother in maid- 
enhood was Catherine Hall. Of this family three 
came to America, viz.: Mary A., wife of our sub- 
ject; Bessie, deceased, who vvas the wife of John 





\ r\ ; 




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRATTIICAL RECORD. 



445 



Wilson; .'iini .lolm. wIki died in tho city of St. 
Louis. iMary A. and Bessie -were Iwins, and liie 
latter died in St. Louis. Mr. and Mrs. Walton's 
union was blessed by tlie birtli of nine children, 
live of whom lived to be men and women. These 
are: Mary A., wife of Edgar Pennell, of this 
county; Catlierine, wife of William Pennell, of 
this county; Priscilla, wife of C. E. P^rench, also 
of this county; Carrie, wife of William Flasher, 
of this county; and Thomas C, who is at home. 
Three children were born in Pennsylvania, and 
the remainder in Michigan. Those deceased were 
named: Sarah, John, James A., and William IL 
III liis political views Mr. Walton is independent, 
hut he believes in Prohibition. Mrs. Walton is a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 



\|,— lA'RANK W. LYLE. I'lidcr various names 
|-^g)( the City Bank of Dowagiac has existed for 
/Ji many years, and enjo\s the distinction of 

being the oldest established bank of Cass County. 
Theotlicersare: Jolin Lyie, Piesident; N. F. Choate, 
Vice-President; Fi'ank W. Lyle, Cashier; and Ira 
B. Ciage, Assistant Cashier. As one of the solid 
financial institutions of Michigan, the bank pos- 
sesses to an unusual degree the confidence of the 
people of Cass County and has an assured position 
in financial circles. A gratifying fact as revealed 
by its statements is the increase in its deposits and 
a corresponding increase in resources, loans and 
surplus, showing an active banking business and 
indicating a busy employment of capital. 

The Cashier of the bank, F. W. Lyle, was born 
in the city of Dowagiac, Mich., December H, 18()1, 
being the son of the late Daniel Lyle (of whom 
see sketch presented on another page). He was 
reared in this city and was graduated from the 
high scliool here. After taking a course in the 
Bryant & Stratton Commercial College at Chicago, 
he entered the First National Bank of Dowagiac as 
Assistant Cashier, his father at that time being 
President of the bank. He continued to till that 



position iiiitii l«s:3, when he became an active 
partner in the banking firm of D. Lyle & Co., 
which connection continued until the decease of 
D.aniel Lyle in 1887. 

Siiortly after the death of Mr. Lyle, Sr., the City 
Bank of Dowagiac was organized, on the 12th of 
April, 1887, and our subject was elected Cashier, 
which position he has filled ever since. He is also 
the largest individual stockholder in the bank, and 
its success is largel3' due to his efforts and ability. 
He was united in marriage May 19, 1881, with 
Miss Jennie, daughter of Henry W. Richards, 
a prominent and extensive farmer of Pokagon 
Township, Cass County. One child has blessed 
the union, Leon. Mrs. Lyle is a highly accom- 
plished lady and is especially talented in art. Her 
paintings have received the first premiums at a 
number of fairs throughout the State, and their 
beautiful home is adorned with specimens of her 
work. She is also identified with many of the 
local ladies' circles and is a leader in social affairs. 

In his political views, Mr. Lyle is a Democrat 
and takes an active part in local politics, and is 
a member of the Democratic State Central Com- 
mittee. He has served for several terms as Treas- 
urer of the Fair Association and is now President 
of the Dowagiac Electric Light Company. One of 
the most important enterprises in which he is in- 
terested is the Dowagiac Manufacturing Company, 
one of the largest establishments of the kind in 
the West. Two hundred and fifty men are given 
steady employment in the factory and there are 
about ten traveling salesmen. The pay-roll 
amounts to 18,000 per month, and as this amount 
is distributed among the people of Dowagiac it aids 
in no small measure the progress of the city and 
the welfare of the people. The company manu- 
factures grain-drills and has an extensive trade 
among the farmers in the >Jortliwest. For many 
years this enterprise did comparatively little busi- 
ness, but the father of our subject became inter- 
ested in it and through his efforts its sales were 
soon increased to paying proportions. The com- 
pany has a line exhibit at the World's I'':iir in 
charge of I'rof. Samuel .loliiison, formerly a Pro- 
fessor of the Michigan Agricultural College, at 
Lansing. 



446 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Socially, Mr. Lyle is identified with the Knigiits 
Templar, the Order of Elks, the Modern Woodmen 
and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. In 
financial circles, he possesses great influence and 
liis ability is universally conceded. Notwithstand- 
ing his wealth, he is affable and genial with all 
whom business or social intercourse brings him in 
contact. He is fond of travel and has visi- 
ted Mexico, California, Colorado, Yellowstone 
Park and the Eastern States and expects in the 
near future to make a tour of Europe. 



^-i^>l< 



^ ft,ILLIAM D. JEFFERIS, whose fruit farm 
\/\l// ^^ "-""^ '^^ ''^'^ most extensive in Berrien 
^^^ County, is the owner of a large and val- 
uable tract of land on section 32, Lincoln Town- 
ship. The family of wiiicli he is a member origi- 
nated in England and has been represented in tliis 
country for several generations. The paternal 
grandfather of our subject. Job Jefferis, was born 
June 9, 1766, in Lancaster County, Pa., but later 
went to Chester County, that State. In 180.5 he 
removed to Ohio and settled in Chester Town- 
ship, Clinton County, becoming a pioneer of that 
part of the State. He died January 2, 1846, on 
the farm where he first settled. One of his broth- 
ers was killed at the battle of Brandywine, in the 
struggle with England. He liimself was a man of 
patriotic impulses, although not an active iiartiei- 
pant in the war. He made his home in Clinton 
County' until his death. Robert Jefferis, the great- 
great-grandfather of our subject, emigrated to this 
counliy from England about 1740. He had a son 
named William, who became the father of Job 
Jefferis, above named. 

The father of our subject, Joab N. Jefferis, was 
born in Clinton County, Ohio, January 29, 1811. 
lie had a twin brother. Job E., and a sister, Han- 
nah S.; also two half-sisters, and two half-brothers 
liy his father's former marriage. Joab Jefferis mar- 
ried Miss Angelina W., daughter of Isaac and Sarah 
(Pardee) Osborn, the former a native of Newark, 
N. J., and the latter of Guilford, Conn. Stephen 



Pardee, an uncle of Mrs. Jefferis, was a soldier in 
the War of 1812, and followed the occujaation of 
a farmer. After his marriage, J. N. Jefferis farmed 
in Ohio until 1861, when he removed to Michigan 
and settled in Lincoln Township, Berrien County. 
Purchasing eighty acres, he commenced the work 
of clearing the land and succeeded in placing the 
larger part of the property under cultivation. 
His death occurred at the old homestead March 
23, 1874. His wife died May 12, 1885. They 
were the parents of four children, namely: Lydia 
A., who makes her home with our subject; Will- 
iam D., of this sketch; Charles O., who is engaged in 
the oil business at Osage City, Kan.; and Oliver A., 
who resides in Lincoln Township on the old home- 
stead. Politically, the father was first an Aboli- 
tionist and later a Republican. In religion, he 
was a member of the Society of Friends. 

In Clinton County, Ohio, the subject of this 
sketch was born on the 7th of Ma3% 1841, and 
there he resided until about twenty years of age. 
In that county he married Miss Rebecca, daugh- 
ter of Newton McMillan, and to their union six 
children were born, five of the number now liv- 
ing. They are: Etta M., who is the wife of Rev. 
Samuel Trewin, a minister in the Metliodist Epis- 
copal Church, and now preaching at the Stevens- 
ville charge; William ITIric, who resides with his 
father; Angelina W., Edith N. and Shipley M . 
who are at home. The mother of these children 
died in 1887, and two years afterward Mr. Jefferis 
married Miss Ellen, daughter of ticorgc Howard, 
a prominent fruit-grower of Lake Township, Ber- 
rien County. Mrs. Jefferis was born in Indiana 
and has received excellent educational advanta- 
ges. She is tlie mother of two chihiien, Margaret 
E. and Arthur. 

After his first inariiage, Mr. Jefferis located upon 
his present farm and has resided here ever since 
that time. During the late war he enlisted, in Sep- 
tember, 1863, as a member of Company B, Fortieth 
Ohio Infantry, and participated in the battles of 
Lookout Mountain, Missionaiy Ridge and all the 
engagements of the Atlanta campaign. Having 
won an honorable record as a soldier, he was mus- 
tered out at the close of the war, his discharge 
papers bearing date of November 4, 1865. He 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



447 



has ."ihvays adlieiiMl to the ])latf()ini and principles 
(if the Hepublifan i)arty, and lias tilled various 
local positions, including that of Township Treas- 
urer. Socially, he is identified with the A. N. 
Chai)nian Post. (J. A. K., at St. Joseph. lie is a 
niemher of the Methodist Episcopal Church and 
takes an active interest in religious matters, hav- 
ing served as Steward and Trustee of his church 
and in other important positions. 

The farm owiie<l and occupied by Mi. .leflferis 
includes one hundred and one acres, of which about 
sixty-five are improved. Here he raises all kinds 
of small fruits, peaches, pears, plums, .ipples, 
quinces, etc About sixt}' acres of the place were 
improved by his own personal work, and the im- 
provements now noticeable here are the results of 
his efforts. The commodious and substantial frame 
residence was erected by liiin iu 1884. The barns 
and other outbuildings were also built under his 
supervision. Surrounding his home there are 
many beautiful trees. However, some of the tall- 
est have been cut down recently, as Mr. .IctTeris 
feared they might fall on the house. Those still 
standing add to the beauty and attractive appear- 
ance of the homestead, and afford a cool retreat 
during stiltrv summer davs. 



^^^- 



^l70HN lULDKlinACK. In giving a brief 
sketch of .Mr. P.ilderback, it can with truth 
be said that he is one of the substantial men 
' of the county and one of its much esteemed 
citizens. All bis |)ioperty has been .accumulated 
by honest toil and good management, and he now 
has one of the finest farms in his section. Like 
many of the prominent men of the county, he is a 
native of the Huekeye SUite, born in Preble County 
in 1843, and the son of William and Sarah (Xye) 
liiblerliack. 

William IJilderbaek was born in New Jersey 
in 1816 and at an early age went with his parents 
to Ohio. When but nine years of age he was left 
an orphan and from that time on he was obliged 
to fight his own wav iu life. Possessed of an un- 



limited amount of perseverance and industry, he 
went bravely to work and for some time was a 
farm hand in Ohio, hi this manner he managed 
to accumulate some means, and in 1838 he was 
married to Miss Sarah Nye. For about eight 
years he remained in the Buckeye State, and hav- 
ing .aecumuhited sufficient means he determined 
to tr^- the fertile soil of Michigan. About 18 10 
he brought his family to this State and located in 
Berrien County, where he began his career as a 
renter. In 1850 he located in Silver Creek Town- 
ship, Cass County, and there bought eighty acres 
of (iovernment land. 

All his energies were bent towards the improve- 
ment and development of his place, and in this he 
was unusually successful, for from time to time he 
added to the original tract until he became the 
owner of four hundred .and sixt^^-seven acres. 
Good buildings were erected, fences init up, and 
everything about the place indicated him to be a 
man of determination and great energy. Sociall3', 
he was a member of the United Brethren Church, 
but .as there was no church of that denomination 
in the neighborhood, he united with the Disciples 
Church and continued a consistent and devout 
member until his death, in 188,5. Formerly a Whig 
in politics, during the latter part of his life he af- 
filiated with the Republican party, and was an ar- 
dent supporter of its princijiles. 

He held a number of local offices, such as Justice 
of the Peace, Highw.ay Commissioner, etc., and 
discharged the duties of all in a ver^' creditable 
manner. His wife, now seventy-five years of age, 
is still living and enjoys comparatively good 
health. The six children born to this estimable 
couple were named as follows: Peter J., deceased; 
John, our subject; William W., deceased; Mary, 
who married O. F. Momany, and after his death 
was united in marriage with D. W. Sammons; 
Martha, who married James Momany; and Sarah 
Rosa, who married Elias Smith. Peter died in 
the hospital at L'lttsburg Landing during the war; 
and William died after reaching home from the 
army. 

The youthful days of our subject were spent in 
the district schools of Michigan and on the farm, 
where ho assisted materially in clearing it of the 



448 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



timber with wliieli it was covered. P'illed with a 
patriotic desire to assist iiis country, lie enlisted 
in the army and was in active duty until the cessa- 
tion of hostilities. Returning to Cass County, Mich., 
lie bouglit eighty acres where he now lives, jiartly 
improved, but he has erected all the substantial 
buildings on it, and now has one of the pleasant 
rural homes of the township. He was married in 
1866 to Miss Cynthia A. Becraft, daughter of i 
Isaiah and Caroline Becraft, and four children 
have blessed this union. p]lla Grace, a teacher of 
Cass and Berrien Counties, graduated from the 
schools of Dowagiac; Jesse N. married Miss Mary 
Taylor; Vernie C. is a student at Dow.agiac; and 
William R. is at home. 

Mr. and Mrs. Bilderback are members of the Bap- 
tist Church, and he is a member of H. C. Gil- 
bert Post No. 47, G. A. R. In jiolitics he is a Re- 
pulilican. ]\Ir. Bilderback has held a nuniljcr of 
the township otlices — Supervisor, Highway Com- 
missioner and Treasurer — and is a popular man. He 
joined the army in 1861, in tiie Army of the I'oto- 
m.ac, and ]iarticipated in the following battles: 
Winchester, Cedar Creek, second Bull Run, Slaugh- 
ter Mountain, Fairfax Court House, and in the 
battles of the Wilderness, Gettysliurg, Petersliurg, 
etc. He was never wounded or taken prisoner, 
but a few days after enlisting he w.as taken down 
with the measles. 



^^fl RTHUR E. RUDOLPHI, an able piiarma- 
i@/u[ ceutist employed in the drug store of R. 
/// li Lewis, Dowagiac, Cass County, Mich., is a 
(j^ talented musician and an instructor in 

music of a high order of ability, and is also the 
leader of the Beckwith Memorial Theatre orches- 
tra. Our subject is a native of Wisconsin and 
was born at Hartford, near Madison, November 11, 
1869. Arthur E. was one of six children that 
l>lessed the home of Theopliilus and Anna (Kehl) 
Rudolphi. The other children are four sisters and 
one brother: Louis; Lizzie, now Mrs. Eugene Gil- 
bert; Theophila, Maleta and Aunie. The La- 



ther, an able ])hysician and a native of Preizstar- 
gardt, West Prussia, received a thorough educa- 
tion in Koenigsbergh and Stuttgart, Germany. 
An enterprising man t>f liroad intelligence, he 
subsequently emigrated to America and resumed 
the practice of his profession in Hartford. Wis. 
In 1877, he removed to Dowagiac, Midi., and here 
gained a large practice, and also engaged in the 
drug business with success. He remained actively 
in business and professional duties up to the time 
of his death, February 19, 1888. An upright man 
of line attainments, he received the confidence of 
the citizens of Dowagi.ac, and for two terms occu- 
pied with lidelity the oflicial position of Coroner 
of Cass County. 

Dr. Rudolphi was a valued member of the Ninth 
International Medical Congress, and was esteemed 
by his coadjutors as a man of scientific research. 
Politically, he was a stanch Democrat, and an 
earnest worker for the part3-. The paternal grand- 
father of our subject was also a man of note, and 
for years w.as Burgomaster of the city where he 
resided. Our subject attended the schools of Df)- 
wagiac and received an excellent education. Ik- 
early develojied the genius for music which has 
distinguished his later career. To gratify this 
absorbing talent, Mr. Rudolphi studied in Chicago 
for two years .and a-half at Central Music Col- 
lege. He studied in violin and piano practice and 
orchestration, and, making rapid advancement in 
music, also devoted a part of his time to the Na- 
tional Institute of Pharmacy, and fitted himself to 
compound medicines. After nearly three years' 
alisence from Dowagiac he returned not only an 
accomplished musician, but was enabled to engage 
at once in the drug business. 

Subsequent to the death of his father, our subject 
conducted the drug store for two ^ears, and then 
sold out the business and immediately entered 
upon the clerkship, wliose duties he yet satisfactor- 
ily performs in the employ of Mr. Lewis. Mr. 
Rudolphi has taught more or less for 3ears, and 
has been especially successful in training and 
ra])i<llv advancing his pupils. Aside from his 
other work in life, our subject is City Clerk, be- 
ing elected to the jiosition when but twenty-one 
3-eais of age. He is deeply interested in politics, 



PORTRAIT AND BKX^RAPHICAL RECORD. 



449 



and although young in yeai-s has taken nn active 
pail in lociil and national issues. Mr. Hudolplii 
is one of liie organizers and charter members of 
Lodge No. l.'i;?, K. 1'., and is also i)rominently con- 
nccU'd witli the Woodmen and National Union 
Societies. Within these various orders and hy 
the general public of his home our subject is held 
in liigh csleeni and sincere fraternal regard. 



=s -^ — s 




A. TIIA I.DORF, an energetic general ag- 
riculturist of lierrieu County, Mich., has 
been one t)f the leading men of Three 
Oaks Township for a score and a-half of 
years, and as a School Director and public-spirited 
citizen has mateiially assisted in matters i)ertain- 
iiig to local (Hogress and improvements. Mr. 
'l"h;il(lorr was boin in Ohio .January II, 1842, and 
is a native of Ml. Gilead, Washington Count}-. 
His father, Frederick Thaldorf, was boin in Hano- 
ver. (iermany, and rcceivi'd an excellent education 
m his native land; but. a lover of books, after ar- 
riving in the United Stales perfected himself in 
till' Kngli>h language and .--tudics common to the 
schools of our counti\'. The paternal grandi)ai- 
ciits weie worthy and industrious peoi)k', and the 
father had been carefully reared to thrifty and 
self-ri'lianl habits and had earned his own way 
some years before he left the Fatherland. Freder- 
ick Thaldorf was iwent^-six years of age when he 
crossed the broad ocean to the world of promise 
beyond the sea. Aside from his moneyed caiiital, he 
was possessed of youth, enterprise and energy, and 
the future w.as rich in hope. 

The fust location of the father in his adopted 
, counlry was Little York, Pa., but later, removing 
from that State, he made his home in Baltimore, 
Md., where he cng.aged in the wholesale dry-goods 
business and was a successful merchant of the city, 
lie matried in the <^uaker State Miss Mary .\iin 
Creiiicr, a lady l)elonging to an old Pennsylvania 
Dutch family. .Mwut 1841 Frederick Thaldorf left 
Jhiryland ;iiid located in ()hif>, where he went into 
the fur business, lie linallv settled in Mnnslield, 



Richland Count}', and in 1852 passed away, re- 
gretted bj' his family and many friends. The 
mother married a second time and afterward came 
to Berrien County, Mich., but while visiting her 
chfldliood home in Pennsylvania suddenly died, 
in the year 1881. The parents were blessed by 
the birth of six children. Charlotte H. is the wife 
of F^dwin Smith. Our subject, A. A., is the sec- 
ond in order of birth. Then follow F'redericrk L.; 
Agnes, wife of .John McKie, deceased; Theodore 
William, deceased; and George W. Our subject 
has cared for himself ever since he was ten years 
of age, and having but little chance to gain an 
education is literallv.i self-made and self-educated 
man. 

Mr. Thaldorf was about eighteen \"ears of age 
when he came to Michigan, and was emi>loyed va- 
riously' for a time, accepting any work which his 
hands could liiid to do. In the mean time he at- 
tended school as he could. What education he 
received in schools he got after his eighteenth 
year, and he eagerly embraced every opportunity 
to increase his stock of knowledge. When a boy 
he learned the carpenter's trade, and w.is, as well, 
a wagon manufacturer, having an especial aptitude 
for tools. Our subject was married December 14, 
1863, to Miss Augusta T. Owen, a native of Indi- 
ana and a daughter of Edwin and Maria (Salsbiiiy) 
Owen. Mrs. Owen was born in the Slate of New 
York and passed away in Berrien County. Edwin 
Owen, born in Kentucky, died in California. He 
was of Welsh descent, his father having been born 
in Wales. 

Immediately after his marriage, Mr. Thaldorf 
embarked in the carpenter's business and also be- 
came a wagon-maker, and, combining the two 
trades, was linancially [irospered, for some lime 
giving his entire attention to those lines of busi- 
ness. About 1866 he devoted himself Iv the i)ui- 
suit of agriculture, and he now owns a highly cul- 
tivated homestead of seventh-one acres, well im- 
proved with a commodious residence, substjintial 
barns and other buildings, attractively located three 
miles southwest of Three Oaks. 

'The home of our subject and his estiiualile wife 
has lieen cheered by the presence of four children: 
William A., Llewelhn, Floience M. and Anna 



450 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



W. Mr. Thaldorf lias been a member of the Dis- 
ciples Cliurch for twenty-five 3'ears, and Mrs. Thal- 
dorf has been a communicant of that iclisious de- 
nomination from her early yirlliood. They have 
both been active in church work and l)enevolent 
enterprises. 

Our subject cast his first vote for Abraliani Lin- 
coln and is in political aflilialion a strong Repub- 
lican. For a number of years he has served elli- 
ciently as School Director, his practical advice 
and appreciation of the value of educational ad- 
vancement making him earnest and energetic in 
behalf of the children over whose interest he has 
ke()t guard. Our subject is esteemed by his old 
friends and neighbors and legarded as a man of 
sterling integrity. 



^ 



1^ 




UGUST YKTTERLY, an etticient .Justice 
of the Peace and an extensive and suc- 
cessful agriculturist of New Buffalo Town- 
ship, Berrien County, Mich., owns three 
hundred and thirty-three and one-half acres of 
valuable land a short distance southwest of New 
Buffalo village, and, although not an old resident 
of his immediate neighborhood, has been identi- 
fied with the growth and progress of Beri'ien 
County for fully two-score years. Justice Vet- 
terly is a native of Switzerland and was born I'eb- 
ruary 21, 1838. His father, Rudolph Vetterly, 
descended from a long line of hardy Swiss ances- 
try, was also a native of that mountainous coun- 
try, born in the republic bounded by German}', 
Italy and France March 13, 1802. Educated in 
the excellent schools of Switzerland, the father at- 
tained to a self-reliant manhood, and was united 
in marriage with Bliss Mary Meyer, also a native 
of Switzerland and born in 1797. After passing 
forty-nine years of his life in the home of his 
youth, the father finally decided to remove with 
his family to America, and in 18.51 emigi'ated to 
the I'nited States and located in the State of New 
York, where he remained about one yejir. In 
1852 the family settled perinanenily in Three 



Oaks, Mich., where the mother died seventeen 
years later, March 4, 1H69. The father, busy and 
industrious until enfeebled by age, survived to 
reach his eighty-seventh year, and passed away 
February 3, 1889. 

Rudolph Yetterly was by trade a wagon-maker, 
but after arriving in the Ihiited States gave his 
entire attention to the pursuit of agriculture and 
became one of the leading farmers of his vicin- 
ity. He and his excellent wife were prominent 
members of the German Reformed Church and 
weie active and liberal givers in the extension of 
religious work and intluence. Eight children had- 
gathered about the fireside of the home beyond 
the sea, and of the gof)dIy family of sons and 
daughters four survived to adult age. Our sub- 
ject was the second child in order of birth and was 
about fourteen 3ears of age when with his parents 
he left behind him familiar scenes and crossed the 
Atlantic to enter upon a life anud new surround- 
ings and untried experiences. He had received a 
good common school education in Switzerland, 
and attended one winter term in the district 
school of (ialena Township, La Porte County, Ind. 
He assisted in the work of the homestead and 
grew u]) an intelligent and industrious young 
man, well fitted to assume the responsibilities of 
life. 

Having reached his majority the |irevious Feb- 
ruary, August A'etterly was, March 21, 1859, 
united in marriage with Miss Christina Brodha- 
geii, born October 30,1842. Five sons and four 
daughters have blessed the home of our subject 
and his wife. Henry is the eldest-born. The 
second in order of birth is August. Anna was 
married to Louis Knott October 27, 1886. Alex- 
ander, .John, .Jennie, Minnie, AVillie and May com- 
plete the family group. Our subject made his 
home in Three Oaks in 1852 and began work on 
a section of the Michigan Central Railroad at 
Three Oaks, and for eight years occupied the po- 
sition of foreman. He afterward engaged 111 the 
jewelry business and continued profitably in this 
line of trade for fifteen years. In October, 1889, 
Mr. A'etterly located in New Buffalo Township and 
settled upon his fine farm, which, while mainly 
devoted to grain, also contains fruit aud a gar- 



PORTRAIT AND KIOGRAPmCAL RECORD. 



451 



fleii of olioic'p vojielables. The residence, the 

li;irM> ;iii(l dllicr hiiilflinsis are commodious and 
suli.slanlial and attest liie thrift and prosper- 
ity of the owner of tlio iiomestead, one of tiie 
Ijest in this pait ()f Berrien County. In April, 
IM!I2, our siilijccl was elected to tiie oflice of 
Justice of liie Peace, and his judicial decisions 
since rendered have been fully in accord with law 
and (rvidenee. Politically, .Iiistice Vetterly is a 
stroiii; Republican and cast his first vote for Lin- 
coln. Widely known as a man of sterling integrity 
and (■;iriH;-t | uri:oi-e, our eubjcct C(nni:iiids uni- 
versal respect and confi(1ence. 



^^IINIOTIIV C. SPAl'LDING. The occupation 

lu^\\ "' f'i'''"'"S ■'' *""' "'•''^ I'^is received atten- 
\^ tioii from the earliest ages, and it is not to 
be wondere<l at that it lias become the art that it 
is at the present time. Among those who have 
sliown a satisfactory knowledge of this calling, 
and whose (ipeiations are conducted in a very pro- 
gressive inanner, may be mentioned Timoth3' C. 
Spaiildliig, who is the owner of a valiial)le farm in 
Oroiioko Townsiiip. lie is a native of Francis- 
town, N. H., born ill 1821, and his parents. Tim- 
otliy and Lydia (Aloorc) .Spaulding, were natives 
of the '(iranite Slate also. Tlie S|)aulding anil 
MooiP families were among the first settlers of 
New Hampshire. 

Timothy Spaulding, Sr., followed tlie pursuit of 
farming all his life, and was a soldier in the War of 
1812. Prom his native Stale he removed to Maine 
and there remained until his death. lie and his 
wife were the parents of fouiteeii children, all of 
whom lived to maturit\. Lydia, deceased, was the 
wife of Waller Si>auldiiig, of Massaehu.selts; Betsey, 
deceased, was the wife of William Carter, of Massa- 
eliusetts; Mary, deceased, was the wife of Thomas 
Litclitii'ld; Oliver is deceased: Sarah, deceased, was 
the wife of Mr. jliacketl, and wjis twice miuried, 
her first 'iiii>liaiid being Norton Vates; Naiiev, de- 
ceased, was the wife of Charles Coolridge, of 



Massachusetts; Harriet, deceased, was the wife of 
Louis Litchlield; Edmond is deceased; Orissa, de- 
ceased, was the wife of Joseph Patten; Orenza, 
twin sister of Orissa, is the wife of Charles B. 
Pullen, of Berrien Springs; Emily, deceased, was 
the wife of Leonard Town.send, of Michigan; T. C. 
is our subject; and Aliel W. and Harris M. are 
deceased. 

Timothy C. Spaulding, our subject, received his 
early scholastic training in the common schools of 
New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Maine. At the 
usual age of twenty-one he started out for himself 
as a farmer, but while in Maine he worked a while 
in the lumber regions of that State. He came to 
Michigan in 1863 and settled on the property 
where he now resides, which then consisted of 
eight3' acres of unimproved land. For this he paid 
$25 per acre. He now has sixty-four acres well 
cultivated, on which are substantial buildings, and 
has three or four .acres in an orchard. On the Itli 
of M.ay, 1845, he was married to Miss Helena 
AVells, a native of the Pino Tree State and the 
daughter of Ralpli and Mercy (Clark) Wells, t)otli 
of wliom were natives of Maine and old settlers of 
that .State. There Mr. and Mrs. Wells passed their 
entire lives, with the exception of about six 
years spent in this .State. They were the parents 
of a family of seven daughters and four sons: 
Eunice, deceased, who was the wife of Luke Hil- 
ton; Helena, wife of oursubject; Mercy, widow of 
N. Whilcome; Robert Y.; .Susan C w-ife of Calvin 
Williams; Stalira, wife of Josepli Atkinson; R. S., 
deceased; Axie, widow of Leander William :Stilson; 
Celinda. deceased; and INIandel. 

The marriage of our subject was blessed b\- the 
l»irtli of six children, who were as follows: Lydia, 
deceased; Timothy A., residing in California; 
J^lmore C, at home; Wilda J., wife of Luther 
Tuttle, of this township; Sylvester O., deceased; 
and Ida E. Mr. Spaulding has served hi-^ town- 
ship .as Treasurer twice, as Commissioner as many 
terms as Treasurer, and has filled oilier local posi- 
tions. He is a member of the .Masonic fniternity. 
Western .Star Lodge No. .'iil, .and, piililic.ally. he has 
always voted with the Demoer.atic party. His son, 
Elmore C., w.as educated in the ciiinmini scliuols 
of this county and early in life became familiar 



452 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



with the duties of the farm. He now has a nice 
faim of forty acres adjoining his father's land. 
He was married m 1876 to Miss Harriot L. Shearer, 
of this county, daughter of J. B. and Sarah (Shearer) 
Shearer, pioneer settlers of this county and among 
its most respected peoi)le. (See sketch of .J. B. 
Shenrcr.) To Mr. and Mrs. S|)aulding have been 
lioin three children: Clyde, Arthur O. and Lester. 
Mrs.Spaulding is a nieml)er of the rnited Brethren 
Church. Like his father, Mr. Spaulding has served 
for two years as Townshii) Treasurer, and, like iiis 
father, he is a decided Democrat in politics. 



^■-^Nf<^^ 



-e^ 



^'^INYON BLY, .an enteriirising general farmer 
and successful stock-raiser of Marcelhis. 
Cass County, Mich., is a native of Nevv 
York, and was born in Chenango County, 
in the year 1824. His parents, ,lob and Frelove 
(Watson) Bly, resided for many years in the Em- 
|)iro State, but they were both of Xevv England 
nativity. The father was born in Rhode Island. 
The birthplace of the mother was Connecticut. 
Nine ciiildren blessed the home of Job and Frelove 
Bly. Their son, Henry W., was one of the oldest 
members of the family. He was born in Rhode 
Island, and arrived at mature years an energetic 
and enterprising man. In 18.52 lie decided to Iry 
the broader opportunities ottered young men in 
tiie West. Journeying to Michigan, he deter- 
mined to locate there and made his permanent 
home in Marcellus Township. .\ man of supeiior 
business attainments, he iiccumulated a tine prop- 
erty, owning a valuable and higlily improved 
homestead of four hundred .acres. Henry W. P.ly 
was a man of a high order of intelligence and well 
versed in law. For twenty-nine consecutive years 
he held the position of Justice of the Peace, and 
by his judicious decisions and uniform rulings — 
always in full accord with law and evidence — 
commanded the good-will and confidence of his fel- 
low-townsmen. He also served with great accep- 
taliility as Supervisor of the township. His first 
wife dying in 18<18, his second marriage occurred 



in 1871. His death was mourned as a public loss 
by the community in which his presence had so 
long been familiar. His wife survived him, but 
some time after his demise passed away in Mar- 
cellus. 

Our subject, who was reared and educated in 
the home of his parents, remained in New York 
until middle life. In 1852, in the Kinpire .State, 
Kinyon Bly was united in marriage with BHss 
Louisa Copeland. Mrs. Bly was of Scotch descent. 
Her grandparents were born in Scotland. The 
paternal grandfather of Mr. Bly was of immediate 
English ancestry. Our subject h.as been prospered 
financially, and is accounted one of the most thor- 
ough and practical fanners in Cass County. Aside 
from his farming interests, Mr. Bly is the owner of 
valuable property in Marcellus, and also possesses 
real estate in Chenango County, N. Y. 

Our subject, like his brother Henry, began life 
at the foot of the ladder, and has made the top 
round of success only by energetic and [(crsever- 
ing application. Politically, Mr. Bly is a strong 
Democrat and an ardent advocate of the party, 
and is interested in both local and national issues. 
He and his excellent wife are members of the 
Episcopal Church, and are ever ready to lend a 
helping hand in all good work. The}' liave no 
children. Arriving within the borders of Michi- 
gan in 1876, Mr. and Mrs. Bly have for seventeen 
years been actively identified with the growth and 
developmenl of Marcellus Township, and, widely 
known, enjoy the respect and esteem of a large 
circle of old-time friends and acquaintances. 



HARLES M. SMITH. The otlicial work of 
this gentleman h.as brought him before the 
gaze of the citizens of Lake Township, and 
in him his constituents have found a man of abil- 
ity and integrity, and one whose activities have 
ever been for the good of the community. He is 
at present Supervisor of that townshi)), .and one 
of the loading farmers of the same. That he has 
inherited many of the most worthy qualities of 




(^ 




^y^z;-i^^a 





'^*^-.. 



\ 



I'OKTUAIT AND mOGKArillCAL KECORD. 



457 



his people is aekiniwledged. .•ind liis nmnerous 
frieuds testify tu liis lioiiesty. ivindlieartedncss and 
eiiei'i^y. He w!is born in Stnik County, Oliio, in 
1842, iind on liis fatlier's f:iiiii in tliat county 
learned lessons of industry and lionesty wliich 
have ever remained with liini. 

When seven years of atje our subject moved 
with his [)arents to Heirien County, Mich., and 
received his sciiolastic training in the common 
schools of this county. As his youthful days weie 
spent in assisting on the home farm, he became 
familiar with agricultural pursuits in all their 
branches, and when starting out for himself it 
was liut natural that he should choose that as his 
calling. When twenty-one years of age he branched 
out to light life's battles for himself; lirst ns a la- 
borer, working out by the month, and thus con- 
tinued until twenty-eight years of age. For three 
years after this he was engaged in merchandising. 
When thirty-one years of age he purchased eighty 
acres of his present farm, unimproved, and |)aid 
*2(l per acre for it. Since then he h.-is achled to 
the original tract eighty acies, Tuaking one hun- 
dred and sixty acres in all, and one huiidied acres 
of this are in a line state of cultivation. 

Mr. Sinitli makes no specialty o{ an\- particular 
line of farming, but raises all kinds of farm |)rod- 
ucts. His property has been ol)taiiied by the 
sweat of his brow, and he has the satisfaction of 
knowing that it has not been obtained at the ex- 
pense of others. The architect of his own fortune, 
Mr. Smith's success has been won through hard- 
ships and severe toil. His liberal views, uiujues- 
tioned honesty, and nigged common-sense have 
given him an iiiHtieiice far beyoiiii that (lossessed 
by many more pretentious and inomiuent men. 
His father, John J. Smith, was a native of Lancas- 
ter County, Pa., of (Icrman parentage, and inher- 
ited all his thrift and energy from that source. 
His wife, the uiothei- of our subject, whose maiden 
ii:ime was Margaret McLaughlin, was also a na- 
tive of the Keystone State, and of Irish parentage, 
.lohn .1. Smith and wife were reared and married 
in I'eiin.sylvania, where Mr. Smith followed agri- 
eultur.al pursuits foi' some time. Later they re- 
moved ti> .Michigan. and in I'.errien Cotnify passed 
the closing scenes of their lives, 



The five children born to the above couple were 
in the order of their births as follows: (Jeorge M., 
who resides in Huchanan, Mich.; Klizabeth, who be- 
came the wife of H. C. Leroy; Angeliiie, who mar- 
ried T. C. Hebb. of this county; Charles M., our 
subject; and.Iulia A., wife of J. AV. liillings. Our 
subject was married in 1870 to Miss Miniii(! i\L 
Hubbard, a native <)f Wisconsin anil the daughter 
of .liilius A. and Klizabeth (Adams) Ilubfiard, na- 
tives of New Yuvk. This union has resulted in 
the birth of three children: Ethie J., deceased; 
Laura A. and Frank .1. .Mrs. Smith is a member' 
of the Congregational Church and is a much es- 
teemed Christian lady. Socially, Mr. Smith is a 
member of Lake Lodge Xo. ILL L (). C). F. He 
is one of the most enterprising men in Lake'IV)wn- 
ship, and .as an olficial is vei\' popular. 



■^=--^>^^<P^ 



(Q;^ ^ 



EOHGE LONdSDlJFF. There is no more 
prominent or reliable insurance and real- 
ly' estiite agent, collectoi and money-lender 
than (ieorge Longsduff. Although formerly' en- 
g.aged in farmiiig in this county, he has given that 
up of late years, and directs his attention chielly 
to the above-mentioned business. He was born 
in Cumberland County, Pa., March 16, l)>i26. His 
parents, Martin and JLitilda ('^uigly) Longsduff, 
were natives of Pennsylvania and Maryland re- 
spectively, the former's birth occurring in Cum- 
berland County ALirch 1(>. 178;*, and the latter's 
about 17'.t'.». The grandfather of our subject, Mar- 
tin l>ongsdutf, Sr., was born in (iSnnany, and 
married there. During the Revolutionary War he 
came to the United States and settled in the Key- 
stone State, where the remainder of his d.ays were 
spent. He died at an advanced age. All his life 
was spent in tilling the soil, and he became a man 
of means and influence. 

The father of our subject was twice married. 
About 183.5 he emigrated to Logan County, Ohio, 
and after a residence there of about thirty years 
moved to Cass County, Mich,, where his death oc- 
curred in 1872, During his early life he followed 
the lra<le of a shoemaker, but afterward became 



458 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



a farmer, and was ver\' successful in that occu- 
pation. He served all tlirougli the War of 1812, 

aTid diirinij; his old age drew a pension. lie was 
a man universally respected and esteemed. The ! 
mother of our subject was the father's second wife. 
She died in Cass County, Mich., at the advanced 
age of eighty-live years. For many years she was 
a consistent and worthy nieuiher of the Disciples 
Church, hut her husband held menibersliiii with 
the Lutheran Church. Ten children were liorn to 
them, live sons and five daughters, two sons and 

.three daughters now living: .lohn; George, our 
subject; Lydia Ann, Matilda and Adeline. 

Our subject remained with his parents until 
twenty-one years of age, and received a limited 
education in the old log schoolhouse, never at- 
tending school after his seventeenth birthday. 
Upon attaining his majority he started out for 
himself without a nickel, but being industrious, 
enterprising and thorough-going, it was not hard 
for him to find em|iloyinciit. As the years passed 
by these traits of character began to tell, and he 
is now one of the suljstantial and esteemed citi- 
zens of the count}'. He is the owner of one hun- 
dred and twenty-live acres of land in one larni, 
one hundred and six acres in another, and two 
good residences in Yandalia. llesides he has money 
on interest. 

Mr. Longsduff still owns the tirst farm he pur- 
chased. He and his wife have every reason to 
be proud of the progress they have made, for their 
accumulations are the result of their united en- 
ergy and good management. On tlie Uth ol Feb- 
ruary, 1851, he was married to Miss Rachel S. 
Dodge, who was born in Onondaga County, N. Y., 
near Syracuse, and who is a daughter of Joseph 
and Ann Dodge. Mr. and Mrs. Dodge settled in 
Cass County, Mich., about 1810, and the father is 
still living. Our subject has held the otlice of 
Supervisor of Penn Township for two terms, and 
at one time was nominated for Representative by 
the Democratic party, lacking only twenty-four 
votes of being elected against a Republican ma- 
jority of three hundred. He has been on the 
School Board at various times for years, and was 
President of the School I'.n.ird nt \'andalia several 
terms. 



Mr. Longsduflf's first Presidential vote w.as cast 
for Lewis Cass. Sociall}', he is a member of Lodge 
No. 2t)0, A. F. & X. M., is a charter member of 
the same, and has been Master of the lodge thir- 
teen out of seventeen years. He has reijresented 
this lodge twelve times in the Grand Lodge, and 
is now Treasuier. He is also President of the 
Pioneer Society of Cass County, Mich. In his 
religious view, our subject is liberal, while his 
wife is a worthy and consistent member of the 
Disciples Church. They are influential and much 
esteemed citizens. 



I 1 1 I i » fc i 1 




111 LIP DALEY. Prominent among the 
Irish-American residents of Berrien 
County may be mentioned Pliili|p Daley, 
who owns and cultivates a farm u|ii>u 
section 3t, of St. .Joseph Township. He w.is 
born in County ^Icatli, Ireland, about twenty miles 
from the city <•! Diililiii, February 17, 1836, being 
the son of Patrick and Flizabeth Daley, natives of 
the Emerald Island, the father having been a farmer 
by occupation. Tlic [parental family consisted of 
nine children, of whom five are now living. 

The subject of this sketch was reared in the 
county of iiis nativit\ and received a limited edu- 
cation in the common schools. At the age of about 
fourteen years, accompanied by his brother Peter, 
he crossed the Atlantic and located at Newton, 
Mass., where for about fifteen j'ears he was en- 
gaged in the gardening business, meeting with fair 
success in that enterprise. In 1854 he made Ins 
first visit to Michigan, and returning to M.a.ssacliu- 
setts, afterward came again to this State, where he 
sojourned temporarily in St. .Io.seph County, re- 
turning once more to his home in the old Bay .State. 
In 1858. during the great gold excitement, Mr. 
Daley proceeded with other Argonauts to the HI 
Dorado of the civilized world — the Golden State. 
During his short sojourn in California, he was em- 
ployed in an orchard. Going back to Massachusetts, 
he remained for a time in Newton, and thence re- 
moved to St. .Joseph, Mich., where he secured em- 



PORTRAIT AND UIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



459 



€^^-~~ 



•^^ 




ployinciit jiiid resided for a biief period. He pur- 
chased ills lirst properly at IJentoii Harbor, but 
siiorlly afterward disposed of it. hi 1873hepur- 
eh.tsed a tract situated upon section :^l, St. .losepli 
Township, and in 1882 settled upon lii is place, where 
he lias since resided. He owns fifteen acres of ex- 
cellent fruit land, which lie devotes to the culti- 
vation of fruit, making a specialty of blackberries, 
grapes, pears, and pe.aclies, which he markets in 
Chicago. He has nuide a number of valuable im- 
provements upon the farm, including the commo- 
dious residence and subst.inlial barn. 

November 20, 18t)l, Mr. Daley was united in 
inaiii.age with Miss Catherine, daughter of John 
and .Mary O'Brien. Mrs. Daley was boni in County 
Limerick, Ireland, March 17. 1841, and emigrated 
to the I'nited States in company with her uncle, 
Michael Hartegaii, when she was fourteen years of 
age, locating at Lawreace. Mass. There she resided 
for eight years and in that place she met and mar- 
ried our subject. 'I'wo children have been born of 
this union: Thomas Henry, a machinist residing in 
St. .loscpli;and Jennie E., who is the wife of John 
.Shanahan. a resident of St. Joseph. Politically, 
Mr. Daley is a Deniocratand aids with his influence 
and ballot the principles of his chosen party. In 
his religious connections, he is identilied with the 
Roman Catholic Church, to which \\\> wife also be- 
longs. He started out in life poor and friendless, 
a pot)r boy in a strange land, but he was industri- 
ous and energetic, and [irospeiity has rewarded his 
tireless exertions. 



R. J. C. COLE, a prominent and successful 
veterinary surgeon residing in 15eiitoii 
Harbor, is a native of Canada, having 
lieeii boiii ill Kingston, Mareli 21, 18.")1. 
lie is the son of Hiiaiii ami Fannie (Spencer) Cole, 
natives of Canada, the father having been engaged 
liy the (iovernmeiit. Hiram Cole moved to Water- 
town, N. v., in ISCl. Mild is now Internal Revenue 
Collector there, lb' was a soldier in the Mexican 
War. Florida Wiir and the late rebellion. Ilis 



cliildliofid years wei'C passed in a comparatively 
uneventful manner in his Canadian home, and at 
the age of fourteen he went to New York and w.as 
educated in the schools of Watertown, th.at State. 
He availed hiin.self to the utmost of the excellent 
opportunities given him for acquiring a practical 
education, and through diligence in his studies 
gained a wide range of information and broad 
knowledge of men and historical events. 

Returning to his old home in Canada at the age 
of twenty-one years, our youthful subject com- 
menced the study of veterinary surgery, and be- 
came familiar with the best thoughts of acknowl- 
edged authorities and authors in that profession. 
His reading.s were conducted under the preceptor- 
ship of Dr. Edson and Dr. Edward Field, the latter 
being a man of note in the profession and a grad- 
uate of the Edinburgh ^■etel■illal•y College, .Scot- 
land. After conducting his studies in this man- 
ner for some time, our subject entered the Veter- 
inary School of Montreal, where he remained un- 
til completing the course of instruction in the in- 
stitution, when he was graduated. He was also 
graduated from the Veterinary .School, established 
for the treatment of horses. 

It will thus be seen that the Doctor has had 
every advantage in the w:iy of getting a perfect 
theoretical knowledge of veteiinary surgery, and 
he is a man of recognized skill and elKciency in 
the profession. He has been very successful in the 
treatment of horses, and in fad all varieties of 
stock. His practice is by no means coiifiiie<l to 
Benton Harbor, but extends throughout the sur- 
rounding country, including a number of adjipin- 
ing counties. The Doctor conducted Ins practice 
for a time in Canada, whence in 1883 he came to 
Benton Harbor and has since made his home in 
this city, devoting his attentiiiii exclusively to 
professional duties. 

In 188() the Doctor was united in in.arriage with 
Miss Emma, daughter of Myron and Mary Hiiikley, 
natives of New York. Mrs. Cole was born, reared 
ami educated in Benton Harbor, and now, in ad- 
dition to peiforniing her household duties in a 
most capable manner, also lills the position of 
teacher in the Heiitcjii Harboi- High School. The 
home is blessed by the presence of a son, Philip 



460 



PORTRAIT AM) li]U(iliAriIICAL EECORD 



II., a manly little child, in whose training his par- 
ents take a deep interest and care. Politicallj', 
Dr. Cole is a stanch adherent of Republican i)rin- 
ciples and has rc|)resented the First Ward as Al- 
derman for two terms. Socially, he is a member 
of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. 



IP --' LIAS PARDEE, long a prominent business 
man of Dowagiac, Cass County, iMich., and 
now a liighly esteemed and leading citizen 
of the city, has been an abiding and enterpiising 
resident of his i)resent home fo,- more than two- 
score years, but is now retired from active business. 
He has a fine collection from skilled taxidermists 
of the State, and has also in his possession some of 
the finest trophies of the field and stream. Our sub- 
ject is a native of Knox County', Ohio, and in the 
thriving town of Bloom field he was born October 
7, 1826. The birthplace of his father, Isaac Pardee, 
was New York State, where in the old homestead 
he was reared, attending the district schools of the 
neighborhood. Isaac Pardee removed to Ohio in 
early life and there made his home for many years. 
His wife, Lucy (Dickerman) Pardee, was born in 
the beautiful city of New Haven, Conn., in which 
(lart of New England the ancestors of Mrs. Pardee 
had lived for generation after generation. 

The Pardees are of French extraction, (irand- 
father Pardee having himself been a native of 
sunnj' France. He came to this country in his 
youth, and was an energetic and patriotic Ameri- 
can citizen. As the family of Isaac Pardee began 
to cluster about the fireside of the Ohio home, he 
finally determined to remove with his family to 
the more progressive and broader fields of the 
farther West, and in 1844 journeyed to Buchanan, 
Berrien County, Mich. The family traveled by 
team and spent eleven days upon the way, arriv- 
ing in the month of May. Nearly a half-century 
has pa.ssed since Ellas Pardee, then eighteen years 
of age, came to the State destined from thence to 
be his permanent home. A constant eye-witness 



of the rapid development of the country, he has 
actively participated in its advancement, aiding in 
all enterprises tending to local growth and prog- 
ress, and he may with pride recall his energetic 
and public-spirited efforts of other and early days. 
In 185(1, our subject settled in the village of Dow- 
agiac. and two years later, February 28. 1852, en- 
tered the employ of the Central Railroad Company. 
He continued with that corporation until August 
1. 1861, and during his nine years of faithful 
service was at first watchman and later station 
agent and also performed the duties of express 
agent. An excellent linancier, he invested in 
farming property, but after a time disposed of his 
agricultural interests, selling his farm in 1865. He 
had meantime, in 1861, erected his handsome brick 
residence, which he still makes his city home. 
Financially iirospeied, Mr. Pardee long ago accu- 
mulated a comfortable competence. In 1881, he 
began the improvement of a piece of land lo- 
cated upon Sisters' Lake, and developed the once 
wilderness into a beautiful summer resort. On 
account of the ill health of his estimable wife, our 
subject finally ^old out his interest in that fine 
piece of real estate. Mr. Pardee entered the bonds 
of matrimony the second year after he made his 
home in Dowagiac. being married Jiine 10, 1853. 
In 1888. our subject, who has long been a noted 
hunter and fisherman, established a cam|) upon 
Magician I^ake, where he spends most of his sum- 
mers. 



^^I@^@1 



"AMES L. ROBINSON, the popular Super- 
visor of Calvin Township, Cass County, 
was born in Howard Township, this county. 

on the 27th of January, 1848, and is one of 

three sons (one being older and one younger than 
himself) born to Nathan and Margaret (H.anson) 
Robinson. His father was born in New York State, 
November 15, 1820, and was the son of William 
Robinson, the latter being a descendant of English 
ancestry and the elder of two sons, though the 
place of his birth is beyonrl our research, lie was 
a soldier in the War of 1812, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



461 



Accompanied liy his family, (Jraiidfallier Kobiii- 
soii came West in IH.'iO, and soltiod in Kne County, 
Ohio, where he followed llic oeeupation of farm- 
ing. Politically, he was a Whig.and in his religi- 
ous belief he was a prominent member of the Pres- 
byterian C'luireh. He was twice married, and by 
his first union had two sons, the father of our sub- 
ject being the elder. The other son was killed l\y 
being thrown from a horse when a young man. 
William also came to an untimely end by an ac- 
cidental death. In Erie County, Ohio, he was 
caught m the machinery of a gristmill and in- 
stantly killed. The second marriage of Grand- 
father Hol)inson resulted in the birth of the fol- 
lowing children: William. Thomas, Susan and 
Alice. 

Nathan Robinson had but few educational ad- 
vantages, and in IHtO, when but twenty 3ears of 
age, he lande<l in Cass County with but sevtnty- 
live cents in his possession. For a time he worked 
out liy the month, and finally bought foity acres 
of I nd in Howard Township, running in debt for 
llie greater portion of the purchase jirice. He was 
a man of determined will and a hard worker, and 
when he set out to do anything he saw no obstacles 
in his way, and even though he had, he woidd 
have overcome every hindrance in the path to 
success, for he was one of those men who knt)w no 
such word as "fail." 

.March 27, IHI.'i, Nathan Robinson married Miss 
Maigaret Hanson. In 1H;J2 he left his wife aiid 
two children, of whom our subject was the \ ounger, 
on the home f.uin and set out overland for the 
gold lields of Califoi-nia, where for two years he 
was successful as ;i ^old miner, and at the end of 
that time returned with a fair-sized foilune. Soon 
after his return he purchased more land in Howard 
'I'owiiship and conduc-ted farniiuiidperations on an 
extensive scale. A Republican in politics, he was 
at one lime a candidate for Supervisor oi Howard 
Township. Iiut as lh:il township was overwhelm- 
ingly l)emocialic he failed to secure the election. 
.Vt the time of his death. Se|)tember 3, IHT'.l, he 
was the owner of seven hundred acres of l:ind in 
Ca.ss County and was a very wealthy man. 

Margaret, the mother of our subject, was the 
daughter of .Inhu and Nancy (Salsbury) Hanson. 



She was reared in New York State .'ind came to 
Michigan in an caily day with her parents. She 
died at the old hotnestead in .lefferson Township, 
.lune If), 18!)1. Of the brothers of .lames L., Myron 
was the eldest and was born March 9, 1846; lie 
married Miss Annette Krom, and they have two 
sons. Freemont, the youngest, was born May 14, 
18.')G; he married Miss Helen Lowman, the sister 
of our subject's wife, and they live on the old 
homestead in Jefferson Township that fell to Mr. 
Rol)inson on the death of his mother. They have 
no children. 

.lames L. Robinson grew to manhood on his fa- 
tiier's farm, receiving but the ordinary common- 
school education offered by the schools of that time 
and place. For many years he and his brother 
were in partnership with their father in his exten- 
sive farming and stock interests. On the 12tli of 
February, 1871, he married Miss Mar\ .1. Lowmaii, 
who was born in Clarke County, Ohio, being the 
daughter of .lames and Nanc}' (Rcncli) I.owman. 
She was six years of age when her parents came to 
Michigan and settled m .lefferson Township, Cass 
County, where her father now lives, being one of 
the leading citizens of the community. 

Our subject removed to Jefferson Township in 
18G7, and in 1872 he and his wife came to the 
))lace where they now live, and which was a i)art of 
his father's estate. Their interests remained iden- 
tical until the death of his father in 187!l, when 
the property fell to him from his father's estate. 
He now owns and operates a farm of two hundred 
and seventy acres, under a high state of cultivation, 
and upon which he conducts successfully general 
farming and stock-raising. He has devoted special 
attention to the raising of line stock, in which he 
has met with more than ordinary success. Aside 
fr<nii his farming and stock-raising interests, he has 
been engaged in the lumlier business, owning an 
interest in the large sawmills .at Cassopolis and at 
Calvin Centre, being in p'lrtnership with ('. W. 
Hunii. the wealthy colore<l lumberman. In the 
spring of lf^It2, after the huge s.awmill at C.assoi/olis 
burned down, he sold his interest In the mill, but 
still retains his interest in the stock at t'.-ilvin 
Cell tie. 

An aidiiit Repuliluvin in [lolitics. .\Ii-. Roliiiison 



462 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



lias served in many local offices, to which he has 
been elected on the ticket of that ijaity. In 1889 
he was elected .Supervisor of liis townsiiip and has 
been re-elected every year since, at (iresent serv- 
ing his tifth term. He fills the oftice with great 
credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of 
his constituency. He is administrator for several 
estates and manages them with marked ability. 
He is considered one of tlie foremost citizens of 
his county and township. lie and his wife have 
but one child, Floyd N., now (1893) twenty years 
of age. He was educated m the Notre Dame Uni- 
versity at South l>end, Ind., and resides in firand 
Forks, N. Dak., being engaged in the transporta- 
tion business. 



!>^* 



*^E+; 



eT. LEE, formerly one of the able attor- 
neys-at-law of Cass Count)-, Mich., but 
now retired from the active duties of his 
profession, is proprietor ol the widely-known and 
valuable Dowagia(! .Stock Farm, which contains 
three hundred and fifty finely cultivated acres. 
It is noted as the home of " Sable (iiiy " and pos- 
sesses one of tlie best half-mile tracks in the .State. 
Our subject is a native of Canandaigua County-, 
N. Y., and was born February 29, 1836. The 
birthplace of his father, Mason Lee, was Taunton, 
Mass., but early in life he removed to Now York 
State, where he established a home for himself and 
family. Determined finally to .see and judge of 
the broader opportunities oflfered by the West, the 
father, leaving behind him his wife and family, 
visited IMichigan on a |)rospecting tour. He came 
to the town of Jefferson, Cass County, in 1833, 
when about forty-two years of age, Init it was five 
years before his family rejoined him in tiieir new 
home in Michigan. Our subject received liis pre- 
paratory education in .Teffersfm. but when fourteen 
years of age went to Kalamazoo. Mich., where he 
entered the Ba|itist Tlieological College and took 
a fuui-yeais couise of study. 

Before attaining his majority. Mi-. Lee entered 



into the bonds of matrimony, in 1854 wedding 
Miss .Sarah 11. Lockwood, of Cazenovia, N. Y. Mrs. 
Lee was the daughter of Dr. Henry Lockwood, of 
Fldwardsbnrgh, Cass County, who came from New 
York .State in 1837, and settled permanently in 
the township of Ontwa, where, after thirty years of 
professional usefulness, he passed away, niouriie<l 
by all who knew him. An upright man and skill- 
ful ])hysician. Dr. Lockwood was honored by the 
community to whom he gave valuable service, and 
his memorj- will long be green in Cass County. 
His gof)d wife, Sophia Peck, was a native of Con- 
necticut, but her near ancestors were of English 
birth. Five children have blessed the home of 
our subject and his estimable wife. The sons and 
daughters are in the order of their birth: Henry 
M.; Fred E.; Elma S., wife of Capt. Leroy Cahill. 
of Kalamazoo, Mich.; Mabel C. and Ray E. Each 
and all of the brothers and sisters have received 
excellent educations and are occupying inlluential 
positions in business and social circles. Mr. Lee 
began his business experience as clerk in the first 
hardware store establisiied in Dowagiac, and. en- 
terprising and energetic, soon developed a tnlciit 
for winning his upward way. 

In 18;j4, our subject engaged successfully in 
business for himself in his home city. He subse- 
quently decided to adopt a profession and stu(lie(l 
law with .James Sullivan; he was ailmitled to the 
Bar in 1864, being received into partnership with 
Mr. Sullivan. Mr. Lee was an excellent attorney, 
thoroughly versed in legal lore, and acquired a 
large practice, but in 1875 he devoted himself to 
the banking business. June 1, 1885, he |)urcliased 
the magnificent Dowagiac Stock Farm, which, aside 
from the celebrated '• .Sable (niy," shelters many 
promising roadsters, who are duly exercised upon 
the fine liaU'-mile track. The commodious Iniild- 
ings on this pro|ierty were erected by the Lee fam- 
ily and are perfect in their apiioiiitmenls. Tlie 
Lees also own an extensive farm of six hundred 
.acres, lying five miles north of Dowagiac. and sit- 
uated in AVayne Township. Thirty men are con- 
stantly em)iloyed there, cutting on an average 
four thousand cords of wood annually, all of this 
large pj-oduct finding a ready inarket in the works 
of the Hound Oak Stove Company, of Dowagi.ac. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



463 



Our subjocl has ever Ix'eii mimliered among the 
public-spirited i-itizen.s of Cjiss County, and lias 
inatcrially aided in tlio in-oinotion and deveiop- 
men( of tiie pl•og^e^sive interests of liis home lo- 
eaiity. He enjoys a wide acquaintance throughout 
the State and possesses a host of friends. Politi- 
cally, Mr. I.cc is and always lias liccn a stalwart 
Ixcpulilican. 



"\|i()II.\ .\. C01{RI<;.\N. In enumerating the 
prominent business est"l)lishments of I?er- 
rien County, menlinn should be made of the 
general mercantile house of PariMsh it Cor- 
rigau. of which the subject of this sketch is the 
juuKir iiicmlKT. The firm conducts a large business 
at Stevensville, and also has a branch store at Har- 
roila. this county, lioth in these villages and 
lhriiugb(jut the >urrounding country they are well 
and favorably known as business men f)f large re- 
sources, excellent judgment and keen discrimina- 
tion, and their genial courtesy and fair dealings 
have commended them to the favor i>( the peojile. 
Mr. Corrigan has passed his entire life in IJerrien 
County — the |)lace of his birth, lie was born in 
Lincoln Township, .lanuary 2.'!, IHIJ.'J, and is the 
>on of .lohn Corrigan. an Irishman by birth, who 
accompanied his father to .Vnu-rica when a mere 
had and settled in Canada, where he grew to man- 
hood. I'pon coming to Michigan, ho located in 
Lincoln Township and purchased forty acres of un- 
improved land, upon which no attempt at cultiva- 
tion had ever been made. I le cleared twenty acres 
and sold the other twenty acres comprising the 
place. I'pon his farm he embarked in the business 
of raising fruit and continued thus engaged until 
his <leath, wliich occurred in l.s.si. 

The mother of tiur subjet't bore the maiden name 
of Zephia Uolierts and was boi ii in ( Jermany, emi- 
grating til the Inileil States in girlhood and set- 
tling 111 I'.ernen County, Mich. ( )f her union six 
children were born, four of whom are living, as 
follows: Mary, who is the wife of N'. Barnes, a far- 
mer residing; on the old homestead in Lincoln 



Township; Annie, Mrs. Alexander Shearer, also a 
resident of Lincoln Township; Kdward, who makes 
his home at Riverside, Mich., and is engaged in 
farming pursuits; and John .\., of this sketch. 
Politicalh', the father of this family was an advo- 
cate of free trade and a supporter of the principles 
of the Democratic party. lie was a successful fruit- 
grower, and by energ}' and good management .ac- 
cumulated a valuable proiierty. 

In the common schools of Lincoln Township the 
subject of this sketch received a fair education. At 
the age of about eighteen he entered the store of 
William Parrish, where for three 3'ears he occupied 
a clerical position. He then embarked in busine.ss 
for himself, and after conducting tlic^ enterprise 
alone for one year he formed a partnership with 
his former employer, Mr. Parrish, and purchased 
the stock owned by W. G. Milke, entering upon a 
business connection which still continues. Their 
store is the largest in Stevensville, and the branch 
establishment opened at Barroda in May. 18!)1, is 
also proving a profitable venture. In both places 
the firm conducts a general banking business. 

A Republican in his political |)icfereiiees. Mr. 
Corrigan takes an intelligent interest in local af- 
fairs and for three years has served as Township 
Clerk. He was present and assisted in conducting 
the first election of the incorporated village of 
Stevensville, and has been in other wa\s closely 
connected with the growth and progress of the 
comiiiiinitv. Socially, he is identified with the 
Royal -Vrcli Masons and the Commandery at St. 
Joseph, and the I ndeiiendent Order of ( )dd Fellows 
at Bridgman. 



Wi KRRV ROURKK. This gentleman, who re- 
sides on section 21. Sihcr Creek Township, 
where lie owns a fine tarni, is one of the 
])rogressive and capable farmers of the lo- 
cality, his farm attesting by its thrift and produc- 
tiveness the excellent qualities of thonuighncss and 
system which mark the riwiici-. lie was born on 



464 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



section 10, this townsiiip, in 1853, and is the son 
of TinKjthy and Margaret (llagerty) Uoiirl^e, and 
the grandson of Timothj" IJourke, Sr. Tiie latter 
was a native of the Green Isle of Erin, born on 
Castle Island, and there he was reared to mature 
years. He was married in his native conntry, reared 
a good-sized family-, and became quite wealthy. 
All his life was passed on the Emerald Isle, and 
there his wife too received her final summons. 

Timothy Rourke, Jr., was also a native of Ire- 
land, and inherited the quick wit and agreeable 
manners of those of his nationality. He remained 
in his native country until he reached manhood, 
and then a great desire came over him to cross to 
the United States and become a wealthy and prom- 
inent farmer. Many of his countrymen were set- 
tling in the New World, and about 1838 he braved 
Neptune's tender mercies and reached the Ameri- 
can coast. He first made a settlement in the grand 
old State of Virginia, and as his means were limited 
at first, he worked out for other people. Later he 
went to Canada, but after a residence there of about 
three 3-ears he decided that the I'nited States were 
good enough for him, and so returned, settling first 
in Kalamazoo. Later he came to Cass County, 
Mich., and with his brother-in-law purchased one 
hundred and sixty acres of land. 

While residing in Canada he married Miss Mar- 
garet Hagerty, the daughter of William and Julia 
( Council) Hagerty, and five children were born of 
this union: Anna, Julia and Timothy, who are 
deceased; Jerry, our subject; and Maggie. Mr. 
Rourke and family were members of the Catholic 
Church and liberal contributors to the same. In 
politics, he advocated the principles and policy of 
the Democratic party. Ho was a man possessed of 
much determination and energ}', and at the time 
of his death, which occurred in 1857, had accum- 
ulated a fair fortune. His widow is still living 
and has now passed her three-score years and ten. 
She has been an invalid for some time. 

Jerry Rourke grew to manhood in his native 
county, and like the average farmer boy received 
his education in the common schools. He early 
became familiar with the duties of farm life, and 
assisted his father in improving the home place un- 
til a \ouiii; man. He then started out for himself. 



and it was but natural perhaps that he should 
choose agricultural jnirsuits as his occupation in 
life. By industry and good management he be- 
came the owner of eighty acres of land and he now 
has a comfortable home. All his farming opera- 
tions are conducted in a manner showing him to 
be progressive and well posted on all agricultural 
matters. 

In the year 1886 he was chose;; Supervisor, held 
that position four years, and in 1893 was again 
elected on the Democratic ticket. He was the first 
Democrat elected to that position in the township, 
and the capable and efficient manner in which he 
has discharged the duties of olHce has won him the 
admiration and respect of both parties. 



i****^ 



--' •J* •?• •S* •$• "St 






'^f LBION SMITH, an honored and respected 
(@y/j| citizen of Watervliet, Berrien County, is 
ii a man of large exi)erience in the commu- 
nity where he has made his home for many 
3'ears. His estate is the result of hard labor, and 
his landed possessions aggregate two hundred and 
ninety acres, one hundred and seventy of which 
have been cleared and improved in the last few 
years. Mr. Smith has retired from active work, 
and now, surrounded by his family and friends, is 
passing the declining years of his well-spent life 
amid the comforts which money can provide. 

Mathias Smith, the grandfather of our subject, is 
supposed to have been born on Martha's Vineyard, 
on the Atlantic Coast. He was a sea-captain and 
took an active part in the French and Indians Wars, 
using his strength in the service of the English. 
He removed to Maine, where he reared a family- 
of eight sons and one daughter, and died in the 
prime of life. The father of our subject was a 
merchant by occupation, and, like his father, was 
of a patriotic nature, and served his conn try in the 
War of 1812, after which he went into business 
with an uncle, John Smith by name, who was a 
sailor. The mother of our suliject, who was a 
daughter of -lercmiah White, was born in Redfield, 



PORTkAJT AKD UIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



(67 



ill llic year 171)2, and died in tlii.s Stsite. Mr. 
WiiiU' was a successful farmer in his lime, and 
died in Albion, Me. He was a I'liiversalisl in liis 
religious belief, as was also his dauohter. 

Our suhjec't was reared in liis native village, 
Hell Held, Kennebec t'ounty. Me., wiiere he was 
hdiii I'Vliruary 23, 1824, to (ieorge and C'elia 
( Wliite) Smitli. Young Albion was given a fair 
school educali<ui, iiolwitlistandiiig the fact that he 
hel|ied liis falhiT some in the hotel business. He 
eoiitinue<l in this line until he reached mature 
years, and then left home for a short trip through 
iiorlhein Maine, where he spent some (line in hunt- 
ing and lumbering. Subse(|Ueiitly he returned 
home and resumed the proprielorsliip of his fa- 
ther's hotel, remaining there until he became 
twenty-seven years of age, at which time he de- 
cided to travel, and lioarded a train en route to 
Buffalo. From there he went by boat to Detroit, 
Mich., and thence to Chicago, being four days on 
the trip. His intended wife was at that time living 
in Illinois, and after spending the winter of 1852 
in a pork-packing establishment in the city of Du- 
buque, m the early siiring he began railroading, by 
taking charge of a bridge gang. He went to Buf- 
falo and there secured the lumber to build the first 
bridge ever erected across the Mississippi, which 
was at Rock Island. In the fall of 18.56 Mr. Smith 
came to W'atervliet and worked in the mill for his 
brother, and a year later located on the one hun- 
dred and sixty .icres which he now makes his 
home. 

.Ml-. Smith h.'is been an industrious and honest 
man all his life, and by good management has, 
from lime to lime, ,added to his estate, until now 
lie is well deserving of the praise due him as a 
successful farmer. His land is all in a good state 
of cultivation, and lias been improved with the 
numerous appliances of modern times. Twenty 
acres of his farm are devoted to the raisiiig of 
fiiiit. and the fine appearance of the orchards adds 
greatly to the value of the farm. 

Mr. Smitli w.os married to Helen F. Nelson No- 
vember 6, 185;5. She was born February 26, I8.'54, 
in Wintlirop, Me., to Charles and Emily (Hilling- 
Ion) Nelson, who were both natives of the Pine 
Tree .Slate, having been born in Wintlirop and 



Wayne respectively. Charles Nelson was a slioe- 
maker by trade, and went to Illinois about 
the jear 1849,- where he lived during his active 
life. His wife pa.ssed away at Richland Centre, 
Wis., leaving two sons and four daughters: Ever- 
ett, of Maine; Charles K.,of Wisconsin; Helen F.; 
Flora, who died in Wisconsin; Addie, of Ashland. 
W'is.; and .losie. Our subject has been the fatlier 
of eight children: Oia,wifeof Frank ."^elter; Cora, 
wife of L. W. Jeffery; Fiank, who died when in 
his twenty-eighth year, leaving one son. Ford, who 
lives with his grandparents; Flora, now Mrs. Cur- 
tiss, of Riverside; Celia, wife of Frank ISardon; 
George F.; .losie, Mrs. Scliercr; and Mabel. 



iiOLAND MORRILL, a successful "eneral a"-- 
^ ricultiirist and prominent fruit-grower of 
Benton Township, Berrien County, is a na- 
tive of Michigan, and w.as born in Coldwa- 
ter in 1852. The Morrill family are of I^nglish 
descent, various branches of the name having for 
many generations occupied with distinction high 
social, political and business positions throughout 
New England. The paternal grandfather of our 
subject, .Jeremiah Morrill, was a native of Irasburgh, 
Vt., where he was reared and educated, removing 
in mature years to Michigan. One of his sons, 
.Joseph Morrill, the father of Roland, w.as a Jioy of 
enterprise and spirit, and early resolved to try his 
fortune in the then far West of Michigan. I'nin- 
cuinbcred by any surplus baggage, he left Irasburgh 
when a lad of sixteen, and. with determined pur- 
pose and untiring energy, walked the greater part 
of the way to Coldwater, Mich., near which place 
he made his home for years. The one hundred and 
twenty acres which he perseveringly cultivated 
were located ten miles from the village, and upon 
the land, surrounded by Indians, the young pio- 
neer lived alone for sixteen j-ears. 

In 1848, .Joseph Morrill was united in marriage 
in Coldwater with Miss Mary .1. .loiies. a native of 
Canada, but an earh' resident of .Michigan, to 



468 



PORTRAIT AND BK>GRArHlCAL RECORD. 



which State she emigrated with her |M»iviit#, Mr. 
Morrill had found unii-h time for study in his se- 
ehidetl hfe. and, gaining anexoelleni knowK'>dgeof 
medicine, became a skillful and well-known pio- 
neer physician of Coldwatcr. enjoying a large pnic- 
tice and commanding the high respect of his fel- 
low-townsmen. The pleasant home of the worthy 
physician and his good wife was blessed by the 
birth of three sons, of whom our subject was the 
eldest. Dana, the second-born, is a pi-osperous 
business man of Omaha. Neb.: and Flavins, the 
youngest, is a resident of AVashingiou. D. C. and 
IS connecteil with a railroad comjxnny. While the 
children were yet in their early yeai-s. the parents 
removed to Grand Rapids, and in that city the 
boys attended the public schools and i^eceived the 
liest educational advantages their surroundings 
afforded. 

Roland Morrill became self-sup|H)rting while only 
a lad. and soon after attaining his majority settled 
m Berrien County, since 1S72 his constant resi- 
dence. Beginning in life for himself, he worked 
bv the month for one year, and then rented a farm. 
Industrious and a good manager, he was pnispercd. 
and later purch.'ised land, now owning a fine home- 
stead of two hundred and fortv .acres. sul>stantially 
improved with excellent buildings. Aside fixmi 
his other occupations, Mr. Morrill is profitably in- 
terested in the nui-sery business, and. a man of ac- 
knowledged executive ability, has long been a 
meml>er and has held the office of Dii-ector in the 
State Horticultural Society, and is also a valued 
member of the World's Fair Commission in the 
horticultural displ.ay of the State. 

Mr. Morrill was married in 1S73 to Miss Ella 
Pearl, daughter of Mr. and Mis. Warren H. Pearl, 
old and esteemed settlers of lierrien County. Two 
children, a son and daughter. Warren and Mal>el. 
have been born unto our subject and his excellent 
wife. In polilicai affiliation Mr. Morrill is a stanch 
Republican, taking an active inteiest in the affairs 
of the day. He has been an important factor in 
kn'al progress and improvements, and with two 
other leading citizens has ably discharged the du- 
ties of Superintendent or Supervisor of the Poor 
of the county. During his score of years passed in 
Berrien County, our subject has aided and encour- 



aged edui'alionai advancement, promoted business 
enterprise, and ontiivly through his own self- 
j^liant efforts has wtm his way to assured success 
m life. 




B. GARDNER, the ix>pular and efficient 
Cashier in the office of the Round t>ak 
1 Stove Works. Dowagiac. Cass County. 
Mich., was born in the city where he now 
resides August 2. 1870. He is the only son and 
only child of Charles and Mary D. (Beckwith) 
t^ardner. both of his parents being widely known 
in the State, and enjoying the esteem and confi- 
dence of a large ciix-le of friends. The fathei was 
born in Oswego County. X. Y.. and was reared and 
educated in the Empire Stale. He attained to 
manhood in the place of his nativity, but soon af- 
ter arriving at matui-e age determined to try his 
fortunes in the farther West. When twenty-two 
years old he settled in Dow.igiac and begim life 
for himself in the grocery business. He was mar-_ 
ried in 1869 to Mary D. Beckwith. daughter of 
P. D. and Catherine Beckwith. of Dowagiac. Mr. 
Beckwith was one of the prominent citizens of 
Dv>wagiac. public-spirited and progi-cssive. and was 
for many years one of the mt^t important factoi-s in 
the advancement of the social and business in- 
tei-ests of the city. The mother of our subjei-t en- 
joyed the advantage of a superior education, and 
is a lady of worth and fine attainments. 

In 1877. Charles Gardner, with his wife and 
son. i-emoved to liattle Ci-eek. Mich., and engaged 
successfully in the dry-goods trade, and continued 
to profitably handle merchandise until 1891. when 
he sold out and ivtired from business. Our sub- 
ject attended the [uimary and grammar schools of 
Battle Ci-eek. ami having passed through the high- 
est grade of the latter with great cretlit. came in 
I88.i to Dowagiac. Residing with his maternal 
grandfather. Mr. Beckwith. he entered the High 
School, and after a tlu-ee-years course of instruction; 
graduated from that institution, and in 1888 re- 
turned home. He sjwnt ime ye:u- iu the dry-goods 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RK( ORO. 



469 



lnl,slll(•s^s ill BiUtlf Creek, hut .l.iniiniy I, 1889, 
Hjrniii made Dowajjiae Ins residence. He received 
iiiitiiediate enipioyment in tlie Round Oak Stove 
\Vori<s, and for several inf)ntlis worked in various 
parts of tlie factory, familiarizing himself with the 
details of the extensive and prosperous business. 
Within a twelvemonth Mr. (iardner was appointed 
Cashier, and has since discharged with ahility the 
responsible duties of the position. 

October 23, 1889, our subject was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Amanda Stark, daughter of Myron 
and Sarah (Harris) Stark, of Dow.agiac. The youth- 
ful couple occupy an enviable social position, and 
are participants in the leading events of the city. 
Mr. (Jardner is in political conviction a strong 
Democrat, and takes an .active interest in local and 
national issues. Karnest, energetic and devoted 
to his daily round of care, he is also enterprising, 
and iKiw only upon the threshold of manhood, 
has already entered upon the beginningof a career 
whose future outlook is bright with hope and 
promise. Our subject is fraternally connected 
with the Knights of Pythias, and is a member of 
Dowagiac Lodge. He is aUo a prominent rnem- 
berof the Round Oak Society, and, liberal spirited, 
IS ever foremost in any work tending to |)romote 
the public welfaie. 



» | ■ y I M > I 




NDKKW .1. .MIl.l.AUl). an enterprising 
citizen, for ten years a Constable of New 
liuft'alo Township. Berrien County, ^^ch.. 
"^'' is also one of the leading general farmers 

anil horticulturists <>( the county, and is widely 
known as a man of high business ability and up- 
riglit charafter. Mi'. .Millard has been a dweller in 
Berrien County for over a (piarter of a century, 
but is a native of the Empire State, and was born 
in Allegany County, .June 21, IK.'JK. His parents 
were William C. and Polly (Ripenbark) Millard, 
life-lime residents of the State of New York, where 
they eommanded high respect as useful and in- 
dustrious citizens and descendants of honored an- 
cestrv. The father was a native of Berlin, Rens- 



selaer Count\, and was bfirii in 179H. His father. 
ICIij.'ih .\Hllard, born in Rhode Island, was of 
Knglish and Welsh <lescent. The paternal great- 
grandfather. Klijah, was a native f)f Kngland, and 
having resided for some time in the I'nited .States 
returned to his native land to dispose of his prop- 
erty, seven business blocks, which he owned in the 
city of London, but upon the triii acrf)Ss was lost 
at sea. The father, William Millard, was a man of 
resolution and unusual strength of character, and 
lived to a good old age, p.assingto his rest in 1874. 

The excellent mother, likewise a native of Alle- 
gany County, N. Y., was a daughter of Adam 
and Plifebe (Sears) Ripenbark, and was reared, ed- 
ucated and married in her native county, and 
there passed her entire life, dying in the home of 
her youth in 1869. The maternal grandfather. 
Mr. Ripenbark, and the maternal great-grandfather, 
Mr. Sears, both served with courage in the War of 
the Revolution, and transmitted to their descend- 
ants an enviable record of heroic patriotism. The 
father and mother of our subject were tiie parents 
of three children, who all lived to adiilt age. An- 
drew .J. was the eldest-born and attained to man- 
hood in the old Allegany- County home. He 
enjoyed advantages of instruction in the school 
of the neighborhood, and was early trained inU) 
habits of self reliance and industry. In 1863, our 
subject was united in marriage with !Miss lluldali 
Y'ounglove, a resident of the Kmpire State. This 
estimable lad}' survived her marriage about eleven 
years and paased away in 1874. She was the 
mother f)f seven children, four of whom are now 
living. Emma, the eldest-born, is the wife of .John 
Davis; Lewis, Mary and Warren complete the sur- 
viving sons and daughters who once gathered 
around the family fireside. 

Mr. Millard, many years after the death of his 
first ompanion, again entered the bonds of matri- 
mony, and upon .)une 2:>, 1888, married Mi-s. Car- 
rie (Hudson) Whitford, daughter of Richard anil 
Betsey Hudson, and a native of Trumbull County, 
Ohio. The parents of Mrs. Millard are now both 
deceased, jiassing to their rest in Ohio. Our 
subject emigrated from New York State to .Michi- 
gan in 1867, and at once located in Berrien County 
and purchased sixty acres of the land he now owns. 



470 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



To this tract he has added until he lias under a 
high state of cultivation a fine farm of one hun- 
dred and thirty-eight acres, which he has himself 
cleared from heavy timber and made one of the 
best and most productive pieces of farming prop- 
erty in this localit}-. The homestead is likewise 
improved with excellent buildings and an attrac- 
tive residence, and presents a scene of thrift and 
plenty. Aside from grain and similar products, 
quantities of berries are raised upon the place, 
which also has an orchard of clioice fruit. Polit- 
ically, Mr. Millard is a Republican, and cast his 
first Presidential vote for I^incoln. 

lie has occupied his jjiesent official jiosition for 
a half-score of years to the great satisfacti(jn of his 
fellow-townsmen, bj' whom he is esteemed as a 
man of ability and a liberal-spirited and |jrogress- 
ive citizen. Our subject is not connected liy mem- 
bership with any denominaticjn, liut his gOf)d father 
was a devout Baptist, and the mother adhered to 
the doctrines of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
Mr. Millard is a man who never refuses aid to any 
worthy woi'k, religious or benevolent, and is a 
sincere friend and excellent neighbor. 



-^? ». 




^ILLTAM K. KIRBY. Few families in Vo- 
linia Townshi)) have a higher standing for 
WW character, ability and enterprise than the 
one represented by the name at the head of this 
paragraph, and in its various members it is emi- 
nently worthy of the respect which is universally 
conceded to it. He of whtmi we write is a native 
of the grand old Empire State, born in Otsego 
County December 31, 1845, to the marriage of 
Rev. John and Mary J. (Rouse) Kiiby, the father 
a native of Yorkshire, England, born .luly 30, 
1817, and the mother of Columbia County, N.Y., 
born A|)ril 23, 1818. 

The paternal grandfather, William Kirby, was 
also born in Yorkshire, England, and followed the 
oci'upation of a fanner and shepherd. He married 
Miss Elizabeth Bentley, a native of the same place, 
and shortly afterwards took passage for America. 



This was in 1820, and he rented a farm near Al- 
bany, X. Y., the same year. In 1846 he came to 
Michigan, settling m the township east of Marcel- 
lus, and on wild land which he improved, and 
where he passed the remainder of his life. His 
death occurred in ISfiit, and his wife followed him 
to the grave in 1877. They were the parents of 
nine children, four of whom are living: .lohii, 
.Tames, Thomas B. and Peter. The mother was a 
member of the Ba|)list Church. 

Rev. John Kirby was but a child when brought 
to America by his parents, and he grew to manhood 
in New York .State. A fair education w.as received 
in the tommon schools, and after reaching mature 
years he engaged as a farmer and carpenter. In 
October, 1839, he married Miss Rouse, daughter of 
Christophei- and .lane (Crippen) Rouse, both of 
whom were natives of Columliia County, X. Y. 
Mr. Rouse was a farmer, and at an early date moved 
to Otsego County, N. Y. He passed away in 1863, 
and she in 1850. Two living children were the 
only fruits of their union. Mr. Kirby came to 
Michigan in 1846, settling in Flowerfield Township. 
St. .Joseph Count}', where he followed farming. For 
some time he was troubled with the ague, but re- 
mained there for eighteen years and improved a 
good home. He moved to Cass County in 1865 
and settled on his present property. He caiiies 
on farming and is enterprising and progressixc. 
He was ordained on the 5tli of March, 1843. as a 
Baptist minister, and performed the work of aiiiis- 
sionaiy throughout southwestern Michigan. 

For fourteen years he w.as pastor of Xevvl)uig 
church, thirteen years p.astor of \'olinia church, 
and ten years pastor of I'lowerlield cluiii-h. He is 
now retired from active work. To his marriage; 
were born eleven children, .seven now living: 
Mrs. Jane Chamberlain, William R., Belle Ferris, 
Susan, George B.. Rachel A. (iard and Allan. All 
these children are well educated. A stanch Re- 
publican in his poliiiual views, Mr. Kirby was .Su- 
pervisor of Flowerlield Township seven years, and 
held the same position in Volinia Township for 
four years. One of his sons has taught school. 

Our subject, who is the eldest son born to his 
parents, grew to manhood on his father's fai'm in 
Michigan, whither the parents had moved in 1847, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



471 



and attciifk'd selidol in Si. .losepli County. AVlien 
Iwcnly-one years of :ige he started out to fight 
life's hattlcs for himself, and (iist houglil land in 
OllawM Coiiiily. 'I'lieri' he remained a few years, 
when he .-(ilil oiitand nioved to Cass County. This 
was in IHC'i ;im(! llie eounty was well covered with 
tiiiilirr. Ill' purchased eiijlity-four acres of land, 
liei,'au at once to clear an(i make improvements, 
ami now has eighty acres under a fine slate of cul- 
tivation, lie liuilt a line residence in 1876, at a 
co.-t of -lil.dOd.aiul the following year w;is married 
to Miss May Mack, a native of I'oiiipkins Count}', 
N. v., Iiorn in ixi.i. Her parents came to Miclii- 
gan in l^i(i;i, but are now deceased. Mr. Kirby is 
a Master M;ison and takes a deep interest in the 
progiess of his order, lie served several times as 
Master of the same. In politics Ik^ is a Hepublican, 
aTid has fre(piently been a delegate to con ventions. 
lie has been Tounshii) 'J'reasurer for two years, is 
Director of School District No. .O, and isservinghis 
twelfth term as Township Clerk. 




I.K.VS.VNT N. ZANK, a successful general 
'•, agriculturist and leading citizen of Cass 



County, Mich., is a native vf the State, 
and was born in .Jefferson 'I'ownsliip No- 
vember 27, 1842. His parents, Maxwell and Jane 
Norton Zane, were well known in the county and 
highly respected as useful and ui>riglit citizens. 
The paternal grandfather, Isaac Z.'inc, was by birth 
a Southerner, and was a native of Virginia, after- 
ward becoming one of the pioneer settlers of Ken- 
tucky. From Kentucky ho journeyed to Logan 
County, Ohio, and thence proceeded after a time 
to the wilds of Michigan, and in 1832 came to 
Cass Count}-, where he died. His wife survived 
him, living to the advanced age of ninety-four. 
The children who gathered in the i)ioneer home 
were Is.aac, Ebenezer, William, Sipiire, .lohn, .Max- 
well, Catherine and Lavina. 

Maxwell Zane was born in Logan Counly. Ohio. 
in 18(i(;. 1 laving attain('(l to nianliooil aii(l mar- 



ried, he in 1829, with his wife, made their home 
in Michigan. Their property was transported in 
a wagon diawn Iiy a yoke of cattle, but the wife 
rode the entire distance on a pony. They located 
on section 22, .Tefferson Township, and were eye- 
witnesses of the wonderful changes of the suc- 
ceeding years. The father of our subject served 
bravely in the Sioux War, and after a life of n.se- 
fulne.ss died in .January, 181.1. 

Maxwell Zane was an energetic man and had 
well tilled the land he icceivecl from the (iovern- 
ment, a greater (lart of the one bundled and sixty- 
acres being cleared and highly improved. He was 
a religious man and active in the church, being 
a member of the '•Hard-shell" Haptists. His two 
children are Nancy .Monroe and I'leasant N. 
Two are deceased. Philander R. and Ixachel. The 
mother of our subject, yet surviving, is a native 
of Logan County, Ohio, and was born December 
.5, 1807. She married .losiah Lumpkin, now de- 
ceased. Although advanced in years, she is well 
and hearty and keeps house, residing by herself. 
She is a daughter of Nathaniel Norton, who emi- 
grated from North Carolina to Ohio about 1805. 
From the liuckeye State the Nortons removed to 
Michigan in 1828. Mr. Norton passed away at 
the age of seventy-three, but his wife survived 
him three years later. He left three sons and 
two daughters: Pleasant, Richard, Levi, Jane and 
Mahala. Reared upon a farm, our subject was 
early trained in the pursuit of agriculture. He 
attended the district school and received instruc- 
tion in various other institutions in Hillsdale 
and Kalamazoo, but was not fond of study, pre- 
ferring work. 

When twentj-one years of age Mr. Zane made 
the overland trip to California, and drove through 
from Brooklyn, Iowa, to the Golden State, be- 
ing four months and sixteen days on the jour- 
ney. He returned home in about nine nu)ntlis, 
making the trip eastward by water. He h.-is since 
farmed continuously upon his two Imndicd and 
sixteen acres, one hundred and twenty of wbicli 
comprise a part of his fallur's old hi.inc,>lcad. 
I'olitically, our subject is a Dimihu r.-il. .•md li:is 
clliciently served as Treasure]- of the ii.wnsiiip. 
He cast his first vote for Seymour. Lraternallv, 



472 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



Mr. Zane is a valued member of the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows, with wliicli society he has 
long affiliated. Our subject was united in mar- 
riage in December, 1866, with Bliss Addie Tiet- 
sort, born in Cassopolis and tlie daughter of Henry 
and Julia (Fisher) Tietsort, early residents of Cass 
County. The pleasant home of Mr. and Mr*. 
Zane has been blessed by tlie birth of one son, 
Frank, a promising young n)an, a telegraph oper- 
ator. Our subject aud his estimable wife enjoy 
the regard of a large acquaintance, and are fore- 
most in the good work and social enterprise of 
their home locality. 




BURGFyr DES VOIGNES. The career of 
a lawyer is a succession of contests, and 
the successes made in tlie legal Held are 
])robably more than in any other calling in life 
examples of the "survival of the fittest." To 
become distinguished at the Bar requires not only 
capacity, but also sound judgment and persevering 
industry, and these qualities are admirably com- 
bined in L. Buiget Des Voignes. This gentleman 
was born at Mt. Eaton. Wayne County. Ohio, 
October 14, 1857, the son of Louis A. Des Voignes, 
and the grandson of Peter Des ^'oignes, who was 
a native of Berne, Switzerland. The latter was a 
dry-goods merchant in his native city, and was a 
man of excellent judgment and good business 
methods. His three sons were named Augustus, 
Jules and Louis. Mr. Des Voignes, with his wife 
and three sons, came to America in 1844, and 
located at Mt. Eaton, Ohio, where he engaged in 
the boot and shoe business. Upon settling in this 
country he became a Whig in politics, and later a 
Republican. He was a member of the Lutheran 
Church, and died in 1)^61. in full CDinniunioii with 
that church. 

Louis A. Des Voignes, father of our subject, was 
bom in Berne, Switzerland, and was eleven years of 
age when he crossed the ocean to the " land of the 
free." He grew to uianhood in Mt. F-atou. but 
when twelve years of age started to work in a 



store. Later in life he and his two brothers 
bought the building and stock, aud in 185;') Mr. 
Des Voignes was married to Miss Sovilla A. Mess- 
ner, who was the daughter of John Messnei', of 
Mt. Eaton, Ohio. The latter was a farmer of that 
county, but in addition was also engaged as a coal 
dealer. Mr. Des A'oignes resided at Mt. Eaton 
until 1862 or 186.3, when he was burned out of 
house and home by the rebels. He entered the 
service vvhcn Moigan was making his raid through 
Ohio, but subseipiently moved to Mendon, Blich., 
where he clerked in a store for five years. After 
this he engaged in the drug business for some 
seven ^e.ars. He is now residing at Mendon. 
retired from the active duties of life, and has been 
a resident of that city for manj' years. The 
mother died on the 20th of July, 1887. 

The original of this notice received his early 
educational training in the schools of Jlendon, 
Mich., graduating from the High School in 1876. 
After graduating he began the study of law in 
the office of Hon. C). .1. Fast, a noted lawyei' of 
St. Joseph County and State Senator. In 1877 
Ml-. Des Voignes was admitted to the Bar in St. 
Joseph County, but the same year he entered the law 
school at Ann Arbor, Mich., from which he gradu- 
ated in 1878. After finishing he came to Mar- 
cellus, began practicing his profession, and has 
been located here ever since. He is a most capable 
member of his profession, and is a highly reputable 
citizen. In the year 1880 he was married to Miss 
AUie M. Clapp, a native of St. Joseph County, 
Mich., and the daughter of Dr. Clapp, of Mendon, 
that county. She was reared and educated in that 
town, and is a lady of refinement and culture. 
One child has been born to our subject and wife, 
Jules ^'erne Des Voignes. .Mr. Des Voignes is an 
active member of the Republican party, and held 
the office of Circuit Court Commissioner from 
1888 to 1891. From the latter date until 1893 he 
was Prosecuting Attorney- of the county. He was 
a member of the Board of Education for five 
years, was a member of the Village Council for 
three years, and was Town Attorney for thirteen 
yeais. 

lie is deeply interested in political attViirs, and 
stumped the county for the Republican State Cea- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



473 



tnil ('i)iiiiiiiltci' III ISSO. His ri'|uit;iUi)ii :is an 
(iinlor is well known. In 1H8(1 lie was a deleojate 
to the Stall' coiivpiition. and was a dclef^ate in 
1M8I, I8HS and 18112. .V nifinln-r of tlic County 
l\('|iiil)lic;iii ('(iiniiii ttei', lie lia.s liccn an active 
workir for lii> parly, an(J is one of the liist men 
of tlic comity. He has shown his a|.|)reciation of 
.seci'i'l orj^.-iiiizations by beeoiniiiij; a Ma.son (Royal 
Aivh) and a iiicinliei- of tlie Knights of Pythias. 
He |ii:i(li(is in all the State and Federal coui-ts of 
llie eonnly, and is one of the most reliable and 
|io|iiilar lawyers in western Michigan. 




T. LKX'KIE, an enterprising business man 
i\ , * and popular resident of Dowagiac, Cass 
V/ County, Mich., is prolitably engaged in 
llic jewelry trade, handling in his store a full line 
of goods suileii to the demands of iiis locality. 
Mr. I.eckie is a native of the city of Detroit and 
was liorii October i, 1867. lie was the only child 
of his parents, .lohn F. and Margaret (Nevin) 
Leckie. The father was a native of Scotland, but 
the patein;U grandparents, early realizing the 
broader opporlunities offered to their children 
in the land of promise beyond the sea, deter- 
mined to emigrate to America, and came with 
their sons and daughters to this country when 
•loiin i.eckie was only a child. The I.eckies at 
first located in Ontario, Canada, but later re- 
moved to Detroit, settling in that part ol the 
Iniled States in about the year 18.59. By pro- 
fession the father of our subject was a mechanical 
engineer. He had enjoyed an excellent jjr.actical 
education and was also tlioroiiglil\ versed in all 
the requirements of his profession. I'lie mother's 
family, the Nevins, were long-time residents of 
the Kmpire State, and weie among the leading 
and most highly respected citizens of New York. 
Our subject was but a little lad t)f live years of 
age when he made his home in .lackson, Mich., 
living with an uncle, and, as soon as old enough, 
attendiiii!: the excellent public schools of the cit\. 



He received a good practical education and was 
yet in early youth when he learned the jeweler's 
trade with C G. Case, a leading merchant of Jack- 
son. Mr. Leckie subsefiuently worked at his trade 
in (Jreenville, Michigan City and .lackson. In 
May, 1892, he settled permanently in Dowagiac, 
and opened the business which he now success- 
fully conducts. During the comparatively brief 
time of his residence in his present locality', Mr 
Leckie has identified himself with the social and 
business interests of the city, and is already num- 
bered among the public-spirited citizens of the 
countj-. Politically, he is asturdj' Democrat, and, 
well posted in local and national affairs, is thor- 
oughly devoted to the interests of the party. A 
young man of earnest purpose, fully alive to the 
needs of the hour, he realizes the importance of 
local progress and improvement, and is ever ready 
to assist in all matters of mutual welfare. 

Mr. Leckie is fraternally associated with various 
societies, being a member of Masonic Lodge No. 
211, at Dowagiac, and the National Inion, of 
Dowagiac. He is also a valued member of .lackson 
Lodge, K. P., and is also connected with the 
LTniformed Rank of that order in .lackson. Our 
subject is likewise a member of Canni No. 1167, 
M. \V. A., at Dowagiac, and attiliates with the 
Knights of the Maccabees at Dow.agiac. Well and 
favorably known in these orders, and a young 
man of excellent business attainment and high so- 
cial position, .Mr. Leckie, already occupying with 
ability a position of usefulness and inlluence, has 
a bright future before him, and, ti ue to his past 
record, cannot fail to win the battle of life. 



i^+^ 



p^ 



"=] 



<;«1 I^ILLIAM BUKRIS, a le.ading general agri- 
\&J/I culturist of Buchanan Township, Berrien 
W^ County, Mich., born in I'relilc County. 
Ohio, August 19, 1826, has s|>cnt his entire life, 
with the exception of his earlii^st days of boyhood, 
among the changing scenes of his present loc.-ility. 
and has for (ifty-seven years been intimately tisso- 
ciated with the progressive interests of the state. 



474 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRArillCAL RECORD. 



Our subject is the flftli child of the eight sons and 
daughters born unto Pxlwin and Sallie (Wilson) 
15unus, both natives of \'ngjnia. Reared, edu- 
falc'd and married in the Old Dominion, the (lar- 
t'lits resolved to try their fortunes in another State, 
and on horseback journeyed to Ohio, bringing 
with them in their saddle-bags their limited pos- 
sessions. The}' crossed the mountains and came 
to I'reble County, and. arriving safe and sound, 
made their home in that fertile district. In 183(), 
the}' again changed their locality, then emigrating 
with their family to Michigan. With the excep- 
tion of the two eldest, their children were all born 
ill Ohio, the Burrus family being a large addition 
to the i)opulation of IJertrand Township, which 
they selected for their abiding-place. 

During the lirst year the father farmed on 
rented land near where Dayton now stands. He 
purchased the second year sixty acres of wild land, 
upon which he built a hewn-log house, and, hav- 
ing provided a shelter for wife and children, next 
set himself resolutely to work clearing the land 
and cultivating the soil, which in due time re- 
warded him with a bounteous harvest. The years 
passed on, and in lH.iU the mother sickened and 
dieii, and within the same year, a few months af- 
ter, the father rested from his labors. Harmonious 
in life, they were not long divided 1)V death. 

Of the children who gathered around the fire- 
side of the old home, but three now survive, 
.lames is deceased; Martha is the widow of .1. P. 
Marlm; .Tolin is deceased; Nancy, deceased, married 
Benton Phillips; .lulia A. is tlie wife of Nathaniel 
Hamilton; William is our subject; and Albert and 
Dinali are deceased. Reared upon a farm, our 
subject shared the experiences of the pioneer da^s 
and grew up to manhood a self-reliant and indus- 
trious youth, ready to begin the battle of life and 
win his upward way. He had received instruc- 
tion in the little |)rimitive school of his home dis- 
trict and, familiar with the daily round of farm- 
ing duties, at twenty-one years began the pursuit 
of agriculture upon his own account. When 
twenty-three years of age, William Burrus was 
united in marriage with ^Hss Mary Mclntirc, 
daughter of William and Sarah (Furson) Mcln- 
tirc, The father and niother of Mrs, Burrus, well- 



known residents of Ohio, liad emigrated from the 
Buckeye State to Michigan in 183.5, in which year 
Ml-. Mclntire went to work in a mill beyond Niles. 
The country was at that time sparsely settleil. 
homes were few and far between, and no goods 
for household use could be gotten nearer than 
Niles, then a small village. Mr. Mclntire (ire- 
empted his land from the Ooveinment, and to his 
deed is appended the signature of Gen. .lackson, 
then President of the United States. The land, 
one hundred and sixty acres, cost its owner $1.25 
per acre. Mrs. Mclntire was the lirst woman who 
made butter for sale in her locality, a fact well re- 
memliered by Mrs. Burrus. The first house built 
ui)on the old farm was made of round logs, and 
during the first winter it had neither Hoor nor 
chiinnc}-, but nevertheless the pioneer famil\- lived 
and prospered. Mrs. Mclntire, who was born in 
Ohio in 1809, (iied in 18.50, and after her demise 
her husband sold his farm and located west of Bu- 
chanan, and later settled northwest of the same 
place, where he continued to reside the remainder 
of his days. 

Born in Pennsylvania, this upright man and en- 
terprising pioneer had |)assed twenty years of his 
life in Berrien County when he died, regretted by 
all who knew him, October 25, 1856. Of the nine 
childien who had blessed the Mclntire home, one 
died in infancy; Betheny is deceased; I^ansel re- 
sides in Denver, Colo.; Mary A. is now Mrs. Bur- 
rus; .Joseph N. died in Kansas in 188.3; .Tohn 1)., 
one of the first volunteers from Iowa, died in the 
service of the Union in 1863 or 1864; ,Ioel F. re- 
sides in Maysville, Colo.; William S. volunteered 
in 18()2 in a Missouri regiment, and, a non-coin- 
mis-ioned officer, died after three months' faithful 
service; Samuel W. isa resident of Iowa; and.len- 
nie is the wife C)f Frank Howe, of Salem, Ore. 

(Jur subject and his estimable wife, numbered 
among the descendants of the oldest settlers of 
Berrien County, have reared their children to 
lives of usefulness: .John is a prosperous farm- 
er of Buchanan Township; Orvilla is the wife 
of Merville Alvord, and lives in Kansas; Lin- 
coln is a well-known resident of Bertrand Town- 
ship: Minnie is the wife of Bennett Peters, of 
Hammond, Ind.; Mary is the wife of Frank Phil- 








A^/OA^/^A 



I'JKTKAIT AND hlOGRAPinCAL RECORD. 



477 



lips. Mild is ;it, home in tlic l()wiislii|). Olive S. 
and Frank K. complete llie list of hrotliers and 
sisters who have brighleiied the home. The 
year succeeding their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. lUir- 
rus si)ent upon the old Burrus farm. Iiul in 18.t2 
they located upon a tract of forty acies, a part of 
the present homestead of two hundred and five 
acres, one hundred an(1 lifty of which are under a 
high state of cultivation and improved with a 
handsome and commodious residence, immense 
liarns and other substantial buildings. licside 
this magnilicent farm, one of the finest pieces of 
property in the township, Mr. Ikirrus has other 
landed possessions, and has through thrift and su- 
perior business attainments achieved a comfortable 
ct)mi)etence. Our subject, aside from the tilling of 
the soil, devotes much of his attention to breeding 
JCorman horses of a high grade, and handles some 
of the best stock in Herrien County. 

Fraternally, Mr. Burrus has long been connected 
with the Ancient Free it Accepted Masons, atfilia- 
tiiig with Lodge No. 68, at Buchanan, and is also 
a member of the (irange, as is likewise Mrs. Bur- 
ins. Our subject has ever taken a deep interest in 
local and nalioiial affairs, and. a man of sound 
jiidgmenl, has liceii an iiii|)oilant factor in the ad- 
vancement of matters of mutual welfare, and has 
iield with cllicicncy many important public posi- 
tions of trust, occupying and faithfully discharg- 
uiif the duties of various township ollices. 



KNin' F1NK(;AN. a farmer and fruit- 
I 11 arower residin"' in St. .loseijh, was born on 

,l| ft a .r. 1 

' llieold homestead ot his father m this city, 
March IC. 181-2. Mis father. Patrick, was 
born in Dublin. I iclaiKl, while liis mother, whose 
maiden name was .Margaret Sage, was a native of 
Fdinl)urgh. Scotland. Both emigrated to the United 
Stales when quite young, and. coming to Michi- 
g.'iii, were united in marriage at St. .losepli. After- 
ward they commenceil housekeeping on a twenty- 
acre tract purchased by Mr, Flnegan. In addition 

23 



to his farming pursuits, lie followed the trade of 
a wagfm-inaker, doing a fair business in the neigh- 
borhood, lie built the llrst jiile-driver used on 
the St. .Joseph Docks, on the opposite side of the 
river. 

From the time he came to Michigan (ISSG) 
until the dale of his demise (1889), Mr. F"inegan, 
Sr., continued actively engaged as a farmer, fruit- 
grower and wagon-maker. lie was a man of positive 
convictions and was an enthusiastic supporter of 
the principles advocated by the Democratic party. 
In his religiaus belief he adhered to the faith of 
his forefathers and vv.as a faithful member of the 
Catholic Church. Industrious and energetic, while 
be never gained great wealth, he accjuired a com- 
petence and surrounded his family with all the 
comforts of life. He w.as a widower for many 
years prior to his demise, his wife having died in 
1 8.") 1 . 

The subject of this sketch was the third in a 
family of four children. He received his educa- 
tion in the si;liools of .St. .loseph, and in his youth 
assisted his father both in the wagon shop and on 
the farm. lT|)on attaining his majority, he became 
a sailor on the Lakes, on boats running between 
Chicago and Buffalo, and continued his seafaring 
life for a period of eight years. At the time of 
the great fire in Chicago, in October, 1871, he 
joined the Governor's Guard at Springlield. HI. 
The comijany boarded the train on Monday at 
Springfield and made a fiist run to Chicago, where 
the company was pl.aeed under the command of 
C!en. Sheridan. Mr. Finegan and his company 
wiMc stationed on the North Side, and remained 
on duty six days. He then returned to St. .Jo- 
seph, where for eight years he followed the trade 
of a painter. Being of an economical disposition, 
he saved his earnings and invested them in eighty 
acres of land, located seven and one-half miles 
south of the city of St. .loseph, in Royalton 
Townshii). It is choice land and in n high stale 
of cultivation, well adajited to raising fine grades 
of fruits. He still owns the old homestead of 
twenty acres, a part of which he platted and laid 
out in town lots, selling at a fair profit, but re- 
serving enough to make a comfortable home- 
stead. 



478 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



In 1889 Mr. Finegan nianied Mrs. Martha J. 
(inffllh, the wirlovv of Henry flriflith. She was the 
daughter of Jaines and Deborali (Colwell) Hall, 
natives respectively of Connecticut and New 
York State. Her parents were married in Otsego 
County, and later removed to Michigan and set- 
tled in Hillsdale County, where both died, the fa- 
ther in 1843, and the mother in 1886. Mrs. Fin- 
egan by her first marriage had three children: 
William, Alma and Flora. In his political belief 
Mr. Finegan is a IJepubliean and takes an active 
interest in local elections, always working with 
hearty enthusiasm on behalf of the candidates of 
his chosen party. 






'^?tl*^^ 



(X[ 4ILLIAM VAN NESS. One of the pioneer 
\rJ// families of Cass County is that of which 
^^^ our subject is an honored member. His 
entire life has been [)assed in Howard Township, 
and he was born October 20, 18.55, upon the 
farm on section 35, where he now makes his home. 
Having chosen for his business in life the occupa- 
tion of agriculture, he has bent his energies toward 
securing the very best possible results from the 
land which he cultivates. It is a matter of gen- 
eral comment that his farm is one of the finest in 
the vicinity, and its splendid I'ultivation i,> largely 
due to his keen judgment and unwearied industry. 
The father of our subject, William Xiui Ness, 
Sr., was born and reared in I'enn Van, N. Y., Ije- 
ing the son of John ^'an Ness, a New Yorker, who 
traced his ancestry to Holland. The mother of 
our subject bore the maiden name of Arietta Lee, 
and was born and reared in the Empire State, be- 
ing the daughter of Roderick Lee. The pareiits 
of our subject were married iii New Y'ork, and 
came to Michigan in 1841, locating in Howard 
Township, Cass County, on the farm where Will- 
iam, Jr., now lives. There were no improvements 
upon the place at that time, and Mr. ^'an Ness lost 
no time in erecting a log house for the accommo- 
dation of his wife and chiMren. He had com- 
menced the work of improving and cultivating 



the land, and had reaped a measure of success 
when his useful life was suddenly terminated at 
the age of thirty-seven years. His widow survived 
him for many years, and at the time of her demise 
had attained to the advanced age of sixty-three. 

In a family consisting of three sons and three 
daughters, our subject is the fourth in order of 
birth. He was reared on the home farm, and in 
his boyhood attended the district school, where he 
gained a knowledge of the three R's. His education, 
however, may be mainly attributed to self-culture, 
and has been gained principally through experi- 
ence and observation. He remained a bachelor 
until aliout thirty-two years of age, when he was 
united in marriage with ^liss Martha (ierberich, 
the ceremony being performed April 14, 1887. 
Mrs. Van Ness was born in Cass County, and is the 
daughter ()f David and Catherine (Miller) Gerbc- 
rich, both natives of Lebanon County, I'a. The 
only child of Mr. and Mrs. Van Ness is JIar}', a 
bright and intelligent child three years of age. 

Upon the old family homestead, which consists 
of one hundred ami sixty acres, Jlr. \'an N'esscon- 
ducts a general farming and st(>ck-raising business. 
A Re|)ublicaii In his party proclivities, he has oc- 
cii|)ied one of the school ollices since he was twen- 
t3-oiic. He was nominated on the party ticket in 
1893 for the position vf Supervisor of Howard 
Township, but was defeated by a small majority. 
In his social connections, he is identified with Ed- 
wardsburgh Tent No. 729, K. O. T. ISL, of which 
he is a charter member, and now occupies the 
position of Clia|ilain. 



^^^EM^-m^^^ 



II, ANSE MADISON. Thegreatcom icai- 

ricr, the iron horse, has placed every hum.-in 
M^^ creature under a debt of gratitude fur the 
incomparable favor of distributing the gifts 
of the ground all over the country; thus permit- 
ting the inhabitants of Michigan and surrounding 
States to share with the Miehigander in the early 
yield of fruit and vegetables. The fruit industry 
in the state above mentioned lias a noted repre- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



479 



seiitiitivc in lliiii.-^u iMjuHsoii. whose fertile farm of 
forty acres is devoted to the eiiltiire of small fruits. 
So iiitelliifent is liis nianagemeiit of this land, so 
industrious are his habits, so indefatigahle are his 
efforts, and so pushing and enterprising is he, that 
he h;is found the business highly i)roHlable from a 
monetaiy point of view, as well as agreeable to his 
tastes. 

Mr. ]Madison owes his nativity to Denmark, 
where he was born on the Kith of August, 1834, 
his |)arents being Madison and Dora (.Johnson) 
Madison, both of whom were born, reared and 
spent their lives in their native land of Denmark, 
iti which sc.<i-girt land the subject of this sketch 
was brought up. lie was given good advantages 
for acquiring an education, and obtained a practi- 
cal knowledge of the common branches. At the 
age of twent3'-four years he decided to seek his 
fortune across the ocean, and thither he repaired 
in 1859. Almost immediately after iaiiding he 
came to Michigan and settled in 15errien Count}', 
where he has since made his home. He ct)mmenced 
life on a foreign soil with very little means, but 
his tastes were never luxurious, and he had been 
brought U|) to know the value of money and the 
virtue of earnest and peisistent effort, so he labored 
patientl}', and liy rigid economy soon began to see 
an improvement in his circumstances. lie has 
owned and cleared a number of farms, besides do- 
ing much work in the same line for ollieis, .and 
now lias a farm of forty acres, which, though small, 
is amply sutlicient to keep him fully occu|>ied dur- 
ing the fruit season. IJesides this tract he has live 
acres in addition, which hehasin fruit. This land 
is located about six and a-half miles from St. 
.loseph. In addition to this he rents another tract 
ot twenty-six acres, which is in an excellent state 
of ciillivation, aiifl together they \ield a sutlicient 
income to meet all his modest re(iuirements. 

In ISil'.t he wisely coiicludccl that it was not 
good for mail to live alone, and he accordingly 
wooed and won for his wife Miss .Maiy .lohnson, 
a native of Sweden, who has proven to him a help- 
male iudec'd in his struggles to gain a competency. 
They have an inleresliiig fruiiily of live children, 
who are as follows: Lewis Alfred, who married 
Clara II. Siiubjng, and lives in Iowa; .Vndrew; 



Minnie L.. wife of William IL lirunke; Anna 
May and Ilattie L. Mr. Madison is much inter- 
ested in the calling which he follows, is weli posted 
on the subject, and therefore is successful. Me 
is a member of the lierrien County Farmers' .Mu- 
tual Fire Insurance Company, and since becoii'ing 
a naturalized citizen of the I'nited States lia.s been 
a Republican in his [wlitical views, his first Presi- 
dential vote being east for U. S. Grant. His par- 
ents were earnest members of the Lutheran Church. 



-^>^-<^ 



^ ANLY B. COON. In the spring of 1864, 
among those who came to Berrien County 
with the intenti(.)n of establishing perma- 
nent homes, was the subject of this bio- 
graphical notice. Arriving here, he located on 
forty .acres on section 12, Watervliet Township, 
where he has since resided, devoting his attention 
to the cultivation of the land, as well as his trade 
of a mason. Mr. Coon was born in Stafford, (ien- 
esee County, N. Y., August 6, 1824, his parents 
being Conrad and Charity (Vrooman) Coon. 

The paternal grandfather of our subject, .lohn 
Coon, was born in Schoharie County, K. V., and 
was one of those valient men who left home and 
loved ones to light for independence. He served 
with distinguished bravery under Gen. Washing- 
ton, and endured the terrible hardships of the win- 
ter at \'alley Forge. At the close of tlie war he 
returned to his farm in Schoharie County, where 
he remained extensively engaged in farming pur- 
suits until he was called from earth. His father 
w.as a native of Iloll.-iiid and had emigrated to 
America at a period (piite earl\ in the history of 
the Colonies. 

Conrad Coon, father of our subject, was born in 
Schoharie Coiintv, N. Y., in .January, 1794, and 
was there reared to manhood, his educational ad- 
vantages being i|uitc limited, lu February, 181,3, 
he married Miss Charity \'rooman. and in the fall 
of the same ye:ir removed to .Stafford. Gtnesee 
Coniity. where he pur(li:is(Hl eight\' acres and de- 
voted his attention to their improvement. He par- 



480 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ticipated in the War of 1812 with a bravery and 
loyally equal to that eliaracterizing his fnther. 
In 1833 he sold his property in the Empire State 
and removed to Painesville, Ohio, where he pur- 
chased one farm of one hundred and thirty acres 
and another of one hundred acres.' His death oc- 
curred January 18, 1840. His wife had passed 
away prior to his demise, May 3, 183(5. They 
were devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Churcli. in which he was a Class-leader. Politi- 
cally, he was a Democrat, and socially was identi- 
fied with the Masonic fraternity. He and his wife 
were the parents of eight children, namely: Maria, 
David, Charles, Manly B., Susan, Mary, Lydia and 
Louisa. They also had an adoi)ted son, William 
Perkins. 

On his mother's side, our subject traces his an- 
cestry- to .lohn Vrooman, who emigrated from Hol- 
land to the United States and made settlement in 
Dutchess County, N. Y. His son, Bartholomew 
Vrooman, was born in that county and served for 
seven 3^ears in the Revolutionary War, being with 
Gen. Washington at Princeton and Valley Forge. 
He afterward settled in Schoharie County, N. Y., 
where he became an extensive farmer, and for a 
time was verj' prosperous, but failed through en- 
dorsing the notes of Alban>' merchants who failed. 
In 1813 he moved overland to Concord, Lake 
County, Ohio, where he entered and improved one 
hundred and twenty acres. His death occurred 
about 1838, at the age of eighty-four. Unto him 
and his wife, whose maiden name was Hannah 
Mattice, were boin the following children: Charity, 
Polly, Frederick, Susan, Bartholomew, Daniel, 
David, James, Henry, Fannie, Nancy, Climena and 
Scriber. The mother was an educated and refined 
lady and a devoted member of the Christian 
Church. The children all reached mature years, 
married and reared families. The eldest of the 
number was the mother of our subject, whose bath 
occurred in Sharon, Schoharie County, N. Y. 

Passing his boyhood in an uneventful manner 
on the old homestead, our subject commenced to 
learn the mason's trade at the age of fifteen, 'i'liis 
he has followed ever since, and has gained such 
]jroficienc\ :il the liade liiat he is considered one 
of the most skilled workmen in the county. He 



resided in Lake County, Ohio, untiri860, when 
he removed to Van Buren County, and there op- 
erated as a renter for four years, engaging in the 
tilling of the soil during that time. In the spring 
of 1 8fi4 he located on forty acres on section 1 2, 
Watervliet Township, and here he has since made 
his home. He is one of the influential men of his 
community, is a leader in the Democratic party 
and has held a number of township offices. 

April 24, 1849, occurred the marriage of Mr. 
Coon to Miss Almira Chapin, who was l)oru near 
Bellows Falls, ^'t., being the daughter of Calvin 
and Deborah (Tenney) Chapin, natives of >few 
Hampshire. Mr. Cliai)in was of fc^nglish descent, 
and followed the tiade of a stone-mason until his 
death, which occurred in Concord Township, Lake 
Count}', Ohio. In his religious belief he was a 
Universalist. ^Mr. and Mrs. Coon have been the 
parents of six children : Charles M.; Emiiin, Mrs. 
Julius Sticknej', deceased; George IL; Mary, the 
wife of Orange Ilutchins; Frank C. and Coial M. 



, ^ f ^,^, > -^*— 



,^s^ ILAS II. TIIOJIAS. Personal po|iiilarity, 
^^^ it cannot he denied, results largely from 
Id^Ly) '''"' '"fli'stiyi peiseverance and close atten- 
tion to business which a person displays 
in the management of the different occupations in 
which he engages. In the case of Mr. Thomas 
this is particularly true, for he has adhered so 
closely- to farming and the stock-raising industry 
that high esleeni has lieen |)laced upon him. He 
is a t3'pical .Michigan farmer, enterprising and 
progressive, and such a man as wields no small in- 
fluence in the community where he makes his 
home. 

Mr. Thomas was liorn in Grant County. Inil., 
May 14, 1832, and is a son of Samuel and Sarah 
(Bogue) Thomas, natives res|)ectively of South and 
North Carolina. The grandfather, Elijah Thomas, 
was born in the Palmetto Stale and was of Welsh 
descent. At an early date he moved to Wayne 
County, Ind., and after a residence there of a few 
years located in Grant County, that State, where 



PORTRAIT AND liKXiUAPIIlCAL RECORD. 



481 



he in.'ide his 1k)iiu> uiilil ISo-l. He tlicii iiiovfd to 
St. .lost'pli County, .Midi., :iii(l dicrl near C'onstaii- 
tine. lie wii.^ a fanner and iiuiiber dealer in early 
life, lint was following the trade of a basket-maker 
at the time of his death, which occurred when he 
was eighty-eight ye.ars of ago. His wife's maiden 
name was Susanah Snead, and she was a native of 
one of the Caiolinas. Her death occurred in Grant 
County, Ind. 

Samuel Thomas, the father of our subject, was 
but a boy when he left his native State for Indi- 
ana. He was married to Miss Bogue, daughter of 
Henjamin Bogue, and after residing in Indiana for 
some lime, they moved to St. Joseiih County, 
.Mich., and tlieie both received their final sum- 
mons. They were the parents of -seven children, 
six sons and one daughter, viz.: .Tosiah, Kxom, 
Silas, David, Enos, Benjamin and Abigail. 

When nineteen years of age our subject started 
out for himself ii^- working by the day and month 
at railroading and ditching. He helped to grade 
the Lake .Shore iV Michigan Southern Railroad 
between Goshen and Elkhart, Ind., then laid the 
track west of La Porte, Ind. When twent3--four 
years of age he was married to Miss Elvira 
Bogue, who was born in Cass County, Mich., Jan- 
uary 111, IH.'ifi, and who is a sister of .Stephen A. 
Bogue. (.Sec sketch.) Since his mariiage. ^Mr. 
Thomas has turned his attention principally to 
farming, and everything about his place indicates 
til the beholder that lie has made a success of the 
calling. He cleared the farm he now owns and has 
resided on this since the spring of 18(50. He has 
one hundred and twenty acres of goo<l land lo- 
cale <l four miles east of the county seal, and has it 
well improved and well cultivated. 

In politics .Mr. Thomas advocates the principles 
of the Republican (larty and cast his lirsl Presi- 
dential vote fur Col. .lohn C. Fremont. To his 
marriage have been iiorn six chihlren: .lames 
Arthur; Edward Foster, deceased; Mary E., wife 
of R. AV. Gammon, a minister of the Friends" 
Church, now in Ivulhani College; Blanch, wife of 
Chaiies M. Ratciiff, who is now Pro.seculing At- 
torney at .Marion. Ind.; Florence, wife of Frank 
Fox, « ho is a minister of the Congregational 
Church, and resides in Biij Rock, III.; anil Cora A., 



who died .Ian nary 22, 1 8'JO. The latter was a young 
lady of more than ordinary intelligence and was 
highly respected by all. She and all her sisters 
were teachers and members of the Friends' Cliurch. 
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas are birthright members of 
that cliurch and were married in the same. 



«^ 



-^ 




IDNEY B. CODDING is successfully con- 
ducting general farming and stock-raising 
upon section 18, Howard Township, and is 
well known as one of the successful and 
prosperous agriculturists of Cass County. He was 
born in Lamoille County, ^'t., on the 24th of .lan- 
uar}', 1845, and traces his ancestry to England. 
His grandfather, Abiah Codding, was, it is sup- 
posed, born in Massachusetts and followed the oc- 
cuiiation of a fanner in the Green INIountain .State. 
During the War of 1812 he enlisted in the defense 
of our country and fought with vah)r until peace 
was declared. 

The father of our subject, Russell Codding, was 
born in Vermont, where he followed agricultural 
pursuits. In that .State lie married .Sophia P^iics, 
and there he remained until his career was termi- 
nated by death, at the age of sixty-five years. His 
family consisted of four sons and four daughters, 
all of whom grew to maturity. Our subject is the 
youngest and the only member of the family now 
living. He was reared in the county of his birth, 
where he enjo3-ed such educational advantages as 
were to be obtained in the schools of the vicinity. 
1 11 187;") he came to Michigan, locating on a farm 
in Ingham County. Two years afterwanl he went 
to Bertrand To\viislii|), Berrien County, wlitre he 
engaged as a tiller of the soil for nine years. 

Locating on his present hipiiie in 188(;. Mr. Cod- 
ding has since devoted his attention exclusively 
to farming opeiaticms and at the present time 
superintends three hundreil and live acres of choice 
farming land. He is tlie owner of ninety-live 
acres, which he devotes to general farming and 
stock-raising (nirposes. and as he uses good judg- 
ment and sound eomiiion-sense in his investments 



482 



PORTRAIT AKD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and business dealings, he has gained a position 

among the prominent farmers of the comnui- 
nity. Politically, he is a Republican and favors 
the piinciples of protection of American industries; 
liowever. he takes no active part in inihlic affairs 
and has held no political position, although he has 
served acceptably in the school oHices. Socially', 
lie affiliates with tlie Jlasonic fraternity, being a 
member of Niles Lodge No. 4, also of the Royal 
Arch Masons of Niles, and Chapter No. 628, R. A., 
of Niles. 

December .31, 1873, Mr. Codding married Miss 
Lora T. Hull, who was born in Fairfield, Franklin 
County, Vt., .Lanuary 2.3, 1849. Her father, Mar- 
tin Hull, was a native of the Green Mountain 
State, and engaged in farming there, also followed 
the trade of a cooper. His father, Anson Hull, 
was originally from Connecticut and was a de- 
scendant of English ancestry. The mother of Mrs. 
Codding was in maidenhood Miss Lucia Bessy 
and was born in ^'ermont, being of English de- 
scent. The family of which Mrs. Codding is a 
member numbered four children, she being the sec- 
ond in order of birth. For a number of years she 
engaged in teaching school in Vermont and is a 
lady of culture and refinement. The union of 
Mr. and Mrs. Codding has been blessed by the 
birth of one daughter, .lennie G., who was born in 
Ingham County. Mich., November 13, 187.5, and is 
at present a student in the Niles schools. 



Jl ^ HJAM SCOV'ILL, a successful business man 

and representative citizen of Dowagiac, 
Cass County, Mich., occupied the Mayoral 
chair of the city for several ternis, and by 
his efficient administration of public affairs ma- 
terially advanced the interests of his home local- 
ity. He has also filled with ability other positions 
of trust, and as an official was distinguished for 
his straightforward course and upright character. 
Our subject is a practical harness-maker, and has 
for seveial years pros|)er()usly conducted a harness 



and saddlery business. Mr. Scovill was born in 
the university town of Ann Arbor, Jlich., Janu- 
ary 10, 1839, and was the youngest of seven chil- 
dren who gathered about the fireside of Hiram 
and Mary (Berdan) Scovill. The father was a na- 
tive of the Empire State and was reared and edu- 
cated in near the locality of his birth. He re- 
mained in New York until he had attained early 
manhood, wlien he journe3'ed to the then f.ar 
West and located in Micliigan in the pioneer days. 

The mother of our subject was Miss Berdan, a 
cousin of the renowned Col. Berdan. a military 
man of note among the sharp-shooters of the late 
Civil War. Col. Berdan was the inventor of tlie 
famous Berdan rifle. Mr. .Scovill came to J)o- 
wagiac when a young man, and worked at his 
trade as a journeyman for Daniel Lyie for a num- 
ber of years. After a time he went into the hai- 
ness business in partnership with Arthur Smith, 
and about 1884 bought out Mr. Smith, and has 
since that time carried on the business by liiinseH'. 
In all public affairs and matters of mutual welfare 
our subject is liberal and enterprising, and can be 
relied upon to lend a helping hand. He was for 
maii^' years one of the Trustees of the town, and 
since Dowagiac has been incorporated as a city has 
seived a term as Alderman. His election to liie 
office of Maj'or, and his subsequent return twice 
to the honored and influential jjosition, clearly 
indicate the firm hold Mr. Scovill has upon the 
esteem and confidence of his fellow-townsmen. 

Fraternally, our subject is a leading member <»f 
Peninsular Lodge No. 214, A. F. <fe A. M., and is 
now Master of the lodge, at present serving his 
eighth term in that capacity. The estimable wife 
of our subject, to whom he was united in inar- 
rsage .January 1 1, 1860, was Miss Elvira Andrews, 
of Waterford, Wayne County, Mich. She was a 
daughter of Perry Andrews, an old resident of 
Wayue County. Mr. and Mrs. Scovill are the 
parents of two sons. The elder, Hiram Milton 
Scovill, is now a resident of Detroit, and is en- 
gaged .as Yard master at the Detroit Central Yards. 
Harry Perry Scovill is connected in business re- 
lations witli the Chicago ife Rock Island Railroad. 
Among the other leading enterprises of Cass Coun- 
ty is the Dowagiac Inioii Fair Association, of 



PORTRAIT AND BILKER APHICAL RECORD. 



483 



wliifli Mr. Scovill lias been President three terms. 
Aside from Ills ollii-r duties, socijil and fiateinal. 
oiir siibjeet has been actively interested in all mat- 
ters of local politics, and, a stanch Hepuliliean, 
has ably represented his friends and neighbors as 
a delegate to State and county conventions. 



AMES lll-:i)L)(,)N. cdilur df the Dowagiac 
Times, was born in the (icnesce Nidley, 
N. Y., August 28, 1 «!.">. lie has been a 
^_ resident of Dowagiac for more than thirty- 
three years, and dining that time has followed 
various lines of business — telegraph operator, shoe- 
maker, dancing-teacher, bee-keeper, editor, and 
has also served as ^[ayor of the cit3'. Although 
an agnostic and a strong admirer of Ingersoll, 
llaeckel and Herbert .S|)encer, he has held the po- 
sitidu of Superintendent of the I'niversalist Sun- 
day-school. Throughout .Vmerica and the Old 
Worl'l he is well known as a successful bee-keeper, 
apiciilturai teacher and writer for bee journals, as 
well as an inventor of apiarian apparatus, more 
of his inventions Ix-ing now in use than those of 
any utlier inventor in that line. 

'i'hroughoul his entue life Mr. lleddon has been 
i-haraclerized l)y an intense love of learning, in 
boyhood his thir>t for knowledge being very no- 
ticeable. In stature he is below tlieaverage height, 
while his form is slight, lie is of an extremely 
nervous tcnipcraiiicnl. and nicnt.-iily is exccption- 
all\' gifted. When speaking on his favorite sub- 
ject in bee conventions he is unconunonly vigor- 
ous; his sentences arc always to the point, ami 
his ligures and illustrations aie often irresistible. 
He has the powei' of holding Ills audiences si)ell- 
lionnd by his ibupience and earnestness. The 
same forcible style characteristic of his addresses 
pervades his wiitings.as those who have re.ad them 

CMU tCStif\. 

To many men tlic door of a delightful life has 
been oiiened by a beautiful girl, and such has cer- 
tainly been the experience of .Mr. Ilcddon, who 
on the l:Uh of Febriuir\-. \>iCt'J. was united in 



marriage with Miss Kva Hastings. Not only has 
she provided him with one of the happiest homes, 
but she also led him into apiculture. For oiu' 
year .Mr. lleddon was under the instruction of her 
father, Charles Hastings, and it was during that 
time that lie met the lady who afterward became 
his wife, and also became enthused on the subject 
of bee-culture. In former years Mr. lleddon made 
a specialty of honey production, but lately he has 
devoted more of his personal attention to pub- 
lishing the Dowagiac Times and to electricity, he 
being one of the owners of the Dowagiac Electric 
Plant. He has accumulated a competency from 
the culture of bees, and his present ca|)ital he 
credits almost entirely to the production of honey. 
Tlnxiugh his invention of what is known as the 
"Heddon" hi\e he has gained an extended repu- 
tation. 

Speaking of Mr. Heddon 's hive, the Rev. I,. I,. 
Langstoth, the most famous apiarist and apicul- 
tural inventor in the world, says: '• When 1 
saw bees handled in Heddon 's hives, and could 
handle them myself, all my favorable preposses- 
sions were conlirmed, and I thought, in justice to 
Mr. He<ldon and the pulilic, I ought to put this 
upon record by writing to some of my bee-keep- 
ing friends. I did so. I would not be afraid to 
risk my reputation for sound judgment in de- 
claring the great value of the forward step which 
he has taken, even if I did not know that my 
opinion accorded so well with the experience 
of many who have had the opportunity to put 
the system to the test of years of practical n.se." 
Ml', lleddon h;is always practiced the principles 
of breeding bees with great success; has crossed 
two valuable races, and l)v selection secured a 
strain with the excellencies of the original races 
without their undesirable (lualities. 

Since 1887 Mr. Iledilon has owned and edited 
the Dowagiac Times, and lias greatly improved 
the pa|ier, which is now recognized as one of the 
promindil Democratic newspapers in southern 
.Michigan. He is well adapted to new>paper work 
on account of his great diversity of knowledge. 
During his administration as Mayor of the city, 
the waterworks and electric light plants were put 
in. and many other impr()\eiiients made. He has 



484 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



always been foremost in every enterprise tliat 
pertains to the growth and development of Do- 
wagiae. Me is one of the enterprising citizens of 
Dowagiac, whose pusli aided in maivihg it one of 
tiie most progressive cities of Michigan. A great 
admirer of poetry, Mr. fleddon's favorite authors 
are Tennyson and Ella Wheeler Wilcox. Although 
he started poor in tins world's goods and enjoyed 
limited educational advantages, his boundless en- 
ergy, strict integrity and generosity have contrib- 
uted to his success and secured for him a host of 
acquaintances and friends. 

Mr. and Mrs. Ileddon have three children, two 
sons and one daughter. The eldest. Will, was 
married to Miss Dollie Barney in November, 1892, 
and is tlie secretary and electrician of the Do- 
wagiac Oas and Electric Company. He has also 
made several balloon ascensions, The daughter is 
nineteen years old and unmarried. Charles, the 
youngest, is pursuing the study of law. 



•J'=<'^=* 




[•^* 



^ ETER STREHLE, Secretary of the Three 
Oaks Exchange Company, was born in 
Bavaria, Germany, March 5, 1841, and is 
the son of Joseph and Theresa ( Oeng) 
Sirehle. His father was born in Bavaria in 1802, 
and in his youth learned the trade of a cooper, 
which had also been the occupation of his father, 
Peter. He married the daughter of Xavier Deng, 
a blacksmith in the Old Country, and in 1852, ac- 
companied by his wife and three children, emi- 
grated to the United States. After a sojourn of 
four months in Detroit, Mich., he came to Berrien 
County and settled on a farm in Three Oaks Town- 
slii)), on section 3. After clearing the land, he 
|)urcliased other property on section 9, and gradu- 
ally acquired the ownership of an extensive and 
valuable estate. 

Upon the old homestead Joseph Strehle resided 
until his death, which occurred November 12, 1883, 
at the age of eight\-oue years, nine months and 
six days. His wife, who was born in Nesselwang, 



Bavaria, Germany, July 9, 1812, died at her home 
in Three Oaks, December 22, 1889, aged seventy- 
seven years. This worthy couple were devoted 
members of the Catholic Church and took a deep 
interest in the progress and growth of that denom- 
ination. They were the parents of three childieii : 
our subject, Alphonso and John N. As pioneers of 
Berrien County, they labored indefatigably to pro- 
mote the welfare of their comnuinity and exiier- 
ienced the usual hardships incident to life in a 
newly-settled country. Politically, Mr. Strehle was 
a Democrat during the early years of his residence 
in America, but at the commencement of the Civil 
War he became a Republican and ever afterward 
voted the ticket of that partj*. His land was lo- 
cated on sections 3 and 9, and comprised fifty-six 
acres. 

At the time the family came to the United States, 
Peter Strehle was a lad of eleven years, and he af- 
terward devoted his attention to the work of clear- 
ing the home farm. He had received some educa- 
tional advantages while in German^', but coming 
to Michigan he was unable to attend school but a 
few months, so that his education has been acquired 
principally through experience and observation. 
In 1864 he was united in marriage with Miss 
Adelia, the daughter oC John Alexander. She be- 
came the mother of three children and died on the 
24th of March, 1871. The children are: Alma, the 
wife of Ivolla Tabei , a conductor on the Interna- 
tional & (iieat Northern Railroad, her home being 
in (iaiveston, Tex.; Louise, who is the wife of W. 
S. Whitehead, a druggist of Boise City, Idaho; and 
Joseph, who is a coojjcr by trade and lives in (!al- 
veston, Tex. 

After his marriage, our subject located on sec- 
tion 33, Three Oaks Townshi|), where he eng.aged 
in farming for two years, and also carried on an 
extensive lumber business. In 1870 he removed 
to Chase County, Kan., and located in Bazaar, 
where he engaged in the general mercantile business 
for about ten months. From that State he returned 
to Three Oaks, and here engaged in the grocery 
business for fourteen years, after which he took II. 
L. Hess into the firm and added a stock of dry 
goods to the store. In 1889 he retired from the 
mercantile business, and since that time has spent 



PORTKAri AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



487 



liis time principally in lootiiiii,' aftor his farming 
interesls. He owns on section 24, ('liicl<amung 
Townsiiip. l')Cii'it'n County, a tine farm consisting 
of one liundred and sixt\' acres, and lias alioiil one 
hundred acres c-leared, wiiere he engages m the 
raising of grain and live stock. 

The lady who on the 24lh of March, 1H73, be- 
came the wife of our subject was formerly Miss 
Hlioda A. Henson. She w;is l)orn in Hudson Town- 
ship, La I'orle County, Ind., where she was reared 
ami educated. Her father, Roland Uenson, was 
born May 22, 18()«, and became one of the earliest 
settlers of La Porte County, Ind., whither he re- 
n)oved from Livingston County, X. Y. He became 
a prominent farmer of La I'orle County and resided 
there until his death, which occurred on the 2!)lli 
of July, IKOl. His wife, whose maiden name was 
Bessie Coweus, was born October 20, lf<20, and 
died .Jiil^' .'i, 1848, leaving three children, of wlioin 
Mrs. fSlrelile is now the only survivor. Mr. Henson 
w;is afterward again married, becoming the father 
of three children, two now living. One of Mrs. 
Slrehle's brothers, Jesse Benson, enlisted in the 
Union army during the late war and died at West 
Point, Ky., in 18(;i. 

The Benson family was originally from \'ermont. 
The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Strehle, Roland 
Benson, removed from the (ireen Mountain State 
to Livingston County, N. Y., but afterward came 
to Micliigaii ;ind settled near Niles, becoming one 
of the earliest settlers of that part of the State. 
Afterward he went to Indiana and from there to 
Illinois, where he died in 1850, at the age of sev- 
enty-five years, having been born May IH, 1775. 
He possessed the sterling traits of character of the 
(ireen Mountain boys, as did also his .son, the 
father of Mrs. Strehle. 

Politically a Republican, Mr. Strehle is now serv- 
ing as \illage Assessor and as member of the Board 
of Education. He was I'resident of the Village 
Board for five terms and a member of the Common 
Council for a number of years. He w.as also a 
Supervisor for two years, and has been Treasurer 
of the township for about seven 3'ears. In 1880 
and 1890 he took the census for Three Oaks Town- 
siiip. Socially, he is identified with Lodge No. 44, 
1. O. O. v., at Three Oaks, of which he is Past 



Grand. He was a member of the Catholic Church 
until 1880, when he united with the Congrega- 
tional Church and has since been one of the most 
earnest workers in that denomination. He takes 
an .active interest in the affairs of church and Sun- 
day-school, being a teacher in the latter. The 
comfortable residence he and his wife now occupy 
was erected under his i)ersonal super\ision in 1874 
and is an attractive and cozy abode. 



=^^+^P=- 




HADDECS HAMPTON. The Slate of New 
York has contributed to Michigan many 
prominent citizens, who have done much 
toward the development of the State. Among 
these we cLass the oentlenian whose name heads 
this sketch. Our subject was born in C.ayuga 
County, N. Y., March 17, 181 7, and his father, An- 
drew Hampton, was born in Cimnecticut in 1780. 
The paternal grandparents, .John and Martha 
Hampton, were born In 1752 and 1751, respectively, 
were Quakers in religion, and of Scotch descent. 
Andrew Hampton was married October 1, 1807, to 
Mary Finch, who was born in Connecticut, Novem- 
ber 30, 1787, daughter of Thaddeus Finch. The 
Finch ancestors originated in England, and a belief 
has been current that a fortune w.as left to the de- 
I scendants in America, but the scarcity of records 
I rendered futile the effort to trace the lineage back to 
the fortune. 

Andrew and Jlary ( Fincli)IIampton were parents 
of twelve children, two of whom died in infancy; 
ten grew to maturity, and six are still living. The 
father, when a young man, was bound to a seven- 
years apprenticeship to the tailor's trade, and his 
indenture of servitude is i)reserved in the family 
.as a memento. This trade not .agreeing with him, 
he soon after his marriage .settled in Cayuga 
Countj', N. Y., where he engaged in farming until 
1819, when, inHuenced by agents of the Poultney 
estate, which embraced a large tract in western 
New Y'ork, he sold out and moved to what is now 
Livingston County, where he piirchased a piece of 
wild land, built a log cabin and began to improve 
[ his possessions. 



488 



PORTRAIT AND BlOtUiAPHlCAL RECORD. 



The first event in the memory of young Thad- 
deus was seeint; liis father littodout with knapsack 
and llirce days' provisions for a journey on foot 
of tliirt}- miles to Geneva, to make the annual 
payment on homes for himself and neighbors. But 
the little clearing was not productive of a surplus, 
and in time the payments grew less, and tinally 
ceased. Then tlie home was given up, wilh but 
little return for tlie '•l)etterments." In the struggle 
for a living which followed, it became necessary 
for the older children to go out to service, and 
our subject's first contribution to the family sup- 
port was a York shilling, a day's wages for riding 
a sharp-backed horse, witli the accustomed sheep- 
skin mounting, cultivating corn on stumpy ground. 
It was a painful beginning. 

The father remained poor and died in 1845. 
The faithful mother lived to see her ten children 
grow up to cxemi)lify the spirit of her teachings, 
and, hale and active at eiohty-five, she died from 
the effects of a broken hip bone, September 9, 1872. 
At the age t)f fifteen, Thaddeus learned the trade 
of wool-carding and cloth-dressing in a shop that 
he had often freciuented, being surprised by an 
offer of $5 a month instead of the usual tedious 
apprenticeship. This trade he followed until 
twenty j'ears old.and then gladly accepted an offer 
of ^240 for a year in a new woolen f.actory. 

During this engagement he lost not a day's time 
nor collected a cent of p.av until after his time had 
expired. At twenty-one he rented, for a year, the 
shop where his trade was learned, which was success- 
ful, and his father having given him his time when 
eighteen, he now found his savings amounted to 
over $.500. The district school facilities enjoyed 
did not meet his desires, and he decided to devote 
his savings to a better education. He accordingl}- 
became a student in the Genesee Wesleyan Semi- 
nary at Lima, and Temple Hill Academy at Gene- 
seo for nearly five years, teaching school at inter- 
\ Ills to help defray expenses. 

In 1844, Mr. Hampton came to Michigan, visiting 
relatives in Lenawee County. He taught through 
the summer at Clinton, and the next winter con- 
ducted the higher department in the public school 
in .lonesville. From there he went toOttawa, 111,, 
in 1845, and taught a jirivate school about six 



years. In 1852, with the avails of this school, 
he bought the Cunslitutionalist newspaper office, 
changed the name to OtUura Bepvhlican, which he 
conducted with good financial success until 18(11, 
when he sold out and engaged in the real-estate 
business in Chicago and afterwards in Michigan. 
This business was successful until the tinaiu-ial 
crisis of 1873, when, through placing too much 
confidence in otiieis, his accumulations vanished, 
and he was confronted with depreciated real estate 
returned on his hands, with unpaid back taxes and 
many debts to settle. In tliis strait he did not 
repudiate nor despair, but procured extensions, and 
by years of close management he had the fortune 
to see everj' debt paid, with interest sometimes 
amounting to as much as the principal. By per- 
severance he has partially recovered from his 
losses. 

In 18()8 our subject came to Michigan, and in 
1870 settled in Dowagiac, where he lived about 
seven years. Next he went to Glenwood to care 
for property there, and is now (1893) develo|iing 
a large stock farm, a part of it wet lands, which he 
hopes by tile draining to make highly productive, 
more for the satisfaction of seeing the change than 
the prospect of profits. 

Mr. Hampton was married November 19. 18o(!, 
to Mary L, Phipiien, a native of Lynn, Mass,, and a 
j daughter of Rev, George Phippen. then of Canton, 
Conn, .She wasa lady of culture and refinement ami 
an exemplary Christian of the liaptisl persuasion, 
.She died February 7, 1862, leaving to the father's 
care two little boys: Herbert M,. now a merchant 
at (Jlenwood; and William II, , who died July 19- 
1890. He lived single until October 20, 1873. 
when he married Miss Gertrude R. Reshore, who 
was born in New Haven, Ohio, March 8, 184t;, 
a daughter of Louis and Jlarlha ( Lisle) Reshore, 
the father a native of Paris, France, the mother vf 
Sandusky, Ohio. They had two children, of 
whom only Mis. Hampton is living. She was 
educated mainly in the Dowagiac public school, and 
subse(|Ueiitl\ was engaged in teaching at Albion, 
Ind,, and Dowagiac, Mich,, until her marriage. 
Of this union were bf)rn four children, Robert 
Louis. Charles Francis, Thaddeus Lisle and Lucy 
Grace, who are all liyinu. In religious belief 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



■489 



Mis. Ihuiiptuii is a liaptisl ami is widely known as 
an iiil('llii;ciil iironiotor of practical C'liristiaiiitv. 
Mr. Hampton '.s belief is, "Prove all things; liolfl 
fast that which is good." They are ht)th advo- 
cates of temperance. Mr. Hampton never drank 
a glass of li(|Uoi at a liar, and he and his sons ab- 
stain fiom strong drink and tobacco in any form, 
licith hnsband and wife believe in the enforcement 
of industry and sobriety as a preventive of crime 
and dependence, instead of punishment afterward, 
which does not [irevent. 

In polities Mr. Hampton was a Whig and gave 
his first Presidential vote to \V. H. Harrison. He 
is strongly' in favor of protection to .\nierican 
industry, lit) was in at the beginning of the Re- 
publican party and was seeietary of the large 
mass-meeting held at Ottawa that inaugurated the 
l)arty in Illiufits. Though not desirous of holding 
olliee, he takes an .active interest in all the meas- 
ures he deems best for the public good. 

On .September 10, 1888, while walking on the 
railroad track in (Tlenvvoo(J. he was struck by a 
freight engine and w.as so terribly injured that for 
weeks recovery seemed impossible, but a strong 
constitution, skilled physicians, and especially the 
constant watchfulness of his devoted wife, finally 
prevailed, and now, at the age of seventy-six, he 
apparently has a lease of several years more of 
usefulness. 



'"^O 



III j'jiIC'HAKD \'. CLARK, an enterprising early 
settler and successful general agriculturist 
of liuchanan Township. IJerrien County, 
^^P Mich., and a prominent member of the Kx- 
ocutive Committee of the Pioneers' Association, 
was born in Wayne County, Ohio, May 2o, 1841. 
Our subject was the second m a family of seven 
children born unto George and .lane (Nairn) Clark, 
long-time and highly respected residents of Wayne 
County. The father was a native of the Buckeye 
Stale, and was born in Columbiana County in 1811. 
The mother's birthplace was in far-olT Scotland. 



and the year of her ii.ativily 181(i. The paternal 
grandfather, (ieorge Clark, was born in \'irginia, 
and, a man of spirit and courage, served with gal- 
lantry in the War of 1812. The Claiks were of 
the K. K. Vs.. having emigrated from Kngland in 
an early day in Colonial history and settie(i in 
Virginia, where they oceui)ied positions of useful- 
ness and inlluence. The maternal grandfather, 
Alexander Nairn, and his gofxl wife spent their 
entire lives in Scotland. Two of their sons, Will- 
iam and Duncan, came to America in 18.32 and 
linally located in Ohio. Jane Nairn was sixteen 
years old and abonnie lassie from the Scotch High- 
lands when she made her home here, a stranger in 
a strange lanil. \\'illiam Nairn never married and 
died after some years at the residence »( his sister 
and brother-in-law, George Clark. Duncan mar- 
ried and died in Medina County, Ohio, leavingno 
children. 

The father of our subject leftColumbiana County 
in 184;') and located upon one hundred and sixty 
acres of land in \\'ayne Coiiiily which had been 
given him by his father, and which he cultivated 
until his death, in 187(>. The old Columbiana 
County home sheltered ten liapjiy children. The 
brothers and sisters who once clustered about the 
family hearth of the paternal grandfather were: 
Alexander, who died in Ohio; .Stephen, who en- 
gaged in the milling business, and passed away in 
Ohio; Kleanor, who married Abner Fisher, and died 
in Ohio; Lydia, who married Levi Brothers, and 
also died some years ago in Ohio. Kli/abeth, de- 
ceased; George, lather of our subject; Diana, wife 
of James Hannams, a resident of Iowa, in which 
State she died; Fannie, wife of James (iilson, de- 
ceased; Richard Y., a citizen of Oskaloosa, Iowa; 
and Perry, who makes his home upon the old home- 
stead in Columbiana County. George and Jane 
(Nairn) Clark reared three children: Richard \'.; 
Hannah, Mrs. James II. Garnett, residing in Mc- 
Minnville.Tenn.; and Jane L., wifeof .1. P.. Stratlon, 
living in Kansas City. Having walked Iran.piilly 
together side by side many years, the parents were 
not long divided by death. The mother p.a.ssed 
away February 4, 187G, sixty-one years of age, 
and the father died the same year, aged sixty-five 
years. Honored aiul beloxeil b\- all who knew 



490 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



them, they entered into rest in the early evening 
of their a^e. 

Our subject was educated in tlie common schools 
of liis native county, and also enjoyed instruction 
in Canaan Academy for two j'ears, and for one 
year pursued the higher studies at Bit. Union Col- 
lege, Ohio, finally receiving a six-months course in 
Oljerlin. In 1867, Mr. Clark was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Loui-sa Helmicic, daughter of a 
well-known and prominent resident of Michigan. 
In 1868 our subject and his estimable wife located 
on a ninety-acre farm given ]\Irs. Clark by her 
father. Mr. Clark had arrived in ^Michigan in 
1864, .and for two years prior to, and one year 
subsequent to, his marriage had successfully taught 
school, a portion of the time in Troy, and from 
1868 for thirteen consecutive years jjroHtably com- 
bined the duties of an instructor a.n(\ farmer. The 
originall}- unimproved acreage has been increased, 
and since 1881, devoting his time and attention 
entirely to its culture, our subject has achieved 
most satisfactory results, having brought up to a ; 
high state of productiveness one hundred acres of 
valuable land. Mr. and Mrs. Clark have welcomed 
to their hearts and home eleven children, but three 
of whom now survive. Elmer is with his parents; j 
Edith E. is the wife of Charles Shell, of Sodus 
Township; Richard D. is the youngest livingchild. 
The father of Mrs. Clark was a prominent member 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Berrien 
tiprings, and the mother was the thirteenth mem- 
ber enrolled. Mr. and Mrs. Helmick joined that 
religious organization at the same time, and were 
ever faithful and consistent Christians and work- j 
ers in the cause of religion. Mrs. Clark is also a I 
member of the Oionoko Methodist Episcopal 
Church of Mt. Tabor, (irange Hall. Our subject 
and his wife are likewise members of the Grange, 
and participate in all the social and business gath- 
erings of that fratcinal association. From his 
earliest residence in Berrien County Mr. Clark has 
Ijeen prominently identified with the progressive 
interests and rapid advancement vt his locality, 
and, ever ready to assist in all matters of mutual 
welfare, is esteemed a liberal-spirited citizen, and 
together witii his wife enjoys the confidence of a 
host of friends. As Highwav Commissioner he 



has given excellent service to the township, and 

for two terms efliciently discharged the duties of 
the i)osition to the satisfaction of the entire com- 
munity by whom he is suriounded. 







ARON JOHNSON. Among the fruit farms 
@/lJ| of Berrien County prominent mention 
belongs to that owned and cultivated l)y 
Mr. Johnson and located on section 'M, 
St. Joseph Township. It consists of twenty-four 
acres, upon which the owner has set out fruit 
trees of every variety. He engages in raising 
peaches, jiears, apples, etc., and also finds the berry 
industry a proMtable one and pays special atten- 
tion to strawberries and raspberries. 

The parents of our subject. Nelson and Sarali 
Johnson, were natives of Sweden, where their son 
Aaron -was born in September, 1841. He was 
reared in his native land and there married Miss 
Charlotte Guslafson, whose father was a farmer of 
Sweden. Seven children were born of this unidii, 
namel}': Charles T., of whom further mention is 
made in the lines below; John A., of Cliicago; 
Fred, who resides in Minnesota; Ida, who lives in 
St. Joseph; Johanna, Emma and Amanda, who are 
at home with their father. 

On the 9th of May, 1880, .accomi)aiiic(l by his 
family, Mr. Johnson emigrated to the United 
States, and after landing proceeded directly to 
Berrien County and located in St. Joseph Town- 
ship. Two years later he purchased the place 
where he now resides. In his political views he 
has affiliated with the Republican party ever since 
becoming a citizen of tlie United States. He is a 
strong advocate of temperance and gives to that 
cau.se his stanch support. He and his wife belong 
to the Baptist Church and are people of true no- 
bilit\' of character and piet>-. 

Charles T. Johnson, the eldest son of our sub- 
ject, was born in Sweden March 31, 1866. He was 
reaicd on his father's farm in the Old Country, 
whence in 188U he accom|)anied the other nieni- 
bei^of the family to America. Settling in Berrien 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



491 



Coimly. he cinhMrUccl in t'armiiiji piiiMiits, slarting 
out ill life on his own ;ioc!oniit at the early age of 
liftccn. lie was industrions and energetic, and his 
efforts iiave been erowned with considerable sue- 
eess. \Vh('n ready to eslahiish a home of his own 
lie was married, on the 18th of April, DS'.IO, to 
Miss \'ilamin;i, daughter of Alfred Stark, and a na- 
tive of Sweden, having been brought to this coun- 
try at the age of three years. 

After his ni;nriage Charles 'J'. .lohnson located 
on the place where lie now resides and which he 
purchased in 1.S.S7. Here he owns ten acres of 
fruit land, of which eight acres are set out in pears 
and the remainder in grapes and peaches. Me 
linds the pear industry a leinunerative one, and 
during the \ I'ar ISDl r.aised fifteen liim died bushels 
of pea;sfrom his eight acres, wliicli averaged about 
¥l.."iii per liusliel. it will thus be seen that he has 
made of lii-^ business a success, and as as he is still 
on the sunny side of life it is probable that in the 
future even greater prosperity will reward his la- 
bors. Me and his wife are the parents of two chil- 
dren. Marry and Clarence. In his religious views 
he IS a member of the First Congregational Church 
at St. .loseph. Politically, he atfiliatcs with the 
Republican party. 



'^^m^^mm^^-^ 




OHITZ SEYDELL, a prosperous resident 
1 of Heirien County, and the owner of a 



fruit farm on section 10, St. Joseph Town- 
ship, was born in Potsdam, Prussia, Ger- 
many, on the loth of August, 1840. Me is of 
(u'linan parentage, and belongs to a family whose 
members through many generations have been 
identified witii tiie growth and development of 
the Fatherland. Frederick William Seydell, the 
father of our subject, was anotticer in the engineer 
cor|)s of the Prussian Army and w.as killed in the 
Revolution of 1848, his widow dying of grief six 
months afterward. 

A lad of nin<' 3'ears when orph.-ined by his 
mother's death, M(nitz Seydell w.-is afterward sent 
to the military school in Potsd.-im, Prus^ia, where 



he remained until sixteen years of age. meanwhile 
availing himself of the excellent oppoitunities for 
ac(piiring a |iractical (iermaii education. From 
Prussia he went to Sweden, thence to England, 
and later to ( Jermany. In 1860 he emigrated to 
.\meiica, and coming West to Chicago, located in 
that city, where he secured a position as teacher 
of gymnastics in a (ierman school. In 1868 he 
resigned that position in order to accept the place 
of Assistant Superintendent of the Chicago Re- 
form School. Ten years later he opened a dry- 
goods store and conducted a successful mercantile 
business, gaining special note as a designer of pat- 
terns for fine silks, curtains, linens, etc. 

In Chicago, in 1867, Mr. .Seydell was united in 
marriage with Miss Matilda Probsthan, a native of 
Germany, who emigrated to the United States at 
the age of sixteen years, and settled in Chicago 
about 18.56. Her father, Adelbert Probsthan, is 
deceased. Mer mother, whose maiden name was 
Margaret Gill, makes her home with Mrs. Seidell. 
Our subject and his wife were the parents of six 
children, three of whom are living, viz.: Adelbert, 
Ernest and \\'illiam, all of whom are at home. 
The others died in infancy. 

Removing from Chicago in the fall of 18;)2, Mr. 
Seydell came to Beriien County and settled on 
section 10, St. Joseph Township. In addition to 
this property, which consists of twenty acres, he is 
the owner of five acres in another part of the 
same township. Ten acres have been planted to 
fruits, and although he has not realized a crop, 
there is no doubt but that the farm will prove a 
very profitable investment. Since coining here, 
he has erected a number of substantial buildings, 
suitable to their various purposes, and the place is 
one of the most attractive rural abodes in the vi- 
cinit}'. 

Although of foreign birth, no native-born t ili- 
zen of the United States is more patriotic than Mr. 
Seydell. Me maintains an intelligent interest in 
all matters perUiining to the welfare of the people 
of this community, and is a firm advocate of the 
[irinciples of the Republican p.aity. l-'or mure 
than a (piarter of a century, he was identified 
with Keystone Lodge, A. F. A' A. .M.. :it Chicago, 
and has always taken an inteiest in the fr.-iteriiitv. 



492 



PORTRAIT AND 1510GRAP1IICAL RECORD. 




HOMAS T. HIGGINS, a representative agii- 
cultiii ist of Jefferson Township, Cass Conn ty. 



Mich., is a native of Indiana, and was born 
in Uandolpli County Febiiiaiy 10, 1844. Our 
subject is tlie son of .James T. and JMary A. (Ilig- 
gins) Higgins, pioneer settlers of llie West. The 
l)aleiual grandfather was born in Burlington 
County, N. J., and was the son of .Joseph Hig- 
gins, a native of Ireland, who came to the United 
States in Colonial days and bravely served in tiie 
AVar of the Revolution. He long made his home 
in New .Jersey and died within the borders of that 
State. He became an extensive laud-owner, pos- 
sessing seven hundred valuable acres on the Am- 
boy River. This great-grandfather of our subject 
reared a family of five sons and three daughters. 
The paternal grandfather also served in the AVar 
of the Revolution, giving his time as a teamster. 
While yet a young man he located in Delaware, 
and there died at the age of four-score and seven 
years. His good wife, Margaret Wiight, emigrated 
from England with her parents, who were inem- 
bers of the Quaker sect, and settled in New .Jersey, 
where tlie father. Dr. Wright, enjoyed a large .and 
successful practice. 

James T. Higgins, the father of our subject, was 
born in AVilmington, Del., August 22, 1807. At 
twent3-two years of age he began carr3ing the 
mail from Newcastle to Ft. Delaware. He con- 
tinued in his duties as official carrier until 1830, 
when he was employed by Joseph Canon in build- 
ing the Newcastle <fe Chesapeake Railway. In 18.50 
lie journeyed to Wayne County. Ind., and farmed 
upon rented land for one year. At the end of the 
twelvemonth he located in Randolph County, 
where he entered and cleared eighty acres of Gov- 
ernment land. He afterward added eighty acres 
more to the homestead, and was a hard-working 
and upright man. In early life he was a Demo- 
crat, and after the Jackson administration a Whig, 
until toward the close of his life he became a Re- 
publican in sentiment. He was, however, broad 
and liberal in his ideas and gave his vote usually 
for the best man regardless of party. During 
his youth he was a member of tlie Christian Church. 
He was twice married, his (list wife being the 
Hjolher of Tliomas T. She was Ijorn in Burling- 



ton County, N. J., and was the daughter of Will- 
iam Higgins, a cousin of our subject. 

James T. and Mary A. Higgins were the parents 
of eight children. Theii three sons were Thonia.-, 
the eldest-born; Amos, who died in prison at Ma- 
con, 'ia., having been captured at Pittsliurg Land- 
ing; and Geoigc, the youngest. Tlie daughters in 
their order of birth were Sarah Rockhill, deceased; 
Mary Ilass; Elizabetii Hess, deceased; Emily Hess, 
who died in Missouri; and Catherine Westfall. The 
mother died in June, 1872, aged fifty-nine years. 
She was a devoted member of IheChristian Church, 
and had been a resident of La Grange Township, 
Cass County, since 1853. Thomas T. Higgins, 
born and reared on the homestead of his jiarents, 
attended the schools of the district and gained a 
common-school education, and by careful stud\- 
and reading has become well posted in the leading 
topics of the day. At eighteen years of age he 
started out in life for himself, working on his own 
.account upon his father's farm. At nineteen years 
of age he married, and afterward at first farmed 
upon rented land, but soon bought a fort^-acre 
farm, which he brought up to a high state of cul- 
tivation. Prospering, he has added to his original 
homestead and now owns two hundred acres of 
valuable land, a portion of which is yet unim- 
proved. 

Mr. Higgins was united in marriage with Miss 
Caroline Ralhbun July 4. I8G7. Mrs. Higgins is 
a daughter of Lucius and Sarah (Glick) Rathliuii. 
The father was born in Rhode Island, and the 
mother in Clarke County, Ohio. In very early 
days Mr. Rathbun resided in New York, but in 
1820 settled in Ohio. In 1842 they |)crinaneiitly 
located in Cass Count}-, Mich., journeying hither 
slowly by wagon. Mr. Rathbun bought one liuii- 
dred and sixty acres of land and lived upon the 
homestead until Ins death, in 187.5, at the .age of 
seventy-five 3eais. In early manhood he was a 
Whig, but later joined tlie ranks of the Republican 
party. He was connected with the Christian Church, 
and was a man of sterling integrity. Twice mar- 
ried, lie was first united with Miss Rhoda Gillette, 
who bore him eleven I'hildren. eightsonsand three 
daughters. His second wife became the mother of 
seven children, i\ve sons and two daughters. Five 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL RECORD 



403 



of tlio family liviil to iii:itiiro ycnis. LiR-ius Katli- 
biin wasascm of .loiiatlian Ivatlilmii. horn in Rhode 
Inland in ISltO. and «as a farmer hy occupation. 
( iranilfalhci (ilicl< served in the War of ISl'i and 
died at an advanced age. lie was of (ierman an- 
cestry. ( )iir subject and his estimable wi(e have 
been bU'SM'(l by the birth t_if live children: .1. I'., 
Fhirence May. Claud II., Leila Ada and Maud 
j'llsie. Mr. Iligyins is well known in Cass County, 
and is hii;lily esteemed as a friend and citizen. 
He has with al)le fidelity occupied positions of 
Irn.-t. and w;is Deputy State Insiiector of Oils, serv- 
in<j for two years under <Tf)v. Luce. In political 
alfiliation, our subject is a Republican, deeply in- 
terested in both local and national atl'airs. 



•^ 



^>-^^<i 



ny^ 



"^, ON. WILLIAM .V. l'..VKHR. M. 1). U is a 
well-established fact that a man of uatiual 
ability, if possessed of integritj- and en- 
ei-ify, can accomplish almost any given pur- 
lio.se in life. Every dav furnishes examples of 
men who commence a business career empty- 
lianded, and in a lirief period of time accumulate 
consider.ible foiltuie. 

Dr. liakiu' was born in Wayne County. Ohio, at 
New Pittsburgh, March 17, IMl;'), and is the son 
of .lames F. Baker, who was born in (irafton, W. 
\'a.. in 180'.), .James ISaker was a tailor by occu- 
pation, and when twenty-one year.s of age went to 
Wayne County, Ohio, on horseback. He wasaCap- 
tain of State militia and an Abolitionist, He 
died in Ohio in 18.J0, leaving a widow and five 
childien, namely: Klizabeth Nicely, now deceased; 
Rebecca J. Warner, of Kansas; Alartlia .T. Welcher, 
of I'ittsford, Mich.; Williani A.; and Marietta V. 
Stevic, of Pittsford. The mother of this family 
of children was born near Canton, Ohio, in IHlll, 
to the Hon. John Hull, a pioneer of Ohio, and 
a prominent man in the vicinity where he resided. 
He erected the first hotel in Ashland, Ohio, and 
did much toward the progress of that town, lie 
died in Sandusky County, ()hio, since llieCi\il 
War, at the great age of ninety years. The nioilicr 



of our subject, who later married Daniel Kii)linger. 
a farmer, bore him one daughter, Mrs, A. L. 
Swartz, and died in the summer of 1888, During 
her lifetime she worked faithfully in the interests 
of the Methodist Church. 

AVhcn ten years of age. Dr. liaker was bound 
out for eleven years, but when the war broke out 
he enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and 
Second Ohio Infantry, .as a private, .\fter reach- 
ing Kentucky he was rejected by the Inited States 
mustering oflicer on account of his size, but he re- 
enlisted August 10, 18(;i. in Company K, One 
Hundred and Seventy-eighth Ohio Infantry. This 
time he was more successful, and was immediately 
made Corporal, distinguishing himself in the battles 
of Murfreesboro, and Kingston (N. ('.), and jiar- 
ticipating in twenty-three other engagements. He 
was discharged at Charlotte, N. C., July 1 1, 18(),"), 
and returned to Ohio, where he attended school at 
Canaan, .after which he began the study of medi- 
cine under Dr. James IL Wallace. Not being en- 
tirely satisfied, the young doctor tof)k a course of 
lectures at Ann .\rbor in 1867-(J8. and graduated 
in the Cla.ss of '70. After leaving college he 
Uicated at Coloma, Mich., where he has practiced 
ever since. In 1882 he graduated from Rush 
Medical College, and has also finished the courses 
of a number of other medical societies f)f minor 
importance. 

Our subject has served in various township 
offices, filling the office of .Justice of the Peace 
very creditably for tvvo years and .serving one 
term as Supervisor. In the fall of 1886, he was 
elected to the .State Legislature, and in 1888 w.is 
re-elected. Mis services became so well and favor- 
ably known, that in 188!) he was a candidate for 
Speaker, and also acted as Chairman of the Com- 
mittee on Ways and Means. The Doctor was Medi- 
cal Director of the (irand Army of the Republic 
in 18i)0, and at the present time is filling a like 
|)osition in the l". V. V. of the State. 

The honorable gentleman of whom we write was 
united in marriage to .Mice M. Clark, who was 
liorn ill Medina County. Ohio, to Daniel and 
.Martha (Zuver) Clark. The lirst-named parent 
was a pioiH'cr f;ii iiier of I'.crrien Coimly. and en- 
list<,vl in Company I, Twelfth .Michigan Infantry, 



494 



POx^TRAIT AND BlOGRAPmCAL RECORD. 



as Fife-Major of liis regiment. Soon after the 
battle of Shiloli, which is so well known in iiistoiy 
as one of the bloodiest contlicls of the war, he 
took sick from exposure and died. 

Our subject has four cliildien. .Jessie L. is 
a teacher in the Benton Harbor School, and a 
graduate of the college of that city. Allen W., 
wlio has been attending college and is now a uni- 
formed guide at tlie World's Exposition, is a 
young man of prominence and served as page in 
the State Legislature of 188i). The othei- two 
children bear the names of Inez W. and Dot, their 
names having been given them by the Woman's Re- 
lief Corps of the State. Mrs. Baker is a delegate to 
Indianapolis, and is a valuable and influential mem- 
ber of the society to which she belongs. The Doc- 
tor is an honored member of the Ancient Free it 
Accepted Masons and of the (irand Army of the 
Republic. He also has full membership witii the 
Knights of the Maccabees. Dr. Baker not only 
meets all his obligations as a physician, but is an 
extensive dealer in real estate and owns a valua- 
ble farm of one hundred and twenty-two acres 
(which is devoted particularl}' to the breeding of 
fast horses) and twenty-two acres platted in vil- 
lage lots in Coloma. As a successful physician, 
Dr. Baker has won an enviable reputation, and is 
accorded high esteem and confidence in this com- 
nuinil V. 



^^r^AH>:SlAS A. Bl'NBURY. In the ages past 
i/rt^\ little* or no attention w.as given to the 
%^>' treatment of the diseases of animals, but 
with the ever-advancing civilization a wonderful 
cliange has been wrought in this department of ac- 
tivity, and at the present time stock-raisei'S invar- 
iably secure the best medical attention for their 
horses and cattle. Among the i)eo|)le of south- 
we.-tcrn Michigan there is no veterinary surgeon 
whose reputation for skill and success is more 
liriiily establisliod lliaii that of Dr. Bunburv. Ilis 
jntirniary and ollicc are located at ^'os. 1211, 131 



and 133 South Second Street, Niles, in one of the 
most pictures(iue and attractive parts of the city. 

In Cass Count\', Mich., near the Berrien Couu- 
I ty line, the subject of this sketch was born on the 
'Jth of December, 184.5. lie is of Irish parentage, 
his father, Pklward Bunbury, having been born in 
the Emerald Isle, while his mother, whose maiden 
name was Mary Kelly, was born in (Juebec, Canada, 
of I risli parentage. She accompanied her parents 
to Berrien County when a small child and grew to 
womanhood here. The father of our subject ac- 
companied his brothers, Matthew and James, to 
America. lie located first in Kalamazoo, Mich., and 
removed thence to Berrien Count}-, securing em- 
ployment here on the Michigan Central Railroad. 
In 18.52 he embarked in the livery business and 
conducted a profitable trade until his death, which 
occurred February 10, 1876, at the age of fifty- 
nine years. His widow is still living and makes 
her home with one of her daughters, Mrs. JMaggic 
Blain, residing near Osage City, Kan. 

Thomas A. Bunbur^' received his education in 
the union school of Niles, and the knowledge 
there gained was afterward sup|)lemented by a 
thorough course of study in Notre Dame Univer- 
sity, at Notre Dame, I lid. Upon leaving college 
he entered his father's employ, his special work 
being the care of sick horses, not only those 
belonging to the stables but also to the people 
living in Niles. From necessity he was obliged to 
begin the study of medicine and the anatomy of 
the horse, and soon acquired a thorough knowl- 
edge of the profession. After his father's death 
he commenced in business for himself, fitting up a 
barn for the care and treatment of all kinds of 
diseases and ailments of horses, and his business 
grew so that he acquired a widespread reputation 
for skill and proficiency. He is often called to 
other parts of the State in consultation and for 
the purpose of treating difficult cases, so that lie 
has quite a large circuit in his profession. In al- 
most every case he has met with success. His 
ready practice in handling horses secures to him 
superior advantages as a veterinary surgeon. 

In 1872 Dr. Bunoury married Miss Anna Machin, 
t>[' Bertrand. Niles Township, Berrien County, and 
the daughter of ,Ioliu and Eliisabeth (Anslow) 



■ii^. 




PORTRAIT AND UIOGKAPIUCAL RECORD. 



497 



Macliiii, early settleis of lliis t()\vii>hi|i. I)|-. and 
Mrti. I'.mihmy have ft>ur cliildreii: Man'. Saiali. 
Kdwaid and Kloreuce. In lii.s political opinions, our 
siil)ject is a stanch Democial an<I always S'^es liis 
inllueiK'C to tiio candidates of liis c-hoscn party. 
Tvvicc lie was elected to the position of Treasurer 
of Niles, and his service in that unpi.itant ollice 
was perfectly' satisfactory, lie is Ji nienilier of St. 
.loseph Lodge No. 2H1. A.F. A- A. M., of which he 
is one of the charter nieniliers, and a charter 
incnilicr of the M.accabees' Lodsje, Niles Tent. 



•§^ 



~^i * 



//r^, VX )ROE W. KINC;. If there is any one class 
of men which more than any other is en- 
titled to the consideration and respect of all 
true citizens, it is that class of brave, persevering 
men whom we call pioneers. To them we owe the 
luxuries which surround us. They endured the 
hardships and labored unweariedly in order that 
their descendants might have the comforts which 
to them were denied. Such a one is the subject 
of this sketch, now an aged man, who is passing 
his declining years ti-anciuilly. lie is a familiar 
and prominent figure in the city by the lake, re- 
spected and trusted by the business men of St. 
Joseph, and reverenced b\- young and old. 

Our subject is the son of Henry A. and Cynthia 
(Nichols) King, natives of New York. lie was 
born in Onondaga County, that State, January 
12, 1816, and one year later his parents removed 
to Jefferson County. He spent the early years of 
his life in the lOmpire .State, where he gained his 
education in the coininon .schools and aided his 
father in the farm work. In IMI 1 he came West 
to Michigan and settled in liciiton Township. Ker- 
rien County, where lie cleared two hundred acres 
ol liiuliered I.iikI. and devoted the entire tract to 
;.;eiieial farming purpo.ses. As a farmer he was 
skillful and ent.erprising, and by the proper fertili- 
zation of the soil and idiatioii of crops secured 
the most satisfactory results from his land. The 
farm was placed under high ciihivation as the 
years passed b\ , iiniil ii look front r.ank among the 



estates of lierrien ('ouiit\. .\ residence suitable to 
the needs of the family and contaiping the com- 
forts of existence embellished the place, as well 
as other structures, roomy and substantial. 

The life of a farmer is usually uneventful. K.ach 
year the seed is sown, the waving grain tosses to 
and fro with every breeze, the harvest tune conies 
and the grain is stored aw.ay in the granaries for 
winter use. In a general vva}', this was the life of 
Mr. King for more than thirt}' years. He gained 
a reputation for miles around as an honorable man 
and public-spirited citizen, as well .as successful 
farmer. In 1877 he retired from farming pur- 
suits and moved to .St. Joseph, where he has since 
resided. He still owns the old homestead in Ben- 
ton Township of one hundred and eighty acres of 
good land, most of which is under cultivation. 
In addition to the farm, he is the owner of consid- 
erable real estate in St. Joseph. 

On September 7, 1837, occurred the maiiiage of 
Mr. King to Miss Susan Williams, of New York. 
Six children were born of the union: Eunice. 
Henry, George, Delos, De Golierand De Witt. All 
are living except the daughter. Eunice. The pres- 
ent wife of our subject, to whom he was married 
in 1884, was Miss Diantha E.. daughter of .Sylves- 
ter and Emily (Lloyd) Totman. She is a lady of 
rare worth of character and is highly legarded in 
•St. Jose|)h. where she has many warm personal 
friends. While Jlr. King is not actively interested 
in politics, he nevertheless is a pronounced cliaiii- 
pioii of the K'eiiulilican part), and votes that ticket 
at e\erv election. 



\f7 EWISC. LYBROC^K. Of the younger ele- 
|l (^ ment of our prominent, energetic and in- 
J^\ Huential citizens, none are better known 
than Lewis C. Lybrook, one of the practical and 
succe.'ssful farmers of Cass County. During the 
years he has followed his chosen occupation here, 
he liassJKnvn himself endowed with superior ability, 
and his compn^liensive knowledge of ever;('tliing 



498 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAI'HICAL RECORD. 



pertaining to his calling and soundness of judgment 
have placed him among the substantial farmers of 
his locality. He was born on the farm where he now 
lives, section 28, Silver Creek Township, in 1856, 
and from an early age has dis()layed much apti- 
tude for his calling. 

His giaudfather, Isaac L. Lybrook, was a native 
of tiie grand old Stale of Virginia, and was there 
reared to manhood and married, selecting his wife 
in the person of Miss Nancy Burk. He was a 
man of education and learning, and in connection 
with farmin'g was for many years engaged in till- 
ing the soil. At an early date he moved to (iiles 
County, that State, and there his son Baltzer, 
father vf our subject, was boiii in 1824. Like 
most of the farmer boys of that day, the latter re- 
ceived his education in the district schools, and 
his early experience as a farmer was most benefi- 
cial to him in later years. When but a child he 
emigrated witli his motlier to the Buckeye State 
liut a few years later he came with her to Cass 
County, Midi., where he made his home up to tlie 
time of his death. They were among the first set- 
tlers of their township, having settled there about 
1828 or 1829, and were classed among its repre- 
sentative citizens. 

There Baltzer grew to manhood, but later he 
went with his mother to Berrien County, where 
he was married to Miss Klizaljeth Miller. Foliow- 
ino his marriage he entered a piece of land in that 
county and there remained for some time. Latei, 
he entered the land where our subject now lives, 
one hundred and sixt}- acres, and lived to see 
this all well improved. He was a stanch advocate 
of the Democratic party and was called on at dif- 
ferent times to hold township offices. He was 
Treasurer and Highway Commissioner and was an 
able and careful official. His death, which oc- 
curred in 1886, was the occasion of great sorrow, 
for all felt the loss to be sustained b^' the depart- 
ure.of such a man. 

Our subject, the eldest of the four children born 
to his parents, has always been a resident of Cass 
County, and is one of the young but representa- 
tive citizens. His brother and sisters were named 
as follows: Andrew, at home; Eliza, wife of James 
Snyder; and Anna B., wife of Edward Moove. 



Lewis C. supplemented a coranion-school education 
by attending the Dowagiac High School, and has 
always remained under the parental roof. He is 
well informed and well educated, and for some 
time taught school, where he made quite a re|)uta- 
tion as an educator. >Since his father's death lie 
has taken charge of the farm, and with the assist- 
ance of his brother has carried it on successfully. 
In politics, he is a Democrat and has held the of- 
fice of Supervisor and Clerk of the township. 



^,\ 



H 



■H 



3P^^^ 




L.VXSON .1. FUX. One of the most nota- 
ble examiiles of success furnished by the 
history of Niles' mercantile enterprises is 
^ that of the firm of A. J. Fox ifeSon, which 

lias enjoyed a steady expansion of its trade and 
increase in its facilities from its original cstabli^li- 
nicnt ill l^iTO to the present time. The store is a 
substantial building, 22x80 feet in dimensions, two 
stories lieing utilized for the stock, which consists 
of a full line of dry goods, carpets, oil-cotli, cur- 
tains, etc. 

The senior inemlier of the firm, Alanson .1. Fox, 
was ln)rn in the city of Jackson, Mich., .laiiuary 
;31, I8.'?7. His father, Alanson Fox, was a native 
of New York Slate, and was liorn thirty miles 
south of Buffalo. He followed the trade of a sliip- 
carpenler and wheelwright, and erected the first 
rtouring-inill in .lackson, tins Stale, lie had re- 
moved with his family to this city in 1836. and 
died eight years afterward. His wife was Caro- 
line .1., daughter of Gilbert L. Harrison, and a na- 
tive of New York. After the death of .Mr. Fox, 
she married again and died in Michigan, in I.S80. 

The voungest in order of birth of foui cliildrcii, 
our subject passed his boyhood days in .lackson 
until the age of twelve years. Being a stepson, 
matters liecame very unpleasant at home, and ac- 
cordingly at that age he started out among .stran- 
gers and commenced the battle of life for him.self. 
His entire possessions consisted of an ordinary 
suit of clotlios and seventy-live cents in money, 
with wliicli, and a considerable amount of deter- 



PORTRAIT AND HIOGRAPIIICAL RECORD. 



409 



iiiiiKitidii ;iii(l courage, lie started (in fool to the 
home of liis married sistei'. Mis. Howe, who then 
icsided in Hen-ien County. He ii:id not gone very 
fill- when it commenced to niiii, and his clothes 
were soon drenched. He Iriiveled along until late 
in the evening, when lie stopped at a house and 
!i!<k('d if lie could stay all iiiglit. Supposing liim 
lo be a runawa3' boy, tlie man refused to keep him 
and advised him to go liome. 

With this rebuff, the wear_\' lad once more faced 
the elements. The road along which he traveled 
was >kirted on both sides by timber, and, being 
wet, hiingiy and tired, he .sat down on a log and 
inedilatod upon how to pass the night. He soon 
regained his usual courage and resumed his jour- 
ney. At the next house he was met at the door 
by a lady who invited him in, placed before him 
an appetizing supper and gave him dry clothes, 
putting his suit before the lire to dry. The next 
morning after breakfast she had him tell his story, 
and in sympathy with him offered him ^2 to aid 
him in reaching his sister's. At the same time, 
with tears in her eyes, she gave him some good 
advice, for which he has always heki her in the 
liighesl esteem. 

Arriving at his sister's house, our suiiject at- 
tended school in that vicinity the following win- 
ter, and then returned to .lackson and spent the 
summer. He then joined his sister and brother- 
in-law at Huchauau, thiscounty, where he attended 
the scliools for one winter. Later he secured em- 
ployment on the Rock Island Uailinad, near Gen- 
eseo, ill., and did carpenter work and was vari- 
ously engaged until he reached his twentieth year. 
.\l that age he entered the employ of Samuel 
(iiilliii, of Nik^s, Mich., and occupied a clerical po- 
sition 111 his store for three years. Later he pur- 
ch.ascd lifty-three acres near lUichanaii, where he 
engaged in farming for three years, and then, re- 
luiiiing to Niles. engaged as clerk for 11. Eastman 
for five years. He then embarked in the dry-goods 
business. Sixteen months afterward he sold the 
stot'k and became a traveling salesman, his route 
including the Stales of Michigan, Indiana and 
Ohio. 

In 187.'5 .Mr. l''ux furmcci a partnership with 
George W, pougaii, uiidec tlic liiiu iiame of Fox 



& Dougan. and they conducted a large trade in 
dry goods for five years, after which they divided 
the stock. Our subject continued merchandising 
alone until 1885, when he took into partnership 
his son, Carl J., the title of the lirm being chimged 
to A. .J. Fox & Son. Subsequently another son, 
Harry L., was taken into the firm, the title remain- 
ing the .same as before. These two sons are the 
only children of Mr. and Mrs. Fox. The latter 
was jMiss Saliiia A. Diewett, and prior to her mar- 
riage followed the profession of a teacher in Roch- 
ester, N. Y., and Jlichigan. The religious home 
of the family is in the Presbyterian Church, in 
which they are active workers and liberal con- 
tributors. In politics, Mr. Fox is a Republican, but 
IS not a partisan in Ins preferences. Socially, he 
is a member of .St. .Joseph Valley Lodge No. 4, 
A. F. et A. M. 



E*^* 



(f^REDERICK C. SCHMIDT. Prominent 
among the business men of Xiles who 
through the exercise of sound judgment 
and energy have attained to a position of intlu- 
ence in the coiiiuiuiiitv, may be mentioned the 
name of Mr. Schmidt, who is a well-known whole- 
sale and retail dealer in meats at this place. He 
is a native of Germany and was born on the .jlh 
of April, 1858. lie was a child of throe years 
when his parents, Frederick A. and Anna C. 
(Kenniffhoff) Schmidt, emigrated to America. ;ind 
after landing in New York City pr(K'eeded thence 
to Michigan and settled in Isiles. Here Mr. 
Schmidt, Sr.. opened a meat-market in 18()1» and 
remained in business for man}- years. The mother 
and wife passed from earth in 1890. 

The subject of this biographical notice was 
reared to manhood in Niles, where he w.is the re- 
cipient of good educational advantages in the 
common schools. After taking a course of study 
in book-keeping, he entered his father's establish- 
ment and became book-keeper for the meat market. 
Upon teaching his majority he opened n Iiie»t« 



500 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



market on Main Slreet and has remained there 
since, meanwhile buildinw up an extensive and 
profitable trade and handling' both fresh and salt 
meats. The wholesale and retail business amounts 
to about fid, 000 per annum, and the success 
which ha.-; lenardod the cntei'ijrise proves better 
than mere words could do the sagacity and good 
judgment of the proprietor. 

A very important event in the life of Mr. 
Schmidt was his marriage, which took place De- 
cendjer 13, 1881. and united him with Miss Carrie 
B. Ives, an accomplished young lady, residing in 
Niles, and the daughter of E. B. Ives, a prominent 
citizen of the place. The union has been blessed 
by the birth of four cliildien, namely: Ihirry B., 
Carl B., Norma and a baby. The family residence 
is a commodious and conveniently arranged house 
and is situated on Third Slreet. Here Mr. and 
Mrs. Schmidt welcome their hosts of friends with 
that cordial hospitality for which they are well 
known, and here Mr. Schmidt tinds relaxation 
from the cares of business. 

While not an ottice-seeker, Mr. Schmidt lakes an 
intelligenl interest in imblic affairs and advocates 
with warmth and fidelity the principles of the 
Democratic party. In his social atliliations he is 
actively associated with the Ancient Order of 
United Workmen, and is also a member of the St. 
Joseph Valley Lodge No. 4, A.F. .fe A. M., Niles 
Chapter and Coinmandery,and theKnighls Tem- 
plar. In every respect he is a worthy representative 
of the German-American citizenshiii which has 
contributed so effectively to the progress of the 
I'niled States. 



e-^+^1 



ROE. GEORGE J. EDGCUMBE, A. M., Pii. 
D., rrineipal of Benton Harbor College, was 
born near Plymouth, England, November 
17, 1844, and is the son of William and 
Eliza (.layne) Edgcuml)e. Mis childhood years 
were passed in his native [ilace, and he enjoyed 
exeejHional educational adx'antages, his studies 
being carrietl on under the preceptoiship of some 



of the most noted teachers of England. It may 
with justice be said of him that he availed himself 
to the utmost of his opportunities, and through 
diligence in study and a systematic course in read- 
ing, he gained in his youth a broad knowledge of 
historical subjects on giuieral topics of interest. 
He was graduated from Victoria Univei'sity in 
187;') and later from Wesleyan University, receiv- 
ing the degree of Ph. D. 

After lining some of the best positions in the 
public schools of the country, and gaining the rep- 
utation of being one of the most successful dis- 
ciplinarians and Instructors, in 1883 he came to 
Benton Harbor, where he became Superintendent 
of the city schools and continued In that ca[iacity 
for a period of three years. While occupying 
that position, he effected many improvements in 
the character of the branches taught, as well as the 
mode of teaching, and succeeded in placing the 
schools here upon a substantial footing. 

In 1886 he founded the Benton Harbor Noiinal 
and Collegiate Institute, which he conducted with 
a continually iiicieasing attendance until 18i»"2. 
During that ye:u- the school was Incorporated and 
the name of the Institution changed to the Benton 
Harbor College and Normal, under which title it 
Is now conducted. Ileie students are pie|)ared 
for the higher universities and colleges, and many 
go directly from this Institution to Wclle-ley 
(Mass.) College, the State University of Michigan 
at Ann Arbor, Northwestern College, and other 
prominent universities. 

The building is a line frame structure, f(]ur 
stories in height, and most beautifully located on 
the Morton BlutT, overlooking the lake and the 
city. It has an attendance in the acade;iiic de- 
partment of two hundred and fort}', and for the 
summer session an attendance of sixty-seven. The 
music conservatoiy has an attendance of liftv- 
two, while In all the departments there is an 
average of four iiundred and sixty students. 
Eighteen teachers constitute the workliiii' force < f 
the Institution, under whose careful and intelli- 
gent guidance the students make rapid advance- 
I ment in their chosen studies. There are two 
gooil doruiitories occupied by teachers and stu- 
dents, and in these board may be secured at ^2,2rj 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGIIAPIIIC'AL RECORD. 



r.di 



or ¥2.50 per week, while yooi) aei-oinnuKlations late war. reiving for three years in the Kalaiiia/.uo 
are also furni.shed hy private families near the Hattery, and died soon after the close of the war. 
collcsic. The institution. IhiHi in point of atten- Sarah married Samuel Sliivels, a retired farmer re- 
dance and grade of scholarship. lanUs among the siding in Constantine, Mich., and they iiave three 
best in the State, and great credit is due tiie gen- children. The mother of our subject died three 
tleman to whose intelligent labors and well-directed [ years after the family came to Michigan, and the 



efforts these results uiav In' allrilHit(Ml. 



■^liollN iJRArER.one of the wealthy farmers 
of I'orter Township, Cass County, was born 
at Syracuse, N. Y., July 17, l.S.Uj. His fa- 
_ ther. whose name was also .John, was born 
in I'.enninglon, ^'t..iu 17!);>. The" paternal grand- 
father, of whom we know little save that he was 
born in X'ermont and was of English extraction, 
went to New York and died there. The senior 
.luhn Draper became a large .salt manufacturer 
on the hanks of the Erie Canal in Salina, N. Y. 
He married Almira Pai-ish, who was born in Syra- 
cuse, N. Y. Of her famil\ we know liut little more 
than the mere fact that it was a large and some- 
what prominent old New York family. In 1837 
.Idlni Draper, Sr.,came to Michig.'in from the State 
of New York. At that time his family consisted 
of his wife aJid two children. Of these, .lohn, .Jr., 
was the \()nnu»^-<t and only one year old. llis fa- 
ther had made a sniall fortune in the salt manu- 
f.actnring business and came here w-ith rather more 
money than the ;iveiage pioneer. lie pni'chascd a 
large tract of land in the northeast, corner of Por- 
ter Township, Cass County, and later sold his tirst 
puiclKi>e ;ind bdUglit the land where our subject 
lives, lie lieic accumulated valuable [iroiierty and 
at his death left a fortune of ^tO.dlKI. A man of 
excellent business altainmenls, in all his <lealings 
he (lispl!iye<l shrewd sagacity and the highest prin- 
ciples of honor. He contributed liberally to the 
support of religious enterprises, but never unite(l 
with any church. 

( )f the bi(ither> and sisters of (uu' subject, llui- 
riett was the eldest; she married Levi Kifenberg 
and died in l.*<li'.l. William was a soldier in the 



ffilher married again, choosing as his wife Esther 
Ann IJabcock. Of this marriage three daughters 
were born, all of whom are now deceased. 

-In a manner similar to other farmer boys, the 
subject of this biographical sketch passed his 
youthful days, receiving the limited education of 
the district schools and aiding !iis father in clear- 
ing four hundred acres of land. In the spring of 
1861 he married Miss Wealthy O'Dell. In August 
of the following year, when the country was in 
peril, he enlisted as a member of Company I), 
Nineteenth Michigan Infantry, and was sent with 
his regiment into Kentucky and Tennessee. With 
about one hundred other Union soldiers, he was 
taken prisoner by the rebel Cen. Forestand thrown 
into Libby Prison, where for months he sutTered 
the tortures of that hell of the Southern Confeder- 
ac.y. For three weeks he was delirious and when he 
was finally paroled it was not thought that he could 
live, but fortunately he recovered and again took 
his place in the ranks. He was in the .Atlanta cam- 
paign and fought in the battles of Resaca, Peach 
Tree Creek, Atlanta and all the engagements from 
Atlanta to the sea. During his entire service, cover- 
ing a period of three years, he was never off duly ex- 
cept while in prison. He particijialed in the Grand 
Review at Washington, and thus closed a military 
career of which he and his friemis m.ay well be 
proud. 

During the absence <ti Mr. Draper in the army, 
his wife died, in 1863. On the 8tli of Xovember 
1867, he married Mrs. Christina \aniier, and they 
have become the parents of one child. Ilatlie lielle, 
an accomplished young lady, who is al home with 
her parentis. In 1877 Mr. Draper went to Kansas 
and became extensively interested in the stock 
business and engaged as a stock-trader through- 
out Kans.as. Texas anil Indian Territory. In \XM 
\n' sold out his interests there, having at the time 
a half-interest in seventeen hundreil h<'ad of cat- 
tle worth >=16. (too. On his return lo Michiiinn he 



o02 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



came into possession of the old home place, where 
he has since lived. Mere he has been largely en- 
gaged in the stock business and at tlie present time 
has one liorse for whicli he paid 91,000, a fnll- 
hlooded English Shire. Formerly he owned nearly 
six hundred acres of land, hut has disposed of 
.some of liis property through trade. His farm is 
conceded to be one of tlie finest in Porter Town- 
ship and is embellished with improvements of the 
most modern kind. For several ye;n-s he has done 
very little manual work himself, as he is suffering 
from the effects of his army service; however, he 
gives his personal attention to the management of 
ills estate. A radical Republican in politics, he has 
never aspired to office and has never accepted any. 
Socially, lie is identified with the I\Iasonic frater- 
nity and the Orand Arniv of the Republic. 



^^•{••{•♦•{•H 



'•i-i-**^ 



^#^ RANK G. BROWN is one of Berrien 
•H®) County's most enteri)rising fruit-growers 
J, and has passed almost his entire life upon 

the farm wliere he now resides. On section 12, 
township 4. range 10 west, in what is now known 
as Benton Township, he owns and cultivates 
thirty-two acres. Himself a native of Ohio, he is 
tiie descendant of a long line of New England 
ancestors, whose characters and lives were most 
honorable, and whose efforts were contributed to 
assist in the progress of their various communities. 
The father of our subject, George Brown, was 
born in Kent, Conn., and was one of four children 
in the family of AVilliam Brown. He removed to 
Ohio in 1816 and settled in Lorain County, wlieie 
he engaged in farming. There he was united in 
marriage with Miss Delia Richards, and the\' be- 
came the [)arents of three children, two of whom 
are now living: Charles, who is an attorney in 
Marquette, Mich.; and 'William, wlio is in the 
furniture business in the same place. The second 
marriage of (ieorge Brown united him with Miss 
Flora Gillot, and the only child luirn of this union 
is the subject of our sketch. 

In 18.")H Mr. Ihowii, Sr.. came to Aliehigan and 



identified himself with the growing interests of 
Berrien County. On section 12 of Benton Town- 
ship, he purchased eighty acres of heavily timbered 
land and at once began the work of cutting down 
the trees and clearing the place. As the years 
passed by the results of his efforts became appar- 
ent in an ever-increasing degree, and his place 
took rank among the best-improved estates in the 
county. Here he continued to reside until his use- 
ful existence was terminated h3' death. He passed 
away in 1884. and his widow survived him fur 
eight years, dying in 1892. They were both tnom- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and were 
among the most prominent of the early settlers of 
the county. 

Born in Berea, Ohio, .luly 28, 1857, our subject 
was about one 3'ear old when he was brought by 
his parents to Michigan. Here he grew to man- 
hood and received a good education in the com- 
mon schools. In December. 1878, he was united 
in marriage with Miss Mar}', daughter of Levitt 
Camfield, and the third in order of birth among 
four children. .She was born in Canada and came 
to the States when four years of age. Four chil- 
dren have been born to bless this union: Maliel. 
Leonard, Levitt and Flora. Mr. Brown is an en- 
ergetic, industrious man, iwssessing sound judg- 
ment and capabilities of a high ordei-. In his re- 
ligious opinions he is strong in his allegiance to 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which liis 
wife is also identified. Politically, he is a Repub- 
lican. 






/^ HARLESA. .lOHNSON. To a greater ex- 
'l(^_, tent than any other country, American 
^^^' biography has furnished illustrious exam- 
ples of the pow'er of steadfast purpose and in- 
domitable energy. Many who have achieved suc- 
cess in life have risen from positions of poverty 
to prominent and iMtliieutial posts fif honor in 
their various comnumities. Among those who by 
energetic application have gained a solid reputa- 
tion as substantial bu>iiioss men inav be mentioned 



PORTRAIT ANI. BIUGRAI'IIICAL RECORD. 



.^o:^ 



tlie iifiiiie of ('. A. .loliusuii. Cashier ot llic First 
Natldiial Hnnk of Xilos, ."iiul one of tlie best finnn- 
elcrs of southwestern Mic liii;;in. Thoiiuh \f)iiiij> 
ill ye;irs, he ii;is iiainerl a practical l<no\vle(l<;e of 
men ami tiiiiisfs wiiich others have labored long 
years to secure. 

A resident of Afichigan throiiglioiit his entire 
life, j\Ir. .Tolmson was born in lierrien County on 
the 8tii of Fcliruary, 185(i. lie is the son of 
Alfred W. and Desire (Ilowe) Johnson, natives re- 
spectively of \'erniont and New York, the latter 
being a daugliter of Frederick W. Howe, of \'er- 
mont. In 18:i2 Alfred W. Johnson removed with 
his family to Michigan. lie was a contractor and 
buiWer. His death occurred in !«!)<>. Al the 
time of his demise he was eighty years of age, 
having been born in 181(1. He was a man of 
strong personality, <lccisivc in character and a 
stanch Democrat politically. He was a member of 
the lirst Board of Supervisors in the village of 
Niles, and was in many ways identified with the 
progress of this section of the State. 

The youngest in a family of eight, Charles A. 
.lohnson was reared to manhood in Xiles, where 
he laid the foundation of his education in tiie 
common sciiools and later became a student in the 
Iligli School. Ill 1874 he entered the F'irst Na- 
tional I!;iiik of Niks as messenger bo\' and from (hat 
position was promoted to I'ayingTeilcrand in 1878 
became Cashier, which position he still holds. He is 
a iMciiibcr of the Building and Loan Association 
and is at present serving as its Treasurer. He is 
also Treasurer of the Nilcs Klectric Light Com- 
(laiiy. Reali/ing the importance and value of a 
good education as the foiiiulation for all success in 
the business world, he gives his aid to all enter- 
prises for the promotion of educational interests, 
and as a member of the School Board has been en- 
abled to render practical assistance along that line. 

Ill I ■H83 occuni'(l the marriage of .Mr. .lohnson 
to .Miss Bertie Hopkins, of IMarshall. Mich. Mr. 
aiul .Mis. .lohiisiMi arc the parents ofdiie son, 
Alfred llopUin-. In his fraternal relations .Mr. 
.lolmsoii IS idcnlilied with the St. .loseiili N'alley 
Lodge Xo. I, .\. F. .\r A. .M.. and the Niles chapter 
and coiiiiiiundi-iy. I'olitically. he is a pronounced 
Democrat, bill i> liberal in his views and luinibers 



many friends in both parties. In addition to the 
responsible position of Cashier of the First Xa- 
tional Bank of Niles. he is also president of the 
B.'ink of Plaiikinton. S. Dak. 



•^-^^>^^<m-^ 



\I4_^ IR.\M Ll'LL. an inlluential resident of I'.er- 

1 lien County, aii<l a successful farmer of 

Watervliet Township, was bfuii in the town 

^) of Scipio, Cayuga County, N. Y.. Decem- 
ber 18, 1820. and is the son of Joseph and J>ucin- 
da (Colton) Lull. His paternal grandfather, Ben- 
jamin Lull, was born in Delaware and served in 
the war for independence, rendering gallant service 
in the cause of the Colonies. He and his good wife 
reared twelve children, six sons and six daughters, 
and of the former, J.acob, Benjamin an<l .loseph all 
attained to advanced ages. 

About 1790 (Iraudfather Lull came West as far 
as New York, where he made settlement in Otsego 
County, purchasing a farm, which he cleared and 
improved. There he resided until, at the ripe old 
age of ninet3'-six years, he passed to his final re- 
ward about 1842. His wife survived liirn for a 
short time, her death occnrring when she was 
about ninety-six. He had served in many oHicial 
capacities and was well and prominiaitly connected 
with the best interests of his community. In his 
religious views he w.is a Baptist, and held the 
oflice of Deacon in that denomination for many 
years. 

.Joseph Lull was born in Otsego County. .X. Y., 
ill Fcliruary, 171»2, and in an early d.ay removed 
to Cayuga County, where he cleared and improved 
two hundred acres. In 1842 he moved to Clay- 
ton CV)unty. Iowa, where he entered one hundred 
and sixty acres and reiiiMiiied until his d(.atli. 
which occurred in April, 18.'il. His wife passed 
from earth in February. 187;?. aged eighty-live. 
They were the parents of twelve c-hildrcii. and 
reared eleven of the numlier to maturity, as fol- 
lows: ()ra, Polly, Clarissa, Clarinda. Juliana, Riz- 
p:ih, .Miner, Walter. Melvii,. Oeorgc and llii.-iiii. 
The f.-i'her was a soldier in the War of 1 s I 2. In 



504 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



politics, he was a Wliig and served in various of- 
ficial capacities, including tlie position of Justice. 
Religiously, he was a Baptist and was a prominent 
member of that denomination. His wife, the 
mother of our subject, was a native of Otsego 
County, N. Y., and was of Scotch descent. 

At the age of fourteen, our subject began to 
earn his living on the farm, and three years later 
he commenced to work at painting, which occupa- 
tion he followed for four years. He then pur- 
chased a small farm, consisting of fifty acres, and 
engaged in farming in Erie County', N. Y., whither 
he had removed in 1844 from Chauta\iqua County, 
his father having settled in the county last named 
in 1822. In May, 18.55, he came to Michigan and 
settled near Big Rapids, where he entered three 
hundred and twenty acres from the Government. 
He cleared and improved one hundred and fifty 
acres of this tract, and at the same time conducted 
an extensive lumbering business. At different 
times he purchased land aggregating three thou- 
sand acres. He now owns two farms of two hun- 
dred and fort}' acres each, both well improved, 
and he also owns one hundred and sixty acres of 
timbered land in Muskegon County. 

April 5, 1886, Mr. Lull removed to Van Buren 
County, where he commenced the cultivation of 
one hundred and forty-four acres. In November, 
1860, lie located where he now resides on section 
12, Watervliet Township. His first purchase was 
eighty acres, but he has added to his property un- 
til he now owns two hundred and twenty-four 
acres, comprising two farms in two counties. He 
also owns a two hundred acre farm in northwest 
Missouri. In 188C he lost his right foot, and since 
that time has been unable to perform the hard la- 
bor to which he was accustomed in former years. 
However, he is still active and energetic and sup- 
erintends the entire management of his property. 

In regard to social relations Mr. l^ull is a Mason. 
He is an earnest Christian and has been a church 
member for more than forty years. tV)rmerlv he 
was a liaptist. but is now identified with the Con- 
gregational Church. In politics a Republican, he 
has been elected on the ticket of that party to var- 
ious official positions. He has served as Supervi- 
sor for two terms and as .Tustice of the Peace for 



one term. In spite of the fact that he has lost 
over $40,000 in cash, and has given his sons more 
than $30,000, he still retains a sufficient amount of 
this world's goods to enable him to surround him- 
self and family with ever}- comfort, as well as 
many of the luxuries of life. 

September 5, 1842, Air. Lull was united in n^ar- 
riage with Miss Lucinda Packard, who was born 
in the town of Yorkshire, Cattaraugus County, 
N. Y. Her father, Benjamin Packard, was a mer- 
chant in that village; he also followed farming 
pursuits and w.as engaged in business as an hotel- 
keeper. He was of Dutch descent, and in religion 
was a I'niversalist, and in politics a Republican. 
Mr. and INIrs. Lull are the parents of three children, 
as follows: Alphonso, a physician residing in Ft. 
Angeles, Wash.; Lorenzo, a lumberman of W.asli- 
ington; and Ozro, whose home is m Ottawa Coun- 
ty. Mich. Politically, Mr. Lull was in former 
years a Whig, and is now strong in liis adherence 
to the jtrinciples of the Republican party. 



<^ felLLIAM F. PETERS. The excellence of 
\fJ// tlie soil of Berrien County for the pur- 
vi^^ pose of fruit-growing has been demon- 
strated, and the cities have been surrounded with 
an industrious population, through wiiose efforts 
the land gives forth the elements of wealth in 
the results of labor, and who are suppljing to the 
towns a large proportion of their business strength. 
Prominent among the successful fruit-growers of 
St. .loseph Township stands the name of William 
F. Peters, the owner of a vahial)le farm located on 
section 2. 

The first representative of the Peters family 
in America was .Tacob, our subject's grandfather, 
who w.as born in Germany and emigrated thence 
to the United States in an early day, settling in 
Yates County, X. Y., and following farming pur- 
suits there until liis death. During the War of 
1812 he rendered valiant service to our country 
and was afterward a pensioner of the Govern- 
ment. He and his wife, whose maiden name was 




.-% * 





PORTRAIT AN'D IMOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



r>07 



Nancv Hell, were the p.aieiils of one d.iughter 
.111(1 seven sons. Henry Peters, father of out- sub- 
jeet, was born in Yates County. N. Y., and there 
grew to manhood. At Naples, Ontario County, 
N. Y., he married Miss Racliael Watkins. and, re- 
turning to Yates County, resided tiiere until his 
death, wiiicii occurred at the early a.t;e of thirty- 
three. 

There were seven children in the parental fam- 
ily, of wlioni tlie survivors are: Charles W., a res- 
ident of l!;uigor, Mich.; Henry P.., a grocer of 
Citra, l'"la.; Georgia, who is the wife of Edward 
Brain, of Chicago; and William F. The father 
of those children was (luite successful in his agri- 
cult\ual opcration.s and liecamc tiio owner of 
about t)nc hundred and fifty acres in New York 
State. He also served as a Captain in the State 
militia. Ixcmovcd by death when iiis children 
were small, they were deiirived of his helpful 
counsel and active assistance, and were early 
obliged to earn their own livelihood. 

In Middlesex, Yates County, N. Y., the sub- 
ject of this notice was born .lanuary .'^1. 1843, and 
upon the home place he sjient the years of his 
boyhood and youth. After completing the studies 
of the common schools, he entered the academj' 
at Naples, N. Y., where he remained for one year. 
.\t the age of twenty-two he left home and came 
to Michigan, where he located in Branch County 
upon a farm neai Leonidas. One year later he 
came to Hcrrien County, and, in connection with 
his brother Charles, purchased a [leach farm con- 
sisting of thirty acres. This they carried on suc- 
cessfully until the blight ruined the peaches, after 
which they devoted their attention to raising 
berries. Mr. Peters now h.as thirty-seven acres, 
of which twenty-five have been set out in fruit. 
While he devotes his attention principally to ber- 
ries, he also has a peach and pear orchard, and 
finds the business a profitable one. The improve- 
ments upon the place arc the result of his labors, 
and the farm is now in a high state of cultivation. 

The lady who in 1868 liecaine the wife of Mr. 
Peters was formerly Mrs. Ella Hammond and is a 
native of New York State, being the daughter of 
Samuel Yuud. They are the parents of two chil- 
dren: Hov S., who is at home; and Jessie M.. a 



teacher in the public schools of St. .loseph. Po- 
litically, Mr. Peters i> a Republican, and h.as held 
the office of Treasurer of Lincoln Townsliip for 
four vears. 



«^ 



=^ '* 



^ ACOB N. BURRTDCE, a well-known citizen 
and property-owner residing in Benton 
Harbor, was born in Braintree, Orange 
County, Vt., November 30. 1820. He traces 
his lineage through a long line of worthy fore- 
fathers to England, whence during the Colonial 
days members of the family emigrated to the 
United States and located in ^'ermollt, becoming 
closely identified with the history of that State. 
The father of our subject. .lohn Buriidgc, was 
born in the Green Mountain State, and in 1837 
removed to Elkhart County, Ind., near Goshen. 
In 1860, he came to Berrien t'oiinty, where his 
death occurred during the .year 1866. He had 
married Miss Ruth, daughter of Isaac Pratt, a na- 
tive of Vermont. 

During the early part of this centurj- educa- 
tional advantages in Vermont were very meagre. 
The schoolhouses were iirimitive structures, and 
the method of instruction w.as scarcely less prim- 
itive than " the temple of learning" itself. The 
opportunities for acquiring knowledge enjoyed by 
Jacob N. Burridge were limited to the common 
schools of his neighborhood, but, such as they 
were, he availed himself of them to the utmost. 
However, his education has been gained princi- 
pally in the school of experience, that vast school 
where all mankind are pupils. 

At the age of seventeen, Air. Burridge .iccom- 
panied his parents to Indiana, where he aided his 
father in the work of clearing and improving a 
farm in Elkhart County. When eighteen years 
old he accompanied a parly of sixteen to the 
Manitou Islands, where lie chopped wood during 
the winter, in that way earning his first §100. 
In the spring of the ensuing year he returned 
to Elkhart County, Ind.. wliere he bought one 
hundred and sixtv acres and devoted his atten- 



508 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



tion to general fainiiiig and >l<nk-iaising. In 
1867, he removed to IJenton Harbor, vvlieie lie en- 
gaged extensively in fruit-raising until 1872, and 
sinee that time be has been dealing in real estate 
and residence property. He owns a number of 
lots and houses in the city, including his residence 
on Pipebtone Street. 

A pronounced Republican politically, Mr. lUir- 
ridge is interested in all questions of public im- 
port, but is not a partisan in his preferences. Fra- 
ternally, he is connected with Benton Harbor 
Lodge No. 132, I. (). O. F., in which he is an in- 
fluential member. Almost a half-century has 
passed since, in 1845, he married Miss Polly J. 
Foster, a native of Connecticut and a most esti- 
mable lady, who during their long wedded life has 
proved a devoted helpmate to her husband. She 
is a member of the Methodist Church. Mrs. Bur- 
ridge is the daughter of David S. and Charlotte 
Foster, natives of Connecticut, who passed the 
closing years of their lives in Indiana. 



ylLLARD B. FRKNCH, an experienced ag- 
riculturist and successful stock-raiser of 
'^'^ Bertrand Township, BerrienCount}', Mich., 
is a prominent citizen and for forty years has 
been intimately associated with the growth and 
progress of his home locality'. The birthpl.ace of 
Mr. French was upon a farm of Onondaga County, 
N. v., where he was born April 6, 1847. His 
|)alernal grandfather, Titus French, was of Phigllsh 
descent. Born in the Empire State, he made his 
lifetime home within its borders and married and 
reared a family, his son, Samuel French, being 
the father of our subject. The mother, INIrs. Sarah 
Uliss French, was of English ancestry, but was 
horn in New York, where she married, and with her 
husband located upon a farm within a short dis- 
tance of the familiar scenes of childhood, in 1853 
the parents emigrated to Michigan and settled in 
Bertrand Township, from that time then' continu- 



ous residence until tlitir death. Knergetic, indus- 
trious and ujiright in character, they were esteemed 
by all who knew them. 

Into their pleasant liDine had come seven chil- 
dren, three daughters and four sons. Willard 1'. 
was the third child and third son, and was six 
years of age when he accompanied the other mem- 
bers of the family to the West. He attended the 
school of the home district at first, but later en- 
joyed the benefit of instruction in the schools of 
Buchanan. Until twenty-one years of age he 
remained with his parents and then began life for 
himself, at first engaging for eight months in the 
hardware business in Buchanan, in company with 
his brother Henrj' C. In September, 1869, Mr. 
French was married to Miss Ellen Davenport, 
daughter of William R. and Laura Davenport. Mrs. 
French was a native of New England and was born 
in Vermont. With her husband she located upon 
section 1, Bertrand Township, where, with the ex- 
ception of one 3'ear spent in Buchanan Township. 
they have since continued to reside. Our subject 
and his estimable wife have been blessed by the 
birth of two daughters and three sons. I'annie is 
the wife of a prosperous farmer, Isaac Wills, of 
Bertrand Township; Fred E., (rrace, (ieorgc W. 
and Robert W. are all at home. 

Mr. French has a valuable and productive farm 
of one hundred and fifty-seven and a-half acres 
and also owns six acres of timber in Buchanan 
Township. Aside from the duties of general fann- 
ing he profitably handles, in partneisliip with his 
brother, a high grade of horses, principally Peich- 
erons, and also makes a specialty of clmice cattle. 
Politically he is a Republican and has al)ly dis- 
charged the duties of local office, having been 
Treasurer of the township. Treasurer of the school 
fund and Assessor. Our subject has for ten years 
been an Elder in the Presbyterian Church in 
Buchanan and has been active in church wtirk and 
the extension of religious influence. He has 
shared in the labors of the Sunday-school, and 
as tUiairman of the Church lUiilding Committee 
did invaluable seivice in the erection of the new 
house of worship completed in 18112 in Bu- 
chanan. The edifice cost >i<8,00(t, to which sum 
Mr. French was a liberal contrlluitoi- as well as 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



509 



devotiiifi miicli liiiic to it-s biiil(Hn<j;. The heaiiti- 
fiil lioinc of our siihjeot and liis fainilv is tlie 
.iIkkIc (if liospitality, uiui upon tli(> old farm a 
hwiic circle of friends liiids read\' welcome. 



♦♦^^ 



H' 



■m 



EDWARD F. WOODCOCK, Cashier of the 
Citizens' National I5ani< of Niles, was born 
I near the village of (leneva, N. Y. [lis 

|)arents, David F. and Ann Eliza Woodcock, were 
natives f)f Massachusetts, and the father after his 
marriage removed to Michigan, where lie became 
prominent in the business circles of Ingham Coun- 
ty. Kdward F. spent his boyhood vears in this 
Slate, where he acquired a practical !<nowledge of 
tlie-tiiree R's" in the common sciiools of tiie home 
neighborhood. After completing the course of 
study at tlie public schools, he entered the agri- 
cultural college at Lansing, Mich., where he avail- 
ed himself to the utmost of the excellent oppor- 
tunities there open to him. Since completing his 
sciiooling, he has constantly added to his store of 
information and broadened liis knowledge by 
ol)servation and reading. 

I'pon commencing in business for himself, Mr. 
Woodcock entered the employ of the firm of Robson 
]5ros.,at Lansing, where he remained for a brief 
period as book-keeper. In 1877, he became con- 
nected Willi extensive banking interests in that 
city, and accepted the position of book-keeper for 
the Central Michigan Savings Bank, fi'om which 
position he was promoted to that of Assistant 
Cashier and acted in that cai>acity until ltS82_ 
His services in that prominent financial institution 
were satisfactory, both to the Directors of the 
bank and the ofticers, and during his residence in 
the capital city he made a host of warm friends, 
who regretted his departure from the city in order 
to .'U'(;e[)l another position. 

In 1882 Mr. Woodcock accepted the position of 
Assistant Cashier of the Niles bank, and held that 
))laco until 188;"), when he was chosen Cashier of 
the Citizens' National Bank. Here he has since 
done ellicient service, meantime gainiiis; a widelv 



extended rcpulalion for the ability and efficient 
manner in which he luis discharged the duties of 
the place. When at leisure from his banking busi- 
ness, he finds rest and i)leasure in his beautiful 
home and in the companionship of his wife, whom 
he married in 187il and who was fciriiieily Miss 
Ida B. IngersoU. 

Devoted as Ik,' is to his business, Mr. Woodcock 
finds time for |)ublic affairs, in which he maintains 
an unceasing and warm interest. In his political 
preference he is a stanch Republican and has serv- 
ed as Chairman of the City Republican Committee, 
atall times taking an active and intelligent interest 
in local politics. He has never solicited nor 
desired olticial honors, but upon the request of his 
fellow-citizens he accepted the position of Alder- 
man and served for two terms in that capacity. 
He is a Thirty-second Degree M.ason, a member of 
the Grand Lodge of the Knights of Pythias and also 
of the Grand Lodge of the Ro3al Arcanum. He is 
the Treasurer of various other orders, of the local 
board of the National Loan and Investment Com 
pany of Detroit, and Secretary of the Niles Cham- 
ber of Commerce. He is one of the Directors in 
the first State .Savings Bank of Niles. and is Treas-. 
urer of the Niles School Board. 



*^=<^=±_ 



<« MLLIAM .1. ABBOTT. Throughout Cass 
\/'Jl bounty the subject of this notice has 
W^ gained the reputation of being an enter- 
prising citizen, genial companion and successful 
farmer. On section 3, Milton Township, he owns 
and operates a large tract of land, on which he 
raises the various cereals and also engages in 
stock-raising. Of the one hundred and twenty 
•acres comprising the farm, one hundred have been 
placed under cultivation, and the entire estate is 
embellished with first-class improvements. Since 
Mr. Abbott located here in 1877 he li.as been in- 
strumental in securing many improvements and 
li.as erected a numberof siibslaiilial Imiidiiigs siiit- 
alile to their various pur[)oses. 



)10 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



lM>in ill Kent County, Dol.. iionr tin- city of 
Miifonl, May lit, 1838, the suLijei-l of Uii:> sketch is 
the son of George and Mary (.lotics) Abbott, na- 
tives of Delaware, who were there married and re- 
sided for many years. The father, who was a 
farmer by occupation and a painter by trade, nii- 
i^rated to Micliigau in an early da}' and located in 
Milton Township. Cass County, where he died at 
the age of seventy. The motiier passed away at 
the age of sixty-eight, and their mortal remains 
are buried side by side in the Smith Chapel Ceme- 
tery. Both wore honorable, upright, and kind- 
hearted in disposition, and the mother was a de- 
voted member of the Metliodist Kpiscopal Cliurcli. 
In the parental family wore the following chil- 
dren: Mary P.. deceased: Klizabeth II.. widow 
of J. A. Coverdale, of Milton Townshi|>; George 
P., a resident of Howard Township, Cass County; 
William ,1., of this skelcli: Iliram, who was killed 
in August, 1892, by falling from a horse, which 
dragged him a considerable distance in the stirrup; 
•lames II., who makes his home in Milton Town- 
shij), Cass County; Alice A., the wife of .lohn AV. 
Webb, of Nebraska; Lydia J., wife of A. .1. Dun- 
.ning; and Louisa, who died in infancy. William 
,1. is the lifth child and the second sou of this fam- 
ily. Ho was about live years old when he accom- 
panied his paronls to Cass County and located in 
Milton Township, where the rudiments of his ed- 
ucation wore secured in the log schoolhouse near 
his home. 

Marih 28, 1860. Mr. Abbott married Sarah J. 
Wilson, who was born in Sussex County, Del.. 
June 2. 18.'?o, being the daughter of David and 
Sarah (Davis) Wilson, natives of Delaware. Mi-s. 
.Mibutt, the ehlest of three children in the family, 
was reared in Delaware, where she romainod until 
I won ly-t wo years of age. After his marriage Mr. 
Al)bott resided for one year on a farm in .letTorson 
Township, Cass County, and thence removed to 
Milton Township, locating on section .'?. For 
twelve years he resided in that i)lace, and thence 
in IS77 he removed to his present farm on tlie 
same section, whore he now owns one liiindied and 
twciit\' acres. 

I'ntt) .Mr. and Mi's. Abbijtl have lieou born two 
dausjlilcrs: Zada, who is at homo: and Zella, the 



wife of AUiii l.tH't. i>t' Miiion Township. In his 
political connections .Mr. .\bbott gives his liearty 
support to the principles of the Democratic partv 
and is prominent in the ranks of that organiza- 
tion. For two years he served as Treasurer of the 
lownshiii and has also Riled the scliool oflices ac- 
ceptably. Ill whatever position he has served, he 
has proved the possession of energy, good judg- 
ment and sound common sense, and is justly 
prominent in local affairs. 



1-^+^ 



(=_ 



t^- 



\I| OHN WILLIAMS. It is doubtless entirely 
owing to the industrious and persevering 
manner with which Mr. Williams has ad- 
iiered to the pursuit* of agriculture that he 
has risen to such a substantial position in faun 
affairs in his county. The greater part of his life has 
been spent within the confines of Berrien County, 
and as a natural result he is much interested in 
the progress and development of the section and 
has done his full share in making it the magnificent 
farming region that it now is. He was born in 
Indiana on the ITth of December. 1838. the third 
child of Daniel and Jlaliuda (Millage) Williams, 
a short notice of whom is given in the skelcli of 
Charles M. AVilliams. 

.lohn Williams was reared in Benicii County. 
Mich., and obtained his education in the i "iniiiion 
schools in the vicinity of iiis home, but owing to 
the fact that his services were reqiiiicd on his 
father's farm, he attended scliool only a short 
time each year, and thus acquired but a rudimen- 
tary knowledge of the common branches. 'This 
deficiency he remedied in later years by contact 
with the business world, by reading and observa- 
tion, and ho is now regarded .as a man of more 
than ordinary intelligence. What Mr. Williams 
has accomplished in this way as well as in the 
accumulation of worldly goods h.as been at the 
cxjienso of many days of hard labor, but the 
result has been in every way .satisf.actiiry. His 
devotion to business has been great and his energy 
unfiauginu'. and ti> this all his success is due. 



rORTHAIT AND m<X»RAPIlICAL RECORD. 



511 



l\ 1H()7 he Icil to llyiiicn's mIImi- Miss Mary 
MuiT.'iy. who w:is lioin in Ohio, :i daughter of 
Thoiiias MiiiiMV, and lo tiicir niiion, which has 
pidvod to III' a happv one. one daiij;litci' lias been 
iii\cii, l.ania !•",., who is still at, lionu' with her i)ar- 
onls. Mr. Williams, who has alwa\s su|)|iorlcd Ke- 
piihlican piinuiplus, and cast his lirst Presidential 
vote for .I.anu'S ISuclianan, is (Icvoted to the wel- 
fare of his section and so far as his means will 
permit is readv to suiiport all landahle enterprises. 
IpoM the openiri"; of theC'ivil War, all his s3in|)a- 
thies were enlisted on the side of the I nion cavise, 
and in Septeniliei-, \H('r>, he enlisted in Companj- 
('. Twentv-liftli Mi(hii;:ni Infantry, lie was dis- 
chari;ed in Scptcinlier. IMIi,"). In Decemher, 1862, 
he was taken with measles at Louisville, Ky.. and 
was taken to Hospital No. !."> in that city, where 
he iemaine(l about thiee months. He then re- 
joined his iciiiment but was afterwards transferred 
to M reMM've eorps and was later sent, to the hos- 
pital in Chieago.where he remained about eijihteen 
months. He was then honorably dischaiuod from 
the servite and returned to F.errien County. Mich., 
where he has since lived. 

He has been the propiietor of his present farm 
since .about 1M71>. which place consists of twenty 
acres, situated about seven and one-half miles 
south of St. Joseph. He is a member of the 
Farmers' .Mutual I'"ire Insur;nu-e Company, also 
of the Chapman I'ost Jvo. 21, (i. A. H., at St. 
.loseph. His parents were amouif the early settlers 
of this connly, but were married in Klkhart, Ind. 



.^&M^lA^ 



>n 



■^^if'CS^ 



,KORGE W. WILLIAMS. Many of the 
- most successful farmers of Cass County 
^^^' have spent their entire lives within its 
limits, and have from youth been intimately asso- 
ciated with the development of it.s resources. In 
this class we ni.av mention the name of Mr. Will- 
iams, who was born in .Milton Township, this 
counU. on the Hilli of March. IM.'iT, .and Hhf)now 
owns and cultivates a liiicly-improved farm on 



section 14, of this township. Hi> father, Spencer 
Williams, was born in Sussex County, Del., in 1807, 
and in his youth spent about tiiree years in Ohio. 
Hetuininjr to Delaware, he spent only a short time 
in that State, and removed thence to Michijran, in 
1831, makinj": the journey in comjjany with Peter 
Trnitt and other well-known |)ioneers of Cass 
County. 

Locating on a rented farm in Milton Township, 
the senior Mr. Williams devoted his attention to 
improving the place, and was very successful in his 
efforts, taking rank among the foremost agricul- 
turists of his vicinity. He died at the age of 
scvent3' years, in 1877, mourned not alone by his 
immediate relatives, but also by his large circle of 
aciiu.-untances. At the age of twenty-seven years 
he married Miss Sarah .Smith, a native of Dela- 
ware, born ApriM,1812; she died May 1), 1881, 
after a life of usefulness, devoted to the welfare of 
her husband and children, to whom she was most 
tenderly attached. Iler father, (ieorge Smith, was 
a native of Delaware, while the iiaternal grand- 
father, Spencer Williams, was of .Scotch descent. 

Our subject is the second child of his fathei''s 
family, which numbered thirteen, nine of whom 
grew to manhood and womanlK)od. They are: 
John IL, George W., Mary M., Kmma .\., Kli/.a A. 
(deceased), Lovina, .Samuel O., .and Spencer (de- 
ceased). AVesley died at the age of live years; 
Tamson A. iKis.sed away when two years old, and 
two others died in infancy. In 18()1 fieorge AV. 
enlisted as a membei' of Company K., Si.xth Mich- 
igan Infantry, becoming a private. Later he was 
transferred to the heavy artillery, and participated 
in many engagements of the Army of the (iulf. 
lie was wounded at Port Hudson with a niinie- 
ball, but otherwise escai)ed uninjured. At the close 
of his period of enlistment he was honorably dis- 
charged from the service, at Kalamazoo, and, ic- 
turning to his home, resumed farming operations. 
December 28, 1864, Mr. Williams married Ml.-s 
Mary A. ]\IcMichael, who was born in HarrisTown- 
ship, St. Joseph County. Ind.. on the 8th of .Sep- 
tember. 1839. Her father, Alexander McMichacI, 
was born in Lrie, I'.i.. .binuary 20, 1807, and died 
July 7, lf<70. Her mother, whos(> maiilcn name 
was tlanc C'overdale, was l)oni in I 'e la ware, June 



512 



rORTRAlT AND BIOGRAPIUCAL RECORD. 



11, 1818, and is still living, being now (1893) 
seventy-five years t>l(l. Mrs. Williams was the 
eldest of three daiiglilers, the others being Martha 
A., born .Inly 1, IiS41, and Kaniiie. boin Novem- 
ber 1, 1848. All are now deceased. JIis. Will- 
iams passed away on the last day of the year 1891, 
leaving one son,(;uy M., whose birth oeeurred 
September 14, 186!), on the farm where he now 
resides. lie isan intelligent, well-informed young 
man, and a graduate of the South liend Commer- 
cial College. 

In 1868 j\lr. Williams located on his present 
farm, and has devoted iiis attention to his farming 
pursuits, working with so much cneigyand ability 
that he has acquired the owneiship of one hundred 
and fifty-nine acres of well-improved land, em- 
bellished with suitable buildings and machinery 
ada|ited to agricultural purposes. Politically, he is 
a Republican, but never takes an active interest in 
political matters, and has never consented to hold 
official positions. He is a member of the Discijiles 
Church, on Harris Prairie, and is one of the 
Deacons in that religious organization, (iuy is 
also a member of the Christian Church, and socially 
ainiiates with the Modern Woodmen of America 
at Kdwardsburgh. 



^•^••}••^•^•^ 



■*•§•♦•§•» 







ENJAMIN S. CARPENTEH. a leading citi- 
, zen and successful general aifriculturist of 
Benton Township, Berrien County, ^Mich., 
prosperously cultivates his fine homestead 
located on section ;i4, and has for a long period of 
time been associated with the upward progress of 
his present locality. Mr. Carpenter was born in 
Onondaga County. X. Y., February 18, 1821. His 
father. Stephen Cari)enter, is also a native of the 
Empire State, his birthiilaee being in Wayne 
County. The i)aternal grandfather, John E. Car- 
penter, was born iu Massachusetts and, a courage- 
ous man, bravelj- served in the War of 1812. The 
father, Stephen, also participated in the troublous 
scenes of that war, and his widow drew a pension 
loog aflei' his death. Tiie molhcr of our subject 



was in maidenhood Miss Hannah Scovill, daughter 
of Henry Scovill. The father cultivated farms in 
Onondaga and Cattaraugus Counties of New York 
( State, and later made his home in Warren County, 
Ohio, Finally, in 1860, he removed with his fam- 
ily to Berrien County, Mich., and ctmtinued to re- 
side in Sodus Township until his death in KSdl. 

Of the ten brothers and sisters who gathered 
aboui the old New York State fireside many years 
ago. eight survived to \ears of maturity, and five 
are yet living. Our subject was the eldest-born; 
Stephen resides in Huron County, Ohio; Hannah 
is the wife of Rodman Ellis, an . able agriculturist 
of Huron County, Ohio; Mary is a widow and is 
at home in Huron County, Ohio; and .lohn Car- 
penter has a residence on the lake shore in lierrien 
County, The second son surviving, Benjamin S,, 
our subject, was born and reared in Cattai'augus 
County, and is a practical farmer, thoroughly un- 
derstandiiii; the tilling of the soil. He was reared 
in his early home, but moved with his parents to 
Ohio, in which State he was married to Miss Amy 
.\niaiida Foote, a daughter of .lohn S. Foote, a 
prominent farmer of Huron County, Ohio, the 
birtliplace of his daughter, Mrs. Carpenter. The 
newly-married coujile remained for a time in Hu- 
ron County, Ohio, and then jf>urneyed to Michigan, 
settling in the si)ring of 184.') in Berrien Springs, 
Berrien County, Here the husband at first fol- 
lowed his trade, until he tiought a farm and de- 
voted himself to the pursuit of agriculture in So- 
dus Township. At the expiration of five years he 
removed 1»j Hagar Township. 

Henjamin S. Carpenter is an active member of 
the liaptisi Church and an efficient aid in the good 
work of that religions ilenomination. He is in 
political aftiliatinii a Democrat, and was the first 
Supervisor of Sodus Township, He boughteightj" 
acres of land in Hagar Township, and lived there 
for sixteen vears. In 1880 he located where he 
now resides. He has nine children, all living. 
His fiist wife did not long survive her marriage, 
and left no children. Some time after her death 
he wasmairieil to .Miss Malvina Nixon, daughter 
of .John and Sarah Nixon. The second wife be- 
came the mother of tliree children, of whom two 
are yet living: .Vrlhur, whose home is iu C'oloina; 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ol3 



and Kll.-i, wife oi' Ni'lson Gibne\-. A tliird time 
onU'iiiiq: llic lidiuls of matrimony, witli Sarali 
Sly, Henjaiiiiii S. Carpenter had iiis family in- 
creased by tlu' liuili of liveeliildren. Minnie is tlie 
wife of Nelt^oii Ihiwoll, a teamster of Cliicas;o: Car- 
rie marrie(1 (liauiicey Curtis; Teiia is* llie wife of 
■lo.'^iph Stump, a farmer of Nebraska; IJenjamin A. 
resides in tlie township; and Alma, at home. Our 
subject has a farm of twent}- acres, all under high 
cultivation and devoted to fruit. He raises Straw- 
berries principali\. but lias a line [jeacli and apple 
orchard, and has made a success of horticulture. 
Mr. Carpenter is a ineinber of the Inited l>rethren 
Church, and has held in that religious denomina- 
tion the ollicial |)ositions of Deacon of the church 
and Steward. A man of u|ui<;lit character and 
sterling integrity, his inlhience is cast on the side 
of right. In politicil alliliation he is a sturdy 
Democrat, and in .-ill iiiatlers of public welfare is 
ever pie[)ared to do his jjart as a true and liberal- 
spirited Aineiicaii citi/en. \Videl\ known, our 
suhject has a host of friend- i4i the community of 
the county, hiv so many years his constant abiding 
place. 






m 



"o? 



^' A>n:s i;. IIALK. a farmer in Cass County, 
the Treasurer of Calvin Township, and a 
veteran of the Civil War, was born in 
.leffersou County, near Kichmond, Ohio, 
February 20, 1840. He was next to the eldest in 
a family of eleven children, there being four boys 
and seven girls. His father, Stephen Hale, was 
also born in Jefferson County, Ohio, the date of 
his birth being March 15, 1814. The patern:d 
grandfather, Henry Hale, was born in Maryland, 
being of Knglish descent. A brother of his was 
at one time overseer of slaves for a .Southern 
planter, but none of this faniily was known to 
have owned slaves. 

Karly in 1800 the faniily migrated to the wilds 
of Ohio, from which State it is saiii the father of 
Ileiiiy was ilrafled into the aiiiiy in Ihe War of 
181'.^, Mild -oi(l his liuiiseliold goods in oidrT to 



secure the money necessary for hiring a substitute; 
whether on account of his dislike to going to the 
war, or because it w.as necessary for him to remain 
at home to provide for Ins family, who were in 
poor circumstances, we have not been able to 
learn. The grandfather, Henry, died in Ohio 
alioiil 18.')'.} or 1860. Stephen was the eldest of 
three sons, and had live sisters, one of whom was 
older than himself. .VU of this family remained 
in Ohio with the exception of Stephen, who went 
to \Vells County, Ind., in October, 18.50. In 18(JI 
he removed from that .State to INIichigan, where he 
settled on a farm in Calvin Township, Cass County, 
and there died, July 6, 1881. In early life lie was 
a Whig, and cast his lot with the Republican i)arty 
upon its Oi'ganization, remaining faithful to it 
until the d.ay of his death. Religiously, he was a 
member of the Free-Will Baptist Church, and livetl 
an upright, Christian life. 

Nancy (Reed) Hale, the mother of our subject, 
was born in Centre County, I'a., February (i, 18i;5, 
;iiid wa> the daughter of Arthur Reed, an Irish- 
man, but whether born on the Emerald Isle or in 
this country we do not know. The family move<l 
from Pennsylvania to Harrison County, Ohio, in 
1817, when Nancy was about four years of age. 
There she formed the ac(|uaiiitance of Stephen 
Hale, whom she married. ICIeven children were 
born of the marriage, three of the daughters dyiiig 
in infancy. The eldest of the family. Klizabeth, 
married John W. .\ker. a pump manufacturer and 
farmer in .Stark County, Ind. Mary .lane became 
the wife of I. M. Harris, who died, leaving two 
sons and three daughters; the widow now lives in 
l>rownsville, this county. Sarah .Matilda married 
John lliltcm, and they and their daughter occupy 
a pleasant residence in Cassopolis. Eliza Ann, 
Mrs. Holjert Kerr, is the mother of one son and 
One daughter, and resides at Daile^', this county 
William II. C., a graduate of the State Normal 
School at Vpsilanti, has for fifteen years followed 
the profession of a teacher, (^uaron Z. married 
I'lKcbe Gorman, and they reside near Spokane 
W.ash., where he is engaged in farming pur- 
suits. Madisfui enlisted as a member of the Forty- 
seventh Indiana InfMUliy in Seplember. 18()l.and 
[larticipated in the battles of New Madrid, Ft. 



514 



PORTRAIT AND BiOtiKAPlllCAL RECORD 



Pillow, and many of the less imiiortant engage- 
ments, and (lied wliiie in the seivieo at JMempliis, 
Tenn., on March 19. 181)3. 

The subject of this sketcli grew to nianliood 
upon his father's farm, and received Init a limited 
education. August 10, 185'J. lie married Catherine 
Kli/,;ibetli Aker.and afterward continued to operate 
a farin until the breaking out of tiie Civil War. 
On the 1st of November, 1862, his name was en- 
lolled as a member of Company' A, Forty-seventh 
Indiana Infantr}-. After taking part in the battle 
of Duval's Bluff, he went on the White River ex- 
pedition, and was in the rear of Vicksburg. Fol- 
lowing the siege of Ft. Pemberton, he returned to 
Helena, Ark., and soon afterward stalled down tlic 
iMississippi River for Vicksburg, landing at Milli- 
ken's Bend, and proceeding thence to Grand Gulf 
and Point Gibson. He took part in the battle of 
Champion Hills, May 16, 1863, and in the siege of 
Vicksburg, remaining in the rifle pits until the 
surrender, July 4. On the following day he started 
for Jackson, but soon returned to ^'icksburg, where 
he went into camp. 

After a short furlough at home, Mr. Hale re- 
joined his regiment at Charleston, 111., where they 
were ordered to quell the attack of the Knights of 
the Golden Circle at that place. He was one of 
tlie participants in the Red River ex|)edition, and, 
crossing the Gulf at Dolphin's Island, he lauded 
at Ft. Morgan, and took part in the siege of .Spanish 
Fort and Ft. Blakeley, and also in the charge of 
Mobile, Ala. On the 7th of October, 186.5, at the 
close of the war, he was mustered out at Baton 
Rouge, La., after a service of three years. During 
that period he was never wounded, taken prisoner 
or was in the hospital. 

While in the army, our subject's father sold tiie 
Indiana farm and came to Cass County, Mich., 
bringing the family of our subject with him. Upon 
his enlistment in the service he left his family, 
consisting of two sons and a daughter, in the 
Indiana home, but during his absence the little girl 
died. His wife was called hence on the 3d of Sep- 
tember, 1879, leaving at the time of her demise 
five children. William L. is unmarried, and resides 
in Spokane County, Wash.; James M. resides in 
Ransom Coiiiity, ^^ ])jik., an(l he anil Itis wife, 



whose maiden name was Eva Wert, are the parents 
of three children; Fred N. married Dora L. Elliot; 
Elias Edgar resides in Ransom County. N. Dak.; 
and Violeta Belle is living at home. 

The present wife of our subject was formeil\' 
Mrs. Agnes (Wise) Leonard, the widow oi Henry 
Leonard. She was born in Wayne County, Ohio, 
and is the daughter of Samuel and Margery 
(Kanicr) Wise, natives of Lancaster County, Pa. 
Her father died when she was a child of three 
years. Her brother Samuel served for three years 
in the late war. being a member of the One Hun- 
dred and Thirteenth Illinois Infantry. A brother- 
in-law, Elisha Johns, was a Sergeant in the same 
regiment, and served for three years. By her mar- 
riage to Ilenr}- Leonard she had seven children, all 
of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Hale have one 
ciiild,Zora Alice, a bright girl of eight summers. 

Ever since settling in Michigan, Mr. Hale h.as 
engaged in farming in Calvin Township, Cass 
County, and iiiis been quite successful in his chosen 
work. In local politics he has been [irominent in 
the Republican party, and has served for several 
years as a member of the School Board. He has 
been Treasurer of the township several times, and 
occupied other local offices. He is an active worker 
in the Grand Army of the Republic, being at 
present identified with Post No. 9 of Union, of 
which he was at one time Junior Vice Commander, 
and he is one of the charter members of the post. 



-^^- 



IIARLES GREEN. Nowhere within the 
limits of Cass County can there be found 
a man who takes greater interest in its ag- 
ricultural and stock affairs than Mr. Green, or who 
strives continually to promote and advance these 
interests to a higher plane. He has a native pride 
in this State, for he was born in Berrien County, 
and has spent most of his days in Cass County, 
where he is well and favorably known. His birth 
occurred in March, 18;")3, and he is the son of 
Hnrvey and Eunice (Judd) (ireen. 

Patrick Green, the grandfather of our subject, 





^-^^-tyi^ ^_X!c^^-2^ 



PORTiiAlT AND BICK4RAPHJCAL RECORD. 



517 



was ii native of the Emerald Isle, where he at- 
tained iiis growtli and received his education. 
Wiien a young man, or after tiie Revolutionary 
War. he came to tiie I'nited States and located in 
the Empire State, where for several years he en- 
gaged in peddling. He was niai-ried in that State, 
and shortly afterwards emigrated to Herrien 
County, Mich., where he was one of the fiist 
settlers. lie bought land, engaged in improving 
it, and on this reared his family of seven chil- 
dren. They were named as follows: William, 
Ilnrve^-. John, Rhoda (first wife of R. Greenman), 
Nancy (wife of Kinaldo Reed), Abhie (wife of 
Abner lUickman), and Mary, wife of Ransom 
Oreennian. 

The father of our subject, Harvey Green, was 
born in New Vt)rk State, and came witli his par- 
ents to Michigan when a child. At the age of 
twonty-one he branched out for himself, and as 
lie had early been trained to the arduous duties of 
the farm, he selected agricultural pursuits as his 
occupation in life. lie began tilling the soil on 
a new farm, and subsequently was married in 
Berrien County to Miss luinice .Tudd, the daughter 
of William and Al)igail (Heardsley) .ludd. The 
.ludd family was one of the early ones of Cass 
County, settling here as early as 181.'5. 

In 1H(!1, (luring the Civil War, he enlisted, and 
was never heard of after the battle of Shiloh. His 
brother .loliii was killed in that des])erato battle. 
He was a member of the Disciples Church, and in 
politics at one lime a Whig, and later a Hepub- 
lican. His widow married a man by the name of 
.Jackson Daj', and became the mother of three 
children by this union: May, who died when 
young; Nora, wife of Frank Kssig; and Silvia. 
Mrs. Green is still living, and enjojs compara- 
tively good health. 

The early days of our subject were passed in as- 
sisting his father on the farm tiiid in attending 
Ihc district school, wheie he secured a fair educa- 
tion. When but thirteen years of age he began 
working for himself in a sawmill, and continued 
this until about twenty-two years of age, in Mont- 
calm County, Mich. He thiMi came to his firand- 
father .ludd's farm, and on Iliis he resides at the 
present time, lie wiis niarricil in this county when 

go 



twenty-four years of age to Miss Mary Fraze, 
daughter of Hiram and Anna (Martin) Fraze. Mrs. 
Green is a member of the Disciples Church, and 
the3' give freely of their means to its support. In 
politics, Mr. (ireen is a Reijublican. He and wife 
have taken a nephew, Fred Day, to rear, and this 
boy has been with them since an infant. Mr. 
Green first took charge of his grandfather's farm, 
but. since then he has purchased it. This consists 
of eight}' acres, and is in a finestateof cultivation. 






~B)^^" 



/p^EORGE L. BAILEY, M. D., a prominent 
III J- — physician of Buchanan, is a native of New 
^^^' York, having been born in the village of 
Somerset, Niagara Count)', on the 5th of M.ay, 
1850. His paternal grandfather, Dr. Isaac Dodge 
Bailey, w.as born in Vermont, presumably of Irish 
and English descent, and when a young man re- 
moved to New York, and theie spent the most of 
his active life. Leonidas P. l»:iiley, father of our 
subject, was born in Niagara County, N. Y., and, 
having been admitted to the Bar in the State of 
New York, conducted an active practice there. 

Coming to Michigan in 1854, Mr. Bailey, Sr., 
located in Midland City, IMidland County, and 
opened an office for the practice of his profession. 
He soon gained considerable prominence through- 
out the State and was recognized as one of the 
most successful attorneys of the county. F"or his 
wife he chose Miss Prudence Bugbee, a native of 
New York, her father having been a farmer in 
that State. The marriage was blessed b}' tlie 
birth of the following children: Zil|)ha R., the 
wife of Dr. .Joel S. Wheelock, both of them being 
successful physicians of Bancroft, Shiiiwassee Coun- 
ty, Mich.; and Aldon ()., a lumberman residing in 
the northern part of Michigan. 

In the )Hiblic schools of Midland City our sub- 
ject acquired the rudiments of his education; later 
he carried on his studies for one year at Ypsilanti. 
Ilavin:; decided upon the medical profession as his 
occupation for life, he entered the nu'dical depart- 
ment of tlie State I'niversity. at Ann Arbor, and 



518 



i'OETRAIT AND BIC)GRAPHICAL RECORD. 



continued in that institution until liis gradua- 
tion in 1887. Immediately' after completing his 
studies, he located in Buchanan, and has since re- 
sided in tin's place. Through the exercise of good 
judgment in the application of remedies, quick 
perception in the diagnosis of cases, and habits of 
industry, he has gained the name of a successful, 
conscientious and painstaking doctor. Although 
his medical studies long ago ceased to be con- 
ducted in an3' school or university, yet he is a 
diligent student and through the medium of med- 
ical journals keeps in touch with liie latest dis- 
coveries in therapeutics. 

In 1871 Dr. Bailey married Miss Florence Wise, 
who was born in Delaware County, Ohio, and re- 
ceived a thorougii education at Delaware College. 
Dr. and Mrs. Bailey have three children. Tlie eld- 
est, Harry P., is a printer by trade, and follows that 
occupation in Buclianan. He is a graduate of the 
Deaf and Dumb Asylum at Flint, Midi., and, al- 
though thus sadly aftticted, he is a 3'oung niau of 
ability and intelligence. The other children, Bert F. 
and Jennie R., attend the public schools of 15u- 
chanan and are the recipients of every opportunity 
for attaining splendid educations. Social!)', Dr. 
Bailey is identified witli the Independent C)rder of 
Odd Fellows, belonging to the lodge at Buchanan. 
He is at present the Examining Phj'sician for the 
Modern Woodmen of America, and is an active 
member of that organization in Buclianan. His 
political opinions bring him in sympathy with 
the Ke|niblic;ms, and he is a warm advocate of tlie 
principles of that part3'. 



DWARD LA KUK HAMILTON. Of the 
eminent men of Michigan, many have 
found the legal profession the stepping- 
stone on which they have risen to prominence. 
Tliere are now a number of young men possessing 
keen discrimination,. acute perception, sound judg- 
ment and shrewd insight, of whose future tlieir 
friends hold great expectations. Among this 
numljer is the subject of this biographical notice, 



wlio is a prominent attorney-at-law and counselor 
residing in Niles. Notwithstanding the adverse 
circumstances under which he labored in his youth, 
he has risen to a |>osition of influence in Berrien 
County, and conducts an extensive practice in all 
the courts. 

A native of the county in which he now makes 
his home, Edward La Rue Hamilton w.as born on 
the 9th of December, 18.57. His father, Edward 
L., and his grandfather, John J. Hamilton, were 
both natives of New York, and the former was 
born in Oneida County in 18.34. He was only one 
year old when he was brought to Michigan, and in 
Beirien County he grew to a vigorous manhood. 
A farmer by occupation, he engaged in general ag- 
ricultural pursuits until his death in 187(5. His 
wife w.as Margaret Ann, the daughter of James 
and Margaret (Goodenough) Jameson, and a na- 
tive of Massachusetts. She was of direct Scotcli 
descent, her grandfather, James Jameson, having 
been born in the '"land of tiiistles." 

Upon the farm and in the schoolroom, the boy- 
hood of Edward La Rue Hamilton was un- 
eventfully passed. After Cduducting his studies in 
the Niles schools for four years, he entered the 
State Llniversity of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, 
where he remained for a short time. The death 
of his father caused him to leave school and icturn 
to the homestead, where, aided b^' his mother, he 
succeeded in tlearing the farm of a heavy incum- 
brance left u|ion it by his fatlier. When the 
place was again unincumbered, he entered the law 
office of Judge H. H. Coolidge, of Niles, where he 
conducted his legal studies for some time. Being 
admitted to the Bar in 188 4, he at once opened an 
office in Niles, where he is now well established in 
his profession. 

The lady who, on the 18th of October, 1883, be- 
came the wife of Mr. Hamilton, was Miss Cora \'., 
daughter of l)i'. .Mfred Eddy, formerly of Chicago. 
Mr. and iSIrs. Hamilton have an attractive and cozy 
home in Niles, and in addition to this properly lie 
owns one hundred and sixty acres of well-improved 
land, which he values the more highly on account 
of it having been the home of his parents during 
their long residence in Berrien County. An active 
Republican, he has rendered effective service in 



rORTRAlT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



519 



belialf 111' Ills pari.v and (hiriiiij the campaigns fre- 
quently "stuirn)!)'" tlie foiinty and distiicl. Fra- 
ternally, he is a member of St. Joseph Wille^' 
Lodge No. 4, A. V. & A. M.;St. Joseph Chapter, R. 
A. M.; and Niles C'ommandery No. 12, K. T. 



E^^ 




ANIEL WILLIAMS SWKM. an artist by 
'^^ profession, now prosperously following 

1^ the occupation of general agriculture, is 
also a highly successful stock-raiser, hand- 
ling some of the finest liorses bred in the State of 
Michigan. Residing upon a fine homestead located 
in AVeesaw Township, Berrien County, he has held 
with able fidelity the olKcial i)osition of .Justice of 
the Peace, and is highly esteemed by the home 
coniniunity. Mr. Swera was born in Columbiana 
County, Ohio, April H, 1843. His parents, John 
and Sarah (Glass) Swem, made their home for some 
length of time in the Buckeye State, but the father 
was a native of New Jersey, born in 181(1. He 
however removed with his parents to Ohio in an 
early day, and was there reared, educated and mar- 
ried, and finally emigrated from near Lima to Ber- 
rien County-, Mich., settling in Galien Township 
in 1862, and making this jiart of the State his res- 
idence until 1808, when he removed to Shelby 
Countj', Mo., and lived in that locality ten years. 
The father then retuined to Berrien County, where 
he later died in about 1887. He was of German 
and Scolcli descent, and devoted the labor of his life 
to the pursuit of agriculture. The mother was a na- 
tive of Pennsylvania, and died in Uerrien Count}-, 
in 1888. The parents were in early life members of 
the Baptist Church and afterward joined the (,'hris- 
tian Church. They were both active in good work 
.and highly respected by all vvho knew them. Ten 
children had blessed the home, seven sons and three 
daughters. 

Daniel W., the liflh in order of birth, was reared 
near Lima, Ohio, and altended the district schools, 
receiving a good conimon education. In July, 1861, 
when about eighteen years of age, he enlisted in 
Company I, Tweniy-sevcnili Ohio Infantry, as a 



private and, afterward (iromoted, became Corporal 
and later First Sergeant. Our subject had a brother, 
John, in the same company. I'ntil his discharge, 
July 31, 186.5, Mr. Swem constantly participated 
in scenes of danger and privation, but, never 
wounded or taken prisoner, actively engaged in 
twenty-two of the fiercest battles of the rebellion. 
He was present at the fights of Blackwater, JIo., 
New Madrid, Mo., Tiptouville, Ky., Island No. 10, 
siege of Corinth, luka, second battle of Corinth, 
and Ilatchee Bridge. He took part in the campaign 
and march through Geoigia, and vvas in the battle 
of New Berne, N. C, the last battle in which he 
engaged. His brother John, the color-bearer, also 
marvelously escaped cai^turo or wounds, having 
only received a wound suHicient to draw blood. 
Another brother, William Swem, courageously 
fought ill the Fifth-fourth Ohio Infantry. After 
the discharge of our subject from the army in 
which he had so faithfully served every day for four 
years, he went to Jacksonville, 111., and studied his 
profession under the teaching of T. T. Delzell, an 
able instructor. Becoming thoroughly versed in 
his art, he was known as Prof. Swem. for fifteen 
years devoting his time and labor to his chosen 
avocation. For two years he traveled and suc- 
cessfully- gave lessons in his art, but finally deter- 
mined tospend the remainder of his life in the till- 
ing of the soil and stock-raising, in which branch of 
farming .Mr. Swem has acquired a reputation, 
especially as a breeder of line horses, not long since 
selling a span for -$900. 

In 1867, Daniel Williams Swem and Miss Cor- 
inth ia Paddock, a native of Weesaw Township, 
were united in marriage. Unto our subject and 
his estimable wife have been born four sons and 
two daughters. Olefa is the wife of George W. 
Painter; Elmo is at home; T. Gu\, C. Clyde, Dale 
and T. Dot complete the group who ^-el gather in 
the parents' home. Mr. Swem is not connected 
with any church, but is known as a liberal-minded 
man of sterling integrity. Fraternally, he is a 
member of Custer Post No. 208, G. A. R., at 
(4alien and was a charter member and held the 
ollice of Commander two terms and was the second 
Representative to the State Encampment. He is 
likewise a member of the Farmers' Mutual Fire In- 



520 



PORTEAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



suraiice Companj' of Berrien. He is a member of 
Giilien Lodge No. 347, 1. O. O. F., and has filled all 
the chairs and represented bis lodge at the Grand 
Lodge at Lansing. Mrs. Swem is a Rebecca degree 
member and will represent her lodge at Lansing 
this fall. Our subject is now Vice-President and 
has been President of the Anti-Horse Thief Asso- 
ciation, and is connected with all township en- 
terprises conducing to mutual welfare. Political!}', 
be has with one exception identified himself with 
the Republican party, the exception being when be 
voted for Weaver as tlie candidate of the Green- 
back party. He cast his first Presidential vote for 
Abraham Lincoln and has closely adhered to the 
principles of the "Party of Reform." Mr. Swem 
has with ability discharged the duties of Justice of 
the Peace of Weesaw Township and, a man of 
earnest purpose, a strong advocate of temperance, 
and ever to be found upon the side of right and 
justice, commands the esteem of all his fellow- 
townsmen. 



-..^1^^ 



^/ARED HOADLEY. Located in the midst 
I of one of the finest agricultural centres of 
j Berrien County, the farm which Mr. Hoad- 
' ley owns and occupies is conceded to be 
among the best in the vicinity, and this is saying 
not a little, for on every band maj- be seen superior 
places, whose ownership indicates thrift and pros- 
perity. His farming operations are conducted in 
a manner indicative of a progressive, thorough 
agi'ieultnrist, and the same systematic condition of 
affairs about his home is apparent in bis course as 
a man. Thorough in all that he does, lie allows no 
worthy movement to drag for want of support if 
in his power to help it. 

Mr. Hoadley was originally from the Empire 
State, born in Manlius, Onondaga County, Sep- 
tember 11, 1817, to the union of J. and Luc3' 
(Williams) Hoadley, natives of Bennington Coun- 
ty, Vt., and Massachusetts respectively. His grand- 
father, J. Hoadley, Sr., was of English descent, as 
was also the maternal grandfather. The parents 



of our subject were married in Onondaga County, 

N. Y., and there in connection with farming the 
father followed the carpenter's and joiner's trade. 
The mother died in that State and the father after- 
wards moved to Sandusky, Ohio, and there 
followed farming. They were the parents of 
three children, two daughters and a son, all of 
whom grew to manhood and womanhood. 

From aliout the age of ten years our subject had 
to fight life's battles for himself, and although he 
never attended school more than a year in his life, 
he was studious and observing and taught school 
many years. He is truly a self-made man, and 
what he has accumulated in the way of this 
world's goods is the lesult of great energy and in- 
dustry on bis part. When seventeen years of age 
he took charge of a mercantile establishment and 
remained with this concern for three years, or 
until the owner sold out. In 1838 he came West 
to Michigan and stopped in Niles, where he 
expected to find emplo3'nient. Later he took a 
school and taught in the county for some time, 
but subsequently embarked in the grain business, 
which he continued in Niles for three years. 
After this he clerked in a store for five 3ears, and 
was then in the Farmers' & Merchants' Bank for 
some time. 

He was eng.aged in business in Elkhart, Ind., for 
a few years, but sold out and in 1853 came 
to Berrien County, Mich., and located on the farm 
where he now resides and which he had purchased 
in 1851. His Hist marriage was to Miss Zeviah 
Willard, the daughter of Rufus Willard, who was 
an early settler of Berrien County, ]Mich. She 
died leaving one child, buL the child died shortly 
afterwards. Mr. Iloadley's second marriage was 
to Miss Anna Iloagland, and by this union he he- 
came the father of three children. Rodney Paine, 
a natural musician and a genius in man}' wavs, 
followed teaching for some time but is now en- 
gaged in farming. He is married and has two 
children. Katta, wife of Chris Brandes, who is 
cashier of a bank in Wisconsin, taught school when 
she was fourteen years of age, and is a lad}- of 
more than ordinary ability. Anna, deceased, 
was the wife of Mr. Cooper, a lawyer of Niles. 

Our subject's third marriage was to Jliss Susan 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



r.2i 



Ashcriift, who liore liiiii tliiec childicii. t,\vo daugh- 
ters and a son. The. son. whose name is Willard, 
is at honit- and is a good husiiioss man; Maiv will 
giaditate from tiie Niles schools soon; and Clara L. 
is attending the schools in Niles. Mr. Iloadley 
has a good farm of one iuiiulrod and sixty-three 
acres on section 28, Niles Townsiii|). and most of 
the improvements on the same have liccn made l>y 
him. Altiioiigh he came to Michigan without 
money, he has been a successful man in all the oc- 
cu|);itions in whicii he engaged, and is now one of 
the sul>stantial men of this vicinit}'. In politics, 
he adheres to the principles of the Republican 
l)arty, but has never cared to hold otlicc. His son 
Willard is Treasurer of Niles Township, and 
Rodney holds the same position m Chikaniing 
Township. IJerrien County. Mr. Iloadley was at 
one time a member of the Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows, but is not now. 



^»^\ ILES DAAT.S, a retired agriculturist and 
^ \\\ highly respected pioneer citizen of Eau 
111 Claire, Berrien County, Mich., began in 
* 1851 the cultivation of his homestead, lo- 

cated upon the west half of the northwest quarter 
of section 34, and for nearl}' two-score years a con- 
slant resident of his homestead, has been intimately 
associ.ated with the growtii and prosi)crity of the 
county. Mr. Davis was born September 12, 1830, 
in Cambria Count}', I'a. His father, I'onjamin 
Davis, born in 17!)(), was a native of Wales and a 
farmer by occupation. The mother, also a native 
of Wales, was born in ITIMI. The Davis family 
emigrated to America in 18(11), and made their 
home in Penns^'lvania. The Williamses, crossing 
the broad Atlantic, became citizens of the United 
States in 1802. They likewise located in the (Juaker 
State, where in due course of lime the parents of 
our subject were married. They remained in Penn- 
sylvania until 18M, when they removed to Ohio, 
and settled in the woods of Ashland Countj-, upon 
the Western l!i*sii\c. For four years Henjamin 



Davis industriously cleared land and tilled the soil 
of the Buckeye Slate, and then journeyed with his 
family farther West, settling in 1818 in I'i|)estone 
Township, Berrien County, IMich., upon the farm 
now owned by R. J. Tuttle. 

The mother died in 1848, the father surviving 
until 1879. Energetic and industrious, they were 
highly' regarded by all who knew then), and were 
devout meiDbers of the Christian Church, and in 
Penns3'lvania the father had been an "exhorter." 
The childien who clustered about the pioneer 
hearth weie Timothy, Hannah and John, deceased; 
Raehael, Mrs. Fisher; William and Bcnjan)in, de- 
ceased; Miles, our subject; IVIaiy DeLong; and Mar- 
ga)'et. Miles Davis, the seventh child, attended the 
school of the district, but at fourteen years of age 
steadily devoted himself to the daily round of ag- 
ricultural labor upon his father's farm. At twenty- 
one years of age he began life for himself and. a 
thoroughly practical farmer, entered with resoiii- 
tiou into the clearing and cultivating of the land, 
now under a high state of [)roductivencss. Hi« 
lirst house was a modest log habitation, but in 1871 
lie erected his attractive and commodious residence 
at a cost of $2,000, and from time to time has added 
other substantial improvemcHts. Mr. Davis owns 
two hundred and forty acres of valuable land in 
Pipestone Township, and also has a house and lot 
in Eau Claire, having accumulated a comfortable 
competence, gained in the pursuit of farming. 

In 1856, Miles Davis and Mi.ss PJKebe F'isher 
were united in marriage. Mrs. Davis w.as a daugh- 
ter of Ambrose and Maria (McDaniel) Fisher, who 
removed from Ohio to Michigan in 1846, and set- 
tled in Berrien Townshii), where they both died. 
Mr. Fisher was an honored pioneer farmer and a 
man of sterling integrit}'. Mrs. Davis is a native 
of Ohio, and was born in Portage County in 1838. 
Our subject .and his estimable wife were the parents 
of three children. Ellic A., wife of Thomas Ferry, 
is the mother of three children, and resides in 
Pipestone Township; William B., married to Mary 
Peterbaugli, is the father of one child and is 
living in the township; the eldest child died in in- 
fancy. 

Mr. and Mrs. Davis are value(I members of the 
Christian Church at Eau Claire, of which chuicli 



522 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



onr subject is an Elder and has taken an active 
part in tiie work of the Sundaj'-school. The 
daiigliter and sons enjo3-ed the benefit of a 
good common-school education, and for a number 
of years Mr. Davis was an erticient member of the 
School Board of the county. Politically, our sub- 
ject has always taken a deep interest in local and 
national issues. He is a strong Democrat and has 
been a delegate to numerous conventions. He has 
likewise occupied with able fidelity various ollices 
of trust, and has discharged tiie duties of Clerk of 
Pipestone Township, Treasurer of the township, 
and Supervisor of the township to the vimversal 
satisfaction of the coramunitj', whose interests he 
so materially advanced bv his enterprise and busi- 
ness methods. Now retired from the daily routine 
of agricultural life, he enjoj'S a well-earned rest, 
but, as j'et in the vigor of manhood, is one of the 
substantial and liberal-spirited citizens, ever read}- 
to aid in all matters of mutual welfare, and, widely 
known in Berrien County, enjoys the best wishes 
and thorough confidence of a large circle of old 
friends and acquaintances. 



^^^- 



|/_ ENRY VAN TILBURG. who has served 
with ability as Justice of the Peace and 
Treasurer of the township of Ontwa, Cass 
^) Count}-, Mich., is a leading agriculturist 
and a highly esteemed citizen. He was born 
in Union County, Pa., upon the 15tli of May, 
1836. His parents were John and Elizabeth 
(AVikle) Van Tilburg. Tiie paternal grandfather, 
William Xan Tilburg, was a son of Henry A'an 
Tiiburg, of Dutch origin, who was a pioneer 
farmer of Jefferson County, where he passed away 
at ninety-five years of age. His good wife was a 
Shaker. Grandfather Van Tilburg was born in 
Bucks County, Pa., and served with brave fidelity 
in the War of 1812. While in New Orleans he 
became very sick, and, tenderly eared for, he after- 
ward married his nurse. She was a Frenchwoman 
named Williams. The four sons of tlie union 
were Samuel. John, William and Benjamin, all 



born in Bucks Count}-, Pa. The father died in 
Lycoming County. Grandfather Van Tilburg was 
in religious belief a Lutheran. He lived for a 
brief time in Ohio, but spent the most of liis life 
in Pennsylvania. 

The father of our subject was born in the 
Quaker State June 2, 1806. He w.as a carding 
manufacturer by trude, but after removing to 
Summit County, Ohio, in 1845, followed the 
peaceful avocation of a farmer. In 1854 he 
journeyed b}- team to Elkhart County, Ind., and 
in 1859 located in Jefferson Township, Cass 
County, Mich., where he died September 2, 1862. 
He had enlisted in Companj- F, Twelfth Michigan 
Regiment, but was mustered out before leaving 
the State. Enjoying the confidence of the com- 
munities in v.hich he resided, he officiated as Jus- 
tice of the Peace in Ohio, and was a Township 
Trustee in Indiana. He was an earnest and reso- 
lute man of integrity and perseverance. Politic- 
all}', he was a Democrat, and a member of the 
E\-angelical Church. His widow died in Elkharl. 
April 24, 1874. She was born in Northumberland 
County, Pa., December 31, 1803, and was the 
daughter of Peter Wikle, a native of Pennsylva- 
nia, although his parents were of German na- 
tivity, the father and mother emigrating from the 
Old Countrj- to America, where the\- died at an 
advanced age. Peter Wikle fought in the War of 
1812, and reared four sons and five daughters. 
His wife also died in the Quaker State. The family 
were of Evangelical faitli, and in political prefer- 
ence Mr. Wikle was a Whig. He was a shoemaker 
by trade, and was an industtioiis and upright 
man. 

Our subject was one of the four children who 
clustered about the farail}- hearth of the old home. 
John died at nineteen years of age; Henry w.as 
the second-born; Mar}- Moore, the only daughter, 
resides in Mecosta County, Mich.; J.acob is the 
youngest of the family. Henry Van Tilburg began 
the labor of life in a woolen f.actory, and continued 
to work in the same until he removed with his 
father to Ohio. In 1860 he settled in Jefferson 
Township, Cass County, Mich., and in 1863 lo- 
cated where he now resides, on the Redfield 
estate, in 1881 he purch.osed forty-two .acres of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



523 



land on section 21. Oiilwa 'rownsliip. In his 
otfici.al (hilii's ;is .luslioc of tlic IVuce and 'I'reas- 
urcr of the township, he has j;iven ijreat satisfac- 
tion to tiie community li.V wlioni he is sniioiinded. 
Politically, he is a Democrat, interested in local 
and national issues. Fraternally, he is n member 
of the Ancient Free A' Accepted Masons. 

Upon Ansjust Ki, 18.")7, our subject was united 
in marriage with Miss I-avina Danner, daughter of 
Michael and Catliorine (Whetmirc) Danner. and 
born in Stark County, Ohio, her parents being 
farmers of the Buckeye Slate, but natives of Lan- 
caster County, Pa. Mrs. Catherine Danner has 
been twice married. I5y licr first husband she be- 
came the motlier of four daughters and one son. 
After the death of Mr. Fwnner she married Jo- 
seph Flickmger, and lias borne him one son and a 
daughter. Tiiey are living with our subject. The 
maternal grandfather of Mrs. A'.an Tilburg was 
Philip Downer, who was born in Pennsjl vania, 
and died in Stark County, Ohio. Ilis wife was 
born in Germany. The one child wlio has blessed 
the home of Mr. and Mrs. \'an Tilburg is a son, 
William Henry. Mr. Van Tilburg was formerly 
connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
He is a man of sterling integrity, and a true 
Ameiican citizen. 



mp 



-— ^E 



=1^ 




YCURGUS .IFFFRIKS, an energetic busi- 
ej, ness man and representative fanner, now 
^ located upon section 1!), (Jalien Township, 
Herrien County, Mich., is a native of the West, 
and was born in Dearborn County, Ind., .lanuarv 
1. 1838. Our subject is the son of Thomas Iv ;in(l 
Margaret (Foster) .Ic!tTries. Father .Icffries was 
born nc.'ir Wheeling, \'a., in 181;"). Appr(Miticed 
early in youth to llic trade of a brick-l:i\ er and 
plasterer, he followed the business all his life. lie 
was also a contractor and builder, and was hard- 
working and enterprising. Married in \'ii-giniato 
the daughter of Thomas and Perinelia Foster, he 
soon after locateil in Indiana, settling in Law- 
reneeville. Dearboiii ('oun1\', which was his home 



until his death of cholera, in 18.5(1. He was never 
a politician, but took an interest in the conduct 
of pulilic affairs and cast his vote with the Demo- 
cratic party. The father and mother were the 
parents of six children: Thaddeus H., deceased; 
Lycurgus, our subject; Martha .1., wife of Isaac 
Martin; Napoleon I!.; Permelia C., married to 
Reuben Cooley; and Missouri, deceased. The 
mother after the death of her husband married 
Thomas Spradling, and unto tlKun was born one 
son, Albert. In 1877, after surviving her fust 
husband twenty-seven years, she too passed away. 

Our subject was but eleven years of age when 
the death of his father obliged him to begin the 
battle of life for himself. The orphan boy worked 
faithfully on a farm seven years, receiving the 
privilege of three months' schooling, a suit of 
clothes and ^IT). He was then eighteen years old 
and managed with perseverance and self-denial to 
fit himself for a teacher, and taught one year, lie 
next engaged in farming on the home place, and 
when the Civil War broke out entered the Army. 
It was in 1862 that Mr. Jeffries joined the Army of 
the Cumberland, having enlisted in Company H, 
Sixty-eighth Indiana Regiment. He .actively par- 
ticipated in many of the principal eng.agements 
and took part in the battles of Hoover's (Jap, Mis- 
sion Ridge and Chickamauga, in the latter fight 
having his gun shot out of his hand. Our subject 
was on detached duty with the Chief Commissary 
of the Military' Division of Mississipjii. Taken 
prisoner at Mumfordsvillc, Ky., he w.as held in 
durance three months and then paroled. After 
the close of the war Mr. Jeffries located in Mich- 
gan, and in 1867 w.as united in marri.age to Miss 
Julia, daughter of William and Samantha (Taylor) 
Valentine. 

The wife of our subject was born in Oswego 
County, X. V., and in I8.j0 emigrated with her 
parents to La Porte Countw Ind., and the same 
\ ear removed to Michigan, settling in IJcrrien 
County. Mr. and Mrs. .Icffries have one son, 
Ernest, now married to .Aliss Daisy M.ayes. This 
son received a liberal education in the l>uclianan 
School in Three Oaks, and is now on the luune 
farm. Aside from his agricultural inte:est:<, Mr. 
Jeffries was for several years engageil in the gro- 



524 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



eery and drug business in Three Oaks. For two 
summers he sold trees in both Michigan and Indi- 
ana. Politically, our subject is a Republican, and 
for one term ably discharged the duties of Town- 
ship Trustee of Three Oaks Township. At one 
time he was a member of the Ancient Free & Ac- 
cepted Masons, but is not now actively connected 
with that fraternal societj-. He is a member of 
Deacon Post, G. A. R., Carlisle Hill, Ind. He and 
his estimable wife are valued members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, and generously aid 
in its support and the extension of the good 
cause. Mr. Jeffries is well known throughout his 
section of the State and is respected as a citizen of 
sterling integrity. 




if4_^ IRAM S. HELMICK. Nowhere within the 
limits of Berrien County, Mich., can there 
be found a man who takes greater interest 
in its agricultural affairs than Hiram S. 
Helmick, or who strives more continually to pro- 
mote and advance these interests. Everv life has 
a history of its own, .and although in appearance 
it may possess little to distinguish it from others, 
yet the connection of Mr. Helmick with the agri- 
cultural interests of this region has contributed to 
give liiin a wide and popular acquaintance with 
nearly every citizen of the county — if not person- 
alh', then by name. 

Mr. Helmick is a product of Ohio soil, born in 
Warren County in 1830, and the fourth in order 
of birth of eleven children bom to the marriage 
of .Jesse and Elizabeth (Simmington) Helmick, the 
father a native of Virginia, and the mother of 
Ohio. Jesse Helmick was a blacksmith by trade, 
and came to Michigan in 1836. when Michigan 
was a Territory. He purchased three hundred and 
twenty acres, for which he paid $7 per acre, more 
than most of the land was selling for at that time. 
This land was covered with verj- heavv timber, 
Indians were numerous but friendly, and wild 
game abounded. Mr. Helmick passed the remain- 
der of his days on this farm, his death occurring 



in 1881, when eighty-two ^-ears of age. His aged 
wife survived him until 1887, and waseight}--four 
at that time. Both were members of the Method- 
ist Episcopal Church. 

.Jesse Helmick was a . public-spirited man. and 
held a number of local offices. He filled the office 
of Probate .Judge for some time; was Townsliip 
Supervisor, and was Justice of the Peace. He was 
a great lover of frontier life, and was born on the 
frontier of Virginia. From there he removed to 
the frontier of Kentuck3-, thence to the frontier of 
Ohio, and finally* brought his family to Michigan, 
when it was still a wilderness. The children born 
to this worthy couple were as follows: John S., a 
resident of this county; Samuel and Mar^-, de- 
ceased; H. S., our subject; Jacob, wlio resides in 
Kansas; .Sarah J., deceased, who was the wife of 
D. Sylvester; Eli, of Buchanan; Rachel A., de- 
ceased; Burnes, of Chicago; Alice, wife of R. B. 
Clark, of Buchanan; and Eliza, now Mis. Aiva 
Green, of Iowa. 

The subject of this sketch received his educa- 
tion for the most part in Berrien Count}', attend- 
ing the common schools, which were few and far 
between in those days. At the usual age of twen- 
ty-one, he began life's battle for himself, and fii-st 
engaged in farming on rented land, continuing on 
the same for two years. His father then gave him 
eighty acres, and to this he added by purchase un- 
til he owned an extensive tract. For fourteen 
years he resided ou this farm, and then went to 
Idaho and Montana, where he remained for two 
years and a-half. For some time previous to tljis. 
he was engaged in business in Berrien .Springs, but 
after he sold his farm he purchased three hundred 
and eight acres, with onl}- nine acres cleared. "and 
no buildings. Mr. Helmick still ret^iins two hun- 
dred and sixt3'-six acres, the most of which is in 
wild meadow land, there being but sixty-five acres 
under cultivaticm. 

Mr. Helmick selected his wife in the person of 
Miss Lydia A. Scott, and their nuptials were cele- 
brated in the 3"ear 1 852. She was a native of 
New York State, and the daughter of Ambrose and 
Mary (Denmark) Scott. Mrs. Helmick w.as a 
teacher by profession, and came to Michigan for 
the purpose of teaching. .She was one of eleven 










'/• 




/Z^^-^^^ ^^^-^"^ 




/^^^I^P^J.^, 



<z_ 



PORTRAIT AND RIOORAPinCAL RECORD. 



527 



cliililrcMi l><>in to licr parents, both of whom are 
now (U'lH'a.Nod. Five cliildren luivf blessed tbe 
union of Mr. and Jlrs. Helmick, as follows: Am- 
brose M.; Jesse M., deceased; Alice, wife of James 
Fulton, of this county; Mary, wife of George O. 
Haitlioloniew, of this township; and Winnie, at 
lioinc. Mr. and Mrs. Helmick hold membersliip in 
tlie Methodist Episcopal Cliuicii. Tlie former lias 
held the office of Justice of the Peace for some 
time, and, in politics, has mostly affiliated with the 
Democratic party. Of late years he has been an 
active worker in the ranks of the Prohibition 
party. 



\I? EVI SPRINGSTEEN. Such as Michijran is, 
ll (^ *'"^ ''^* been made through the energetic 
JIL^^ efforts and patient perseverance of the 
sturdy race of pioneers wlio, during the early half 
of this centur\', penetrated its dense forests and 
cleared the land which forms the present sites of 
nourishing cities. The family of which our subject 
is a member h.as for more than a half-century been 
identified with the development of this section of 
Michigan and the name is one well known through- 
out Cass County, especially in La Grange Town- 
ship, where our subject makes his home. 

Henry Springsteen, father of our subject, w.as 
born in Rockland County, N. Y., and w.as de- 
scended from ancestors who emigrated from Hol- 
land in an early day and became closely associated 
with the progress of the United States. Henry 
Springsteen, who was reared upon a farm, in his 
youth was bound out to an elder brother to learn 
the trade of a carpenter, and after completing his 
term of apprenticeship followed that trade for 
many years. In his native county he married 
Eleanor Clark, and soon afterward removed to 
Ontario County, N. Y. They became the parents 
of four sons and four daughters, three now living, 
as follows: Eliza, Catharine and our subject. When 
our subject w.as a mere infant the family removed 
to Niagara County, where the father purchased 
one hundred acres of heavily timbered land. He 
cleared the |>lace and added to it until his aggre- 
gate possessions aiiiouiilcd to three hundred acres. 



In 1837, Henry Springsteen came to Michigan, ^ 
m;iking the long journey in wagons and occupy- 
ing considerable time in the removal. Reaching 
Cass County he rented land on Kinnie's Prairie, 
where he remained for two years. Later, he bought 
one hundred and sixty acres near Dowagiac, but 
died two years after coming to this place, before 
he had effected the improvements which he had 
planned. In his religious belief, he was a member 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and served as 
Class-leader in that religious organization. His 
wife was also a devoted member of that denomina- 
tion. Politically, he was a Democrat, and was a 
man of great loyaltj- to his country, serving with 
valor in the War of 1812, although he never re- 
ceived any compensation for his services. 

Born in Ontario County, N. Y., March 10, 181.5, 
our subject was taken in his infancj' to Niagara 
County, where he grew to manhood. When about 
twentj'-three years old he married Miss Ariminda, 
daughter of Thomas and Rebecca Vanderhoof. 
This lady died in 1844, leaving one daughter, who 
passed away when twenty-one years old. The 
second marriage of Mr. Springsteen united him 
with Mrs. May Hunter, wee Stillwell, an estimable 
lad}-, who departed this life in 1890. Beginning 
farming oi)erations soon after his first marriage, 
Mr. .Springsteen cleared large tracts and increased 
the value of his proi)erty by erecting suitable and- 
substantial buildings. He is now the owner of 
one hundred and sixty acres, the most of which is 
improved. In his political opinions, he believes 
that free trade will subserve the best interests of 
the nation, and accordingly casts his influence on 
the side of the Democratic party. 



-^ 




S EBASTIAN SMITH. The career of this 
gentleman has been marked by enter- 
prise, industry and the well-directed efforts 
that have been rewarded by the accumula- 
tion of a considerable amount of land and the 
in.achinery and slock necessar}- fov carrying on a 
first-class farm. The early years uf Mr. Smith 



528 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



were spent in his native village, Rcdfield, Kenne- 
bec County, Me., where he was born May 11, 
1826. 

The grandfather of our subject, whose given 
name was Matliias, was one of the settlers of the 
Plymouth Colony of historical fame, and he 
located on two hundred acres of land in the 
Plymouth County tract, along the Kennebec River. 
There he toiled laboriously in making a home for 
himself and family, and died in the very prime 
of life. To himself and wife were born four 
sons: Mathias, John, Cyril and Comfoit. John 
and Comfort lived to the great age of ninety 
years. Grandfather Smith was born and reared in 
the State of Maine, and there he wooed and ni.ar- 
ried his wife, who was known in her maiden days 
as Miss Stockton. This lady bore her husband 
eight sons and one daughter, all of whom reached 
mature years with the exception of one son. The 
others are: Samuel, George. Benjamin, Oliver, 
Ansel, James, John and Harriet. James died in 
New Hampshire, Oliver in New Brunswick, Ansel 
in Massachusetts, and John passed away when 
twenty 3'ears of age at his home. 

The father of our subject was born in Redfield, 
Me., January 2, 1792, and although a mere lad 
when the War of 1812 broke out, he enlisted and 
served the entire time, being in tlie battle of Ft. 
Prebble and other engagements. During active 
life, George Smith was a merchant, in which occu- 
pation he was very successful, but when old age 
began to show itself he retired from business and 
went to live with his son, our subject. He was a 
man of strong intellect, retaining his mental 
faculties to the last. He learned the Greek alpha- 
bet after he was eighty years of age, and was ex- 
cellent in mathematics all his life, having taught 
in early years. He served in numerous township 
oHices, and was a Democrat in politics. He died 
at the rii^e age of ninety-one years, his wife 
having passed from this life in 1865, at the age of 
seventy. 

Mr. Smith's mother was also a native of Red- 
field, and a daughter of Jeremiah White, a shoe- 
maker by trade. She was the mother of five 
children: Glorvinia, Albion, Sebastian, Wallace, 
and George W. The two last-named were soldiers. 



the former enlisting in the Second Wisconsin 
Cavalry as Lieutenant. The latter enrolled his 
name with those who formed the Nineteenth 
Maine Infantry as a private, but v^as soon pro- 
moted to the rank of Captain. He was killed in 
the memorable battle of Gettj-sburg, July 2, and 
buried on the field. At the time of the dispute 
about the boundary line, in 1830, George had 
charge of the troops, and discharged his duty 
there in a trustworthy manner. 

Our subject received his education in the com- 
mon district schools of Maine and New Brunswick, 
and at the age of nine years he entered his father's 
store, where he remained for about four years, 
and at the end of that time went with his Uncle 
Oliver to New Brunswick. There he spent two 
years in the town of Frederickton,and at the age of 
fifteen began to receive a salary of |i200 a \ear. 
After the demise of his uncle, Sebastian settled 
up the business, and in 1854 returned to Maine, 
where he stayed a few da3'S with his parents, and 
then made his way to Chicago. At the expiration 
of two years, during which time he was in the 
employ of a lumber company, he erected a mill in 
partnership with Henry R. Holland, but in the 
panic of 1857 they lost everything they had. 
Mr. Smith and his partner then purchased a 
quarter-section! of land, which is now the home of 
the former, and although at the time of purch.ase 
the land was in a very rude state, our subject has 
so skillfully managed and worked so industriously 
as to convert it into a first-class farm. In the 
spring of 1858 Mr. Smith began clearing this land, 
upon which he built a house a year later. He 
now owns three hundred and twenty acres in the 
home farm, which is located on section 14, at the 
east end of Paw Pavv Lake, Watervliet Township, 
Berrien Count\'. Besides the homestead, there are 
farms elsewhere aggregating five hundred acres, 
sixty of which are devoted to the cultivation of 
fruit, and forty of which, situated on the lake, 
are used for the purpose of renting. On these 
forty acres are built neat and attractive cottages, 
that nestle among the groves and constitute the 
most comfortable homes. 

Mr. Smith has alwa3S been active in political 
affairs, and has cast his ballot both for tlie Demo- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



529 



cratic and I'roliihitioii parlies, lie is a iiicniber of 
the Masdiiic fialeniitv, of wliieii he was made a 
constituent in New I5runswici<, and is also identi- 
fied with the Congregational Church. The mar- 
riage of our suliject and Miss Harriott M. Harker 
was celebrated .luly 9, 18r)(), at the home of the 
bride's parents, John and Rebecca (Burpe) Barker. 
Mrs. Smith was born in New Biunswick, and after 
her marriage became the niollicr of five children, 
three of whom are still living: John W., Carrie IJ. 
and Klla (i. The others died in infancy. .John 
Barker was a farmer and shoemaker by occupation, 
and reared one son and three daughters. 

The worthy wife of our subject has been a zeal- 
ous worker in the INIethodist Kpiscopal Church for 
a number of years, and is a lady wiio is beloved 
by all with whom she forms accjuainlanceship. 
Mr. Smith has long been known as an honorable 
and hard-working farmer, who possesses good 
qualities as a man and is loyal and true as a 
citizen. 






R. T. G. RIX, a successful dentist and promi- 
nent citizen of Cass County, Mich., has been 
continuously engaged in the duties of his 
profession in Dowagiac for over a quarter of a 
century, but, a native of New England, was born 
in Danville, Vt., July 28, 1834. The birthplace 
of his father, Guy C. Rix, was Littleton, N. H., in 
which part of the Old Granite State the i)atenial 
grandfather, Nathaniel Rix, was numbered among 
the very earliest settlers and, owning four hundred 
acres of valuable land, was esteemed a man of 
substance. Energetic and intelligent, Grandfather 
Rix was one of the representative agriculturists of 
New Hampshire and took an active and leading 
part in public affairs, serving with great accepta- 
bility to his constituents for twenty-eight years as 
one of the able legislators of the State. The 
mother of our subject was descended from noble 
and patriotic ancestry. Gen. Gates, of Revolu- 
tionary fame, being one of her forefathers. 

Dr. Rix received instructions in the sclioois of 



St. Johnsluiry and Liltlcloii. and completed a 
course of study in the Yalcs Academy in Orleans 
County, N. Y. In 18.01, our subject, then only 
about seventeen years of age, made his home in 
Michigan. Having decided to adopt a profession, 
he began llie study of dentistry at Manchester, and 
later continued the same in Buffalo, finall}' taking a 
couise in the American College of Dental Surgery, 
from which well-known institution he graduated 
with an honorary degree. Dr. Rix was for five 
years Professor of Clinical Dentistry in his Alma 
Mater and also occupied tlie chairs of Metallurgj' 
and Prosthetic Denistry. Our subject was among 
the earliest to enlist in the service of ttie Union, 
and was Lieutenant of ('om])an3' D, First Michi- 
gan Infantry, which ]wrticipated in the first fight 
of Bull Run. In IHfU Dr. Rix located perma- 
nently in Dowagiac, and entered into a profitable 
and extensive practice as a dentist. The marriage 
of our subject and Miss Harriet Page, daughter of 
James Page, of New York State, was celebrated in 
the year 1858. 

Three children have blessed the pleasant home of 
Dr. Rix and his estimable wife. Dr. John Rix is a 
prosperous dental surgeon at Thorp, Wis. Ade- 
laide P., now Mrs. Frank F. Fish, of Chicago, is 
also a graduate of the American College of Den- 
tal Surgery, and took her degree in the year 
1892; and Gertrude is at home. In the spring 
of 1892 our subject was in charge of the Amer- 
ican College of Dental Surgery as Superinten- 
dent of the College and Clinics, where there were 
at the time one hundred and sixty students 
and from one hundred and fifty to two hundred 
patients per day. He was forced on account of 
ill-health to resign his arduous position and recu- 
perate. Dr. Rix is a liberal and progressive citi- 
zen, deeply interested in local and National affairs, 
and has several times been the nominee of his 
party for positions of trust. He has for two terms 
discharged elliciently the duties of Village Trustee, 
and is now President of the Dowagiac Union 
Fair Association, one of the important enterprises 
located at Dowagiac, Cass County. He is .also Pres- 
ident of the Mutual City and Village Fire Insur- 
ance Comjiany of the counties of Berrien, Cass and 
\'an Buren. Fraternally, our subject is a valued 



530 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



member of the Ancient Free A Accepted Masons, 
and affiliates witli Lodge No. 114; Kej-stone 
Chapter No. 36, of Dowagiac; American Legion 
of Honor, Knights of Honor, Knights of Pythias, 
and B. P. O. E., tlie last order at Battle Creek, 
Mich. 



-5- 



-^ 



-J- 



e EUGENE LYLE, Vice-President of the 
Dowagiac Drill Company, one of the lead- 
ing enterprises of Cass County, and also a 
Director of the City Bank, engaged profitably in 
the dry-goods business for himself when, only .sev- 
enteen years of age, and still continues to devote 
a large portion of his valuable time to mercan- 
tile pursuits. Our subject is a native of Dowagiac, 
and was born in this thriving city January 9, 
1855. He was the son of one of the prominent 
citizens of the town, D. Lyle, well known in Cass 
County, and highly esteemed as an early settler 
and representative business man of Dowagiac. 
The home of the father and mother was blessed 
by the presence of two sons, C. Eugene and 
Frank W. Lyle, Cashier of the City Bank. Mr. 
Lyle throughout his childhood and the days of his 
boyhood regularly attended the excellent schools 
of his native town, and received a [iractical educa- 
tion which well fitted him to discharge the various 
and complex duties which have since devolved 
upon him. 

Entering upon the responsibilities of business 
life four years prior to attaining his majority, our 
subject has for over a score of years given his 
close and unwearied attention to the details which 
insure the successful handling of dry-goods, and 
has built up a trade covering a large territory and 
second to none in this section of the country. In 
company with his brother he also engaged in man- 
ufacturing drills, the enterprise from the first re- 
ceiving unusual encouragement and immense cus- 
tom. Tiie extensive factory now legularly em- 
ploys from two hundred to two hundred and 
twenty-five men, its products comparing most 
favoralily with the old establishments of this 
country and Europe. Financially prospered, Mr. 



Lyle is active in all iiiallers of pulilic interest, 
and is a large stockholder in the City Bank, of 
which he has for.some time been one of the valued 
Directors. In this official position, as in his entire 
business career, he is especially distinguished for 
his executive ability and clear judgment. 

Our subject was married in September, 1878, his 
wife being Miss Ida A. Holmes, a daughter of 
Richard and Mary Holmes, of Dowagiac, the father 
and mother being long-time residents of this 
city, havingemigrated to Michigan from the State 
of New York, their early home. Mr. and Mrs. 
Lyle have one child, Miss Clara H. Lyle, to whom 
life promises a bright and happy future. Mr. 
Lyle is in no sense of the word a politician, but is 
well posted on local and National issues. In both 
social .and business circles he has a large acquaint- 
ance, and, passing his entire life among the asso- 
ciations of youth, enjoys the confidence of a host 
of life-time friends. 



j.^ ^_ 

•"^S" 



I— i-j 






^ AMES H. GRAHAM. A pioneer of M.ason 
Township and a gentleman who has had 
more to do witli the public affairs of tiie 
same than any other man in the township, 
is James H. Graham, who w.as born in Wayne 
County, Ohio, November 18, 1832. lie was sixth 
in order of birth of nine children born to J. R. and 
Mary A. (Kidd) Graham. J. R. Graham was born 
in Belfast, Ireland, January 28, 1796, and was of 
Scotch-Irish descent. He was a weaver by trade, 
as was his father before him, and the youngest of 
a large family of children. When a young man 
he crossed the ocean to America, landing in Can- 
ada, but went from there to Philadelphia, where he 
worked at his trade as a weaver for some time, 
and then went to Wilmington, Del. At the latter 
place he formed the acquaintancn of Miss Mary 
A. Kidd, who was born in Philadelphia and who 
was of genuine Highland Scotch ancestry. Her 
father was a wealthy and prominent powder man- 
uf.Ttlurer. 

Ml', and Mrs. (Jraliain's nuptials were celebrated 



Portrait and BiooRAriiicAL record. 



o;m 



March 9, 1822, and lie continued to follow his 

UncU' in Wiliiiiiiutoii :ui;l I'liihidclpliia lor many 
yenis, heinj,' a ivsidenl of the latter place when 
La Favetle made a visit there. Later lie went to 
Wayne County, Ohio, and conlinuL'd in the manii- 
factnie of linen and woolen goods until the win- 
ter of 18 l(), when he eanie to Michigan. lie located 
in Moltville, and two years later came to Cass 
County, locating on land in M.ason Township 
where oui- subject now lives, lie came here with a 
moderate fortune made in his business asaweaveri 
Mud died here four years later, in .January, 1852. 
lie was a Whig in his political views and a strong 
Protectionist, lie and his wife were members of the 
Baptist Church. Ten years after his death and on 
the same farm occurred the death of the wife and 
mother. This was on October 22, 1862, and she 
was si.\ty-two years of age, her birth having oc- 
curred in 1800. 

The brothers and sisters of our subject were 
named as follows: John, born January 21, 1823, 
died in infancy; Mary Ann, born Seplcinber 24, 
1S21. married Marshal Moon, who is farming in 
this .State; Eleanor, born August 14, 1826, married 
. George W. San ford, a steamboat engineer of St. 
Louis. Mo., where she died May 15, 1854; Marga- 
ret, born September 13, 1828, married Jonas Mill- 
er, a farmer, and now resides at Ilicksville, Ohio; 
Victorine, born November 13, 1830, died Septem- 
ber II, 1846; Eveline, born January' 8, 1835, mar- 
ried Alonzo Fields, who is now deceased, and she 
is living in Porter Township, this count}^; Jane 
born April 7, 1837, died August 28, of the same 
year; and Isah, born July 19, 1838, died Septem- 
ber 17, 1847. 

A limited education was received by James H. 
Graham, for when but a small child he went into 
the woolen-mill with his father. Later, or when 
thirteen years of age, he took charge of a carding- 
maehine', and wlien fourteen years of age came 
with his i)arents to Michigan. When twent}' years 
old he was left fatherless and lie continued on the 
home place, clearing it of the heavy timber with 
which it was covered. With his own liands he 
cleared one hundred acres and after the death of 
his mother the land came into his possession. Since 
1818 it has been Ids home, rnlikc his fatiier, our 



subject became converted to the principles of the 
Democratic party long before lie was old enough 
to vole, and his arguments with his father on this 
subject while he was yet a boy, especially on the 
su1)ject of free trade and [irotection, sliowed him 
to be well posted for his 3'ears. AVhen he would 
come out .ahead in his arguments his father would 
say: ''Well, you're nothing but a bo^-and can do 
no harm; you will know more when you get to be 
a man." This was probably true, but Mr. Graham 
is still the same free-trade Democrat, pure and 
sim|)le, with no side issue. His motto has ever 
been, '-Sink or swim, live or die, it shall be on 
the old ship Democracy." 

Mr. Graham has always been a prominent factor 
in the politics of his locality and the first office he 
ever held w.as that of Constable. This was the 
first election held after he became of age, and was 
in 1853. lie held the position for four 3'ears, and 
in 1854 was elected one of the County Commis- 
sioners, serving in that capacity until the si)ring 
of 1857. At that date he was elected Justice of 
the Peace and has discharged the duties incumbent 
upon this position continuously ever since. In 
the spring of 1865 he became Township Supervisor 
and that office has been in his keeping altogether 
twenty-one years. He was Chairman of the Board 
of Supervisors for five years and retired from the 
office in the spring of 1893. In 1886 he repre- 
sented his county before the State Board of Equal- 
ization and obtained concessions favorable to the 
county. Since 1855 he has been a prominent 
Mason and is now a member of a lodge at Con- 
stantine. 

December 7, 1854, he wedded Miss Adelade Ar- 
nold, a native of Mason Township, Cass County, 
Mich., born August 20, 1837, and the daughter of 
George Arnold, who was born in the old Bay State 
December 2, 1812. Her grandfather, Elijah Ar- 
nold, was born either in Massachusets or Connecti- 
cut, and his father, an Englisliman, served in the 
War for Independence and lived to be ninety-two 
years of age. George Arnold was a halter early 
in life but later a carpenter and builder. When 
sixteen years of age he came West to the Buck- 
eye State, and in 1835 made his w;i\- to .Michigan, 
locating land on section 12, Mason Township, Cass 



532 



POxiTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



County. He married Miss Harriet Barber, who was 
born at Batavia, N. Y., in 1814. Of lier family 
but little can be learned. Mr. Arnold served as 
Township Supervisor of Mason Township at an 
earl}' day and died on the land where he first set- 
tled and where Mrs. (iraliam was born, in 1867. 

Mr. and Mrs. Graliam are tlie parents of three 
children. The eldest, Hattie T., was educated at 
Hillsdale and at tlie State Kormal School at Ypsi- 
lanti. For many years she was a teaclier in the 
public scliools but is now, and has been for years, 
one of the members of the school examining board 
of Cass County and is considered one of the most 
able members of the same. Kena G. was edu- 
cated at Hillsdale and Ypsilanti and is now a sten- 
ographer and typewriter in Cliicago. Tlieir other 
child, and only son, Herbert A., married Miss Lucy 
Hitclicox, of Union, this county, and for years lias 
been a salesman in Chicago. At present (1893), 
he is connected with tlie World's Fair manage- 
ment. He is the father of three children: Donald 
H., Marguerite and Una Arline. 



I 



' SAAC MARTIN, an energetic citizen, a stone- 
mason by trade, and an excellent workman, 
having for many years devoted himself to that 
occupation, has of late given his attention to the 
tilling of the soil, and resides upon a valuable farm 
of one hundred acres, located aljout two and a- 
half miles south of Three Oaks, Berrien County, 
Mich. Our subject, born January 30, 1825, is a 
native of New Jersey'. His paternal grandfather, 
Isaac W. Martin, was a native of New Jersey and 
was born June 14, 1771. Reared in his birthplace, 
the grandfather attained to manhood and was mai- 
ried toMiss Alice Adams, and witli his wife removed 
to Oxford, Ohio, some 3'ears later, settling in the 
Buckeye State in 1838. He died in Ohio the fol- 
lowing year. October 3, 1839. By trade a shoe- 
maker, Isaac Martin did not amass a competence, 
but, a thoroughly honest and sincere man, he en- 
joyed the confidence of many friends. His good 
wife, who was also a native of New Jersey, sur- 



vived his death many years and passed to lier rest 
in Berrien County, October 8, 1871, aged ninety- 
one years. This venerable lady was a daughter of 
Matthew Adams, who was a soldier in the War of 
the Revolution. Early in life Grandmother and 
Grandfather Martin were both members of the 
Presbyterian Church, but later the grandfather 
joined the Baptist Ciiurch and his excellent wife 
became a Metliodist. 

Isaac and Alice (Adams) Martin were tlie par- 
ents of eleven children, eight sons and three 
daughters: Abraham, Matthew, Isaac AV., Pluelie, 
Mary, Paul A., Sophia, William, Jacob, Sherwood 
and John. Abraham, the father of our subject, 
was the eldest son and combined the occupations 
of a farmer and a shoemaker. He was born in the 
old New Jersey liome October 24, 1800. At- 
taining to manhood, he married Miss Lydia Cum- 
back, a native of New Jersey, born in 1802, the 
daugliler of Peter Cumback, and an aunt of the 
celebrated lecturer, Will Cumback. of Indiana. 
After many years of usefulness the father died on 
the farm adjoining where our subject now resides, 
November 4, 1860. He had emigrated from the 
East to Indiana in a very early day, and from Ind- 
iana journeying to Michigan, settled in Berrien 
County in 1847. The mother survived until Oc- 
tober 20, 1862. Unto the parents were born ten 
children, six of whom are yet living. Isaac, tlie 
eldest, IS our suliject; Elsie is the wife of John 
Smith and resides in Oregon; John S. is the third; 
.Mary is the wife of Calita Preston; Martha is the 
widow of David Penwell; and Eliza is the young- 
est. 

Until thirteen }-ears of age our subject remained 
in his early home, but at that period of his life 
his parents removed from New Jersey to Franklin 
County, Ind., where he received the most of his 
education. He was trained up to industrious 
habits, and decided to learn a trade, finally choos- 
ing that of a stone-mason. At twenty-one years 
of age he began the struggle of daily labor upon 
his own account, and has followed his trade most 
of the lime since. In 1845 Mr. Martin was united 
in marri.age with Miss Nancy Gavin, who was born 
in Indiana and departed this life in 1854. The 
union vvas blessed by tlie birth of two sons, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



533 



.Tames and Jolm. Our subject entered into a sec- 
ern (1 in;iirinji:i' A|iril -i'.), 1860, and was tlien wed- 
ded to Miss Marlliii Jane Jeffries, of Indiana, 
who lias had four children: Nellie (deceased)! 
Edith, Clarence and Clifford. Our subject and 
his esliniable wife are valued members of the 
Methodist Kpiscopal Church, as were the jiarenls 
of Ml'. Martin. Politically, our subject is a strong 
Democrat an(i cast his first vote for Lewis Cass. 
He takes an active interest in local and national 
issues and has held with cdiciency the office of 
Hii;hua\ Coniniissioner. Duriiii;' forty-six years 
of intimate association with the cominunity where 
he now resides. Mr. Martin has been an important 
factor in the irrowlh of local enterprise and ira- 
proveinent-. and fully possesses the esteem of a 
wide circle of old friends and fellow-townsmen. 



^^^ 



AM !•> S. O'DELL. The agricultural part of 
the community is its bone and sinew, from 
^_., , which conies the strength and vigor neces- 
(J^/' sary to carry on the affairs of manufacture, 
commerce and the State. When the farming peo- 
ple are composed of men and women of courage, 
enterprise, intelligence and integrity, prosperity 
will attend .'ill departments of activity, and this 
is prc-eminenll3' the casein Cass Count3'. 

The prominent farmer of whom we now write 
has ever been a resident of Porter Township, and 
was the first male white child born in this town- 
ship, his birth occurring January 10, 1830. His 
father, Nathan G. O'Dell, was a native Virginian, 
born October 1, 1803, and the grandfather, also 
Nathan G. O'Dell, was born in the same State No- 
vember 4, 1772. The progenitors of this family 
came originally from England, but for many gen- 
erations the ancestors resided in the grand old 
State of Virginia. Although they lived in a slave 
Slate, not a member of this family ever owned 
slaves, and, so far as known, all were opposed to 
slavery. 

Nathan (;. O'Dell, Sr., inariied Miss Rebecca 
Kite, a native also of Virginia, born July 3, 1780, 



and they had nine children. Thomas, the eldest, 
was l)orii .lanuary 22, 1796, and was ff)r more tli.an 
forty years a Methodist preacher. He went to 
Iowa, and there died rn 1861. James, born Sep- 
tember 13, 1798, married ]\Iiss Nancy Carr, and 
came to Michigan at a very early day. lie died 
in St. .loscpli County September 24, 183.5. John, 
born March 24, 1801, died in Ohio August U», 
182(;. Nathan G. was next younger; Elizabeth, 
born on the 2 1st of May, 1806, was married 
in Ohio on the 19th of May, 183,5. Enos P., 
born August 7, 1808, went to Illinois, where he 
followed farming until his death, February 22, 
1852. Lorenzo D., born October 29, 1810, was a 
member of the Ohio Congress, and died in that 
State about 1883. Rebecca, born M.ay 17,1812, 
married Thomas Burns, and they came to Michi- 
gan, where she died in September, 1846; and 
Silas P., born September 15, 1817, died when but 
two years of age. 

The father of the above-mentioned children w.as 
a miller by trade, and owned a mill in Virginia. 
In connection with milling he also carried on 
farming. Early in 1800 he went with his family 
to OliKJ, settled in Wayne County, and there look 
land. He also owned and oi)erated a gristmill. 
In 1828 he came to Michigan and settled in the 
eastern part of what is now Porter Township, 
where his death occurred in October, 1835. His 
wife followed him to the grave two months later. 
His son, Nathan G., father of our subject, was 
married in Ohio in 1828 to Miss Sarah Drake, and 
directly after marriage left the Buckeye State with 
several other families and came to Cass County, 
Mich. Mr. O'Dell settled in what is now Porter 
Township, and there he and his father took up 
Government land. To his marriage were born 
five children. 

Of these children James S. w.as the eldest. Thomas, 
the next in order of birth, was born January 30, 
1831, and married Miss Luvina Travers. He was 
a farmer by occuiiation and a leading man in local 
politics. For a year he was Justice of the Peace, 
for eight years Supervisor, and a member of the 
Michigan State Legislature. He died January 30. 
1892, leaving a family of six children. The third 
iu order of birth of Mr. O'JJell's ciiildrcn was 



534 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



David, whose liiilli occuned ou the 27th of March, 
1833. lie went tu Iowa, and siibse(iiieiitly enlisted 
in the Civil War. After lieing discharged he re- 
turned to that State and there died soon after. 
Maigueiite,born November d. 1834, married Henry 
.1. Brown, who died in 1881. .Siie is still living 
and makes her home in Porter Township; John, 
born Octolter 30, 1836, married Miss Jane Smith, 
and is now farming in Porter Township. 

The mother of the above-mentioned children 
died in October, 1836. soon after the last-named 
child was born. Her husband's second marriage 
was to Miss Eliza Shivel, who bore him two chil- 
dren. Sarah, whose birth occurred December 2,5, 
1842, married John Draper, and died while he was 
in the army; and Eben, born December 27, 1843, 
went into the army when but sixteen years of age 
and remained in the service until the cessation of 
hostilities. He married Miss Nettie Motley, and 
they have three living children. 

The original of this notice was but thirteen 
years of age when his father died, and as lie started 
out soon after to make his own w.ay in life. Ins 
education was necessarily very limited. Being 
industrious and economical, he bought the laud 
where he now lives in the fall of 1856, and one 
year later was married to Miss Jane Travers, a 
daughter of Robert Travers, who was one of the 
pioneers of Cass County, Mich. She was born 
March 27, 1858, and died leaving a little girl baby 
but ten days old. This child, who was named 
Sarah Jane, was born iVIarch 17, 1858, and died 
July 13, 1869. February 27, 1859, Mr. O'Dell 
married his present wife, Caroline Louppee, who 
was born in AVayne Count}*, Ohio, November 8, 
1837, and who was a daughter of George and 
AVilmina (Stiner) Louppee, both of whom were 
born in Germanj-. They came to this country 
shortly after their marriage, settled in Wayne 
Count}', Ohio, and in the spring of 1843 moved 
to Cass Count}-, Mich., where the father died the 
following August. Her mother was three times 
married, the last time to Jacob Rinehart. She 
died in 1876. 

Mrs. O'Dell had six brothers and one sister. 
George, her eldest brother, went to Iowa, married 
and has a family of children. Lewis also \vciU to 



that State, but later entered the army. . After the 
war he settled in Kansas. He is a blacksmith by 
trade. Fredrick went to Wisconsin, where he now 
lives and where he follows the trade of black- 
smith. He is married, but has no children. Will- 
iam is a baker at Constantine, I\Iich., and is mar- 
ried and has children. John is a prominent far- 
mer of Porter Township, is married and has a 
family of children. Sarah married Selli Talliert, 
a farmer, and the} live in Porter Township. They 
have a family of children. Oscar, a merchant and 
Postmaster at Union, is married and has children. 
The half-sister of Mrs. O'Dell, Eveline, married 
Martin Stanard and went with him to Nebraska. 
She is residing there now, but is a widow. Mrs. 
O'Dell's half-brother, Henry Wright, is a farmer 
of Porter Township. 

To Mr. and Mrs. OT)ell have been born four 
children. Nathan, born April 23, 1860, nianied 
Addie Hutehings. and they have two children, 
Vida and Ruble. He is a merchant at Jones, Cass 
County, Mich. Carrie M., born May 18, 1866, mar- 
ried Fred Sheldon and has two childern, Clarence 
and Nida. Ida, born December 1 1, 1870, resides 
at home; and Ross, born February 24, 1875, is 
also at home. Mr. O'Dell has been a life-long 
Democrat, but has never aspired to ollice of any 
kind. He is a jHoniinent member of the Masonic 
fraternity, and is public-spirited and enterprising. 
He has one of the finest farms in the county, ail 
the result f)f his own exertions. He lias done 
much to develop the country and bring it from 
its primitive condition to its present wonderful 
state of development. 



-^^^■^. 



^^^-^f^H-. 



ll|— 7' II. MORLEY, a prosperous miller of New 




Tro}' and a life-long resident of Berrien 
County, Mich., was born in Weesaw Town- 
ship, Berrien Count}-, June 28, 1853. His par- 
ents, Ambrose A. and Cordelia (Carroll) Morley, 
were among the early settlers of this part of 
Berrien County ar.d were intimatel}- associated 
with the progressive interests of the township from 





/ 



^XX^L-tyu-^yi^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPmCAL RECORD. 



537 



its ciirliost infancy. Tlie fatlier, yet siirvivinjj 
and icsirling with our subject, was throughout his 
long years of active usefulness an energetic and 
enterprising man of superior l)usiness ability and 
excellent judgment. He was a nntive of the 
Empire State and, there reared, educated and mar- 
ried, liecanie ambitious to try his fortune in the 
West, toward which the tide of emigration was 
steadily tending. In IS.'i'i, with his wife and 
faniiij', he journeyed to Micliigan,and, a miller by 
occupation, erected at various times three sawmills, 
two of which were propelled by steam, and one by 
water power. Ilis presence was a welcome one in 
tiie new country, where mills were at first scarce, 
and aside from his business he participated with 
interest in all the progressive movements of the 
township and was ever a ready aid in all matters 
of mutual welfare. 

The mother of our subject, who passed away, 
deeply mourned, March 6, 1875, was a woman of 
sterling character and, devoting herself to the in- 
terests of her family, reared with tender care four 
sons and one daughter, all surviving. She was a 
devout Christian woman and a valued member of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church. The paternal 
grandfather, William Morley, a direct descendant 
of English ancestry, was, as was also his good 
wife, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
the Morleys, father and grandfather, being liberal 
and active in the extension of religious work and 
influence. The five children who gathered about 
tlie fireside of their ])arents' home are: Albert, a 
skilled machinist, employed in Chicago; F. II., our 
subject; Thomas, a resident of St. Joseph, Mo., a 
cutter by trade and engaged in a tailor's shop; 
Alliston, associated with his brother in o]ieiatinga 
gristmill; and Frank, the wife of Frank D. Noggle. 
Mr. Morley, reared in Weesaw Township, attended 
the district school of his birthplace and early in 
life assisted his father, learning from him the trade 
of a miller. When twenty-two years of age he be- 
gan life for liimscif, eng.iging in the lumber busi- 
ness and running a gristmill in New Troy, and 
since, continuing in this line of work, has industri- 
ously accumulated a handsome properly. 

The gristmill operated by our subject was 
erected by his father in IHGH and was then a burr- 

26 



mill, but, remodeled in 1891, became a roller-mill, 
having a capacity of forty barnds per day. Ikside 
its regular custom work the mill furnishes a large 
product of a superior grade, and has acquired an 
enviable reputation for the quality of its goods. 
Seventy acres of valuable land surrounding the 
mill are owned by Mr. Morley, who has brought 
this farm up to a high state of cultivation and im- 
proved the homestead with excellent and substan- 
tial buildings. In 1876 F. II. Morley and Miss 
Emily S. Smith were united in marriage. Mrs. 
Morley, a daughter of Peter Smith, is a native of 
Indiana. Our subject and his estimable wife have 
been blessed by the birth of two sons, Lin wood C. 
and Floyd H., bright and intelligent lads. Mr. 
Morley cast his first Presidential vote for S. J. 
Tilden and remains a strong democrat. He has 
with able fidelity discharged the duties of Town- 
ship Clerk for many years and, widely known and 
universally esteemed, is an important factor in the 
social, business and public life of his home local- 
ity. 




OT BONINE. Among the well-known res- 
idents of Pcnn Townshii) there is not one 
more warmly beloved or more truly hon- 
ored by his neighbors than he whose name has 
just been given, and whose success in life has been 
due almost wholly to his industry and persever- 
ance. His long life of usefulness and his record 
for integrity and true-hearted faithfulness in all 
the relations of life have given him a hold upon 
the community which all might well desire to 
share. 

Isaac Bonine, father of our subject, was a na- 
tive of Tennessee, in which State he was married 
to Miss Sarah Talbert, also a Tenncsseean. They 
emigrated to Wayne County, Ind., shortly after 
their marriage, and were among the first settlers 
there. Mr. Bonine followed the occupation of a 
fanner, but in connection was interested in a grist, 
saw and oil mill. About 1843 he and his wife 
emigrated to Cass County, Mich., and there passed 



538 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the closing scenes of their lives. Both were mem- 
bers of the Friends' Chvuch and active workers 
in tlie same. 

The snbject of this notice was born in Wayne 
Countj', Ind., .July 18, 1825, and was the sixth 
in order of birtli of eleven children, eight sons 
and three daughters. He was educated in the dis- 
trict schools of his native township, and when 
about eighteen \eais of age came with his parents 
to Cass County, Mich. He was first married in 
Ponn Ti>wnship April 9, 1846, to Miss Susan Don- 
nell, a native of the Buckeye (State, who died 
April 4, 1862. She was the mother of six chil- 
dren: Jonathan I).; .lojin N.; Emma Estella, de- 
ceased; .lames M.; Sarah L., wife of Charles F. 
Wright; and Rose E., wife of Claude L. Pern? 
bcrton. 

On the 30th of December, 1870, Mr. Bonine 
was married in Berrien County, Mich., to Miss 
Amanda J. Price, who was born in Burling- 
ton, Iowa, in 1842, and who is a daugliter of 
.lames and Rosalind (Emorj') Price. 'J"he father 
was born near Dayton, Ohio, and the mother is 
a native of the State of New York. In 1842 they 
removed to Iowa, where they now reside. They 
were the parents of nine children, five of whom 
died in infancy, and Mrs. Bonine was the third 
in order of birth. She was educated in Marion 
County, Iowa, but came to Cass County, IMich., 
with the Lamb family'. Mr. and Mrs. Bonine's 
marriage resulted in the birth of two children: Etlie, 
who was born .lanuary 17, 1872, and died Feb- 
ruary 19, 1879; and Arle^- I., born October 17, 
1883. 

Mr. Bonine began for himself when about 
twenty years of age, and, as he had been reared 
to farming, it seemed but natural that he should 
select that as his chosen calling. When twenty- 
four years of age his father gave him a piece of 
land, and in a few 3'ears he had traded it for 
eighty acres of the land he now owns. During 
his youthful days he spent considerable time trap- 
ping and hunting, and in the winter season often 
made as high as $600. Stricken at last with the 
"gold fever," he went to California in 18,51, and 
worked on the Yuba River for $10 a day for 
soma time. Later he discovered a gold mine, and 



worked that until the cholera broke out in camp, 
when he left the State and returned home. He 
took passage on a sailing-vessel and was on the 
water sixty-six days, thirty days of that time 
being out of sight of land. He reached home in 
1852, and has since resided in Cass County. Mr. 
Bonine has killed a great many animals in his 
day, and got his start in life by selling furs. His 
farm was all a wilderness when he became its 
owner, but he has now one hundred and sixty 
acres of tine tillable land, located five miles east of 
the county seat, and is one of the representative 
men and farmers of the township. His lirst Presi- 
dential vote was oast for President Taylor. 



i ' \ ' - 



|j^ ENRY C. HARMON, a prominent citizen, 
is the ellicient .lustice of the Peace, now 
serving an extended term of judicial otlice 
>jj in the city of Cassopolis, Cass County, 
Mich., and is regarded as a man of excellent busi- 
ness attainments. Our subject was one of the 
seven children who clustered about the hearth of 
Harvey and Euhice (White) Harmon, whose jileas- 
ant home was in the Empire State. The father 
was a native of Connecticut, and was born in the 
city of Hartford, which was also the birthplace of 
the paternal grandfather. The mother's ancestors 
were likewise of New England birth, the Whites 
for many generations having been born, reared 
and educated among the old granite hills of New 
Hampshire. Henry C. H.irmon was born in Man- 
chester Centre, Ontario County, N. Y., April 24, 
1840, and with his brothers and sisters passed the 
da3's of early youth among the scenes of his child- 
hood. 

Our subject received primary instruction in the 
public schools of the home neighborhood, and 
completed his education in the Canandaigua Ac- 
ademy, then under the management of Profes- 
sor Noah T. Clark. Mr. Harmon was from his 
youthful days accustomed to the round of agri- 
cultural duties, and having attained to a mature 
age began life for himself upon a farm. Forj-ears 



PORTRAIT AND BlOGRAPfliCAL RPXORD. 



539 



he successfully devoted his time to the tilling of 
the soil, and later sliared with the cares of the home- 
stead the oUicial perplexities incidental to the otfice 
of Justice of tiie Peace. For twelve consecutive 
years Mr. Harmon adminisleicd law in the near 
locality of his home, and in the [jcrforniance of 
his duties gave full satisfaction to the community 
by whom he was surrounded. Deciding linally to 
make a change of residence, our subject and his 
family removed to Michigan, locating in the West 
in 1881. Since this latter date Mr. Harmon has 
been one of the enterprising citizens of Cassoi)olis, 
and here, as in the I'^ast, has served most acce|itably 
as Justice of the Peace. 

A()ril 24, 1872, Henry C. Harmon and AHss Mary 
L. Caldwell, of Clifton Springs, Ontario County, 
N. Y., were united in marriage. Mrs. Harmon was 
the daughter of Murray Caldwell, one of the rep- 
resentative men of the Empire State. Tlic mother 
was a daughter of William Rockfeller, of Dutchess 
County, N. Y. Oiandfathcr Caldwell was a noted 
pli3sician of Ontario County, N. Y., and, possess- 
ing n wonderful physique and magnificent consti- 
tution, survived to one hundred years, and com- 
pleted a century vivid in the rapid development 
of the United States. Our subject is in political 
affiliation a pronounced Democrat, and was de- 
feated as Represenlalive to the J>egislalure in the 
Tildcn campaign by a majority reduced from four 
hundred to forty-two. In all matters of public 
welfare Mr. Harmon is liberal and progressive in 
his ideas. Financially prosiaered, he has accumu- 
lated a comfortable competence, and, together with 
his excellent wife, enjoys the esteem of a large 
circle of acquaintances. 



'^KORCiK W. ROl'GH, an able general agri- 
culturist and successful fruit-grower of 
^>^^( Bertrand Township, Berrien County, Mich., 
is numbered among the representative citizens of 
his part of the State, and, commanding the confi- 
dence of his home community, has lately been 
elected to the otlicial position of Supervisor of 



the township. Prospered financially, our aubjcci 
is a stockholdi'i and Vice-President of the First 
State Savings Bank of Niles and lias long be(!n 
foremost in all matters |)erlaining to the public 
welfare. Mr. Rough is a native of Pennsylvania, 
and was born in Juniata Countj' July I, 1813. 
He is a son of Jacob and Nancy (Imlioff) Rough. 
The father, also a native Pennsylvanian, was born 
in Juniata County. The home of the parents was 
blessed b^' the Itirtli of live children, four daugh- 
ters and one son, all of whom lived to years of 
maturity. Our subject, the only son and youngest 
child, was but a little lad when his father and 
mother resolved to move with their family to the 
farther West. 

George W. was about five 3'ears of age when, in 
1819, he came to Bertrand Township, and received 
his entire schooling in the district of his home. 
His parents located at liist upon the farm where 
our subject now resides, and which he has contin- 
ued throughout all the changing seasons of more 
than two-score 3ears to make his constant resi- 
dence. In 1866, May 1, our subject entered into 
the bonds of wedlock and was united in marriage 
with Miss Malinda Broceus, a native of Michigan. 
Immediately following his marriage, Mr. Rough 
took his wife to the old homestead, which has 
since been brightened by the presence of six merry 
and intelligent children, four daughters and two 
sons. The eldest-born was Nettie, who grew up a 
winsome young girl and is now the wife of Joseph 
Arney, a prosperous citizen of Pleasant, Ind.; 
Fannie A., the second daughter, is yet at home; Ida 
E. is also with her parents; Emory J., Elmer E. 
(twins) and Mertie M. complete the list of sisters 
and brothers who will each and all have ami)le 
opportunity to fit themselves well for the battle 
of life. 

In political altiliation Mr. Rough is a stalwart 
Republican and an able advocate of the principhjs 
and platform of the party. In 1879, lie was 
elected County Treasurer, and for four years 
ellicieuti}' discharged the duties of the responsible 
office. Our subject was the candidate of his party 
for Ri-presentative in 1890. but w.as defeated. He 
was elected Township Supervisor in 1893, and was 
the second Republican ever elected in the town- 



540 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ship, there being a majority of forty-five Demo- 
crats witliin its limits. Mr. Rough is fraternally a 
valued member of the Ancient Free i& Accepted 
Masons and belongs to Niles Comniandery No. 
12. He is also prominently connected with I?ei'rien 
County Loilge No. 6, I. O. O. F., and is a member 
of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, having 
many friends in tliese societies. The fine farm of 
two hundred and eighteen acres owned by our sub- 
ject is under a high state of cultivation and hand- 
somely improved with an attractive residence, 
commodious barns and other buildings. A vine- 
yard of six acres and an orchard with a choice 
variety of fruit are also special features of the pro- 
ductive homestead. Our subject, his estimable 
wife and their famil}' occupy a high social position 
and are important factors in the benevolent en- 
terprises of their locality. 



«^ 



fe»»>r^»i= 



=^;^ 



■^f OHN D. GREENAMYER, M. D., a resident 
of Niles since 1876, the subject of this bio- 
graphical review, has gained a position 
among the foremost practitioners of the 
city. Throughout the entire county of Berrien 
he is regarded as a physician unsurpassed in the 
diagnosis of cases and knowledge of si)ecitie rem- 
edies to be applied in the treatment of disease.". 
Not only is he thoiough in examination and ac- 
curate in judgment, but iu addition thereto he is 
a genial companion, pleasant conversationalist 
and considerate friend, so that he enjoys the con- 
fidence of his patients to an unusual degree. 

The early home of the Doctor was in the vicin- 
ity of Berlin Centre, Mahoning County, Ohio, 
where he was born on the 16th of October, 
1846. He is descended from sturdy and worthy 
ancestors, who emigrated from Hanover, Germany, 
to tiie United .States in 1701, and thenceforth 
were identified with the growth of this countr3'. 
The grandfather of our subject, .Jacob Greena- 
myer, was born in Gettysburg, Pa., and removed 
thence to Ohio, where the closing years of his life 
were passed. In Columbiana County, Ohio, on 



the 3d of April, 1816, was born Benjamin Greena- 
myer, the father of our subject. Early in life he 
became familiar with the duties of an agricultur- 
ist, and upon starting out in life for himself, he 
chose the occupation of a farmer, which he follows 
at the present time. 

Tracing the Doctor's ancestry on the maternal 
side, we find that he is of German descent. His 
mother bore the maiden name of Eliza Snook, and 
was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, August 10, 
182 4. ller fatiier, John Snook, was born in 
Frederick County, Md., in 1798, and her grand- 
father, whose name was also John Snook, was 
born ill 1761. Our subject was reared in the 
Buckeye Stale, and after completing a common- 
school education in his native village, he entered 
the academy at Salem, Ohio, from which he w.as 
graduated in 1868. He then taught school for a 
short time, after which he commenced the study 
of medicine under Dr. William Lyon, a resident 
physician of Salem, Ohio. Subsequently, he en- 
tered the medical department of the State Uni- 
versity of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, from which 
he was graduated in 1871. 

Opening an ofHcc for llii' practice of his pro- 
fession at Throe Oaks, Mich., the Doctor soon 
found himself in possession of a good practice, 
which increased steadily during the five years he 
remained at that place. Thence he removed to 
Mansfield, Ohio, and there filled the position of 
surgeon for the Pittsburg, Ft. Wayne & Chicago 
Railway Comoany for two j'ears. Later he re- 
turned to Salem, Ohio, and took charge of the 
practice of Dr. .1. L. Firestone, during that gen- 
tleman's absence in Europe. In 1876 he came to 
Niles, where he has since conducted a profitabU; 
practice, and was also for a time engaged in the 
drug business. 

The Doctor first married Miss Mary Moore, of 
Three Oaks, Mich., who died three months after 
marriage. Afterward he was united in marriage 
with Miss Alice A. Powers, an estimable lady, who 
is highly regarded in the social circles of Niles. 
Dr. Greenamyer is identified with St. Joseph Val- 
ley Lodge No. 4, A. F. & A. M., and the Ancient 
Order of United Workmen. In his religious 
belief he worships with the Methodists, has 



PORTRAIT AND BICGRAPIIICAL RECORD. 



511 



served as Superintendent of the Sundsiy-scliool for 
tlie past twelve years, and has also filled tlie posi- 
tions of Steward and Trustee of tlie cliurch. His 
wife is also identified with that denomination, 
and is an earnest worker in behalf of all religious 
enterprises. The Doctor has served as Supervisor 
of Three Oaks, and was for seven years a member 
of the School Board, beins; its President for one 
year, and Director four years. 



-1++*+' 



^ EVl SllKTTERLY, a successful farmer .nnd 
J)^ extensive stock-raiser, for thirty-seven con- 
£ tinnous years a constant resident of his 
valual)le homestead located on section 16, Ber- 
trand Township, Berrien County, Mich., has re- 
centi}' rented his farm and has for a time released 
himself from the dail^' round he has unweariedly 
pursued throughout the changing seasons since his 
early youth. Our subject is a native of Pennsyl- 
vania, but spent onl^' a few brief years in Juniata 
County, where he was liorn .luly 1.'^, 184!). His 
parents, Benjamin and Catherine (Frain) Shetter- 
Iv, were both reared within tlio (Quaker Slate. Tiie 
father was a man of substance, and owned a saw- 
mill and eleven hundred acres of land, which he 
disposed of for »; 12,0(111. and with this money came 
to Michigan in l.S.'jf). He located in Bertrand 
Township, and piu'thased tlirec hundred acres of 
land where our subject now resides. The ancestr3' 
of the father and mother was German. The 
mother, like her husliand, was born in Pennsyl- 
vania, and there began her married life. ]n 1856 
she came to the new home in the West, and passed 
away at tifty-nine years of age. in Berrien County. 
The father was sixty-four years old at, the time 
of Ins death. He was well known in llie county, 
and was an honest and tliorouglily npriglit and in- 
dustrious man. r>enjaniin and (,'alherine Slietler- 
ly were tlie parents of eleven children, seven 
daughters and ft)ur sons, all of wliora lived to 
adult age. Our subj(;ct, tlie youngest son and 
tenth child, was six years of age when he came to 
Berrien Count V. Micli. He attended the district 



schools of the home neighborliood during his 
childhood and early youth, and remained with his 
parents until theiv death. April 19, 1881, he was 
united in marriage with Miss Kliza C. Reum, a na- 
tive of Cass County, Mich. Mrs. Shetterly sur- 
vived her marriage but a few years, and passed 
away deeply mourned by a large circle of life-time 
friends, July 9, 1886. She had no children. Mr. 
Shetterly lias a valuable farm of one hundred and 
fifty acres, all of it, with the exception of thirty 
acres of woodland, being under cultivation. The 
homestead is improved with commodious and sub- 
stantial buildings, a convenient dwelling, good 
barns and outbuildings. 

Growing up from childhood among the .scenes 
incidental to a new and rapidly advancing coun- 
try, Mr. Shetterly has been associated with the 
growth and local improvement of Berrien County, 
and, a man of sterling integrity of character, ex- 
cellent judgment and withal a liberal-spirited citi- 
zen, enjoys the esteem and confidence of the en- 
tire comnniuit}' among whom he has passed so 
many busy years. Our subject is in no sense of 
the word a politician, but he has ever taken a 
deep interest in the management of both local and 
national affairs. He alliiiates witii the Democratic 
party, and is a firm believer in the principles and 
platform advocated by Thom.as Jeflferson. Lead- 
ing a life free from ostentation, Mr. Shetterly has 
faithfully done his duty as a bread-winner and 
true Anierieaii cili/.en. 



^;ODEHICK L. VAN NP:SS, late of Howard 
Township, Cass County, but now deceased, 
was born in this township and county on 
^ the tth of August, 1815. ' His parents were 
William and Anietta (I.ee) \'aii Ness, the former 
a native of New York. Roderick was the eldest 
of six children ami was reared in his native town- 
ship, where he obtained the rudiments of his edii- 
tion in a neighboring "temple of learning," which 
was none other than a log sclioolhousc. ( pon 




542 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



choosing an occupation, he selected that to wliich 
he had been reared, and throughout his entire life 
following farming pursuits. 

Prominent in the Republican party, Mr. Van 
Ness was in 1879 elected Treasurer of Cass County 
on that ticket, and soon afterward removed to 
Cassopolis. In 1883, at tlie expiration of his term 
of office, he returned to his farm, where he remained 
until his death. In 1876 he married Miss Julia 
E. Gard, who was born in Volinia Township, Cass 
County, on the 18th of September, 1852. For 
further particulars in regard to her famil\' history 
the reader is referred to the sketch of her father, 
I. N. Gard, which appears on another page of this 
volume. Her paternal grandfather, Jonathan Gard, 
was born in New Jersey in 1799, and came to 
Michigan in 1828, locating in Cass County. His 
father, Joshua Gard, was born in IMorris Count)', 
N. J., on the 24th of August, 1774. The mother 
of Mrs. Van Ness was in maidenhood Nancy vShaw, 
and was born in Ohio, whence in her childhood 
she removed to Michigan in company with her 
father, Richard Shaw, the latter being an early set- 
tler of Cass County. 

The parents of Mrs. Van Ness were married in 
Cass County, and of the union there were born 
three daughters and one son, Julia E. being the 
eldest in the number. She was reared in Volinia 
Township, and after completing her education, 
engaged in teaching school for a period of five 
years. Of her marriage there were born two chil- 
dren: Newton G. and Arietta. She is a lad)' of 
culture, possessing an amiable disposition and gen- 
ial manners. She has also traveled through vari- 
ous States of the country, and on her wedding 
tour went to the Philadelphia Centennial. Her 
business abilities are above the aver.age, and she 
manages the estate left by her husband with good 
judgment and in such a manner as to prove re- 
munerative. Her residence is comfortable, and all 
the home surroundings prove that the inmates are 
people of refined tastes. The farm consists of one 
iiuudred and twenty acres, from the rental of 
which Mrs. Van Ness derives a good income. 

In his social connections, Mr. Van Ness was 
identified with the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows and the Ancient Order of United Work- 



men, and was also a member of the Grange, with 
which he was closely connected from the date of 
its organization until the time of his death. He 
w.as one of the most influential members of the 
Encampment and was a charter member of Cassop- 
olis Lodge, A. O. U. W. He was known and hon- 
ored throughout the county, and no one in the 
entire county stood higher in the estimation of his 
fellow-citizens than did Roderick Van Ness. When 
he died, November 12, 1889, it w.as felt that the 
community as well as the immediate relatives had 
sustained an irreparable loss, and tlie family re- 
ceived many tokens of sympathy from neighbors 
and friends. 



©.- 



_^1 



"^ 



^+^ 



o_ 



(»/_, ON. JOHN M. GLAVIN, a prominent iiorti- 
I' eulturist and able civil engineer, located 
upon his valuable homestead adjacent to 
^ New Buffalo, Berrien County, Mich., built 
the first division of the Chicago & West Michi- 
gan Railroad and the narrow gauge to Berrien 
Springs. Our subject has held many important posi- 
tions of official trust and is widely known as a man 
of business ability and extended experience. Mr. 
Glavin was born in the County of Limerick, Ire- 
land, March 25, 1833. His parents were natives 
of the P^merald Isle and descended from a long 
line of honest, hard-working ancestry. The father 
and mother, Edmund and llanora (O'Keefe) 
Glavin, spent their entire lives in the country of 
their nativity. The father, by occupation a farmer, 
died when John M. was but seven years of age. 
The mother survived many years, living to the 
advanced .age of eightj'-seven. Our subject, the 
seventh in a large family of twelve children, re- 
mained in Ireland until he was nineteen 3'earsold. 
Educated in the common schools of his native land, 
he grew up a manly, ambitious lad, full of energj' 
and hope for the future. His mother was a woman 
of strong character and realized the necessity of 
fitting her children well for the battle of life. She 
therefore gave to each of her sons and daughters 
every possible advantage for instruction. 



PORTRAIT AND RIOGRAPIIICAL RECORD. 



iin 



When our subject was ahoiii .nixtcen years of 
age lie went to Dublin, and for three 3ears and 
a-half devoted his time entirely to the study of 
niathcniatios and civil on<jinepring, and having 
wilii honor completed n tliorough course of in- 
struction, witii tiie approval of his mother decided i 
to try his foi'tunes in the United States. Ridding 
•adieu to his family and friends of childhood, Mr. 
Olavin emliarked for America and, safely landing 
upon our hospitable shores, soon found his way to 
the Western metropolis. Chicago. In this latter 
city he remained one year and was during the 
twelve months connected with the Wc^itfni Tablel, 
a CatlK>lie paper edited by .James and .John F. YaX- 
entine. His next employment w.as as Assistant 
Civil Engineer for the Lake Shore &: IMichigan 
Southern Railroad Company on the Air Line from 
Goshen, Ind., tf) Ligonier. lie worked for the cor- 
poration during 18.52, and later filled the same 
position with the Detroit (k Milwaukee Railroad, 
now the Detroit, Grand Haven cfc Milwaukee. In 
the year 1856, Mr. Glavin purchased land in 
Chikaming Township, and began farming in Rcr- 
rien County, from the first achieving success in the 
pursuit of agricultural duties. 

In 1864, our subject removed to his present lo- 
cality, where he bought the one hundred acre 
homestead he now owns, and which is pleasantly 
located three miles northeast of New Buffalo. 
Twenty acres of the highly improved and valuable 
farm are devoted to the exclusive culture of ber- 
ries, and aside from fruit the broad acres 3ieid an- 
nually an abundant harvest of golden grain. In 
18:')(i, John 1\L (Uavin and Miss Ellen Scanlon 
were united in marriage. Mrs. Glavin, a nativeof 
Scotland, came to the United States with her par- 
ents when about three years of age. ller father 
was a railioad contractor and a man of position 
and inlluence. A goodly family of twelve chil- 
dren ble,sed the home of our subject and his esti- 
mable wife. Mary, the eldest, married E. H. Mc- 
Carten; Clara, Lillie and Alice are deceased; Ella, 
the wife of J. G. Strachan, resides near Chicago; 
Emma is the widow of E. T. .Lacobus; Eva is a 
school teacher; .lolin, fJrace, Thomas, Morris (de- 
ceased), and Frederick com|)lele the list. Mrs. 
Glavin is a dc^vout member of the Catholic Church. 



Ilie sons and daughters, en jo\ing excellent educ;i- 
tional opportunities, are all occupying positions of 
usefulness and are worthy and influential young 
men and women. 

Our subject is politicall}' a Republican and cast 
his first vote for Fremont man3' j-ears ago. Mr. 
(.lavin has always been active in politics, and, 
highly esteemed while in Chikaming Township, 
was elected to the office of Supervisor. In 1867, 
after making his home in New Buffalo Township, 
he was elected to the State Legislature as Repre- 
sentative by the largest vote ever given a candi- 
date in said district. In 1876, he was elected Coun- 
ty Surveyor, holding the position for six con- 
secutive years. Our subject was also Constructing 
Engineer on the Chicago & West Michigan Railroad 
in the years 1867 and 1868. Continuously occu- 
])ying public, official and business positions, the 
career of Jlr. Glavin as an executive ollicer and 
business man has been distinguished by thorough 
efficiency in the manner and methods of work, sup- 
plemented by good judgment and integrity of 
character. As a legislator he was a member of 
important committees, and ever did full justice to 
the wishes of Ins constituents. In the township 
ollices he materially aided in the advancement of 
local interests, and it is safe to say no other citizen 
of lierrien County can show a more faithful record 
of w()rk accomplished in thirt3-live years of citi- 
zenship. 




j^-^ llARLES A. THATCHER, residing on sec- 
tion 35, Jefferson Township, Cass County, 

^J Mich., is an energetic and enterprising agri- 
culturist and essentially self made, having from 
his earl}' boyhood engaged in the labor of life and 
unaided won his yia.y upward to a position of use- 
fulness and influence. Mr. Thatcher w.as born in 
Tompkins County, N. V.. August 22, 1853. He 
was the son of Alex and Margaret (BIythe) That- 
cher. The paternal grandfather, Enoch Thatcher, 
was a native of Delaware, but became one of the 
early settlers of New York. He was a courageous 
man and liravely served in the War of 1812. His 



544 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



wife was Sarah Mullen, who bore him one child. 
Grandfather Thatcher was a member of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church. He was a man of ability 
and lived to a good old age, passing away in New 
York. The Thatchers were of German ancestry. 
The father of our subject was born on the old 
homestead in Tompkins County and was trained 
in .agricultural duties in the Empire State. Politi- 
cally, he was a Whig. He died before the Civil 
War. He was a member of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church, .and, a man of sterling integrity, was 
respected by all who knew him. 

The mother of our subject survived until 1863. 
She reared seven children: Ann; Ebenezer, of 
New York City; George, who enlisted in Company 
A, One Hundred and Ninth New York Infantry, 
and received a wound at Spottsylvania, from the 
effects of which he afterward died; Ezra G., who 
also served m Company A, One Hundred and 
Ninth New York Infantr3',and now resides in Au- 
rora, 111.; Susan Gress, of Ithaca; Enoch, of New 
York; John, of Wayne County, N.Y.; and Charles 
A., our subject. The mother of these sons and 
daughters was a native of Tompkins County, N. 
Y., but the maternal grandparents were of Irish 
birth. Both of the parents of our subject were 
active in church matters. Mr. Thatcher passed 
tlie very earl^' days of boyhood upon his father's 
farm, but had only very limited opportunities for 
an education. At thirteen years of age he began 
the struggle for daily existence and self support. 
He worked by the day and month at farming, and 
with the exception of two years has devoted his 
entire life to agricultural toil. In the winter, in 
January, 1877, he came to Cass County, and in 
April, 1885, located on the one hundred and fifty 
acres which have since been brought to a high 
state of cultivation by his patient and industrious 
care. 

Our subject was united in marriage February 
21, 1884, with Miss Lydia A. Hanson, a native 
of Jefferson Township and a daughter of William 
and Elizabeth (Crawford) Hanson, widely known 
and highly respected residents of Cass Countj'. 
Four children have blessed the pleasant home of 
Mr. and Mrs. Thatcher, two sons and two daugh- 
ters: William C, George B., Mar}' E. and Margaret 



B. Financially, our subject has achieved success. 
In 1891 he purchased his valuable homestead, 
which annually' yields an excellent harvest, and 
through his own efforts has gained an enviable 
position in life. In political affiliation a strong 
Democrat, he is deeply interested in local and na- 
tional issues, and, a public-spirited citizen, is ever 
ready to aid in all matters pertaining to the mu- 
tual welfare of the community. 




'^-^^>-^¥r^m^- 



HILIP LYNCH. The following is a brief 
sketch of the career of Mr. Lj'nch, a man 
whose present substantial position in life 
has been reached entirely through his own 
perseverance, and the facts connected with his 
operations and their results only show what a 
person with courage and enlightened views can 
accomplish. He ranks among the well-known men 
of foreign birth in Berrien County, and, gifted alike 
with energy, enterprise and uprightness, he crossed 
the ocean to make for himself a home in the "land 
of the free." For the success which has attended 
his efforts he deserves much commendation. 

Mr. Lynch was born in County Meath, Ireland, 
in 1829, and there grew to manhood. The prom- 
ises held out by the New World were enticing in 
the extreme, and in 1849 Mr. Lynch, with his sis- 
ter Annie, crossed the ocean to this continent. 
They landed in New York, but took passage from 
there, via the Lakes, to Chicago, where they re- 
mained but a short time, and in the same year lo- 
cated in Berrien County. Our subject engaged 
to work with James Caldwell, Sr., later with John 
D. Buiy, Sr., and with the mone}' thus earned 
bought Land from the Government. This was the 
same year he located in the county, and from that 
time on he was actively engaged in clearing and 
improving his farm. Although it took many years 
of hard labor to clear the farm of the heavy tim- 
ber with which it was covered, Mr. Lynch never 
became discouraged and man.aged his place with 
excellent judgment and ability. 

In the year 1857, when twentj'-eight years of 



■^t^^s?*^ 






?f 



^.i i<*ii>i.ftjniTi«iii;,^ 





PUliTRAlT AND iJlOGUAl'lIlCAL RECORD. 



647 



age, he was mariied to Miss Mary Carroll, who was 
also a native of the s''ceii isle of Krin, and a lady 
of culture and refinement. After marriage they 
located on the farm opposite their present resi- 
dence and there remained for some time. To the 
original tract laud has been added from time to 
time, until Mr. Lyncii is now the owner of one 
iiundrcd and sixty acres. He is quite extensively 
engaged in fruit-growing and annually ships ber- 
ries of ever>' description. In connection he is also 
engaged in farming, and is considered one of the 
prominent agriculturists of that section, all his 
farming operations being conducted in a manner 
showing his g6od judgment and sense. 

The marriage of Mr. L^-nch resulted in Die birth 
of nine children, as follows: Ellen, wife of John 
lloar; .\nnio, wife of .lolin D. I'.ury, Benton Town- 
ship; Mary, wife of Saninel King, of tliis county; 
Rosa, a resident of Chicago; Philip, James, Katie, 
Margaret and Thomas. Tiie last five make their 
home with their parents. All have had good cdu- 
(•ational advantages in the common schools and are 
bright and intelligent .>oung people. The Demo- 
cratic (taity lias ever received Mr. Lynch 's vote, 
and he has ever been interested in political mat- 
ters, lie and his family hold membership with the 
Ivoriian Catholic Church. Mrs. Lynch was a daugh- 
ter of Owen Carroll, and came to America with 
her brother James, who is now residing in llagar 
Township. Mr. Lynch has ever been a public- 
spirited citizen, and he and his wife su[)port all 
worthy enterprises. 




ULLIVAN H. MORSE, a prominent farmer 

of Cass County, and an earl}' settler of 

Calvin Township, was born near Reading 

Vt., January 19, 1814, and was next to the 

youngest in a family of eleven children born to 

, Asa and Anna (Bowman) Morse. His father was 

^ ttnrniiird in order of birtli~ainong six children 

comprising the family of .Samuel Mor.se, and was 

born at llolden, Vt., October 10, 1772. The Morse 



family was lirst represented in America by three 
biothers, who emigrated from England in Colonial 
times, one of whom settled in Rhode Island, one 
in Connecticut and the third in M.issachusetts. 
From these brothers sprang the innumerable rep- 
resentatives of the family now in the United 
States. Aside from these brief facts, however, the 
writer has but little information uiioii which to 
b.ase the early family history. 

Asa Morse, father of our subject, married when 
he was scarcely eighteen years of age, his bride 
being Miss Anna Bowman, who was born in Ver- 
mont (presumably near llolden) December 16, 
1774, and was but little more than sixteen when 
she married. The information .relative to her 
family is very limited. They were of English 
extraction and an old New England family. In 
the early part of 1816 Asa Morse, with his family, 
which then consisted of his wife and ten children, 
left Vermont and settled near Ft. Ann, in the 
State of New York. 'The father was a man of 
very limited means and of a roving disposition. 
At one time we find him with his family at Ft. 
Edwards, later near Saratoga Springs, and after- 
ward in central New York, where he died in 1H32 
His wife, who died Januar}' 18, 1866, was a noble 
Christian woman and a devoted member of the 
Presbyterian Church. One of the brothers of Asa 
above mentioned, tradition tells us, was possessed 
with witchcraft and for years was the terror of 
the part of the country in which he lived. 

The brothers and sisters of our subject were as 
follows: Asa, Jr., was born November 23, 1792, 
married there, became the father of two children 
(one of whom is living in Vermont and the other 
in Wisconsin), and after pa.ssiug his entire life in 
the Green Mountain State, there died. Nathan, 
who was born May 5, 1794, came West, settling in 
Cass County, Mich., where he died about 1873. 
He had a family of four daughters and one son. 
Betsy L., who was born June 10, 1796, died when 
a young lad.y. Enos B., who was born August 22, 
1798, came to Michigan, where he died, leaving 
three children. Nancy A., who was born February 
7, 1801, married a man named J.ackson and died 
leaving one daughter. Arathusa, whose birth oc- 
curred May 21, 1804, married Almon Carr, of 



548 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Massachusetts, and was the mother of twelve chil- 
dren, all of whom are living. Her eldest son, 
E. T. Carr, is a prominent architect at Topeka, 
Kan., and made the plans for the State Capitol at 
that place. Emeline R., who was born Ma}' 5, 
1806, married Dr. Thompson, son of the founder 
of the Thompsonian Institute. She died leaving 
two children. Erastus Z., who was born July 27, 
1809, came to Michigan and died in Union, leav- 
ing two children. Sidney L., whose birth occurred 
May 9, 1812, was of a roving disposition, and at 
his death left one child. Sullivan H., the subject 
of this sketch, was born January 19,1814. Hor- 
ace H., born M.\y 17, 1816, was a prominent mer- 
chant in New York State, and died there, leaving 
one child. 

Of this large famil}' all have gone to their final 
reward except the subject of this sketch and his 
sister Arathusa. He had but limited advantages 
for acquiring an education in his boyhood days. 
His father, as stated above, was a man of roving 
disposition, who had but small means, and in fact 
thought that an education was of but little account. 
Sullivan, however, thought differently and he ran 
away from home, barefoot, to go to school, and by 
making good use of his time obtained a good edu- 
cation and was said to be one of the best spellers 
in his part of the country. After he was twenty- 
one, having saved up a little money, he hired a 
private teacher to instruct him, and thus his edu- 
cation was completed. He started out in life as a 
carpenter and joiner, and followed that occupa- 
tion most of the time for forty j'ears 

November 10, 1839, Mr. Morse married Mary 
Ann Steves, the eldest of four daughters of Enoch 
and Christina (Pulver) Steves, who were of Ger- 
man extraction. By this marriage was born a 
large family of children: Phojbe Ann, died Feb- 
ruary 7, 1841. Albert Maning married Emma, 
daughter of J. V. Shepard, and tiie}' have three 
children; he makes his home on a farm in Mason 
Township. William Evert married Flora Woods, 
by whom he is the father of four children; he is a 
farmer in Jefferson Township. Charles Henry 
married Minerva Strong and they with their four 
sons reside on a farm in Cass County. Rollin Eu- 
srene married Louisa Amsden and is a merchant 



at Dowagiac. Alvina Florence is deceased. Wat- 
son Wiiford died March 2, 18.58. Il.arriet Melina 
married Perry Reams and lives in Wayne Town- 
ship, Cass County. 

In 1860 Mr. Morse came to Michigan and bought 
a part of the farm where he now lives. He has 
cleared more than one hundred acres with his own 
hands and now has one of the best farms in Calvin 
Township. April 18, 1875, his wife and the 
mother of his children died. For his second 
wife he married Marietta Steveson, on the 10th of 
October, 1877. She died October 25, 1888, leav- 
ing no children. Since that time Mr. Morse has 
lived practically retired, doing little more than 
look after his extensive interests. He has spent 
considerable time in travel and has taken several 
trips East. In politics, he has been a lifelong 
Democrat and has held some of the offices in the 
township, yet has never aspired to office. He is 
now (1893) nearl}' four-score years of age, hale 
and hearty, and is spending his declining years in 
a quiet way in his pleasant home surrounded by 
the comforts of life. 



\1l^^ ARRY H. SHEDD, a prominent general ag- 
' riculturist and successful stock-raiser of 
Berrien County, Mich., is pleasantly lo- 
cated upon a fine farm of one hundred and 
seventy-one acres, situated about three miles south- 
east of the thriving village of Three Oaks. Ar- 
riving in his present locality a bright, ambitious 
boy of fourteen, he is identified with the early 
history of the State, and, sharing in the privations 
and experiences of the pioneer da}'s, has for about 
fifty-seven j'ears been an important factor in the 
upbuilding and progressive interests of Berrien 
County. Our subject is a native of New York 
State and was born in Onondaga County Janu- 
ary 1, 1822. His father, Sylvester Shedd, a na- 
tive of Massachusetts, emigrated from the old 
Bay State to New York, where with his wife, Sally 
(Smith ) Shedd, he made his home for some time. 
The paternal grandfather, Samuel Shedd. was of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, 



r,49 



dirwl English descent and a man of pf>sition in 
New England. The mother of our subject, like 
her liushand, was horn in Massachusetts and was a 
most excellent woman, beloved by all who know 
hei. After a time the father removed with his 
family to Ohio, and later came, in 1836, to Berrien 
County, Jlich. 

Entering forty acres of land Sylvester Shedd 
with energy began the cultivation of the soil, and 
within a brief period purchased sixty additional 
acres, thus owning in the old homestead one hun- 
dred acres, which when cleared became a highly 
productive tract of land. After a thirt3--ycars 
residence the father died August 13, 1866. A far- 
mer by occupation, he served with fidelity and 
courage in the War of 1812, and was a man of 
upright character, earnest and straightforward in 
his dealings. The mother passed away in Berrien 
Count}' November 14, 1875. Both parents were 
members of the Congregational Church and active 
in the extension of religious influence. The home 
of the father and mother was blessed with the 
presence of a family of eight children, four of 
whom are yet surviving. Hariy H. was the fifth 
in order of birth and spent his early days of boy- 
hood in Onondaga County, N. Y., there receiving 
a limited education. During the two years of his 
residence in Ohio he attended school ten weeks, 
and after he came to Berrien County enjoyed but 
fourteen da3's of instruction. Toiling industri- 
ously until he was nitieteen years old, he remained 
with his parents and then bought his time. 

At first our subject worked out by the month on 
a farm during the summer and in winter received 
eini)loyment in a sawmill and hauled lumber. At 
the end of a twelvemonth Harry H. and a brother 
bought a threshing-machine and ran that during 
the threshing season, the remainder of the time de- 
voting themselves to the pursuit of agriculture. 
Until he cleared and partially improved his home- 
stead Mr. Shedd continued to operate with the 
thresher, after which his land required his con- 
stant attention. 

In 1850 Harry II. Shedd and Miss Mariett 
Thompson were united in marriage. Mrs. Shedd, 
like her husband, was a native of Onondaga 
County, N. Y., and was a daughter of Charles T. 



and Millison (Belts) Thompson. 'I"he estimable 
wife of our subject passed to her rest in Berrien 
County, March H, 1.H88. She was the mother of 
two children, Sylvester and Jennie, and gave to 
her family devoted care. Jlr. Shedd has never 
been troubkul with [lolitical aspirations, but he is 
intelligently interested in local and National issues 
and cast his first vote for William Henry Harrison. 
His fine farm, well adapted to grain and stock- 
raising, is one of the landmarks of the county and 
is a monument to the self-rcli:int efforts of a man 
who has unaided won his upward way to a position 
of usefulness and inlUience,and who to-day com- 
mands the high esteem of all his fellow-towns- 
men. 



U >i ^■^■^-T^ 



'fj RVING PADDOCK, a representative general 
II agriculturist and a leading citizen of New 
ill Buffalo Townshii), ISerrien County, Mich., is a 
native of the Empire State and was born March 
25, 1830, in Onondaga County. The parents of 
our subject were James and Charlotte (Tappen) 
Paddock, well-known and inlluential people of 
that locality'. The father was born in Orange 
County, April 18, 1806, and was the son of James 
Paddock, Sr., whose birthplace was also in New 
Y'ork, and who served bravely as a militiaman in 
the War of 1812. Tiie paternal great-grandfather 
was a soldier of the Revolutionaiy War. He was 
of English descent and bore the name of David. 
The father of our subject emigrated from New 
Y'ork to the West in 1836, and located in what is 
now Galena Township, then Hudson, La Porte 
County, Ind. He was a farmer by occu[)atiou and 
survived to witness the changes of a half-century 
in the settlement of Indiana. The mother, also a 
native of New York, was born in 1808. She died 
in La Porte Count}', Ind., in 1872, and had borne 
unto her husband a family of twelve sons and 
daughters, of whom Irving was the eldest. He was 
only six years of age when with his parents he 
journeyed to La Porte County. 

Reared and educated in the common schools of 
Hudson Township, Mr. Paddock arrived at man- 



550 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



liOOd, and when the Civil War liroke oat he soon 
enlistcfl in tlie service of the Government and pa- 
triotically joined Company' F, Twenty-fifth Michi- 
gan Infantry, as a private. Promoted for his gal- 
lant bearing and general efliciency, our subject 
was made Sergeant, Second Lieutenant, First 
Lieutenant, and finalli' became Captain. He 
served until .June 24, 1865, and then was honor- 
ably discharged. During the fight at Tebbs Bend, 
between Morgan and the Twenty-fifth Michigan, 
Mr. Paddock was shot tiirough the iiips. He was 
twice wounded at Atlanta, Ga., and was shot 
through the right arm, between the wrist and 
elbow. Our subject actively participated in the 
Loudon fight, Kingston, Tenn., and took part in 
the battles of Kenesaw Mountain and Buzzard's 
Roost. He was engaged in the raid from Rock}' 
Face, Ga., to Atlanta, and was under fire most of 
the time, being three months making the one hun- 
dred miles. When BIr. Paddock was first wounded 
he was t.aken to the field-hospital, from there 
to the prisoners' hospital at Louisville, and was 
then removed to Hospital No. 12. The second 
time he was wounded he was carried to Hospital 
No. 3, at Nashville. Our subject was mustered 
out of service at Salisbury, N. C, June 24, 1865, 
and was sent to the barracks in Jackson, Mich., in 
July, and soon returned to his home in Berrien 
County, to whicli he had removed in I860, at that 
time locating upon tiie farm where he now resides. 

The homestead originally contained but eighty 
acres, five of which had been cleared of timber, 
upon wliich clearing was the sole improvement — 
an old log house. Since then the tract, increased to 
one hundred acres and highly cultivated, has been 
further improved by an attractive dwelling and 
substantial barns. Tiie farm, pleasantly located, is 
midway between the vilLages of Three Oaks and 
New Buffalo, and is three and a-lialf miles from 
each. 

Irving Paddock and Miss Esther Ann AVare 
were united in marri.age in New Buffalo, December 
25, 1859, and received tiie hearty liest wishes of 
many friends. Mrs. Paddock was born in Mexico, 
Oswego County, N. Y., September 19, 1838. She 
ie a daughter of Reuben and Esther (Goit) Ware, 
who were natives of Vermont and accompanied 



their respective i)areiits to New York in a very 
early da}'. Spending their last jears in Amboy, 
the}' both passed away in the Empire State. Our 
subject and his estimable wife have been blessed 
by the birth of three children, but one of whom 
now survives: Clarence, residing near Springfield, 
Mo.; Lottie and Albert are both deceased. Mr. 
Paddock is politically a Republican and has held 
by able service the official position of Township 
Treasurer, and in the discharge of the duties in- 
volved has given satisfaction to his fellow-towns- 
men. Our subject cast his first Presidential vote 
for Winfleld Scott and is ever interested in both 
local and national issues. His excellent wife is a 
valued member of the Congregational Church and 
is active in good work. Mr. Paddock, while not a 
professor of religion, is mindful of those less for- 
tunate than himself and is known as a liberal- 
spirited and enterprising citizen. 



~oi 






5d' 



I I^ASIHNGTON I. GRIFFITH. As a repre- 
\r\j// sentative of the prosperous and enterpris- 
^^^ ing farmers of Cass County who have 
contributed to the growth and develo[)ment of 
this section of the State, mention should be made 
of Mr. GrilHth, who conducts farming operations 
on section 21, of Milton Townsiiip. A native of 
Indiana, he w.as born in St. Joseph County, De- 
cember 22, 1845, and is the son of Caleb B. and 
Matilda (Smith) Griffith, natives of Delaware. The 
paternal grandfather, Joshua Griffith, was prolia- 
bly born in Delaware and was of English descent. 
The maternal grandfather, George Smith, was like- 
wise born in Delaware and traced his ancestry to 
England. 

After the marri.age of the parents of our subject, 
whicii occurred in St. Josefih County, Ind., they 
settled on a farm in Harris Township, but soon 
afterward came to Miciiigan and located in Milton 
Townsiiip. Here they engaged in .agricultural pur- 
sues, becoming well and favorably known for 
their integrity and kind, noble dispositions. The 
father died in 1S60; the mother still makes her 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



551 



home in tliis township. They were the parents of 
seven sons: Cliarles II., Washington I., Addison 
II. :uid fieorsre, the hitler dying at the age of two 
years, the othci-s dying in infancy. The second son 
is the subject of tliis sketch, wlio was a small child 
when he accompanied iiis [laronts to Cass County. 
Here he gained his education and grew to man- 
hood on his father's farm. 

October 1, 1868, Mr. (trittith married Josephine 
M. Rogers, who was born in Cass County, June 
13, 1847, being tiie daugiiter of Hiram Rogers, a 
native of New Jiirsey. When about two years of 
age lie removed witli his parents to New York, 
and in an early day came to Michigan, being one 
of the early settlers of Cass County. He is still 
living in Milton Township upon the farm he en- 
tered from the Government many years ago. He 
has attained to the advanced age of ninety-two 
j-ears, and as one of the oldest of the few surviv- 
ing pioneers of this county is entitled to the con- 
sideration and esteem of all the people. His fa- 
tiier, Jabez Rogers, was descended from P^nglish 
ancestors and served in tlic Revolutionary War. 

Mrs. Griffith is one of thirteen children born to 
Mr. and Mrs. Rogers, being the next to the young- 
est of tiie family. At the present time (1893) two 
of the number are living. The mother of these 
eliiidrcn, Lora (Worden) Rogers, was born in New 
York and was of English descent. Mrs. Griffith 
was reared in Milton Township and attended the 
district schools as well as the Cassopolis school. 
Four children were born of her marriage, three 
of wh(;m are deceased, namely: Maud M., who 
died when twenty-one 3-ears of age; Caleb C, 
who passed away at the age of five months, and 
Lucy E., who was called hence when an interest- 
ing child of fourteen years. The only surviving 
child is Florence R. 

In 1869 Mr. Griffith settled on his present farm, 
where he conducts a general agricultural and stock- 
raising business. In addition to this property he 
owns an interest of (me hundred acres in St. Joseph 
County, Ind. In his political belief he was for 
many years a stanch adherent of Republican prin- 
ciples, but for several years he has adopted the 
policy of voting for the man whom he deems best 
qualified for the position desired. He has served 



as Justice of the Peace, and at the present time is 
a member of the School Hoard. He has been jjromi- 
nenlly connected with the Farmers' Alliance, of 
which he wjis the fiist Secretary and second Presi- 
dent, and is now their agent. Upright in charac- 
ter and zealous in religious matters, he is one of 
the most active and influential members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, and is now Steward. 



-N- 



TEPHEN A. BOGIJE. All his life Mi. 

Rogue has followed with substantial results 

Vii^ JjJ) the occupation to which he was reared, and 




in which he is now engaged, farming. 



He 



is justly recognized as one of the leading agricul- 
turists and stock-raisers, and as a man, no less than 
a citizen, he is highly esteemed. All his life he has 
been identified with the best interests of Cass 
County, and his intelligence, enterprise and many 
other estimable qualities have acquired for him a 
popularity not derived from anj^ factitious cir- 
cumstances, but a spontaneous and permanent trib- 
ute to his merit. 

Born in Penn Township, Cass County, this State, 
M.a^' 7, 184-5. Mr. Bogue has been a resident of 
this county all his life and is well and favorably 
known throughout its length and breadth. His 
parents. Stephen and Hannah (East) Bogue, were 
prominent peof)le and early settlers of this county. 
The father was born in Perquimans (-'ounty, N. C, 
October 17, 1790, and died on the farm he entered 
in Cass County, October 10, 1868. He first moved 
from his native State to Preble County, Ohio, 
where he inirch.ased land and cleared a farm, re- 
maining on the same until 182U, when he came to 
Cass County, Mich. His first marriage occurred 
in Ohio, lie came North because he did not be- 
lieve in slavery, and while living in Michigan he 
assisted many negroes to escape to Canada. Out- 
spoken and candid in his views, Mr. Bogue was a 
man who ever dared to do right. At one time he 
was sued by owners of slaves for .assisting the 
fugitive slaves in obtaining their freedom, but he 
came out ahead. 



552 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL, RECORD. 



His second marriage was to Mrs. Hannah (East) 
Bonine and occurred in Kichniond, Ind. After 
settling in Cass Countj', Mich., he laid out the 
site for the town of Vandalia, and built one of the 
first gristmills in the county. This he operated 
for about twenty j'ears, but in addition was also 
engaged in agricultural pursuits. His second wife 
was a native of the Old Dominion, born in Gray- 
son County in 1798, and the daughter of William 
and Rachel (Talbert) East, liie former a native 
of Virginia, and the latter of Pennsylvania. Mr. 
and Mrs. East came to Cass County, Mich., about 
1835, and here passed the remainder of their d.a3's. 
Mrs. Bogue passed away on the 19th of December, 
1891. Mr. Bogue was the son of Joseph Bogue, 
who was a native of North Carolina, where he 
died. He was a blacksmith by trade, but was also 
interested in agricultural pursuits, owning at one 
time over two thousand acres of land. 

Stephen A. Bogue, the youngest child born to 
his father's second marriage, received his early ed- 
ucation in the common district schools, after 
which he attended the academy at Adrian, Mich. 
On the 20th of November, 1867, he married Miss 
Dora E. Dalton, of Adrian, Mich. She was born 
August 9, 1846, and is the daughter of James and 
Mar^' (Lewis) Dalton. After marriage Mr. Bogue 
began farming, and continued this occupation un- 
til 1877, when he moved to Florida and embarked 
in the orange and vegetable business for about 
five years. Returning to Michigan, he resided in 
Vandalia for two j'ears, and then moved on his 
present farm, where he has since resi<led. 

Our subject has filled a number of the local of- 
fices — Township Supervisor, Road Commissioner^ 
etc. — and was an able and efficient officer. Sociailj', 
he is a Good Templar and is Worthj' Master of 
the lodge, and he has been a member of the local 
Grange, of which he was Master several terms. A 
Republican in his political views, his first Presiden- 
tial vote was cast for Gen. U. S. Grant. Both lie 
and wife are members of the Friends' Church and 
his ancestors were members of that church for 
man}' years. Our subject and his wife have a com- 
fortable and pleasant rural home three miles east 
of Cassopolis, with one hundred and eighty acres 
of excellent farming land. Three children were 



born to their marriage: Walter Marion, Maiy 
Belle, and Hannah S., wiio was born in Florida. All 
are still under the parental roof and the two eldest 
graduated from the High School of Cassopolis. 
The daughter Belle has taken a thorough course of 
vocal and instrumental music at Earlham College 
at Richmond, Ind. 



i**** 4g^****i-- 



3*^.5.^.^ 



r •i-i-i-'i-F^ 



WnxiAiv 
furnisl 
^ ^ tative 



nXIAM GREEN. The Buckeye State has 
islied to this county man\' represen- 
citizens, and among them might 
be mentioned William (ireen, who has resided 
here for man}' years. In everything connected 
with the growth and prosperity of the county he 
has taken an active interest, and as a merchant lie 
has had a very successful career. Born in Preble 
County, Ohio, April 20, 1830, he is the son of 
Jesse and Charity (Cook) Green. Jesse Green was 
born in Georgia in 1790, and when fifteen years 
of age moved to Ohio with liis mother, who wished 
to live in an anti-slave Slate. He was the son of 
Jesse Green, Sr., who was a native of Philadelphia. 
Jesse Green, Jr., was married in his native State, 
and emigrated to Cass County, Mich., in 1836, dy- 
ing there about 1850. lie was at one time a mer- 
chant, but after settling in the State of Michigan 
he engaged as an agriculturist. 

Tiie mother of our subject was born in South 
Carolina, thirt}' miles from Charleston, and died 
in Cass County, Mich., about 1859, Seven sons 
and five daughters were born of her marriage, the 
subject of this notice being the sixth in order of 
birth. Tlie latter, since six 3'ears of age, has been 
a resident of Cass County, and received his educa- 
tion in the common schools. On the 30th of April, 
1853, he was married to Miss Almira Wright, a na- 
tive of Cass Count3% Mich., and one child, Frank 
Leslie, has blessed this union. 

.Agricultural pursuits occupied the attention of 
our subject for the most part until 1871, when he 
moved to Vandalia, and engaged in merchandising. 
The energy he has displ'iyed in the management 
of this business, and the prosperous appearance of 



PORTRAIT AND BJO(5RAPHICAL RECORD. 



553 



his establishment, show that he has made money. 
The fact thai lie enjoys such an extensive trade, a 
trade which he holds and which increases year af- 
ter year, is all the evidence needed that he has 
made it honestly, for it takes the avera<j;e eus- 
tt)iner but a short time to <liscover crookedness 
of any kind in his merchant. Mr. Green does an 
annual business of $15,000, and his stock of goods 
is always fresh and new. 

,\ innniinent Mason, Mr. (ircen is a member of 
\'aM(lalia Lodge No. 2'J(l, in which he has held 
meinbershi[) for twenty-three years, lie has held 
many of the township ollices, and is a school otlicer 
most of the time. He lakes a. deep interest in ed- 
ucational affairs, and is active in all matters of 
moment or in any movement for the advaneeiuent 
of the county. He is an inlhiential citizen and 
t)ne highly esteemed by all. Politically, he is a 
Republican, and his first Presidential vote was cast 
fur (icii. Scolt. 



v.- 



IIKSTKH r. PllKI.PS, whose beautiful home 
is situated on the lake shore, is an enter- 
prising and successful fruit-grower of St. 
.loseph Tdwiisliip, Berrien County. His farm, con- 
sisting of twenty acres, has been embellished with 
all the modern improvements, including a com- 
modious residence and substantial outbuildings. 
Here he engages in the raising of peaches, pears 
and other small fruits, and ships extensively to the 
principal Western markets. Through the exercise 
of excellent judgment in the details of his busi- 
ness affairs he has gained ample means and is 
numbered among the successful men of the com- 
munity. 

The ancestors of Mr. Phelps were for many 
years identified with the history of New England. 
His father, Chester, was born in Connecticut, 
whence he removed to New York and made set- 
tlement in Fulton County. His wife, whose 
maiden name was Sally Powell, w.as a native of 
Fulton County and a lady possessing many amia- 




ble qualities of heart and mind. They became the 
parents of nine children, all of whom grew to man- 
hood and womanhood, and six are still living. 
The father engaged in fanning oi>eralions, and at 
the same lime conducted a good business as a 
tinner. After a long and honorable life, he passed 
away at the old home in Pulton County, leaving 
to his descendants considerable property and, what 
is far belter, the heritage of an upright life and 
stainless name. He was a faithful member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, and it was his con- 
stant endeavor to exemplify in his life the princi- 
ples of the religion he professed. 

In the village of Johnstown, Pulton County, 
N. v., the subject of this biograi)hical notice was 
born December lU, 1832. There he was reared to 
manhood upon his father's farm, receiving a lim- 
ited education in the neighboring schools. When 
nearl}' twenly-Uve years of age, he established do- 
mestic ties and a home of his own. On the 8lh of 
October, 1857, occurred his marriage to Miss Alice 
E., the daughter of David Brown, and a native of 
Fulton County, N. Y. After his marriage he re- 
mained on the old homestead in New York until 
1861, when he came to Michigan and purchased 
his present property in St. Joseph Township, Ber- 
rien County-. The farm had been the property of 
his father-in-law, who bought it in 18G0, when it 
remained in nature's primeval condition. A con- 
siderable amount of "grubbing" was necessary, 
and niau3' improvements had to be made before 
the place was in first-class cultivation. 

August 19, 1888, IMis. Alice E. Phelps died, 
leaving two children, David R. and Arthur H. 
The first-named married Miss Cora A. Smith and 
they are the parents of two children, Orla L. and 
Alice L. Mrs. Cora Pheljjs is the daughter of 
William Smith) formerly a prominent farmer and 
fruit-grower of St. Joseph. The young couple 
make their home with our subject, and through 
their kind attentions and thoughtful ministrations 
enhance his comfort and brighten the declining 
years of his life. The younger son, Arthur 11., a 
promising young man, also makes his home with 
Mr. Phelps. 

A Republican in his political syinpalhies, Mr. 
I Phelps takes an active interest in local and Na- 



554 



PORTRAIT AND I5I0(;UAPHICAL RECORD 



tional politics, and has firm convictions of his own 
upon every subject of general importance and in- 
terest. For three years he filled the position of 
Justice of the Peace, and he lias also occupied 
other positions of trust. Socially, he is a member 
of tlie Grange and is Master of Lake Grange 
Lodge No. 93. In tiie work of tlic Patrons of 
Husbandry lie takes a prominent and influential 
part, and is justly numbered among liie public- 
spirited citizens of tiie county. In former years 
he engaged extensivelj' in tlie business of catch- 
ing pigeons in different portions of this (State, his 
plan of operating being to decoy pigeons in nets. 
Not infrequently he would secure at one time 
from twenty to thirty dozen wild pigeons, for 
which he found a ready sale in the markets at 
New York City, Chicago and other places. 



-^5. 



~S] 



^^ 



(=" 




NDREW J. PENLAND is a prominent cit- 
izen of the county and one of nature's 
noblemen. Abounding in affection forliis 
fellow-kind, and being sup|ilicd with a fair 
share of this world's goods, he is well content, 
and tries to make others so. He is a farmer 
by occupation, but is also engaged in blacksniitli- 
ing and is making a success of both occupations. 
In the year 1889 he was elected Iligliway Com- 
missioner and has held that position ever sin(;e, 
discharging the duties in a very etliiuent manner. 
He was born in Elkhart County, I nd., to the union 
of William and Catherine (Boswell) Penlaiid. 

William Penland was born in Ohio in 1814, and 
is living in this county, in the enjoyment of coui- 
[)aiatively good health. At an early date, and 
while still single, he emigrated to Elkhart, Ind., 
and there married Miss Bos well, a native of Ohio. 
In 1849 he removed to Berrien County, Mich., 
settled on a wild tract of land, and immediately be- 
gan making improvements. He has seen the coun- 
try grow from its wild and undeveloped state to its 
present prosperous condition and has done his share 
toward its improvement. With the exception of 
two years he has resided on that farm ever since, 



and is classed among the foremost farmers of Ber- 
rien Count}', and among the worthy old settlers 
of this region. In connection with farming he 
was also engaged in the blacksmith business, and 
for thirty-five years was a Methodist preacher, 
following his ministerial duties for two years in 
Van Buren County. He is of Scotch descent. His 
wife is now deceased. They were the i)areiits of 
fourteen children, four sons and ten daughters. 
Our subject's maternal grandfather was a soldier 
in the War of 1812. 

Andrew J. Penland was third in order of birth 
of the above-mentioned children. He remained 
in Elkhart County, Ind., until ten 3eais of age, 
when he came with his parents to lienicii County 
and tliere received the principal part of his educa- 
ation. Our subject has known the demands of 
poverty, for his parents were poor, and as he had 
to assist in making a living his educational ad- 
vantages were limited. After remaining under 
the parental roof until about sixteen years of age, 
he hired out to work bj' the month on a farm, and 
during that time was also engaged in the sawmill 
business. He learned the blacksmith trade of his 
father, and in 1861 was married to Miss Matilda 
Shearer, a native of Berrien County. Immediately 
afterward he built a shop at Koyalton, began 
working for himself, and followed tliis for about 
five years. Six children have been born to his 
union: Elsie; Catherine E., wife of A. Courtville; 
Sarah A., vvife of Calvin Stoops; Rosie E., Ida May 
and William. 

Mr. Penland has held the ollice of Drain Com- 
misioner for two years, and when elected to the 
office of Highway Commissioner he received the 
largest majority ever received in the township. 
He is a strong advocate of Democratic principles, 
and his vote is ever cast with that party. His first 
Presidential vote was cast for McClellan. He is 
now a member of the County Central Committee 
of his township and has iield other positions of 
trust and responsibility. 

Socially, he is a member of Royalton Lodge No. 
373, I. O. O. F., and lias held membership in the 
same since 1882. He has represented that lodge 
in tlie Grand Lodge at Grand Rapids. Mr. Pen- 
land's farm, consisting of fifty .icres and located 



, , ^'Iji*^. ^^J^,^)hx:^^-'ir^.i^\. A 










RE5IDtNCE OF JOSEPH LEUT E , 5LC 35 . 5T. JOSEPH TP BERRIEN CO./MICH. 




# h ' i-^'^J.' 



v^ -j:. "^ '^^^ =— ^ .-V 

\4i 






ii^<^s^^'Sia!aa^i^t:»gia«Bi>wK 



RESIDENCE OF ROCK 5. EDWA RD5 , SEC .1 1 . 50DU5 TP. BERRIEN CO. MICH. 




j^ - 



l¥.*l^' 




rilESIDEUCE OF A. J. PEN LAND, SEC. 3. RQYALTON TP, BERRI EM CO. MICH.- 



1 



rOKTli^UT AND lilOGllArillCAL RECORD. 



557 



eight iiiilos sdutli of St. .loscpli, is well improved 
and well ciiiliviitcd, allhoiiirli wlieii he liisl settled 
ii|i(iii il it w;>s itivered with :i dense i-iowth uf 
limber. The day he muved un thi.s place lie cut 
the date on a beech tree, and it is now plainly vis- 
ible (May 1, 18()o). Although not an educated 
man in the technical sense of the word, Mr. Pen- 
land harmonizes cause and effect so logically that 
he is recognized as one whose opinion is of nuich 
weight. 




OCK S. KI)WAi{|)S, an energetic and suc- 
cessful general agriculturist and forseveral 
terms an ellicicnt Highway Commissioner 
5j of Sodus Township, Berrien County, Mich., 
was born .July 3, 1821), in Shropshire, Knglaud. 
His father, Edward Edwards, a native of Wales 
and an energetic and hard-working man, was born 
in 171)1. The mother, also of Welsh nativity and 
born in 1797, attained to womanhood well fitted 
to assume the cares of a h(^nisehold of her own. 
While yet a 3'oung and single woman she removed 
to England. The father, finding that wages were 
higher in other parts of the C^ueen's dominions, 
also went to England, where he obtained empUiy- 
nicnt, met his future wife and was married. The 
three children born unto the marriage survived the 
perils of infancj' and are now living. The parents 
were in very humble circumstances and our sub- 
ject, having a thirst for knowledge, was obliged to 
earn the money to pay for the instruction he re- 
ceived. Man}- days he passed in study, his only 
lunch at noon a bit of dr^' bread, which he had 
brought with him from his iioine. Ambitiously 
lie persevered and acquired a good common edu- 
cation, his sole capital in life. 

Wiien fifteen years old Mr. Edwards began the 
struggle of life upon his own account and for a 
l)eriod of one year toiled for the nuinifictint sum 
of $15. At tw-enty-eight years of age he crossed 
the bro.id Atlantic and, landing safely in America, 
at first located in lluroii County. Ohio, where he 
received employincnt on a farm and remained two 



months. Ix'arning that he had relatives in Port- 
age County, he then journeyed thither and worked 
upon a f;uiii in tli.-it locality for one and a-lialf 
years. A heavy frost .Iiine 7, 1851), destroying 
the crop of wheat, [lotatoes, and all growing veg- 
etables, our subject, certain that the climate would 
not suit him, departed at once for Michigan. In 
this latter State he engaged in agricultural toil 
upon various farms, never receiving more than 
$11 per month, frequently less, lie continued in 
Berrien County until the breaking out of the 
Civil War, in 1862; then, enlisting in Company B, 
Seventeenth Michigan Infantrj-, he was mustered 
into the service at Detroit under Col. Withington. 
Upon the 29th of August, leaving Detroit, the reg- 
iment was hurried to the field of battle, and on 
the 14th of Sei)tember our subject actively partici- 
pated in the fight at South Mountain. 

Upon the 17th of September Mr. Edwards was 
engaged in the battle of Aiitielam and a few days 
after, feeling ill, was attended by the surgeon, who 
prescribed a dose of quinine, which, having been 
taken l)y our subject, rendered him unconscious, 
and, the troojjs being ordered to march and un- 
able to care for him, he was left l^'ing upon the 
ground, insensible to his surroundings and deser- 
tion. When he recovered it was in December, 
and he then learned that he had been tenderly 
cared for by both men and women of the oppos- 
ing army and from October, in the early part of 
the month, had been watched over and nursed 
slowly back to strength and reason. When fully 
recu[)erated, Mr. Edwards joined his regiment, 
March 4, 1803. During his term of service he was 
in Kentucky, southern Illinois and Mississippi, and 
shared the perils of the siege of Vicksburg and 
Jackson and came north to Camp Nicholsville, 
Ky. Crossing from the latter |)oint into East 
Tennessee, our subject engaged in the battle of 
Camden Station. The regiment was cut off at the 
siege of Knoxville for twent^'-one days and dur- 
ing its entire period of service suffered almost in- 
credil)lo hardship. 

Constantly exposed to death and capture, the 
soldiers of the Seventeenth .^lichigan also fought 
courageously ui)on the Tields of Spottsylvania, in 
the battle of the Wilderness, North and South Anna, 



558 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RIXORD. 



Pommiika, Cold Harbor and the siege of Pcters- 
burgli. In all these engagements our subject act- 
ively participated and was wounded in the fight 
at Spottsylvania, being obliged to remain in the 
liospital two weeks, when he rejoined his regiment, 
ready for active duty. At the battle of 8pott- 
sylvania, engaged with two hundred and twenty- 
five men on the right centre, he was surrounded by 
the fire of the enemy, and of the two hundred and 
twenty-five men who went into battle twenty-five 
were killed outright, twentv-ltiree were wounded, 
and ninety-eight were missing. 

At the close of the war, honorably discharged, 
Mr. Kdwards returned to Sodus Township, IJerricn 
County, where, in 18G(l, he had purchased the 
farm upon which he now resides. He has brought 
the land up to a high state of cultivation, making a 
specialty of fruit, which he grows with excellent 
success. Upon August 14, 1865, Rock S. Edwards 
and Miss l.ydia E. Fox were united in marriage. 
Mrs. Edwards is of German descent, her father, 
William Fox, h.aving been born in the country of 
the Rhine. Our subject and his estimable wife 
have no children. Mr. Edwards is a valued mem- 
ber of the United Brethren Church, and with his 
wife is an active aid in good work. Fraternally, 
our subject is a member of George II. Thomas 
Post No. 14, G. A. R., at Benton Harl)or. Polit- 
ically, he is a Republican and has with true and 
loyal service given his best efiforts in behalf of the 
advancements of the best interests of his adopted 
country, where he has won a prosperous home and 
been a true and faithful citizen. 



-^^>-*<^ 



\t OSEPH LEUTE, a well-known farmer and 
fruit-grower of Berrien Count}', resides upon 
section 35, 8t. Joseph Township. Mr. Leute 
was born in Baden, Germany, on the 17th of 
January, 1835, and is the son of John and Martha 
(Zily) Leute, natives of Baden, Germany, the fa- 
ther having been a farmer during the entire period 
of his active life, with the exception of two j-ears 
when he was in the military' service. He was an 



industrious and energetic man, and, although he 
never accumulated a competency, he nevertheless 
was enabled to give his children fair advantages. 

In a comparatively uneventful manner the sub- 
ject of this sketch passed the days of his childhood 
and youth upon his father's farm in Germany. In 
his boyhood he enjoyed the advantages offered by 
the excellent public schools of Germany and ac- 
quired a thorough knowledge of the language of 
his countrymen. Having heard of the wonderful 
oi)portunities offered to those who settled in the 
United States, he resolved upon crossing the broad 
Atlantic and seeking his fortune in the unknown 
world. Accordingly, at the age of nineteen years, 
he emigrated to America and first located in Syra- 
cuse, N. Y., where he worked for a time in a lime- 
quarry, and afterward secured employment in a 
salt mine. 

After having resided in Syracuse for about three 
.years, Mr. Leute came West to Wisconsin, where 
he located in Clarke County, and for five months 
was engaged in the lumber business in the pineries. 
Thence he went to La Crosse, AVis., where he 
worked at logging, and from there proceeded to 
Illinois and settled in St. Clair County. During 
his residence in St. Clair County he was married, 
In 18G5, to Miss Catherine Ilerzog, who was born 
and reared in Germany and emigrated to America 
in company with her parents, locating in St. Clair 
County, III. After his nuirriage iMr. Leute engaged 
in farming in that county until 18()7, when he re- 
moved to Berrien County and purchased land in 
Baiubridge Township, engaging in farming pur- 
suits for one year. He removed thence to St. 
Joseph and engaged in business in that city for 
one year. Jn 1875 his wife purchased the place 
in St. Joseph Township where they have since re- 
sided. 

Ten children have been born of the union of 
Mr. and Mis. Leute, eight of whom are now living, 
namely: Jose|)h, who went AVest in 1890 and lias 
not been heard from since, .although it is thought 
that he is in the United States army; Catherine, 
who is the wife of Jacob Snyder and a resident of 
St. Joseph; Caroline, Louis and Rosa, who reside 
in Chicago, Louis being in the hardware business 
there; Mary, Sophia and Martha, who are at home 



POUTUAIT A^'D BIOGli^\.rmCAL liECOKD. 



559 



witli tlu'ir pnrenls. Wlu-ie he now lives ^Ir. lA'iite 
lius iiiiii' acres, and tliis lie devotes to the culliva- 
tion of fiiiits, in wliieli lie lias met with success. 
He lias I'oinid friiil-Ltruwinii; a iJiolitalile husiness, 
and raises fiuit of every variety on liis place. In 
Ins political preferences he is a Democrat, and is 
staneli in his allejiianee to his chosen parly. Re- 
liljiouslv, he is ideiitilied with the Catholic Church. 



*^*^+ 



^KORGE GRIFFIN, a prominent agricultur- 
ist and successful stock-raiser, a long-time 
<;:iJJ^ resident of Cass County, Mich., is a native 
of Berkshire, England, and was born in 1829. He 
passed the days of boyhood in his native land and 
was twenty years of age when, in company with a 
brother, he crossed the broad Atlantic to the New 
World beyond the sea. Upon their arrival in 
America, the brothers located in Michigan. Our 
subject settled in Oakland County, but his com- 
panion made his home in Berrien County. Three 
3^ears after Mr. Grillin came to the United States, 
his parents, Thomas and Sarah Griflin, also emi- 
grated with their three other children to America. 
Of these younger children, two wei'e daughters. 
The son who accompanied the father and mother 
to this country now resides near Nashville, Mich. 
Immediately after George Griffin came to Michi- 
gan he sought employment and worked b^' the 
day for about four years. With prudent manage- 
ment lu' had amassed a small cai)ital, which he 
then invested in a farm of eighty aci'cs, located in 
Kalamazoo Count}-. 

Three years afterward our subject disposed of 
his farm, and together with his parents removed 
to Cass County, but the father and mother only 
remained there a few years. Since then the par- 
ents have both died, as have also the sisters, one 
of whom left a child, the son of Allen Owen, of 
Kalamazoo. Mr. (irillin located permanently in 
Cass County in isriti, and now owns and cultivates 
a fine farm of over tliiee hundred and fifty .acres. 
In ISCO our subject was married to Miss lanllia 



MacOniber, of Marccllus Tf)wnsliip. The unif)n 
was blessed by the birth of three sons and three 
daughters. Mary was theeldestof the family; Lot- 
lie is the wife of Z. \'. Neidigh; Pliinney was thi^ 
third in order of birth; l.ina is the wife of ('. 
Fox; and Mark and liiiil complete the circle of 
intelligent brothers and sisters. Politically, Mr. 
(irillin is now an advocate of the People's parly, 
but for thirty years he alliliated with the Re- 
publicans. He is progressive in his ideas and 
arguments, and is thoroughly posted on the local 
and national questions of the day. 

Mrs. GritHn is a valued member of the Method- 
ist Episcopal Church, and is active in good work. 
Our subject and his family take an interest in the 
social and benevolent enterprises of their home 
locality, and are ever ready to lend a helping hand 
to those less fortunate than themselves. Having 
literally fought his upward way in life, Mr. (Trillin 
is practically a self-made man. While making 
general .agriculture remunerative, he has also prof- 
ital)ly engaged in raising sheep ever since he set- 
tled in Cass County. Financially prospered and 
surrounded by a happy family, our subject also 
possesses the conlidence and esteem of friends and 
neighbors, his useful life being crowned in the 
evening of his days with many blessings. 



\yt_ IRAM HARWOOl), one of the pioneer set- 
Tji. tiers of Cass County, Mich., was born 
in Vermont, in 1792. He grew to man- 
)) hood in his native State, and w.as there 
united in marriage with Miss Sylvia Reed, of Ben- 
nington. For some time the husband and wife 
made their home in western New York, and unto 
them were born six children, who survived to adult 
age, and with their parents were numbered among 
the first settlers of Cass County. In 1831 the 
Harwoods came with teams via the Erie Canal and 
Detroit and across the southern part of Michigan 
to Three Rivers, St. .Joseph County, where they re- 
mained for six years. During the first winter the 
family w.as quartered in a trader's bark shanty. 



560 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



tlieir tahlf being an old chest, and their scanty 
meals frequently consisting of nothing but pota- 
toes and salt. In 1837, our sul)jcct, with his wife, 
sons and daughters, removed to Cass County, Mr. 
llarwood entering land in Newburg Township, 
and locating upon section 24, where he erected a 
log cabin on the north bank of what is now known 
as Corey Lake. The eldest daughter married James 
Churchill, in Cass County; she and her husband 
died in Iowa. Nathan and Daniel, the two elder 
sons, served in the Civil War, enlisting in 1861 
and 1864; Sarah died single; Silas was the next 
in Older of birth; and Betsey died soon after her 
marriage with Terrv Redway. 

The second son, Daniel K., entered the service 
of the Government in 1861 and joined the ranks 
of the Eleventh Michigan Infantry. lie remained 
in active military duty until 1864, when he re- 
turned home. He is now a resident of Lincoln, 
Neb. In that same 3'car Nathan enlisted in the 
Fourteenth Michigan Light Artillery and served 
until the close of the war. Nathan Ilai wood was 
born in Vermont, in 1821, and was but a young 
lad when he emigrated to the West. He worked 
on his father's farm until he had passed his ma- 
jority. In 1816 he was married to Miss Diaiitha 
Hrowii, who became the mother of four children: 
Phineas, Irving, Silas and Linus II., all now resi- 
dents of Oceana County, JNIicli. Nathan llarwood 
has three times entered the bonds of matrimonv. 
After the death of his first wife he was married to 
Miss Keed, and he made Miss Sarah A. Decker his 
third wife. One sou and six daughters were born 
of this union. Two of the daughters are de- 
ceased. Nathan llarwood owns and manages a fine 
farm of one liundied and eighteen acres. • Politi- 
call3% he is a Republican, and takes a deep inter- 
est in the local and national affairs of the Gov- 
ernment, to which he gave faithful service in its 
hour of need. lie and his family are members of 
the Methodist Protestant Church, and are active 
workers in the benevolent enterprises of that de- 
nomination. He has never been a member of any 
seciet society, but, a piiblic-s|iirited citizen, has 
filled oflicial positions of trust, and commands the 
high regard of all his fellow-townsmen. 

Silas llarwood, the youngest son of our subject, 



was born in 1828, and since 1837 has been a con- 
stant resident of Cass County, living all these 
years on the farm which he yet makes his home. 
He received a limited education in the nearest dis- 
trict schools, but most fre(iiiently pursued his 
studies by the fireplace at night, after working 
hard all day on tiie farm. He was married in I806 
to Miss Nancy L. Denio. Four children blessed 
the home. Fred, the eldest, is an operator at How- 
ard City; Milo D. was the second child; Edward 
E. is a iiiosperous lawyer at Three Rivers; Ida ]\I. 
is the wife of Mark Rockwell, M. D., Benton Har- 
bor. Dr. Rockwell is a graduate of the Univer- 
sity of Ann Arbor, and completed his studies in 
the medical department. Politically, Silas Har- 
wood is a stalwart Republican, and has occupied 
with abilil3' various offices, and has long been a 
prominent citizen of Newburg Township. He 
served as Justice of the Peace for many years and 
has also been Supervisor for a number of terms. 
He held the position of Town Trustee three years, 
and in the discharge of the various duties assigned 
to him gave universal satisfaction to his friends 
and constituents. Fraternally, he is connected 
with the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, and is 
a valued member of the chapter at Three Rivers. 
When our subject flist located in Cass County 
the family had but very few neighbors, and there 
were only eight voters at the first political meet- 
ing held in the township. Hiram llarwood held 
the oftice of Justice of the Peace the greater por- 
tion of his life. He was appointed to the position 
while the State was yet a Territory, and continued 
in the faithful discharge of the duties almost in- 
cessantly up to the day of his death. He was also 
for many years oiie of the most efficient Super- 
visors of the townshi|), and to his efforts local 
progress and improvements were mainly due. A 
man of noble and generous nature, yet |)ractical, 
energetic and enterprising, our subject was es- 
pecially adapted to meet and overcome the trials 
and privations incidental to the settlement of a 
new country. From the day of his arrival he was 
a leader in Newburg Township. The patriotism 
which led him, a mere lad, to enlist in the War of 
1812 distinguished him throughout his life, and 
when he pissed to his rest hi 1874, he was sin- 



PORTRAIT AM) niOGRAPIllCAL RFX'ORD. 



r.fii 



cerely mourned !>y all Uie residents of the county 
in wliicli lie had lived lliiily-^even useful years. 
Tlie Intlier of lliiani \v:is Zacliai-iali I laiwood, uliu 
was |)iol)alily a native of \'eiinont. lie was a di- 
rect descendant of Kngiish ancestry, and his fore- 
fathers are supposed to have been aiiKini; the ril- 
<;rini Fathers of the " l\Ia\ (lower. " 



^ KTKR WOMKR, a lcadin.<>: citizen and en- 
terprising agriculturist, of line executive 



abilit_v, now residing upon his valuable 
homestead, located upon section 7, Hertrand 
Township, Picrrien County, Mich., has with 
elliciency dischargee] tlie duties of various town 
otiiccs, and is widely known as an energetic and 
puhlic-spii ited man, alily assisting in the pro- 
gressive interests and rapid advancement of his 
home locality. Oui subject was born in I'nion 
County, I'a., February 28, 1H3.S, and is the son of 
Michael and Elizal)etli (Fraiii) Womer. His father 
was also a native of the (Quaker State, and was 
likewise born in Union County, where he spent 
the days of boyhood, and, arriving at mature .age, 
began life for himself, was married and settled 
down to the daily cares of a famil\'. He h.ad been 
trained into agricultural pursuits, and was a farmer, 
liatieiitly cultivating the soil of the old homestead, 
when he liiially determined to try his fortunes in 
the broader West, and came to IJcrrien County, 
.Mich. Here he located on range 17. section 7, 
l!ei trand Township, and lived on this homestead 
many seasons, but, arrived at four-score years, 
p.assed the evening of his d.ays in Pennsylvania, 
among the scenes of early youth, dying June 1(), 
181)3. 

The paternal grandfather, Daniel Womer, was 
born in I'ennsylvania, in 1777, his p:iieiits having 
emigrated from Germany to the United States. 
The mother and the maternal grandfatlu'r Frain 
were both native I'ennsylvaiiians, but thc'ir im- 
mediate ancestors were of (ierman birth. The 
mother died in February, 1891, at the age of 
seventy-two years. Nine children, seven sons and 



two daughters, blessed the home. 'I'he brothers 
and sisters are all living, all married, and all have 
families. The sons are, in the order of their birth: 
Peter; Michael L., a resident of Pennsylvania; 
John, also a citizen of Pennsylvania; Dr. Henry 
Womer, of Johnstown, Pa.; Lewis, of Pennsyl- 
vania; Wilson, of Hertrand 'l\)wnsliip; and 
Davis, of Pennsylvania. Mr. Womer w.is the 
eldest of the family, and was educated in his birth- 
place. He served an apprenticeship at the carpen- 
ter's trade, and at twenty-one years of age began 
work in Manslield, ( )liio. For ten years he was a 
carpenter and builder, in both Pennsylvania and 
Ohio, and (le|>ended |)iiiicipally upon job work. 

In 1862, in Pennsylvania, Peter \Vomcr and 
Miss Mary Ellen Lease were united in marriage. 
The estimable bride was the daughter of Pennsyl- 
vania people, who were of F.nglish (iescent. She 
survived her marriage but three years, p.assing 
aw.ay in PulTalo, N. Y., in April, LStiy. She w.as the 
mother of (uie child, who died before her. After 
her death our subject returned to his native State, 
and readily found emi)loynieiit. In the spring of 
18(;G he came AV est, settled in Elkhart, Ind., and 
followeil his trade there for the sumnier. March 
10, 18G7, Mr. Womer for a second time wedded, 
then marrying Miss Sarah Rough, a daughter of 
David and Anna Rough. Mrs. Womer was but 
eight years of age when her father located in 
lierrien County, where lie eng.aged in farming. 
Immediately following this marriage, our subject 
made his permanent home on section 7, Hertrand 
Township, and devoted himself to general farming 
with most profitable results. Financially pros- 
pered, lie erected in 188,'), at a cost of $6,000, 
one of the handsoii.est and most commodious 
residences in this [lart of the State. A finely 
flnislied and capacious barn was soon after com- 
pleted at a cost of $2,000, making the attractive 
homestead a valuable country estate, second to none 
in Heriien County. Mr. Womer, however, in 1884 
retired from the active siiperinteiidence of agri- 
cultural duties, the supervision of his large landed 
interests now occupying much of his time. 

He is the owner of about twelve hundred and 
thirty-two .acres of land, two hundred and twenty- 
three acres <rf which, located in I>ertr:ind 'I'owii- 



562 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



sliip, are divided ink) four farms. A hundred and 
twenty-five acre tract is in Oalien Township. Two 
huiKlred and twenty acres are in St. .Tose()ii County, 
Ind. The various farms arc rented, and mostly 
under a hi<ih state of cultivation. Our sutiject is 
a larj;e stockholder in the First National Hank of 
Niles. and is numbered among the moneyed men 
of TJerrien C'ount3'. Mr. and Mrs. Womer are the 
parents of one son, William A. Womer, born June 
13, 18(iil. 'l"he son has enjoyed tiie benefit of an 
excellent education, and is engaged ujwn the 
home farm. Politically, I'eter Womer is a Deiiio- 
i!rat, and is a lirni believer in the platf(jrm of true 
Democracy. Ileserved as Supervisor in 1877, and 
in 1H8H, l«;i(l and 181) 1, elected and re-elected to 
the same otiice, has i)roven an important factor in 
local progress, ever discharging the trusts devolv- 
ing upon him with able and faithful fidelity to the 
public welfare. During his many years' residence 
in Herrien (V)unty, our subject li.as been iiroini- 
ncntly associated with the growth of social, religi- 
ons and business enterprise, and, an active member 
of Zion Church, has aided liberally in the support 
and rapid advancement of its good work. Mr. 
Womer, well known throughout Berrien County 
and esteemed as a neighbor, friend and citizen, 
commands the confidence of the general public. 




RTIirU (). 1;LI>KKY, M. D., of Nlles, is a 
native of Herrien County and was born in 
li Pipestone Township July 21, 1862. lie 
is the son of David W. and Angcline 
(Schnorf) I'llrcy, and his father w.as one of the 
pioneers of Michigan, having emigrated hither in 
an early day from his native State, Ohio. Grand- 
father John UUrey, likewise a native of the Buck- 
eye State, removed with his family to Michigan, 
and, purchasing some land in Berrien County, 
devoted his attention to the clearing and improv- 
ing of the place, which through his efforts was 
developed into one of the finest farms in this 
section of the country. Some years prior to his 
death he moved to Niles, and there he closed his 



eyes to the busy scenes of earth during the year 
18!I2. At the time of his demise he had attained 
to the advanced age of seventy-eight years. 

At the time the family removed to Michigan, 
David II. Ullrey was a young man and he engaged 
in farming |)ursuits in the new home. After his 
marriage he located on a farm in Berrien County, 
but after a time returned to the old homestead in 
Berrien Townsliij), where he and his wife now re- 
side. They are a worthy couple, kind and oblig- 
ing, and are held in high esteem throughout this 
community where they have lived for so many 
years. They are the parents of throe children, 
Arthur being the eldest of the number. He was 
reared on the home farm and was early trained to 
habits of industry and usefulness. His boyhood 
was passed alternately in the schoolroom and upon 
the farm, and through attendance at school and 
practical experience he gained a broad and libeial 
education. 

When about nineteen years of age, our subject 
began to teach, .'ind after following that profes- 
sion for a short time entered the school at Niles, 
where he carried on his studies for one year. La- 
ter he became a student in the State University of 
Michigan, at Ann Arbor, where he completed the 
literary course. He then went to Chicago, where 
he entered the Hahnemann Medical College and 
remained a student there until his graduation on 
the 2r)tli of February, 1886. Opening an ollice at 
Three Oaks, Mich., he remained in practice in. that 
city for a period of two and one-half years, after 
which he practiced his profession at South Bend, 
Ind., for nine months. The year 1881) witnessed 
his arrival in Niles, where he opened .an office and 
has since conducted a large and profitable practice. 
As a pnictitioner he li.as established an enviable 
reputation for skill and proficiency, and is highly 
regarded in prt)fessional circles. He holds mem- 
bership in the American Institute of Homeopathy, 
and keeps abreast with every improvement and 
development in the .science of therapeutics. 

In the spring of 1888 Dr. Ullrey married Miss 
Adda Wilcox, who at that time resided in Three 
Oaks, Mich. She died on the 4th of February, 
18!)(), leaving a large circle of friends, who 
nxiurned her loss and sympathized with the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



563 



Doctor in his bereavement. Socially, Dr. Ullrey 
is a |ir<>iniiiciil mihI Inl1iii'rili;il iiicriilicr of tlip 
Royal Arcnnuin, tlic ( liilcr oT Maccalx'i's, and llie 
Anciciil ()r(U'r((f I'liilccl WdiUiiicii, hoiiiii' Medical 
Kxaiiiiiu'i- for liic latter ordrr. He is also a ineiii- 
ber and Medical lOxaniiner for llie Dciiree of 
Honor of tli<' Ancient Order of United Workmen, 
and Medical Kxaniiner for the Ladies of Macca- 
bees. 



H^ 



AI\n''.S I'". IIASKINS, a prosperous and (ex- 
tensive i^eneral agriculturist of IJcrrien 
County, Mich., is one of the two oldest and 
'j^/' earliest pioneer settlers of Pipestone Town- 
ship, now survivinij. Mr. Haskins was born Sep- 
tember 11. l.S2(). in Erie County, N. V. His fa- 
ther, William Haskins, was likewise a native of the 
Empire State and was an energetic farmer. The 
mother, Annie (Anson) Haskins, born, reared and 
educated in New York, was united in marriajj^e in 
her early home, the parents soon after their union 
removing to Erie County, their residence for many 
3'ears. Finally journeying to the West, the3' re- 
mained for a brief time, but later returned to New 
York, where the father died in IHTD, the mother 
having passed away a score of 3-ears before, in 1859. 
William and Annie (Anson) Haskins were the par- 
ents of six i-liildren, two of whom arc living, 
.lames F., rearc<l in a (Quaker family upon a f.-irm, 
attended school in very early boyhood, but soon 
began the struggle of daily toil. He, however, en- 
joyed the additional advantage of two terms of 
instruction in an academy and well prolilcd by 
the olTered opportunities. At si'vcntecn years of 
age he began for himself, but had really been self- 
supporting from his tenth year, and before he had 
attained his majority had acipiircd the trade of a 
carpciitcr. 

In llic fall of isi:i.(iur subject determined to 
avail himself of the broader advantag.s of the 
West, and with his wife and one child drove seven 
hunilre(l and fifty miles in twenty-one days tf> 
I'eoria County, 1 II., where he remained with his 
family until 1844, at wliicb time he rode a horse 



to Berrien County, Mich., a distance of four hun- 
dred and lifty miles, in live (lays, lie later brought 
his family to Michigan by wagon and settled in 
Pipestone Township, n|)on eighty acres of wild 
timber-land. I'.uilding a house and clearing the 
farm, he remained in that locality until 1851, 
when he settled in Berrien 'i'ownship, in IH.'iH le- 
turning again to I'ipestone Township and entering 
upon the cultivation of .a second farm of wild land 
upon section 19. As before, he built a frame house 
and cleared land with energetic enterprise, and 
made this place a i)criiianent, home until 1872, 
when he s(U,tJed in Shanghai Corners. In l.sTTour 
subject linally located upon his present farm on 
section 18, and erected a substanlial residence and 
barns and made other improvements. 1 ie was united 
in marriage in 1811 with Miss Lydia Stancliff, a 
native of New York. She died October 21, 1850, 
and was the mother of live children, two of whom 
ant surviving, Albert W. and Cli.arles W.. both of 
whom served with courag(! in the Sixth Michigan 
Infantry during the Civil War, and were under 
the command of (Jen. I'.utler. The youngest of 
the brothers was severely- wounded at Ft. Hudson. 
.Some time after the death of the estimable wife, 
Mr. Haskins M second time entered the bonds of 
wedlock and married Miss Marilla Kyther, a na- 
tive of iMie County, N. Y., who pa.ssed to her r(\st 
in IS71. She was blessed by the birth of live chil- 
dren, of whom three lived to maturity and now sur- 
vive: Mary M., wife of C. \). Jennings; Lizzie L., 
wife of Albert M. CIIiase;and Sarah, wife of .Iftses 
T. Beams. Our subject married his present wife, 
Charlotte (Clark) Sabin, a native of New York, in 
1871. Mr. and Mrs. Haskins have no children. 
Mrs. Haskins is a valued member of the Free 
Methodist Church and is active in good work. 
The sons and daughters of our subject have en- 
joyed the best educational advantages of their 
home locality and have attained to positions of 
useful inlliiencc, and some of them have taught 
school. Mr. Haskins ha> been prominently identi- 
fied with public affairs from his early manhood. 
Formerly ;\ Democrat, he is now a Prohibitionist. 
In 1850 he .served as Clerk of I'ipestone Towiislii|i 
and in 1852 was elected Highway Commissioner, in 
185;! he served as .Supervisor of [{(Mricn Township 



564 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and in 1858 became Justice of the Peace, and for 
twenty eight years has discharged the duties of 
the judicial position with unvarying and able 
fidelit}- to the interests of liis fellow-townsmen. 
In 1861 Mr. llaskins was elected Treasurer of Pipe- 
stone Township, and was re-elecled to the office 
in 1867. From 1868 until 1873 he gave to the 
cares of Supervisor close attention, and as Chair- 
man of the Board of Supervisors of Berrien 
County during 1871, 1872 and 1873 materially 
assisted in the upward growth and rapid advance- 
ment of local progress. He was again, in 1881, elec- 
ted Supervisor, re-elected in 188"2, and once more 
became Chairman of the County Board. Since 
1870 our subject has been a Notary Public, and for 
nearly thirty years has devoted much of his time 
to official work, giving universal satisfaction to the 
home community. After the war he became a Re- 
publican, but since 1885 has thrown his influence 
with the party fighting against the liquor traffic. 
An admirer of Jefferson, Mr. Haskins lias been a 
liberal-spirited citizen and a leader in local poli- 
tics, excelling in debate and persuasive arguments, 
as well as in practical work. He is well known in 
the halls of conventions and as a delegate has ac- 
quitted himself with honor. For tliirtj'-five years 
he has been an administrator of estates ranging in 
value from 15,000 to $17,000. There is but one 
settler now in Pipestone Township who had ar- 
rived at twenty-one years of age in 1844, and he is 
our subject. For nearly a half-century the name 
of James F. Haskins has been known and regarded 
with high esteem in Berrien County. 









' OHN CURRAN, an energetic and enterpris- 
ing citizen and thoroughly practical gen- 
eral agriculturist, owns a fine farm of two 
hundred and forty-four acres, pleasantly 
located upon section 15, Bertrand Township, Ber- 
rien County, Mich. The fertile land, well tilled, 
annually > ields an abundant harvest, and the in- 
dustry, thrift and excellent management of the 
owner of the homestead are evidenced by the sub- 



stantial improvements, the attractive and commo- 
dious residence, the good barns and outbuildings. 
For many years our subject has been intimately 
connected with the local enterprises and swift ad- 
vancement of the best interests of Berrien County. 
He is well known and commands the esteem and 
confidence of his old-time friends and fellow- 
townsmen. John Curran was born July 29, 1844, 
in Oswego, N. Y. His father, Patrick Curran, was 
a native of Ireland and emigrated to the United 
States when a young man. He settled in Oswego 
County on a farm. He had previous!}' been mar- 
ried in Ireland, where the three eldest children 
were born. 

The mother of our subject, Ellen (Allen) Cur- 
ran, was, like her husband, a native of the Emer- 
ald Isle. The father and mother made their home 
in Oswego County until they removed to the 
farther West, and in 1846 journeyed to Bertrand 
Township, Berrien County. Here the father en- 
tered with renewed energy into the tilling of the 
soil and cultivated a farm for some years. He 
finally settled in Notre Dame, Ind., where he died 
in his seventy-eighth year. His wife remained on 
the old homestead after his demise. She was the 
mother of eight children, six of whom are now 
living. Our subject is the fifth child and third 
son and was but two years of age when he was 
brought by his parents to Michigan. He attended 
the schools of Bertrand Township, and also enjoyed 
the benefit of instruction at Notre Dame. Mr. 
Curran remained with his father until he had at- 
tained his majorit}', and two years later, January 
8, 1865, was united in marriage with Miss Lucinda 
Blake, a native of Indiana and born in Jasper 
County. 

Our subject and his estimable wife settled in Ber- 
trand Township on section 16, and made their home 
there for two 3eais, then removed to their present 
locality. Mr. Curran in 1868 purchased his pres- 
ent farm, which had at that time but few improve- 
ments and none of an}' special value. The home 
of Mr. and Mrs. Curran has been blessed by the 
presence of six children, three sons and three 
daughters. Mary E. is the wife of James Welsh, and 
resides in South Bend, St. Joseph County, Ind. 
Emma A., Thomas E., Laura, James and Frank are 



^v 



S^JI^ 








OU/i^ 



^/^^^Jv^-iiCC^ 




POIlTIiAlT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



)67 



all at home. Mr. and Mrs. Curran and their fam- 
ily' are lending factors in the social and benevo- 
lent enterprises of their Kx^ality. Tlicy are known 
as liberal jiivers in all matters tending to promote 
the i)tiblic good, and are ever ready to extend a 
helping hand to others less fortunate than them- 
selves. Politically, Mr. Curran is a Democrat and 
votes that ticket at National electidiis, but in lo- 
cal (illices voles for the best man for the position, 
regar<llcss of party considerations. 



>)HOMAS SPII<:R.S. liie prosperity of Berrien 
'ff{{^^ County, and its high standing in the galaxy 
V^^' of Michigan counties, are due in no small 
me.asure to the people of Knglish birth or parent- 
age who are residents here. Among those who 
have crossed the ocean and exchanged a home in 
the (Queen's dominion for one in the Republic of 
the United Slates, mention should be made of Mr. 
S()iers. For in.any years in business at Benton 
Harboi', he now lives retired, and as he i)ossesses a 
competency he h.assurrounded iiimself with all the 
comforts and numy of llie luxuiies of life. 

The sou of (Jeorge and Mary .Spiers, our subject 
was born in (iravesend, England, December 21, 
182(1, and acipiiriMl a good practical education in 
the schools of his native vill.age. In 1838, when 
a }-outh of eighteen, he came to America and 
settled in Canada, where he served for ten ^-ears 
in the British regular army in (Quebec. In 1848 
he removed from Canada to Three Mile Bay, 
.lefferson County, N. Y., and there worked at the 
trade of a tailor, which he had learned prior to 
his emigration to America. 

Although not an American by birth, Mr. Spiers 
possessed the truest patriotic spirit and w.as roused 
to action by the attack on Ft. Sumter. October 
11, IHfil, he enlisted .as a member of Company 11, 
Thirty-liflh New York Infantry, and served for 
twenty-two months, when he was honorably dis- 
charged, his term of enlistment having expired. 
In .Ianuar\-. 1861, he re-enlisted as a member of 



the Second New York Artillery, and participated 
in all the baltlcs of the Wilderness and the numer- 
ous engagements of (^rant's army. In September, 
18(').5, at the close of the war, he was mustered 
out of service at Crosby, N. Y. 

Coming to Michigan in 1867, Mr. Spiers settled 
in lienton Harbor and commenced to work at his 
trade, being the first merchant tailor in the vil- 
lage, lie soon gained the conlidence of the people, 
and both in business and social circles has alw.ays 
been (juite popular. Politically, he alliliates with 
the Republican party, and nolli in local and na- 
tional elections casts hi> ballot for tlie candidates 
of that iiolitical organization. The lady who, in 
18,')1, was united in marriage with Mr. Spiers was 
Miss Eliza Dike, a native of New York, and the 
daughter of Charles Dike, also a native of that Slate. 
The first representatives of the Dike family in the 
United Slates crossed in llu> ••Mayllowcr" and 
thenceforth they and their descendants were close- 
ly connected with the progress of their various 
communities. Grandfather Nathan Dike served 
as a soldier in the War of the Revolution. Mr. 
and Mrs. Spiers are the parents of two children: 
Mary, wife of S^dvester Warner, lesiding in Ben- 
ton Harbor; and Charles D., who is married and 
resides in Minneapolis, Minn. The religious home 
of the family is in the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
of whi(th the\- are active iiiembers. 



!^+^l= 



"Sl 




IDF;0N sterner w.as for many years a 
proiiiiiicnt citizen of Cass County, but is 
JJ^ now deceased. He was connected with the 
farming interests of Howard Township and owned 
a line farm on sections 17 and 18, where he 
eng.aged in general agricultural pursuits. He is of 
direct German descent, his paternal grandfather 
having emigrated from the Fatherland i)rior to 
the War of the Revolution, in which he took an 
active part as a M.ajor. 'I'he father f>f our subject, 
Henry Sterner, w.as born in Pennsylvania, and 
there married Miss Susan Kline, whose father was 



568 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



a man of prominence and surveyed the country 
from Pliiladelphia to Allentown, in Lehigh Coun- 
ty. 

Unto Henry and Susan Sterner thirteen sons 
were born in succession, after which three daugli- 
ters were added to the family. All grew to man- 
hood and womanhood with the exception of one 
son, wiio died in cliildhood. Our subject was the 
fourth in order of birth and opened his eyes to the 
light in Lehigh County, Pa., his birth occur- 
ring in November, 1816. Ilis youth was passed 
somewhat uneventfully in his native land, where 
he acquired a meagre education. At the age of 
twenty-five, he removed to New York, where he 
carried on a general blacksmitii business for about 
four years in Dansville. There he was united in 
marriage witli Rebecca De Forest. 

In 1852 Mr. Sterner came to Michigan and in 
Cass County purchased the Richard Meeks farm in 
Howard Township, where he remained for ten 
3-ears. lie located on section 18 during the year 
1869, and died here on the 20th of August, 1891. 
mourned by a host of warm personal friends. 
l\)litically, he was a Democrat, and in his social 
connections atflliated with the Independent Order 
of Odd Fellows at Niles. A man of Christian life 
and religious belief, he was for a number of years 
identified with the Lutheran Ciiurch, having been 
reared in the faith of that denomination. 

Some mention of tlie life and parentage of Mrs. 
Sterner will not be amiss in this connection. 
Triphena Lamberton was born in Howard Town- 
sliii), Cass County, Mich., on tiie farm where she 
now resides, October 21, 1843. Her father, Henry 
Lamberton, was a native of Canada, and through- 
t)ut his entire life followed farming |)ursuits. He 
came to Michigan prior to its admission into the 
I'll ion, and for a time resided near Grand Rapids, 
in Kent County, wliere he entered two hundred 
acres from the Government. After residing thei'e 
a short time, he came to Cass County, where he 
lived until 1883. He then disposed of his prop- 
erty and removed to South Dakota, wiiere he still 
resides. His wife was Luama, daughter of William 
Kirk, a native of Virginia, who came to Michigan 
dui'ing the Territorial days and was among the 
first to settle in Cass County, lie entered the 



land now constituting tlie farm belonging to Mr. 
Chapin and occupied by Mr. Codding. The 
malcinal great-grandfather of Mrs. Sterner was 
James Kirk, a native of Scothiiid. who after emi- 
grating to the I'nited States p:irtici[>ated in tlie 
Revolutionary- War. 

Henry and Luama Lamberton were the parents 
of two daughters and four sons, and five of the 
family grew to maturity. Their daughter Triphena 
was reared in the township where she now resides, 
and in 1859, at the age of fifteen years, married 
the subject of our sketch. Tlirec daughters and 
three sons blessed the union, of whom we note the 
following: Emma Luella is the wife of Frank 
Rogers, Chief Clerk in the Freight Department on 
the West Michigan Railroad at Muskegon; George 
A. is a successful farmer of Howard Township; 
Arthur resides in St. John's, Mich; Lertha, Grace 
and Carl remain with their mother. 

Mrs. Sterner is the owner of two valuable farms 
of one hundred and sixty acres each, one located 
where she now lives, and the other in the same 
township. Some of her i)roperty she rents to her 
sons, while the home place is conducted under her 
direct personal supervision and management. F<jr 
eighteen years prior to the death of ISIr. Sterner, 
she had the entire charge of the homestead, owing 
to the fact that his ill health prevented him froin 
taking anv active Dart in its supervision. 




i. ROSPER O. liOWE, the owner of one 
hundred and twenty-eight acres, compris- 
1^ ing one of Berrien County's best farms, 
i \ was born near the village of Clayton, 
Jefferson County, N. Y., March 26, 1842, and is 
the son of Horace and Susan (Clark) Bowe. He is 
of French descent, and his ancestors were for a 
number of generations residents of Connecticut. 
Giandfather Bowe removed from Connecticut af- 
ter tlie War of 1812, and settled at Clayton, N. Y., 
where he died at the advanced age of eiylitv years. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



569 



His sons were Setli, Henry, Elijali, Prosper, Will- 
iam and Horace. One of his daugiilers was Eliza, 
but the hiograplier has been unable to learn the 
names of the other two. All lived to a ripe old 
ajre and all rear('<l families with tlic exception of 
Seth. 

Tlie fallier of our subject, Horace Howe, was 
born in Connecticut in November, 1802, and ac- 
companied his parents to New York, where for a 
lime he was employeil by the day. In 1848 he re- 
moved to Watertown, and there resided until the 
spring of 1855, wlien he moved to Michigan, mak- 
ing the journey via water from Cape V'incent to 
Detroit, thence by rail to liainbridge Township, 
Berrien C^ounty. He embarked in fanning pur- 
suits and did considerable pioneer work in connec- 
tion with developing his place. In 1862 he 
bought thirty acres in Bangor, Van Buren County, 
this State, and there remained until 1880. In the 
early part of that year lie came to make his home 
with our subject, and died liere in tiie following 
November. His wife, who was a native of Con- 
necticut, died in November, 1882, aged seventy- 
six years. 

The following-named cliildren were liorn to 
Horace and Susan Bowe: Harriet, Mrs. Hamlin, 
wIk) died in Benton Harbor; Mrs. Asenath Taft, 
of Nebraska; Mrs. Julia Minnie, who died in 
Bangor, AHcii.; Setii, now of Osiikosli, Wis., who 
served during the late war as a member of Com- 
pany 1), Sixty-sixth Illinois Sharpshooters, and 
was discharged .as Sergeant; Mrs. Dorcas Boyer, 
of Bangor; Prosper ()., of this sketch; and Gilbert, 
who was a member of Company D, Sixty-sixth 
Illinois Sharpshooters, and is now a resident of 
New Mexico. The mother of this family was a 
devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. The father was identified with tlu^ Wiiig 
party and later in life alliliatcd with tiie Republi- 
cans. The maternal grandfather of our subject, 
Seth Clark, served in the war for independence, 
and died in Jefferson County, N. Y. He and his 
wife, whose maiden name was Asenath Corbin, 
reared two sons, Chandler and Lemuel, and four 
daughters, Dorcas, Betsy, Abbie and Susan. 

A lad of about eight 3'ears when he accompanied 
liis parents to Michigan, our subject was reared to 



manhood in BtMiien County. October 17, 1861, 
he enlisted as a member of Company D, Sixty- 
sixth Illinois Sharpshooters, and with his regiment 
participated in many of the most important en- 
gagements of the war, including the battles of Ft. 
Donclson, Pittsburg Landing, siege and battle of 
Corinth, and the desperate engagement at luka. 
At the expiration of his term of enlistment he re- 
enlisted at Pulaski, Mich., and afterward took |)art 
in all the battles of the Atlanta campaign, the last 
engagement being that at Bcntonville, N. C. He 
served as one of Sherman 's bodyguard to the 
headquarters of Gen. Johnson. 

During his long service Mr. Bowe was fortunate, 
in that he escaped without receiving a serious 
wound. He was captured at Danville, Miss., in 
January, 1863, and was in prison for two months 
at Jackson, Miss. He was one of four hundred 
captured, of whom three hundred and twenty sur- 
vived their sixty days' confinement. After parti- 
cipating in the Grand Review at Washington, D. C, 
he was discharged at Springfield, 111., July 16, 
1865. It is now his custom to hold an annual re- 
union of his companj- at his place, and in August 
of this year (1893) there will Ije a reunion of the 
regiment, Mr. Bowe being President of the organ- 
ization. 

Returning from the front, Mr. Bowe located in 
Coloma, Berrien County, where he worked in a 
sawmill for five ^ears. In 1867 he purchased six- 
ty-four acres on section 14, on Lake Paw Paw, and 
there he resided during the summer of 1867. In 
1870 he located permanently upon his present 
farm, where he now owns one hundred and twen- 
ty-eight acres. Of this tract, ten acres are set out 
in apple trees, and six acres in pear, peach and 
cherry trees. The farm is recognized as one of 
the best in the county, and through the exertions 
of the owner is kept in a high state of cultiva- 
tion. 

Politically' a Republican, Mr. Bowe served as 
Township Treasurer for two years and was elected 
Supervisor, but refused to serve in that cap.acity. 
Socially, he is identified with the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Honor and 
the Grand Army of the Republic. He was married 
February 7, 1864, lo Miss .lane liovcr, who w.as 



570 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



born in Bainbridge Township, Berrien County, 
Midi. Her parents, Austin and Adelia (Wetmore) 
Boyer, were natives respectively of Sullivan Count}- 
and Cl.aj'ton, Jefferson County, N. Y. Her pa- 
ternal grandfather, Peter Boyer, was born in Con- 
stantinople, Turkey, his father being a Frenchman 
and his mother of English birth. They emigrated 
to Halifax, Nova Scotia, where the mother died. 
Afterward Peter, who was the only child in the 
family, came to Boston with his father, and the 
latter died in that city of cholera. Subsequently, 
Peter resided with his uncle, a Jlr. Starkweather, 
until his aunt died, when he was bound out to 
AVilliani Williams, a Massachusetts farmer. 

After his marriage to Lydia Fuller. Peter Boyer 
removed to Sullivan County, N. Y., thence to 
Jefferson County, the same State, and in the spring 
of 1844 he came to Michigan and lived with his 
chridieii in Berrien County until his death in 1844, 
at the .age of sixty-four. His widow survived him 
for eight years. They reared four si)ns and three 
daughters, .all of whom married. The only one 
now living is Austin. ISIr. Boyer and his wife 
were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
and he was a Whig in politics. 

In 1844 Austin Bojer settled in Bainbridge 
Township, where he owned one hundred and fifteen 
acres, and in addition to that property he owned 
eighty acres in Van Buien County, both tracts 
having been secured by exchange of land. A Re- 
publican in politics, be served as Justice of the 
Pe.ace while residing here. In 18.52 he removed 
to California and spent four years engaged in 
mining in the Golden State, meeting with good 
success in this line of work. He returned to 
Michigan, but did not reside here permanently. 
In 1859 he went to Lyon County, Kan., and re- 
mained there for one summer. Upon his return 
to Michigan he eng.aged m the lumber business for 
a time, and in 1879 removed to California, where 
he pursued mining occupations for a number of 
j-ears. He now lives with his daughter, Mrs. Bowe. 
Mr. and Mrs. Bowe are the parents of eight chil- 
dren, as follows: Anna E., who is the wife of 
Frank Hunt; Harriet, Mre. W. C. Spreen; Mary, 
who married Byron Pierce; Lizzie, Myrtie, Nellie, 
Julia and Lucy, who are at home and are .accom- 



plished and popular young ladies. With his wife 
and four daugliters, Mr. Bowe liolds intnibcrship 
in the Congregational Church, and is always in- 
terested in religious enterprises, wliiih lie aids to 
the extent of his abilit}-. 



^^>-^<m 



"\ffOHN -JOHNSON. Throughout Benien 
County there are few names so well known 
as that of Mr. .Johnson, the recent incum- 
bent of one of the most important ollicial 
positions within the gift of the people. As Sheriff 
he displayed the possession of great decision and 
firmness of character, keenness of perception and 
shrewd discrimination. In private life his char- 
acter is above reproach. Through his business en- 
terjiriscs he has achieved success. He owns one 
hundred and sixty acres of well-improved land, 
the management of which he personally superin- 
tends. This is located in Berrien Townslii|). 

Mr. Johnson has passed his entire life in the 
county where he now makes his home. His father, 
John Johnson, was born in Virginia in 1S03, lieiiig 
the son of John Johnson, a Virginian by birth and 
of Irish descent. In 1828, accomp.anied by his 
family, he came to INIichigan and, puicli.asiiig a f;iiin 
in Berrien Township, Bw'rien County, commenced 
the work of clearing and improving the place. As 
the years passed by, lie had the gialilication of 
witnessing the results of his unceasing tt)il,and his 
estate was among the best in the county. Honest 
and upright, irreproachable in conduct and un- 
wavering in principle, he occupied a high place in 
the community, and his demise, which occurred in 
1884, was deo|ily mourned as a public loss. His 
wife, whose maiden name was Anna Lybrook, and 
who was bdiii ill Mi'oinia in 1803, passed from 
the scenes of earth in 1876. 

The youngest in a family of eight children, four 
daughters and four sons, the subject of this bio- 
graphical notice was born in Berrien Township, 
Benien County, Mich., on the 24th of M.ay, 1845. 
His early life was passed ainid the |)ioneer scenes 
of the county, and his education was limited to the 



PORTRAIT AND IIIOOKAPIIICAL RECORD. 



571 




pioneer schools of tliat day. Early trained to 
habits of usefulness, lie aided his father on tiie 
fai 111 and followed ajjrieultural operations on the ' 
old homestead. In 1 8',)0, having been elected to 
the position of SlieritT on the Democratic ticket, 
he removed to Ikniien Springs, where he resided 
until the oxpii:iti(jn of liis term of oflice, when he 
puiihase<i the furnituie establisiimeiit owned by 
.lohii IIeldeibitind,and in partnership with his son, 
lleiirv H., has since euiiducled a prosperous busi- 
ness, the lirni name being J. Johnson & Son. 

October 28, 1868, occui-red the marriage of John 
rfolinson and Miss Marie Bartholomew, the young- 
est daughter of Dr. S. C. Bartholomew, a (iromi- 
neiit ph^'sieian of Berrien County. Mr. and Mrs. 
.lohnsdii liL'came the parents of five children, but 
four died in infancy, and the only survivor is 
Henry B., a young man of great promise and now 
associated in business with his father. In his 
fraternal relations our subject is an active member 
of Westein Star Lodge No. 39, A. F. & A. M., at 
Berrien .Springs, and St. Joseph Valley Chapter, 
U. A. M. 



H;NRY S Kl'NK I.K.a pKimiiu'iit citizen and 
enterprising general agriculturist, owning 
a handsome acreage of valuable farming 
^ property in Cass County, Mich., was born 
on section lil, Milton Township March 13,18,07. 
Our subject is the son of Cool and Margaret (Wil- 
son) Runkle, early settlers of Cass County, The 
Runldes are of Oerman descent, and Adam Run- 
kle, the iiateriial grandfather, was born, reared and 
educated in the Fatherland, An earnest and in- 
telligent man, he appreciated the advantages of- 
fered by American citizenship and emigrated to 
America, locating in the State of New Jersey, The 
paternal grandparents later made their home in 
the (Quaker State, and finally settled near Moiris- 
ville, N. Y,, where they died. Six children blessed 
their home. The sons, four in number, were Cool 
B,, Henry, John and Hichard, The daughters were 



Sarah, Matilda, Euphemia and Anna, The father 
of our subject, the eldest of the brothers, was born 
in New York in 1817, 

Cool B. Runkle, attaining to manhood, entered 
into the bonds of matrimony and was thrice mar- 
ried. His second wife was the mother of our sub- 
ject. She was the daughter of .James Wilson, who 
was a Pennsylvania farmer and of direct Scotch 
ancestry. The maternal grandmother of Mr. l{un- 
kle, Mrs, Margaret (Ilaslett) Wilson, survived her 
husband and married again. After the death of 
her second companion she removed to Michigan 
and made the long journey by wagon. A woman 
of courageous endurance and fine character, she 
yet survives and is hale and heartJ^ Of her three 
daughters, Margaret, the mother of our subject, 
was the eldest. Mrs. ISIargaret (Wilson) Runkle 
was the mother of five children. The four who 
lived to adult age were Margaret Kingslc}', Will- 
iam A., Henry S., and Ida S. (deceased). The 
mother of these sons and daughters passed away 
in 1882, beloved and mourned by all who knew 
her. She was a member of the Presb^'terian Church, 
and throughout her life was interested in the so- 
cial and lieiievolent enterprises of her home lo- 
cality. 

The father of Henry Runkle removed with his 
family to Cass County, Mich,, in the winter of 
1841, and has been greatly i)rospered, now being 
numbered among the substantial and moneyed men 
of Milton Township, and estimated by many to 
possess the largest share of worldly goods of any 
citizen in his locality. In common with other 
members of his father's family our subject received 
his schooling in his home district. He was early 
trained into the routine of farming work, and at 
twenty-one years of age began life for himself by 
tilling a portion of his father's homestead. In the 
spring of 1883, Mr. Runkle located upon sixty 
acres on section 18, Ontwa Township, where he 
now resides. He also purchased at the same time 
forty .acres. He has since bought four other farms 
of two hundred and twenty acres in Cass County, 
making three hundred and twenty acres he li.as 
.accumulated. Henry .S. Runkle and Miss Addie 
.Smith were united in marriage .March 2.'>, 188(1. 
Mis. RunUle is a native of Miltoij Township, and 



572 



rolM'UAIT AND 15l()(;KArilI(AL HKC'ORD. 



in the (liui^^lil.ci- of CiiiiiiM Mild Smi;iIi ( I )iiiiniii'i) 
Sinilli. Mr. Siiiitli is .•! ijioncci- Ijirinor of the lowii- 
.sliip, !iiifl oriiiiiiiilly ('.•iiin' IKiin Di'liiwiun. 'I'lio 
liiimc III iiiir siilijccl, liMs lucii lilcsscd liy lilt! liirlli 
(p|' lliirc cliildrcii: ld:i A., Ilciiiy I,, niid William 
('. AinliiUoiis iiiid eiK^ifji'l.ic, Mr. WiiiiUio 1ms 
HirCiidiiy won lii.s upwiird wny,nii<l, liiiMiiciidly pros- 
[Mrcd, uccupies iin tMiviidilc position in llir social 
and liiisincss circles of his lioiiic localily and en- 
joys llic hcsl wishes and hif;li cslccin of niany lifc- 
(iiiic friends. 



?:i^|H0i-i^l"8 



\T-~'l MANinCK C. lOUY, a sncccssfnl Inisincss 
man of Three Oaks, was liorn in Cliarles- 
^} ton, Va., March 12, IH.'iO, and is liic son of 
William lOhy. \\\^ f.'ither was horn and reared in 
t.he Old Dominion, and 1-here m.'irried Miss .lane, 
<)aufi;hl.er t>f Adam (iruliii, Ixilli natives of Vir- 
jjiiiia. Ahont IH,'!2 llicy moved West to Ohio an(l 
loi'ati'd in Spiiiiiilield, where Mr. I<",liy followed the 
occnpalrion of a farmer and tdsd eiii^ai^ed in the 
{{roeery and other business, lie niiiained a resi- 
dent of Sprmylield until his (le.'ilh, which occurred 
in 1H72. His wife pu.ssed fidiii earlh Iwo years 
after his ihMnise. 

There wore horn of the niiioii of William and 
.lane Kby eiyht children, of whom six liicw to 
manhood and womanhood, and are now livinfj. 
They ure: WMIliam, who is boitk-kecper for a cof- 
fee house in Columbus, Ohio; Catherine, the wife 
of .billies .lohnsoii, a carpenter of Springlield, Ohio; 
Kli/.abeth, who ninrried Daniel Smith, pastor of 
the hutheran Church at Manslicld, Ohio; K. (\.\ 
Willi.'un and Maria. Louis, a .s:iddler by trade, 
died at Spriiij^lield, Ohio; and Maria, Mrs. .loliii 
M. Newkirk, died in !St. Louis, Mo. The father 
of this family was a Uepublican in politics and 
held .a number «)f local positions, .scrviiiij; us a 
member of the City Council and also as t)verseer 
of the Poor. I le was one of the pioneers of Spring- 
tleld and was prominently connected with its best 
interests. 

The siibjeet of our sketch was reared in Spriiii;- 



lield, .'UkI .■ie(|Mii-e(l his education in the schools of 
that city. At the ajje of sixteen he commenced to 
learn the trade of a luirness-maker under I'eter 
Moody, and w:is employed at his trade in Spiillf^- 
licld until IHC8. At that time, accompanied by 
his family, he removed to Michigan and, locating 
in Three Oaks, embarked in the harness business. 
Il(! has since been eng.agcd in this line and has 
met with success, being a man of good judgment, 
excellent capabilities and sound coniinon-scnse. 
lie inirries a complete stock of harness, whips, etc., 
and has a large trade from the people of I'lirec 
Oaks and the surrounding country. 

At Klgin, 111., ill IS-Oi, occurred the marriage of 
Mr. lOby to Miss Sophia 1\[., the daughter of .lasper 
Peel, a native of the State of New York, and a 
prominent stove dealer in Springlield. Ohio. Mrs. 
Kby was also born in New York, and was there 
reared to wom.aiihood, removing to S])ringlield, 
Ohio, with her parents in I8i;i. Mr. I'lby h.as a 
family of two children: Flora L., who is the wife 
of Sidiie\- A. Muiiger, a jeweler residing in Sturgis, 
Mich.; and Kdward K., who is in the employ of 
the Mackinaw liailroad, being agent at (iaylord, 
Mich. A Republican in politics, Mr. Kby has 
served as a nienibcr of the City Council for sev- 
eral years and is still ofliciating in that capacity. 
lie li.'is rendered edicieiit service as a member of 
the Hoard of JMlucation, aiuJ has been Treasurer of 
the town for a number of years. Socially, lie is 
identified willi the Ma.sonic fraternity, and has 
held several ollices in the lodge, lie and his wife 
are membeis of the Congregational Church and 
ari^ liberal contributors to religious enterprises. 



-^%^' 



DAMS YUM), the owner of one of SI. .)o- 
.sepli Township's line fruit farms, and a 
% prominent citi/en of lieriien County, whs 
born in Yates County, N. Y., on the 19l!i 
of December, 1817. lie is thesi>n of Samuel ^iind, 
a native of Pennsylvania, who reiiH)ved to New 
York State in his I'hildhood, and grew to man- 
hood in Yates County, his youth being devoted 




PORTRAIT AND HlfK;KAPUlCAL HI<:CORD. 



r,7:5 



iiiMMily til farm work. In llie Knipiie Slate lie 
iiiMirird Mi>- DiliDiali, tin; daiij^liter of Aiirfni Put- 
M<-\ , Mini llic youiijj; couple, locating in Yates 
('i)iinly, made it their home until IH.OIS. During 
that year they removed to Micliigan and made 
selllement in IJainlnidge Township, Berrien Coun- 
ty, where Mr. Yund purchased a tract of land. 
Thi.s he cleared and improved and devoted to 
agricultural purposes, and at the present time 
(l^i'.IIJ) he still ni:d<es it his home, having now at- 
l.'iined to the advanced age of seveiity-.six years. 

I II the parental family there were four children: 
Adams; Kleaiior .1., the wife of W. I'eters, a resi- 
dent of .St. .loseph Township; Pliiiip .lames, who 
is a farmer of liaiiihridge Towiislii|); an<l Charles 
Aar(jii, who is a railroad employe. At the age of 
six years, our subject accompanied his parents to 
Michigan, and grew to manhood upon his father's 
farm in Ijaiiihiidge Township. In his youth he 
was the recipient of commoii-.seliool advantages, 
and the knowledge actiuired under the supervi- 
sion of his instructors has been supplemented by 
a general course of reading and close observation, 
so tliat lie is now a well-informed man. 

'I'lie mariiago of Mr. Yund occurred October 7, 
I8GH, and united him with Miss Clara, daughter 
of ll;iivi:y Austin, a pioiiiiiient resident of Cal- 
houn Cuiiiity, ."Midi. Mrs. ^'iiiid was born in the 
same coiiiily, wliere, with the ai<l of fair educa- 
tional ad vaiitagcnaiui wise training on the part of 
her parents, she grew t^i a noble womanhood, well 
lilted to become the ellicieiit helpmate of her liiis- 
b.iiid. For live years following his marriage, Mr. 
Yund resided In Keeler Township, A'aii IJuren 
County, where he operated land vvhich he had 
purchased. Upon coming to Berrien County, lie 
liouglil his |)resent projjerty, in 187.T,aiid through 
the improvements which he has added, has ma- 
terially increased the value of the place. 

The deepest bereavement of Mr. Yund's mar- 
ried life was the loss of his son, Irving H., his 
only (!liild, a bright and iiromising young man 
twenty-two years of age, who was killed at Minn- 
eapolis, Minn., on the Titli of September, 1H1(2. 
.hist piior to his death he had been appointed con- 
ductor on the (ireat Northi'rn Railroad, and while 
his ear was passing through a covered bridge he 



was struck by the bridge and almost instanta- 
neously killed. Mr. and Mrs. Yundo(;cupy a high 
position .socially, and are held in the highest re- 
gard by their neighbors and ac(piaintances. 'I'hey 
are people ijossessing genuine worth of character 
and high nobility. 

The farm belonging to Mr. YuikI consists of 
ten acres in a high state of cultivation, and is de- 
voted to the raising of all varieties of small fruits. 
A Republican politically, he has served as High- 
way Commissioner, and lilled other local positions 
of trust. He, however, is not solicitous of public 
ofHce, preferring to devote his attention exclu-" 
sively to his business. In his social relations, he 
is identified with the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows, belonging to liennett Lodge at St. .loseph, 
and is also a member of the encampment. 



>^^^^^mi-^^mm€ 






VTF^UOENI-: \V. CRIBBS, an iiilliieiitial citizen 
<] of Benton Township and one of the 
prominent men of .southwestern Michigan, 
was born in Berrien County, Mich., June 7, IH'l.O, 
".ind is of German descent on his father's side. His 
father, .lacob, w.is the son of George Cribbs and 
was one of the early settlers of Berrien County, 
coming hither in the pioneer daj's and becoming 
closely associated with the development of tli(^ re- 
sources of this part of the State. His occupalion 
was that of a farmer, and although he never gained 
Ijreat wealth through his agricultural operations, 
yet he .secured a competency and was enabled to 
iurrouiid his family with the comforts of life. His 
wife was .lanell B. McKeyes, a native cif New 
York, and a tlaiighter of Samuel McKeyes, who lo- 
cated in Berrien County in 1830. 

Tn the schools of Berrien County our subject 
gained a practical knowledge of the "three R's," 
and by subsequent reading and the exercise of 
close observation he aeiniired a broad and liberal 
knowledge of men and things. Upon reaching his 
majority, he engaged in the buying and shipping 
of stock, and continued in that business until I MHfl. 
During that yeai' he removed to \ an Buren County 



574 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and, locating upon a farm there, cominciicefl to till 
the soil, and in addition to ocneial farming opera- 
tions he also was extensively occupied as a stock- 
raiser. For ten j'ears he resided in that county, 
where he became well known as a successful farmer 
and enterprising citizen. In 18'.)U he came to the 
placid he now occu|iics, just outside of the city 
limits of Benton Harbor, and has since made his 
home in this place, being now engaged in business 
as a breeder of trotting-liorses. He owns a num- 
ber of fine horses, which he has raised and trained. 

Wlien less than twenty years of age Mr. Cribbs 
enlisted in 1864 as a member of the United States 
army, belonging to the Sixteenth Michigan Infan- 
try, which was assigned to the Fifth Arm}' Crops. 
He rendered faithful and elficient service in defense 
of tlie Union until the close of the war, when he 
was mustered outat Philadelphia, Pa. Politically, 
he makes it his constant aim to promote the inter- 
ests of the Republican party, of winch he is an in- 
fluential member. An enterprising and |uiblic- 
spirited citizen, he may always be relied upon to 
give his support toward the measures calculated to 
advance the welfare of the community. 

Mr. Cribbs has a comfortable home on the corner 
t)f 15rittain and Fair Avenues and is also the owner 
of other real estate. He was married October IG, 
ISGU, to Miss Nettie, daughter of James and Ann 
(Putney) Peters, natives of New York. Mrs. 
Cribbs is also a native of the same State. Three 
children have been born of this union: .Tennie Pi., 
wife of Irving Evans and a resident of Athens, 
111.; Ernest E. and Willard C. 



^r^ 



'^ OHN J. BROOKS, a prosperous fanner re- 
siding in Watervliet Township, Berrien 
County, was born in Burlington, Vt., June 
24, 1829, and is the son of Christopher and 
Eliza (Nobles) Brooks. His paternal grandfather, 
John Brooks, was born in the North of Ireland, 
whence about 1826 he emigrated to the United 
States and settled in Ontario, Canada, locating with 
bis son John upon a farm, where he remained until 



his death. In religion, he was prominently identi- 
fied with the Methodist Episcopal Church and was 
a man of earnest life and character. 

Christopher Brooks was born in Ireland and ac 
companied his father to America, where lie settled 
in Burlington, Vt. Later he removed to Ricliinond, 
and thence to Jericho, Vt., where his death occurred 
in 1885, at the age of four-score years and two. 
He was three times married. Of his first union ten 
chililren were born, of whom the following were 
reared to manhood and womanhood: IMary, Mar- 
garet, Noble, .lames, Christopher, John and Thomas. 
William died at the age of fourteen. The second 
wife of Christopher Brooks was a Mrs. Stockwell, 
who bore him one child, Eliza. Afterward he was 
united with Mrs. Mary Morehead, and they be- 
came the parents of three children, Isaac, Henry, 
and Columbia, who died in childhood. 

The first wife of Christopher Brooks was the 
mother of our subject. She was born in Ireland, 
and died in Vermont in 1839. In her religious 
attiliations, she belonged to the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church, with which Mr. Brooks was also iden- 
tified. At the age of eleven years our subject left 
home and has earned his support since that early 
age. Until he was fourteen he made his home with 
William Williams, for whom he worked for his 
board and clothes. Afterward he worked for wages 
until he was twenty-seven, when he commenced to 
work at his trade of a carpenter. He followed 
that occupation until 1865, and since that time has 
devoted his attention to agriculture. 

In 1854, Mr. Brooks moved to Massachusetts and 
three years later he sought a home in the far West, as 
Michigan was then considered. He went first to Paw 
Paw, and from there moved to Watervliet Town- 
ship in 1856. He has been prominently connected 
Willi public matters of interest and importance in 
this township, and is one of its enterprising and 
popular citizens. Formerly he voted the Repub- 
lican ticket, but since 1884 he has been identified 
with the Prohibitionists. He has filled a number 
of township oHices with credit to himself and to 
the satisfaction of all concerned. 

The first m.irriage of Mr. Brooks united him 
with Miss Evaline Redding, who was born in St. 
Joseph County, Ind., being the daughter of Rev. 



'7^)' 





^-t^^^-i /vTly^ 



^3'«^-^-.^i^^^._ , ^-^1^. 



l^OKTRAIT AND BTOGRAPIIICAL RECORD. 



577 



, lames Reddini":, a minister in tiio Methodist Epis- 

cojial C'liuich. One cliild \v:\.s horn of the union, 
Minnie Iv, wife of .lames Ileiron. Mrs. Kvaline 
iiiuolvs died in June, 18G1. Mr. Hrooivs was after- 
ward again married, choosing as iiis wife Mi-s. Mary 
Lincoln, a native of Morgan County, Ohio. Her 
lirsl liusband, Ciiarles Lincoln, enlisted in the 
service of tlie Union during the late war, becom- 
ing a member of the Fourth Michigan Infantry, 
and died while in active service on New Year's 
D.ay. 1863. Mrs. Ijincoln is the daughter of Uriah 
and I'hebc B. (Wilks) Harris, her father being a 
native of New York State, who came to Watervliet 
Township in 1850 and here died. Mr. Brooks .and 
his aceomiilished wife are peoi)le of higli standing 
in the Methodist Episcopal Church and tluoughout 
the entire community'. 



^J DWIN S. ANTl.SDALE, B. .S., M. 1). This 
'■ri] well-known physician and surgeon, residing 
S at Benton Harbor, is a successful general 
practitioner and makes a specialty of diseases of 
the ear, eye, nose and throat, in tlie treatment of 
which he has won eminence and well-earned suc- 
cess. He is now in the prime of life, having been 
born on the 17th of May, 1861. The Antisdale 
family originated in Scotland, whence in an early 
d;iy members of it emigrated to the United States 
and settled in New York. The grandfather of 
oiir subject, Perez Antisdale, was a native of the 
Liiipirc State and there spent his entire life. 

The father of our subject was born in (.(iitario 
County, N. Y., and theie grew to manhood, re- 
ceiving good educational advantages. He was an 
;i(complished educator and held Stale life certifi- 
caU's from both New York and INIichigan. In 
1!^(;2 he removed to ^Michigan and settled in 
I'liMMch County, where he engaged in farming 
Mi<i>t of the time. However, he was employed as 
l'rincii)al of the High School and County Super- 
intendent. He married Miss Lucy M., daughter 
of Sylvester South worth, a native of New York, 
and a descendant of a long line of worthy foie- 

28 



fathers. His ancestors were English people and 

the family was represented among those who came 
to America in the "May (lower." 

In the place of his birth, Manchester, Ontario 
County', N. Y'., our subject passed the first year of 
his life. Thence he was brought by his parents to 
Michigan, residing for a time in Branch Count}' 
and removing thence to St. Joseph County. He 
carried on his studies at the LTnion School of 
Centreville and later spent one year at the Hud- 
son River Institute, located at Claverack, N. Y. 
From that school he came to Michigan, and for 
four years he was a student in the Agricultural 
College at Lansing. During liis spare moments, 
he w.as employed in reading medicine, for he had 
determined upon following the medical profession. 
In 1885 he was graduated from the Agricultural 
College with the degree of Bachelor of Science. 

At the close of l51s collegiate course. Dr. Antis- 
dale entered the medical department of the State 
University at Ann Arbor and was graduated from 
that institution in 1890. Immediately afterward 
he commenced the practice of his profession at 
Berrien Centre, where he remained one year. 
From that place he removed to Berrien Springs 
and conducted an extensive practice there until in 
January, 1893, when, realizing that he should seek 
a broader field for practice, he came to Benton 
Harbor and has since made this city his home. Al- 
though he has removed from Berrien Springs, his 
patients there have been so loth to resign his ser- 
vices that he has decided to devote one or two 
days of every week to his pr.actice in that village. 
He is identified with the Kalamazoo Academy of 
Medicine and keeps abreast with every advance- 
ment in therapeutics. 

The marriage of the Doctor, June 21, 1888, 
united him with Miss Helen R., daughter of J. H. 
Gardner, a resident of St. Joseph County, Mich. 
Mrs. Antisdale was endowed with high capabili- 
ties and withal possessed a wonderful wealth of 
good common-sense. She possessed a keen sense of 
justice, with courage at all times to defend it, and 
a natural leliiieinent of manners that was notice- 
able at all times. She was a graduate of the State 
Normal at Yjisilanti. and subeequentl^- graduated 
I from Ingham University at LeRoy, N. Y.,in which 



578 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



latter college she ffn- four jears filled the chair of 
Professor of Mathemalics. Iler deatli in 1891 
was a source of most sincere sorrow to her ac- 
quaintances, hut fell most heavily upon the be- 
reaved husband and daughter Helen. Dr. Antis- 
dale takes a commendable interest in all public 
matters and is a stalwart Kcpulilicau in his polit- 
ical belief. He holds fraternal relations with 
Lake Sh<jie Lodge No. 298, A. F. & A. M., and is 
also a member of the chapter and conimandery 
at Niles. 



' 0SP:PH R. FKHKY, a man of native ability 
I and energy, and a prominent general agri- 
j culturist of Berrien County, Mich., has 
H^l/y been a resident of Pii>estone Township his 
entire life, and since his birth, June 6, 1852, has 
been intimately associated with the progress and 
history of this part of the State. His present 
iionie upon section 27 is within easy distance of 
his birthplace, tlie old Ferry homestead, one of 
the landmarks of pioneer days. Our subject is a 
son of Robert Ferry, deceased, a man of indomi- 
table will, persevering industry and high business 
abilit}', who met the trials of life and tivercaine 
difficulties with earnest pui()ose and attained to 
financial success. The father, entirely self-edu- 
cated and in every sense of the word a self-made 
man, was a leading factor in the upbuilding and 
rapid advancement of the township of Pipestone, 
which he helped to organize and develop. Born 
upon tlie old farm, Joseph R. Ferry was trained 
to careful habits of thrift and intelligent in- 
dustry, and throughout his childhtiod attended 
the Ferry schoolhouse, and there laid the broad 
foundation of an education he afterward com- 
pleted by a course of study (commercial) in the 
college at Notre Dame, Ind. 

After two years well spent in that celebrated 
institution, Mr. Ferry returned home and at once 
engaged in the daily routine of farming duties. 
In 1879, he was united in marriage with Miss 
Esther 0. Jenkins, a daughter of Calvin Jenkins, 



an old and highly respected resident of Berrien 
County, Berrien ToM'nship. Mrs. Ferry was born 
in 1803, in Berrien Springs. Our subject and his 
accomplished wife located upon the farm where 
tlicy now live in 1880. One hundred and ten 
acres of the one hundred and fifty nere then 
under cultivation, and since the entire acreage, 
now brought into a high state of productiveness, 
annually yields a btiunteous harvest. In 1888 
Mr. Ferry built his fine residence, at a cost of 
^2,300. The other improvements of the farm cor- 
respond in value, the barns being substantial and 
commodious. The original acreage has been in- 
creased to two hundred and ten, and the home- 
stead, with its well-tilled fields and handsome 
grounds, is one of the most attractive in Pipe- 
stone Township. 

Mrs. Esther Ferry, now deceased, was the 
mother of two children, who survive her death: 
India J., eleven years of age, and Marj- K., ten 
years old. Our subject, again entering wedlock, 
married November 30, 1889, Mrs. Frederica S. 
(Lovell) Wood, a daughter of Nathan V. and 
Delia S. (Keeler) Lovell, both natives of New 
York. The [jarenls of Mrs. Ferry came to Michi- 
gan in a very early day, and settled in Silver 
Creek Township with their respective families, 
and were later married in Portage. Wis., and then 
located in Colunibia County, of the Badger State, 
but returned to Micliigan in 1870, and lived in 
Van Buren, Cass C'ounly, and in Berrien County, 
Mr. Lovell now being engaged in business in Eau 
Claire, running a sawmill. Of their three chil- 
dren, two survive: Mrs. Ferry and General U.S. G. 
Mrs. FeriT, who was born May 7, 1867, in Co- 
lumbia County, Wis., was educated in various 
schools, and is a lady of ability and worth. She 
was early married to Mr. Wood, and bore him one 
child. J. F. H. Wood. No children have been 
born unto this second union. 

Fraternally, our subject is a member of the 
Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, and is a mem- 
ber and was Junior Deacon of the lodge at Berrien 
Springs. He was elected Junior Warden, and also 
alHliates with the chapter at Dowagiac. He is 
likewise connected with the Royal Arcanum, and 
is a member of the lodge a.t lijiitOH Harbor. Po- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL Rl-XORD. 



579 



litically, he is a Democrat, but, while :i jniblic- 
spiriled citizen, lias never !is|iiie(l U> ollice. Our 
subject is, however, :» stronij friend to eclne;i- 
tional advancement, and has given faithfnl and 
etlieient service as School Inspector, and as 
Director of the School District for six years did 
uiuch to iin()rove and stimulate to higher excell- 
ence the methods of instruction and grades of 
scholarship. The ac(|uaintance of Mr. Ferry ex- 
tends over a large part of his native State, but es- 
pecially is he known and esteemed by a large cir- 
cle of friends throughout Berrien County, where 
he is appreciated as a substantial citizen, ever 
ready to assist in all matters pertaining to local 
growth and enterprise. 



_=] 



!-^+^l 




"S) 



/,J G. COPLEY. In order to perpetuate for 
WilM coming generations the record of one who 
was very prominently' connected with the 
early days of Cass County, a brief account 
of the life of Ebenezer Copley, father of our 
subject, is placed on the pages of this Rkcouu. He 
was one of the early settlers of this part of the 
State and for many years was closely identified 
with its development and progress. Grandfather 
Copley was a native of England, and came to 
America over one hundred ^-ears ago. He was a 
soldier in the Americau army during the Revolu- 
tion, and while trying to escape from capture by 
the British army, crossed the Connecticut River in 
a small boat, which was capsized and he drowned. 
Ebenezer Copley was born in the Nutmeg 
State, but after reaching mature years went to 
Jefferson County, N. Y., where he was united in 
marriage to Miss Annis Albart, a native of the 
Empire State and of Welsh descent. For many 
years he followed the trade of a shoemaker, but in 
connection was also engaged in farming. He was 
drafted in the War of 1812. About 1835 became 
to .Michigan, and settled on section 13, where he 
entered eighty acres of Government land. This 
land was wild and settlers few and far between, but 
with perseverance and energy he worked away 



and soon liad a comfortable home. He built a 
frame house shortly after settling on his farm, and 
this was considered something at that time, for log 
houses were the rule. This worthy pioneer 
passed away in 1812, and his wife in 1848. Ten 
children were born to them, only four of whom 
are now living, three besides our subject. Thomas 
N. resides in Decat\ir, Mich.; Ebenezer makes his 
home in Wayne Township; and .lohn .L in Wex- 
ford County. 

On the lOth of August, 1815, in Otsego County, 
N. Y., occurred the birth of our subject. He grew 
to sturdy manhood on the farm in his native 
State and during his youthful days attended the 
common schools of his county. As soon as he 
couhl earn a shilling a d.ay he began working out, 
and for some time received but %3 a month, and 
never more than ^7. lie also assisted his father in 
making a living until twenty-two years of age, 
when he started out to make his own way in life. 
The fertile soil in Michigan tempted him to wan- 
der in that direction, and in 1831, alone and on 
foot, he reached tliat State. P'or some time he 
made his home with his uncle, the father of Hon. 
A. B. Copley, of Decatur, Mich., working out by 
the year, but in 1835 he went to Big Prairie 
Ronde, in Kalamazoo County, where he was en- 
gaged in harvesting. 

Returning to Cass County in company with 
David Baldwin and Stephen and Jonathan Bunker, 
he broke two hundred acres of bottom land at 
Lyonstown, at the mouth of Maple River. After 
this he worked out and rented farms. In the year 
1844 he was wedded to Miss Mary Beebe, a 
daughter of Martin Beebe, who was an early settler 
here from the Empire State. Following liis mar- 
ri.age Mr. Copley' settled on land belonging to his 
uncle, remained on it for some time, and after the 
death of his mother he bought out the heirs and 
settled on his present farm. In the year 1852 his 
wife died, at the age of twent3'-cight years. Of the 
four children horn to them only one is now living, 
Gilbert C, who married Miss Melva Hammond, 
and now resides in Nebraska. In the year 1858 
Mr. Coplej' married Miss Eliza Foglesong, a native 
of Springfield, Ohio, born July 1!), 1812. 

Her parents, John and Ann Eliza (Renton) Fog- 



580 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



lesong, were natives of Ohio and New Jersey 
respectively. The}' were married in Xenia, Ohio, 
but afterwards settled in Greene County, that 
State, where in connection with other occupations 
he was engaged in farming. In the vear 1857 he 
came to Michigan, settled on section 14, Volinia 
Township, and remained there nine years. From 
there he moved to Scott County, 111., but after a 
residence tlicic of one year moved to Bangor, 
Mich. Selling out at that place a few years later, 
he bought forty acres in Van Buren County, and 
died there in 1879. Mrs. Foglesong still suivives 
and resides at Portland, Ore. Ten children were 
born to them, six of whom are living: Katie, Mrs. 
Cojiley, Mary, Prudence. Margaret and George. 
Both paienls were Methodists in their religious 
views. 

Mr. Copley's estate now includes one hundred 
acres of land, ninety acres under a high state of 
cultivation, and he is classed among the successful 
and prominent tillers of the soil in his section. lie 
takes much interest in all i)ublic affairs, has been 
Road Overseer and has also been a memtier of the 
School Board. In his religious views he is a 
Swedenborgian. 



II. WARNER. The growth and prosperity 
of Cass Count}', Mich., have been upon a 
scale commensurate with the emigration to 
this region in past years, and this prosper- 
ity is largely due to the members of the agricul- 
tural profession, prominent among whom stands 
the name of J. H. Warner. He is a fair sample of 
what can be accomplished by industry and perse- 
verance, for all his lite has been passed in the 
arduous duties of the farm, and he is now one of 
the substantial men of his section. 

Mr. Warner was born in Herkimer Count}', N. Y., 
March 23, 1832, and was but five years of age 
when he came to Michigan with his parents, Hub- 
bell and Catherine (Hughes) Warner, both now 
deceased. He remembers the journey well and 



many of the incidents that happened at that time. 
He attended school in the old-fashioned log school- 
house, with slab seats, arul in the Newton district 
school, on Gard's Prairie, but went only a few weeks 
in each term, for much of his time was required to 
help clear the farm. He remained under shelter of 
the home roof until liis marriage to Miss Rachel .1. 
Rich on the 23d of November, 1854. 

This estimable lady was born in ^'olinia Town- 
ship, this county, December 5, 1831, and was the 
daughter of Samuel and Charity (Gard) Rich, the 
father a native of North Carolina, born in 1802. 
Mr. and Mrs. Rich were married on the 23d of 
November, 1827, and their son, John H., was the 
first white child born in Volinia Township. Mr. 
Rich passed away on the 20lii of February, 1873, 
and his widow in 1891. Only two of their chil- 
dren are now living. 

After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Warner settled on 
their present farm in the woods and began house- 
keeping in a frame house built by Grandfather 
Gard. It was not long before they gathered 
around them man}- comforts, and although they 
worked hard and struggled early and late to 
get a start, they were linally successful. On this 
farm they have remained ever since, and although 
the original tract was but forty acres, it has been 
increased to eighty acres and is in a fine state of 
cultivation. Mr. Warner is also the owner of 
eighty acres one mile north and has sixty-five 
acres of this cleared. He has made all the im- 
provements, and a glance over his broad acres 
shows him to be a man of industry and good judg- 
ment. 

Our subject was called upon to mourn the loss 
of his wife on the 5th of September, 1892. They 
were the parents of three children. Flora E., wife 
of Edgar Gard, is the mother of one child; Clara 
M., wife of AVilliam Wright, is also the mother of 
one child; and Erie J. resides at home. His chil- 
dren have all received good common-school edu- 
cations. He has been a member of the School 
Board for many years, and socially he is a member 
of the Farmers' Club. In politics he has been a 
Democrat all his life and takes a deep interest in 
the welfare of his party, and has been a delegate 
to conventions. He is one of the old settlers of 



PORTRAIT AM) PJOaRAPlUCAL RECORD. 



sai 



the State and has seen this county gvow from a 
wildeiiioss to its present iirosiierons condition. 
In his pos.-cssion is a laliU' wliich he made himself 
when lie and his wife liei,Mn hiiusekeepinu;. 



— ^=^). 



i>^^-^^ 



■S— 



'OSKPII KRISK, dece.ased, an early settler 
and prominent fanner of Cass County, Mich., 
was a native of Lebanon County, Pa. 
Born in 18()(!, our subject remained in the 
home of his youth until the fall of 18l(>, when he 
journeyed to the far-off State which he afterward 
made his constant home. Our subject was married 
in I'ennsylvania to Miss Catherine Twilmire, of 
York County. Tlic union was blessed by the bii-th 
of eight children, live of whom survived to adult 
age. Elizabeth became the wife of Milton Car- 
penter and is yet livin;;. Sarah married Daniel 
Hrown and resides in Marcelhis Townshi|). liar- 
net was tlie wife of Gideon IJeebe; she and her 
husband are both (leceased. Margaret became the 
wife of Simeon I'.rown, also of Marcelhis Town- 
ship. Phillip A. is the youngest of the children, 
all born in Centre County, Pa. l'liilli|) Krisc, the 
paternal grandfather of these four sisters and bro- 
ther, was born near Philadelphia. His father 
served in the Revolutionary War, but was never 
heard from after reaching the licld of battle, and 
no news as to his f.-ite ever came to his family. 
He or liis parents %vere natives of England. 

I'hillip Krise, the son of our subject, was but 
one and a-half years old when his parents located 
in .St. Joseph County, Mich, lie was a lad eleven 
ye.irs of .age when his father and motliercame with 
their family to Cass County, in ISo;'), and pur- 
chased (iiie hundred and forty-nine acres of land. 
The son attended the district school near his new 
home and .assisted in the work of the farm. Ar- 
riving at man's estate, he was. in 1872, united in 
marriage with Miss Malinda Vlect, daughter of 
George VIcet, who emigrated from Pennsylvania 
to Michigan in 1857. Mr. Vleet located at lirst 
in .St. .loseph County, but later settled in Cass 
County. Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Krise have foin- 



children, two sons and two daughl(r>: Ora, Rol- 
land, Wilbur and Mildred. These lirothers and 
sisters, together with their parents, reside uiion the 
old homestead one mile east of Mareellus. The 
finely-cultivated .acres, about one Innidred and 
fifty, are now the property of Phillip A. Krise, the 
only son of our subject. 

.Toseph Krise and his wife were both idenlilied 
with the Evangelical Church and were foremost in 
the extcjision of its good work and influence. 
Our subject was a public-spirited man and was 
ever ready to assist in all matters of mutual good. 
Politically, he was a stanch Democrat and often 
recalled with pride the fact that he cast his lirst 
vote for .Jackson. Phillip Krise and his family, 
following in the footsteps of his revered fatlu-r 
and mother, are all connected with the Kvangelical 
Church and ably aid in the social and benevolent 
enterprises of that religious organization. Indus- 
trious, intelligent and enjoying educatif)nal oppor- 
tunities for advancement, the grandchildren of 
our subject are preparing themselves to worthily 
fill positions of usefulness and inllucme. Like 
his father, Phillip Krise is a self-made man, prac- 
tical in his metlK)ds and upright in character, and 
has by persistent effort won the deserved reward 
of success. 



r' 



*^E*E 



P"~)1CHARD V. IlICl 
• to the United Stf 



'KS. England h.as furnished 
States men of enterprise and 
ability in every walkof life. Ilcrsonshave 
acquired distinction and wealth in the pro- 
fessions, in commercial circles and in agricultural 
pursuits, and while gaining material prosperity 
li.avc also secured an enviable re|)utatioii for mc>r- 
ality and the highest principles of honor. One of 
this class may be found in the subject of our sketch, 
who is an inllucntial citizen of Cass County and a 
prosperous fanner of Milton Township, owning 
and occupying a fertile farm on secticui 12. His 
agricultural operations have been crowned with 
success, and he is now the owner of four hundred 



582 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and eighty acres in Cass County, besides three 
hundred acres in Niles Township, Berrieu County. ! 

In the vill.age of St. Colurab Major, Cornwall, 
England, the eyes of our subject first opened to 
the light, the date of his birtli being November 17, 
1819. His father, John Hicks, a native of the same 
place as himself, was for many years an oflieer in 
the British army and was a large property-holder 
and inlluential man in England. Twice he crossed 
the ocean to America in order to visit his son here, 
but wliile he was favorably impressed with Amer- 
ica, his preferences were all on the side of the coun- 
try of his birth. At the age of four-score j'ears, 
he closed his eyes upon the scenes of earth, and his 
remains now lie buried near his life-time home. 

The mother of our subject was Caroline E. 
(Perr^') Hicks, a native of Middlesex, ne.ar Lon- 
don. Her father, Dr. Periy, accompanied Capt. 
Cook on his first voy.age around the world, and 
was a man of great prominence in his da}'. Mrs. 
Hicks died when about forty-one j'ears of age, 
after having become the mother of six sons, who 
grew to manhood. Only two are now surviving, 
Richard and Edward. The former is the fifth in 
order of birth of his father's family. He was sev- 
enteen years of age when, in 1837, he came to 
Amej-ica and located in what is now Milton Town- 
ship, where he purchased one hundred and eighty- 
seven acres and commenced active agricultural 
operations. 

May 4, 1843, Mr. Hicks married Miss Catharine 
Ullery White, during a visit to Ohio. This lady 
w.as born in Montgomery County, Pa., and was of 
German descent, her father having been born at 
sea and her mother in this country. She was reared 
in Shelby County, Ohio, where her marriage was 
solemnized. Mr. and Mrs. Hicks are the parent.s 
of the following children: John P., Henr^' B., 
Richard J., Caroline E., Sarah J., William S., Cath- 
arine M., Mary A. and Orran V., all of whom were 
born in Milton Township, and with one excep- 
tion are now living in Cass County. 

After coming to Michigan, Mr. Hicks for a time 
worked for John Dodge & Co., in Niles. He pur- 
ch.ascd his i)resent home in 1849, and two years 
later erected, at a cost of ^4.000, the attr.active 
and comfortalile residence he ik)w occupies. Po- 



litically, he is a Democrat, and was one of the first 
Supervisors of the township, serving in that posi- 
tion for many yeai-s. He has also served in the 
school ofiiccsaud .as a member of the Board of Re- 
view. Socially, he is identified with the Maaonic 
fraternity, and holds membership in Ontwa Lodge 
No. G. July 1, 1893, Mr. Hicks had the misfor- 
tune to lose the wife who had shared liis joys and 
divided his sorrows for fifty years. 



!^^- 




HARLES A. CLARK, junior mcmlier of the 
well-known firm of G. A. Bhikeslee & Co., 
.and President of the village of Galien, was 
born in Muntsburgh, Geauga County, Ohio, on the 
23d of August, 1849. He is a worthy representa- 
tive of a family which for several generations was 
identified with the development of New England, 
having been established in Connecticut in an early 
d.ay. The paternal grandfather of our subject was 
Abner Clark, a native of the Nutmeg .State, where 
he w.as reared to manhood. In Xorthanipton, 
Mass., he made his home for many years and tliere 
he married Miss Olive Strong. 

As early as 1810 (irandfatlier Clark, accom- 
panied b3' his family, removed Westward and set- 
tled in Ge.auga County, Ohio, est:xblishing his 
home in the midst of the dense forests. The resi- 
due of his life w.as there passed, and his attention 
was devoted to the clearing of the land and im- 
proving the farm. He and his wife were the 
parents of nine children, the only one now sur- 
viving being Harriet, who resides in Michigan. ]n 
their religious convictions they were active and 
consistent members of the Presbyterian Church; 
their honorable and useful lives furnished a con- 
stant exemplification of their faith, and dying, tliey 
left to their descendants the priceless lieritage v{ a 
good name. 

The father of our subject, Albert Clark, w.as born 
in Northampton, Mass., whence he removed with 
his parents to Geauga County, Ohio, and there 
grew to manhood. On tlie lOtli of February, 
1845. he married Miss Eliza Howell, a n;itive of 



POKTliAlT AND BlOGllArillCAL KECOIID. 



583 



(icautrn County, and tlip rlautrliler of .lolin IIowoll, 
a pioniiniMil man of that soclion of tlio Stalo. In 
1857 lip ri'nii)\("(l to Lake (dnnt\, wIutp he |iui- 
I'liasc'd land and resided for six years. The year 
18C;i witnessed his arrival in (ialion Township, lier- 
ricn County, where hi- eontinued to make his home 
until death terminated his useful existence, on the 
12Hi of April, I.S'.l.S. His last days were spent on 
the old homestead, loeated two and one-half miles 
south of (ialien. 

As a neiirhlior, Alhert Clark was just and true; 
as a citizen he w^as always on the side of what he 
deemed calculated to enhance the host interi'sts of 
the people. Throuj;liout his entire life he adhered 
to the luinciples of the Kepuhlican part\ and was 
counted one of the foremost members of that or- 
ganization in his community. He served as .Super- 
visor of Galien Township and held the same posi- 
tion while a resident of Ohio. He united with the 
Christian Church in his youth and was ever after- 
ward a faithful student of the Hible and an eai-nest 
advocate of the principles of Christianity, always 
ready to defend the truths of God's Word, which 
he held in the greatest reverence. For many 
years he otiieiated as one of the 'I'ruslees of the 
church. 

In the |)arental family there were four children, 
one of whom, Kvei-etl, died at the age of two 
years; Kmily S. died at the early age of thirty- 
three. The two survivors are Charles A. and .\l- 
hert E. The mother of this family w.as called 
hence on the 21th of February, IS'.H). She, too, 
h:id been long identified with the Christian Church 
and w.as a woman of great piety iviid nobility of 
chaiacter. As was stated above, our subject's 
l)irthplace was in Geauga County, Ohio. He was 
about thirteen years of age when he .accompanied 
his parents to IJerrien County, Alich., and here his 
education was gained in the common schools of 
the ijistrict. I'pon completing his studies, he en- 
gage<l in teaching school at D.ayton, Mich., later 
in Galien 'I\>wnship, and in the Reform School at 
Lansing, being rriiicipal of Ilic lasl-iianieil insti- 
tution. 

The business career of Mr. Clark commenced in 
1877. at which time he entered the tirm of G. A. 
lilakcslee iV Co. as a clerk, remaining in that posi- 



tion for a time, and in 18M1 purchased an interest 
ill the business, becoming a partner. He is also 
the agent for the .American Kxpre.ss Company at 
Galien. The tirm does a large business, steadily 
eniploying three clerks and carrying a large and 
coiniilete .as.sortnient of goods. In adilition to 
conducting the most extensive mercantile busi- 
iH'ss in (ialicn, they have a large trade in lumber, 
salt, shingles, grain and wool, and also do a gen- 
eral banking business. 

The marriage of Mr. Clark took )ilace March S, 
187-1, at which time he was united with Miss Lydia, 
daughter of <!eorge A. and l.ydia (Alcott) lilakc- 
slee. Mrs. Clark was horn in iiatavia, 111., and re- 
ceived a good education in the schools of Galien. 
Twf) children. Stanley and Leslie, li.nve blessed 
the union. \ Kepiiblican in his political opinions, 
Mr. Clark has held the otiice of Township Treas- 
urer for two years and has also served as \'illage 
Clerk for eleven years. ,\t j)resent he is serving 
as I'resident of (Jalien, having iieeii an incumbent 
of that ollicc for three terms. His inteicstin edu- 
cational matters has been unceasing, and .as a mem- 
ber of the School Hoard he lias been efficient iu 
promoting the grade of .scholarship in the village 
scliool. He is Notary I'ublic, to which olHcc he 
h:is been appointed by Governors Alger, Luce and 
Hich. 



■ i» l iii»ii^ W ii fc" I ^ 



^Ij AMES P. N'KRSAW. an energetic farmer and 
prosperous horticulturist, making a spec- 
^j^ ' ialty of small fruits, is a native of Sodus 
(J^f/ Township, Herrien Count}-, Mich., and has 
resided within the near vicinity of his present 
homestead, located upon section Kj.his entire life. 
Our subject was born October 17, 1817. His 
father, Francis Vcrsaw, w.as a native of Canada, 
and, born near Montreal in 1812, left his home when 
a boy and became self-supporting at a very early 
age. He (inally located in the .States, making his 
home in Wisconsin, where for a time he traveled 
fou the .\merican Fur Company. He remained in 
that State until 1835, when he removed to .Mich- 
iiran and locate<l in l?errien Counlv. For some 



584 



POETRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



time he followed the occupation of boating, 
and tlien purchased a farm in Sodus Township, 
in 1840, and for fifty-three changing years has re- 
mained continuously upon the homestead where 
he yet resides. He enjoys the comforts of life and 
possesses a competence and excellent healtli. His 
days have been passed in unvarying industry and 
he is univei-sally respected. The family name is 
undoubtedly Versailles, and the ancestry French. 
The pronunciation, corrupted to Versaw in the 
early d.ivs. has clung to the descendants, but is 
beyond all doubt incorrect. 

The father was married in 1843 to Rebecca Ann 
McDougal, daughter of James McDougal. a pio- 
neer of 8t. Joseph. Mr. and Mrs. Francis Versaw 
have spent together a half-century and have wel- 
comed to their hearts and homes eleven sons and 
daughters. Of this large family eight children 
yet survive, four daughtei-s and four sons. James 
P. was the third child of this venerable father and 
mother. He worked upon the farm in boyhood 
and also enjoj'ed the benefit of instruction in the 
district school. Upon October 7, 1864, his sev- 
enteenth birthday, our subject enlisted in the 
Union army, joining Company K. Twenty-eighth 
Michigan Infantry, and served with courage and 
distinguished service for two \-eai-s. He partici- 
pated in the engagements at X.asliville, Teuu., also 
at AVissel Forks, X. C.and w.as likewise in numer- 
ous skirmishes. Mustered out at the close of the 
Civil War. he returned to his home and engaged in 
traveling upon business through Missouri. Kan- 
sas, Iowa and Minnesota. Mr. ^'ersaw returned 
htmic in 18(57. and f(ir a time devoted himelf to 
agricultural pui-suits, but a second time journeyed 
through the farther West and w.as away from his 
earl}- home a twelvemonth. A second time re- 
visiting Sodus Township, our subject bought a 
farm and again settled down to the Idling of the 
soil. 

For a numlier of years Mr. Vei-saw uninterrupt- 
edly gave his attention to the woik of the home- 
stead, but finall3-and for the third time went West 
and spent two years in Nebraska. Since then he 
li.as- conlinned to reside upon and cultivate his 
fine farm of seventy acres, all brought up to a high 
state of productiveuess and improved withatliael- 



ive and commodious buildings. Our subject gives 
the greater part of his time and attention to grow- 
ing small fruit-s and berries, and has been especially 
successful in this department of agriculture. In 
August, 1871, James P. Versaw and Miss Emma 
Proctor were united in marriage. The parents of 
Mrs. Vei-saw, Ibbitson and Mary Proctor, were 
among the early and highly respected pioneers of 
Sodus Township. The union of our subject and 
his estimable wife has been blessed by the birth 
of seven children: William E.. Harry E.. Ernest 
M., Otis C, Pearl C, Clarence P. and Susie E.. all 
living and all at home with the exception of Wil- 
liam E.. the eldest-born, a citizen of Nebraska. Mr. 
and Mrs. Versaw are valued nembei-sof the I'nited 
Brethren Church and are active aids in religious 
work. Fraternally, our subject is a member of the 
Grand Army of the Republic and belongs to the 
Veterans' Union. He has been politically a stal- 
wart Republican ever since he attained his ma- 
jority. He is interested in both local and national 
issues and is to-d.ay.us .so many j-ears .ago upon the 
field of battle, a true and loyal citizen, highly- 
esteemed bv all his fellow-townsmen. 



^l-^-l^lll 



^^x> 



SAAC HARFF. a practical general agricultur- 
ist and well-known citizen, cultivates a fine 
/ii farm located on section 15, Galien Town- 
ship, Berrien County, Mich. He is a native of 
Darke County, Ohio, and was born in 1844. His 
father. William HarfT. was born in Lancaster 
County. Pa., and was reared on a farm. Having 
attained manhood, he learned the weaver's trade, 
and throughout his life continued in that em- 
ployment. He located in Ohio while a single 
man, and w.as married to Esther Emory in the 
Buckeye St^Ue. Upright and industrious, he reared 
with care a family of eight children. His wife 
died in 1860. the husband surviving until 1875, 
when he p.assed aw.ay, at about sixty-five years 
of age. Politically, the father of our subject w.as 
a sturdv Democrat and an admirer of Thomas 
Jeffei'son. He was a menilx'r of the Lutheran 






i1 



s^^ 



i 







^^-^Uri^ji. ci^. 




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPIUCAL RECORD. 



)87 



Cliuivli and a consistent Christian, liiglily re- 
spected liy all who knew him. 

Our subject was self-supporting from early 
yiiutli, but remained dutifully witli his parents 
until he had readied his majority. Working by 
the niduth on an adjacent farm, he received but 
little or no advantages for an education, and is 
literally a sclf-niado man. He enlisted in tiie ser- 
vice of the Government during the late Civil 
War, and in 18fi4 joined Company B, Second 
Ohio Infantry, but was afterward transferred to 
Company E, One Hundred and Kightieth Infan- 
try, under Gen. Thomas' corps. Mr. Ilarff par- 
ticipated in numerous skirmishes, but was engaged 
in only one of the ijrincipal battles of the cam- 
paign — Hesaca. He remained in active military 
duty until the close of the war, was discharged in 
Columbus, Ohio, and was mustered out in Augusta, 
Ga., in September, 186;"). Soon after peace iiad 
resumed its sway, our subject made his home in 
Noble County, Ind., and was married there. Rent- 
ing land, he entered into agricultural pursuits, 
and later located in Kankakee County. After a 
few years' residence in that jiart of Indiana, he 
decided to remove to Michigan, and settled in I 
licrrien County. 

Mr. Harff has since 1891 occupied his present 
homestead, and has thirty-si.x acres in Buchanan 
Township. He is a thorough faj-raer and success- 
fully tills the soil. Unaided he has won his way 
and commands the respect and confidence due to 
his energy and sterling character. He has been 
twice married. The first wife of our subject was 
Miss Betsey Keener, who bore him two children, 
Pliiube and Merriain. Mrs. Betsey Ilarff died, and 
was buried in Indiana. In Michigan Mr. Ilarff 
was united in marriage to his second wife, Miss 
Barbara Keener, a sister of the first wife. Eight 
children blessed the second union: Sherman, Lovey, 
William, Jacob, .\mos, Charles, Clarence and Pearl, 
all of whom will i-eceive the opportunit}- for 
schooling which was denied their father. 

Fraternally, our subject is a member of Post 
No. 208, G. A. R., at Galien. Politically, he is a 
Democrat, and in aU matters pertaining to local 
improvement and progress is a public-spirited and 
lilK-ral citizen. Without being in any sense of 



the word a politician, he keeps himself intelli- 
gently jiosted in the affairs of the day, and, hav- 
ing given faithful service on the battle-licld in 
behalf of the I'nion, is deeply interested in all 
national issues. 



r^ 



"^^ 



^^ EORGE L. AND JACOB I). ELSON. Among 
II ,— _ the prominent old settlers of the Lake 
^^:;^ State are the two brothers. George L. and 
Jacob D. Elson, both of whom were identified 
with the State in the days of its earlier and simpler 
style of living. Their parents, Abraham and Maria 
(Onderkirk) Elson, were natives of New York 
State, but at an early period came to Michigan, 
where they were among the first settlers. The 
good old fathers and mothers of those days were 
educated, not as books count, perhaps, but in all 
that makes noble men and noble women. Their 
memory is revered and their early struggles ap- 
preciated. They have given their descendants a 
goodly heritage, a land veritably llowing with milk 
and honey; and, better still, sons and daughters 
possessed of attributes to make good and noble citi- 
zens. The father of Abraham Elson, Jacob Elson, 
served in the Revolutionary War. 

George L. Elson, the elder of our subjects, was 
born in the Empire State, on the 26th of June, 
1823, and there made his home until twenty-four 
years of age. He then came to the State of Mich- 
igan and located about five miles from Benton 
Harbor. Here he met Miss Harriet Jane Gordon, 
with whom he w.as united in marriage, and who 
bore him eight children: Emma Jane, Mary (de- 
ceased), Delia, Susan, John, Ilattie, George and 
Matthias. Those of the children married are: 
Delia, Emma Jane, Susie, Ilattie and John. The 
others are living at home. On coming to Berrien 
County Mr. Elson purchased fortj' acres of land, 
all of which was timber-land, and by energy 
and perseverance he cleared all but ten acres, and 
has it in a fine state of cultivation. His principal 
productions are grain and fruit, and he has accu- 
mulated a comfortable competence for his declin- 



588 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ing }-ears. He is a man of pronounced opinions, 
firm in his convictions of riglit and wrong, and 
is well worthy of the esteem in which lie is held. 
His political inclinations are Democratic. 

Jacob D. Elson was the cightii in order of birth 
of ten children born to his parents, and is a native 
of this State, born in Wayne County in 1838, liis 
parents liaving settled there when tlie country was 
covered with a dense forest. After remaining in 
his native county until about 1850, and receiving 
a limited education in the common schools, he 
C4inie to Berrien County and here has resided ever i 



since. Farming and fruit-growing have been his 
princip.ll occupations, and the eigiity .icres that he 
owns are for the most part cultivated and improved. 
He .assisted his father in clearing the home pl.ice 
of the timber with which it was covered, and at 
an early age became familiar witii hard labor. Al- 
though his educational advantages were not of 
the best, he has become a well-informed man and 
is noted for his sound, practical and shrewd views 
on all matters of public interest. 

,lacob Elson was married in 18G5 to Miss Helen 
E. Gordon and ten children were born to this 
union, five sons and five daughters: T. Edwin, 
Carrie, Lvdia(Mrs. M. Fikes),Cora, Mary, Arthur, 
Susie, Claud, Wilbur and Ralph. Politically, Mr. 
Elson adheres to the principles of the Republican 
part}' and is a representative citizen of the county. 



*-3"S-*i 



'<-tn<-^.>^^ *.{.++= 



^•^•^•M•i- 



»' ^ ENRY M. DE.VX. One of the prominent 
ijj business establishments of the city of Niles 
is the drug store of H. M. Dean & Son, 
where may be found a complete stock of 
drugs, paints, oils, etc. The senior member of 
this firm, and the subject of our sketch, enjoys 
tiie distinction of having been engaged in the 
drug business for a longer period than .any other 
man in the western part of the State. He is a 
skillful and educated pharmacist, and brings to 
the prosecution of the business an accurate knowl- 
edge of its details, and a careful supervision of its 
transactions, which have secured for the estab- 
lishment a fii-st-el.ass reputation. 



The early home of Jlr. Dean was in New Jei-sey, 
in sight of the city of New York, where he was 
born on the 28th of December, 1831. His parents, 
Daniel and Cornelia (Green) Dean, were both na- 
tives of New .Jei-sey, and the former was a shoe 
manufacturer, jobbing principally for the South- 
ern trade. The paternal gr.andfalher of our sub- 
ject, John Dean, was born in the city of New 
Y'ork, and was the son of Capt. Alexander Dean, 
of the British navy. The mother of our subject 
was the daughter of Joseph Green, whose ances- 
tors settled in Connecticut in 1660, and were of 
English descent. 

Henry M. Dean represents the seventh genera- 
tion of the Green family in the United States, 
and the third generation on the Dean side. His 
school d.ays were passed in his native New Jersey, 
and at the age of sixteen he came to Michigan, 
locating at Niles in 1848. Soon after coming 
here he was appointed Deputy Postmaster at 
Niles, and served in th.at position for one year, 
rendering satisf.ictory service in that ottice. His 
next position was that of clerk in the drug 
store of J. C. Lariinore, where he remained until 
1860. In that year he formed a partnership with 
J. C. Lariinore. and embarked in the drug busi- 
ness under the firm name o( Lariinore & Dean, 
continuing in tliixt connection until 1883. when 
Mr. Dean jmrchased his partner's interest. Taking 
his son, Frederick C, into the firm, the title was 
changed to H. M. Dean & Son. In 1890. Fred ('. 
retired, and Henry M., Jr., entered the firm, the 
title remaining unchanged. 

In 1861 Mr. Dean married Miss Sarah, daughter 
of Ezra Coan, of Albion, N. Y. They are the par- 
ents of three sons and one daughter, namely: 
Frederick C William M., HeniT M., Jr., and 
Fanny M. In polilics, Mr. Dean is a Repulilican. 
He has been elected to many posts of honor, in 
all of which he li.is labored unselfishly fur the 
good of the community and the promotion of the 
interests of the city. He served for one term .as 
Mayor of Niles, and has been a member of the 
Board of Education for twelve years, being its 
Pic-idcnt a portion of the tiir.e. He is a stock- 
holder and Director of the Citizens' National Bank 
of Niles. In his social aftlliations. he is identified 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL RECORD. 



589 



with SL.loseph Valley Lodge No. 4, A. F. & A. M. 
A devoted .ind earnest Christian, lie holds mem- 
bersiiip with the Presbyterian Ciiurch, in which 
he has served ns Trustee for thirty years, Treasurer 
for two years, and Superintendent of thcSund.iy- 
seiiool for three terms. For one year he served 
.IS President of tiie Herrien County Pioneer Asso- 
ciation, of which he is an honored member. 



ellAULK-S HANSON, a successful agricul- 
turist of .Jefferson Township, Cass County, 
Mich., has p.assed liis entire life in his 
present locality, and was born in the township 
June 23, 18o5. His parents, old-time residents of 
Cass County, were William and Elizabeth (Craw- 
ford) Hanson. The paternal grandfather, .John 
Hanson, was a native of .Johnstown, Fulton 
County, N. Y. Emigrating to AHchigan in 1835, 
this worthy pioneer settled upon section 31, Jeff- 
erson Township, where, after improving a farm of 
one hundred and sixty .acres, he pas.scd away 
while making a trip to mill. He was found on 
the ice of I'leasant Lalic, near Edwardsburgh, and 
w.as dead wlien discovered. His wife survived 
until 1871. In political opinions, he was a Dem- 
ocrat. Ills wife was a Presbyterian, and a sincere 
Chrisli.an. 'I'hey were the parents of six sons: 
I{al pi I, engaged in mining in Colorado; Benjamin, 
who died while in the army; .John, William, 
.lames and N'ictor. Tlie two daughters were Ann 
and liebecca. By his first marriage, the grand- 
father had two daughters, Margai-et and Eliza. 

William Hanson, the fallier of our subject, was 
born in Fulton County, N. Y., November 14, 
1821. He emigrated with his parents to Michigan 
in 1835, and, having reached maturity, begjiu life 
for himself upon a farm of eighty acres. He in- 
creased his estate to seven liundred and twenty 
acres, nearly all located in .Jelferson Township, 
and mostly under higli cultivation. Our subject 
owns the old homestead on which he settled in 
1857. The father retired from active f.-uminj; du- 



ties in 1881, and m.ide his home in Edwardsburgh, 
when he gave each of his five children eighty acres 
apiece. He was twice married; first to Elizabeth 
Crawford, who bore him five children: Mary 
Head, of San Angelo, Tex.; Henry A.; Charles; 
Ann Thatcher; and Lizzie, who died at two 3'ears 
of age. The first wife, the mother of our subject, 
died in September, 1875. Miss Matilda Ivownover 
became the second wife of the father, and was the 
mother of one child, Minnie Harris. William 
Hanson was a Democrat, and actively interested 
in local and national politics. 

The maternal grandfather of our subject was 
Robert Crawford, a pioneer farmer of .Jefferson 
Township, who prosperously' worked a small farm 
of seventy acres. He was a man of liberal views, 
and was of Irish ancestry. He reared a famil}' of 
four daughters: Mar\% Hannah, Margaret and 
Elizabeth, the latter of whom, the mother of 
Charles Hanson, w.is a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. Our subject spent the days of 
boyhood on the old farm, and gained his educa- 
tion in the school of tlie district. At twenty-one 
years of age he became his own master, and dili- 
gently continued in agricultural pursuits. He 
married at twent^'-six, and now owns one hundred 
and thirty acres of tiie homestead. Upon Decem- 
ber 28, 1881, he entered into wedlock with Miss 
Carrie A. Truilt, a native of Milton Township, 
Cass County, Mich. Mrs. Hanson is the daughter 
of Henry P. and I^etitia (Hicks) Truitt, who were 
born respectively in Delaware and Erie County, 
Ohio. I 'poll their homestead of eighty acres two 
daughters. Carrie A. and Bessie, shared the labors 
of the mother, and grew up to intelligent woman- 
hood. 

The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Hanson, Peter 
Truitt, w.is born in Matter Neck, Sussex County, 
Del., February 7, 1801. He emigrated to Michi- 
gan by team in 1831, and was forty-four d.ays 
upon the way. He entered fifteen hundred acres 
of land, which he afterward divided among his 
children. He p.assed aw.ay December 29, 1881, 
having lieen a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and an active and liberal supporter 
of his denomination, assisting in organizing the 
first church of that persuasion in the township. 



590 



PORTRAIT AND EIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Politically, he was in early life a Whig, but af- 
terward became a stanch Republican. lie was 
the first and only Postmaster in Milton Township, 
and, ever anxious to assist in public improve- 
ments, helped to build the road between the city 
of Niles and his home. He entered matrimonial 
bonds four times. His first wife, Mary Simpler, 
was the mother of John M., Elizabeth C. Tittle, 
Henry P. and David T.; one child died in infancy. 
By his second wife, Elizabeth, he had two ehil- 
dicn, Mary J. Butts and Esther Griffith. The third 
wife, Deborah McKnitt, was the sister of the sec- 
ond wife, and had but one child, James M. The 
fourth wife, Sarah Lane, nee McKnitt, had no 
issue. Peter Truitt was tiie son of Langford and 
Esther A. (Shockley) Truitt, whose home was on 
a Delaware farm. The first wife of Peter Truitt 
was a daughter of Milby Simpler, a Revolutionary 
soldier of patriotic stock. 

Our subject and his estimable wife are the par- 
ents of one child, a son, Frank L., at home, born 
June 22, 188^*. Reared and educated in the lo- 
cality of their present home, Mr. and Mrs. Hanson 
enjoy the esteem and confidence of man\' friends. 



— =^^+^i 




■)HOMAS RODOERS. Agricultural life af- 
fords abundant illustration of the power of 
perseverance, and perhaps no career is more 
instructive, viewed in this light, than that of Mr. 
Rodgers, a propcrous farmer of Cass County resid- 
ing on section 31, Pokagon Township. He is of 
direct Scotch descent, his grandfather. Dr. John 
Rodgers, having been born in Scotland, whence he 
emigrated to America accompanied by his wife and 
one son. He was a skilled physician, having grad- 
uated from a medical school in his native land, 
and after coming to the United States he conducted 
a general practice in Rockbridge County, Va., un- 
til his death. He was a vvcll-infoiined man, pos- 
sessing enlarged views, enlightened mind and 
broad professional knowledge. 

In Grandfather Rodgers' family there were the 
following children: Thomas, John, William, Alrie, 



Aniel, Samuel, Andrew, Alexander and two daugh- 
ters. He and all his children witli the exception 
of Alexander were members of the Cuinherland 
Presbyterian Church and active workei-s in that 
denomination. Alexander, fatlier of our subject, 
was born in 1792, and was reared to manhood in 
Rockbridge County, Va. His school education 
was of the slenderest kind, scarcely even perfect- 
ing him in the "three R's;'" but by self-culture 
he became a well-informed man, an accurate ac- 
countant and a good penman. 

When twenty 3-eais of age, in the year 1808, 
Alexander Rodgers married Margaret Culton, and 
soon afterward, with all his earthly effects jiacked 
on two horses, he moved to Ohio and entered of 
the tiovernment a tract of land in Preble County, 
Ohio. On arriving at the place he camped the first 
night and cooked his first meal on the farm by a 
large log. It was no easy task to clear the farm 
and subdue the forest growth, but his industry and 
perseverance accomplished the desired results. 
Selling that place in 1828, accompanied by his 
wife and nine children he came to Michigan, mak- 
ing the trip with three wagons, and driving his 
sheep, hogs, cattle, one span of horses and three 
yoke of oxen in front of the wagons during the 
entire trip. 

Arriving in Cass Count}', IMr. Rodgers entered six- 
teen hundred acres of Government land, to which 
he soon added several hundred acres. A portion 
of the property was located in Berrien County, 
though the larger part was in Cass County. While 
in Ohio he ojjerated a mill and distillery, but 
throughout life made agriculture his principal busi- 
ness. In his politics, he was first a Whig and later 
a Republican. Interested in all local affairs, he 
served in several minor offices, including that of 
Township Assessor. He passed away in 1867, hav- 
ing survived his wife twenty years. Their nine 
children were as follows: Rebecca, deceased; Samuel, 
who served in the Black Hawk War and is now de- 
ceased; Alexander; John; Margaret, Mrs. Andrew 
L. Burk; Isabella, Mrs. E. Jackson; Alery, de- 
ceased; Thomas and William A. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Preble 
County, Ohio, on the 1st of January, 182.5. His 
education was sraiued in the loij schoolhouses of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



591 



Pokngfon Township an(l he remained with his par- 
ent* until he eslablisheil lils own home. At the 
time of his marriage his fatiier gave him twohun- 
(iit'd ;ui(l seventy-seven acres of unimproved land, 
wliicli he cleared thiougii his own exertions. lie 
and his relatives have probably cleared more land 
in Pokagon Township tlian any other family re- 
siding here. In 1852, Mr. Ilodgers began to clear 
seventeen acres in the woods, on the 28th of May, 
and in fourteen days he had the entire tract cleared 
and ihe trees cut down, while one-half had been 
logged and Inirned. 

The lir^t iiiairiage of Mr. Rodgers occurred in 
181.S and united him with Miss .Sarah .1., daugliter 
of Casper VAlis. Unto them were born tliree chil- 
dren : T. Corwin; Mary, the wife of (leorge Mc- 
Corniiclv, and Kosal)elle, Mrs. Arthur Hudson. Af- 
ter the death of Mrs. Sarah Rodgers, which occurred 
in 1871, our subject married Miss ]Mattie Mont- 
gonicry, an estimable lady, who is highly regarded 
in this coiiimunity. In his social connections, Mr. 
Rodgers is identilied witii the Masonic fraternity, 
being a menil)er of PoUagon Lodge No. l.'S6. Po- 
hlir:illy, he is a Re|)ublican and is interested in 
local politics, believing it to be the duty of ever^' 
citizen to aid in securing the best ollieials for posi- 
tions of trust and responsibility. 



<$ IkASIIINGTON A. SMITH, a successful and 
\jjj// representative horticulturist of Benton 
W^ Township, lierrien County, Mich., has 
l)een a constant resid(>nt of his i)resent locality for 
thirty years, and during this period of time has 
actively participated in all matters of local prog- 
ress and enterprise in his home neighhorliood. A 
thorougiily practical fruit-grower, he is consid- 
ered an authority on the culture of peaclies and has 
charge of the Town Board of •• Yellow " Commis- 
sioners of Benton Township. Our subject was 
born in Bedford, Pa., in 1824, and passed the 
days of early childhood in his birthplace. His 
fatlier and mother, .lacob and Klizabeth (Putnam) 



Smith, were born and reared in the sunny South, 
Maryland being their native State. Residing the 
first part of their married life in the Quaker .Stale, 
they later removed to Ohio, and when tlieir son 
Wasldngton was but nine j'ears old settled in Co- 
lumbiana County. In the Buckeye State, Mr. Smith 
was mainly reared, and, attending the log cabin 
district schools of his home neighborhood, re- 
ceived such training as those schools afforded. 
When grown to manhood he attended a High 
School, read law and was admitted to the Bar in 
the old Indian Council House at I'pper Sandusky, 
Ohio. 

Married at a comparatively- early age to the 
present companion of his life, Mr. Smith finally 
decided to settle permanently in the State of 
Jlichigan, and emigrated from Williams County, 
Ohio, to Benton Township, Berrien County, in 
1862. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are the oldest settlers 
of their location along the lake slun-e where 
the}' now reside. Four children, two sons and 
two daughters, have cheered the home by their 
merry presence. Edwin A., the eldest-born, is now 
a prominent resident of South Dakota; Mary is 
the wife of Frank Burdick, a leading citizen of 
Sodus, Mich.; Fanny B. and Karl A. are yet with the 
father and mother and are social favorites in the 
township. The homestead is one of the most at- 
tractive pieces of outside property in the vicinity, 
and is an abode of hospitality, a large circle of 
old-time friends and aciiuaintances meeting with a 
ready welcome within the sp,acious and substantial 
residence. 

In the s])ring of 1862, immediately after our 
subject settled on the farm, he (jlanted out an or- 
chard of peach trees, covering several acres, and 
from his earliestarrival in the State he has been con- 
nected with the horticultural interests of Berrien 
County. Mr. Smith owns fifty acres of highly 
profluctive land, all devoted to the culture of 
fruit, which crop he has handled most profitably 
during more than a quarter of a century. The 
improvements, residence and barns, have been 
erected bj' our subject, who has steadily [jrospered 
in his present dei)artment of agricultural labor, 
and has demonstrated the value of practical ex- 
perience and real adaptability to the business of 



592 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



lioi'ticulture. Politically, Mr. Smitli is a Democrat 
and gives due attention to the conduct of local 
and national affairs, and, a man of intelligence, is 
well posted in tUe current events of the day. He 
is an ardent advocate of local improvements and 
educational advancement, and is ever ready to 
lend a helping hand in behalf of imitual welfare 
and the best interests of the coninuinity by whom 
he is surrounded. A man of superior business 
ability and a liberal-spirited citizen, Washington 
A. Smith justly enjoys the contidence of all his 
fellow- townsmen. 



'f>^^<^ 




s^TEPHEN H. MARTIX is the owner and 
proprietor of one of Three Oaks' most suc- 
jj) cessful business enterprises, the general 
mercantile establishment, well known in 
the county as a prominent emporium of trade. 
Mr. Martin was born in southern Indiana on New 
Year's Day of 1844. His ancestors for several 
generations were residents of New Jersey, and his 
paternal great-grandfallier was a hero of the Rev- 
olutionary War. Grandfather Isaac Martin was 
born in New Jerse}', as was also the father of our 
subject, E. S. Martin, the latter having been 
reared in the State of his nativity. He was mar- 
ried there to Miss Rachel, the daughter of Stephen 
Harland, and after that important event he re- 
moved to Indiana, where he followed his trade of 
a shoemaker. Later he learned the trade of a 
mason, which he followed in connection with 
farming. 

In 1845 or 1846, E. S. Martin came to Michigan, 
and, locating in Berrien County, purchased a farm 
on section 22, Three Oaks Township. The land 
had been partially cleared by its former owner, a 
Mr. Paddock, and consisted of about one hundred 
•acres. The active manual labor connected with 
improving the property was done by tlie sons, 
while the father was engaged at his trade. There 
were six children in the family, of whom five are 
still living. They are: Isaac W., a fruit farmer 
residing in Riverside, Cal.; our subject; William 



A., formerly Treasurer of La Porte County, Ind., 
and now in business in the city of La Porte; Ab- 
raham F., who has a large furniture establishment 
at La Porte, the business being conducted under 
the firm name of Martin Bros.; John E., who is 
engaged in the dry-goods business at La Porte. 
Elizabeth married Marion Love, a farmer residing 
in Three Oaks. 

In 1891 Mr. Martin, Sr., removed to the city of 
La Porte, where he and his estimable wife make 
their home. They are active workers in the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church, and are people whose up- 
right characters and nobilitj' of disposition have 
endeared them to a host of acquaintances. While 
not a partisan in his political opinions, and pre- 
ferring the quiet happiness of domestic life, undis- 
turbed by the cares incident to public life, Mr. 
Martin, nevertheless, takes considerable interest in 
all matters of local and general importance and 
invariably casts his ballot and gives his influence 
on behalf of the Democratic partj'. An industri- 
ous, energetic man, he is passing the declining 
days of his useful existence amid the comforts ac- 
cumulated through years of toil. 

At the age of two y-ears our subject accompanied 
his parents to Berrien County, and grew to man- 
hood in Three Oaks Township, where he com- 
menced his studies in the district schools. For a 
short time he attended the New Carlisle Normal, 
at New Carlisle, Ind., and at the age of twenty- 
one started out in life for himself, first engaging 
in the sawmill business in Three Oaks Township 
for one year. Then, with his eldest brother, he 
came to the village of Three Oaks, where for three 
years he engaged in the grocery business. Dis- 
posing of his interest to his brother, he went to 
New Carlisle, Ind., and embarked in the hardware 
business. Thence he removed to South Haven, 
and for seven jears conducted an extensive and 
profitable trade in his mercantile establishment. 
In 1879 he came to Three Oaks and opened a gen- 
eral store, where he has a complete assortment of 
dry goods, clothing, groceries, general merchandise 
and hardware. He also conducts a first-class liv- 
ery stable and caters to the best trade in the city. 
May 20, 1869, occurred the marriage of Mr. 
Martin to Miss Irene, daughter of William H, Mc- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPIHCAL RECORD. 



593 



Daniel, a traveling" salesman of New Carlisle, Ind. 
Mrs. Martin was born in Ohio, but was quite 
yoinij,' wlicii she removed to New Carlisle and her 
('(hu-alion was received in that city. They are the 
parents of four cliildrcn: Clyde, Estella, Sherwood 
and I'aul. In politics, Mr. Martin is a stanch 
Democrat and invariably gives his support to his 
chosen party. At the present time he is serving 
as Supervisor of Three Oaks Township, of which 
position he h:is been the incumbent for three years. 
He also served as Township Treasurer for two 
years, and was a member of the Common Council 
of Three Oaks. In his social connection he is 
identitied with the Order of Maccabees. 



*^5*E 



S* 



CV, jVILLIAM II. r.ULLAUD, a successful busi- 
\/\lil "*^'** '"■'"' ''csiding in Niles, and |>romi- 
\y^ nently idenlilied with the interests of this 
city, is a native of New York and was born in 
Aul)urn, Cayuga County, April i'-i. 1812. His 
parents, Ambrose M. anti Klizabeth (Ilibaid) Bul- 
laid. were natives of I'aris, France, and emigrated 
to the L'nilcd Stales in 182.5, locating in Auburn, 
N. Y., where the father remained for a number of 
years, and in l.s,")(! went to Paw Paw, Mich., where 
he remained until the death of his vvife in 1858, 
in that place. In 18.')9 he returned to Auburn, 
N. v., wliere he remained until his death. 

The parcTital family consisted of live daughters 
and seven sons, William II. being the seventh in 
order of biith. He i)assed his boyhood days in 
.Vnluuii, where he acquired the rudiments of his 
eduealion. In I85(), when fourteen years of age, 
he came to Michigan and located at Paw Paw, 
\'an IJureu County. At the age of nineteen years 
he enlisted, on the 23d of April, 18(51, as a mem- 
ber of Company C, Seventieth New York Infan- 
try, which was assigned to the Army of the Po- 
tomac, Col. Sickles commanding the regiment. 
Our subject participated in many of the hard- 
fought engagements of the war, including the bat- 
tles of the Wilderness aud the terril)le conllict at 



Gctt3'sburg. After having served for three years, 
three months and ten days, he was honorably dis- 
charged in July, 1864. 

At the close of his military service, Mr. BuUard 
.settled in Mishawaka, Ind., and in October, 1864, 
came to Niles, where he has since resided. By 
trade a wood-turner, he followed that occupation 
here until he was chosen clerk in the postoflice at 
Niles. He served efficiently for four years and 
then resigned on account of his health. His next 
position was that of messensjer between Cleveland 
and Chicago, in the employ of the Lake Shore 
Railway Company. Afterward he embarked in 
the grocery business, and from a small beginning 
in that line has gradually increased his stock un- 
til it is now the most complete in the citj'. He 
conducts a large and profitable business and is re- 
garded as a reliable and honorable man. 

On the 28th of June, 1868, AVilliam H. Bullard 
and Miss Carrie G., daughter of Ilifif Fisher, of 
Berrien Centre, were united in marriage, and the 
union has proved one of great happiness and 
mutual helpfulness. Mr. and INIrs. P.uUard have a 
neat and comfortable home in Niles,and are promi- 
nent in the society of this place. In politics a 
Republican, fraternally he is connected with 
Berrien County Lodge No. 6, I. O. O. F., and 
the Knights of Pythias. He was instrumental in 
the organization and was a prominent member of 
Frank Graves Post No. 64, G. A. R., being a leader 
among the veterans ' of the war. His brother, 
James F;, was also a soldier in the war and assisted 
in the capture of the famous Confederate Presi- 
dent, Jefferson Davis, as well as i.i his removal to 
Washington, D. C. 



•^1 



Lh/ 



>m 



ll«^^ 



,ETER YOAK, an enterprising citizen and 
practical general agriculturist now residing 
on section 34, Benton Township. Berrien 
County, Mich., is a native of County Clare, 
Ireland, and was born May 14, 1823. His parents, 
William and Mary (I'.radley) Yoar. were engaged 
ill agricultural pursuits lu the (Jld Couiitr\ . and 



594 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



were among tlie prosperous farmers of theirnative 
land. The mother having in the mean time died, 
the father came in 1852 to America, but after so- 
journing for three years in St. Joseph, Mich., re- 
turned to Ireland. The children were seven in 
number, five sonsand two daughters. John, the eld- 
est, is a store-keeper in St. Joseph. Patrick lives in 
Bcuton Harbor; Matt is a successful agriculturist; 
Michael is a farmer of the county. Peter, our sub- 
ject, liad just attained his majority when he emi- 
grated to tlie United States and settled in St. Jo- 
seph, his home for sixteen years. October 1, 1846, 
Peter Yoar and Miss Margaret Daley were united 
in m.Trriage. Mrs. Yoar was the daughter of Pat- 
rick Daley, a native of Ireland, in which country 
the estimable wife of our subject was born, reared 
and educated, later coming to the United States. 

For a number of years Mr. Yoar profitably ran 
a sawmill, and, a long-time resident of St. Jo- 
seph, during the early days was numbered among 
the leading citizens and substantial business men 
of Berrien County. For a time our subject lived 
in Chicago, but for the past thirty 3'ears has con- 
tinued to occupy the valuable homestead, which 
he has brought up to a high state of cultivation 
and improved with an attractive residence and 
commodious barns. When with his family Mr. Yoar 
first made his home upon section 34, the humble 
dwelling wiiich sheltered the parents, sons and 
daughters was in the dense woods, which have by 
the labor of j^ears been cleared, the rich soil since 
having yielded a bounteous harvest. The hearts 
of the parents were gladdened b3' the birth of 
twelve cliildren, six of whom yet survive. Peter 
is in the employ of P. D. Armour, of Cliicago; 
Thomas is working for the Aimour Company 
of Kansas City; Matthew is living in Chicago; 
Margaret married Jones llyner. Captain of tiie 
Life Saving Station at Ludington, Mich., who, 
in courageously going to the rescue of a crew 
whose vessel was in distress, lost his life, his boat 
being suddenly capsized in a sea in which no swim- 
mer could re.ich the shore; and Jennie and Catli- 
erine are both residing in Chicago. 

At one time our subject, who has been finan- 
cially prospered, owned two hundred and forty 
acres of excellent land, but gave to his sous one 



hundred and sixty acres, reserving for his own 
use an eighty-acre tract, upon which stand the 
improvements he has from time to time ambi- 
tiously added to the fine homestead. Mr. Yoar 
opened a road from the [)ublic highway to his 
home, and is a believer in the value of local prog- 
ress. Politically, our subject is a Democrat and a 
firm supporter of the "Party of the People." He is 
interested in local and national issues, and in all 
things pertaining to public matters is a true and 
loyal citizen. Mr. and Mrs. Yoar were l)red in the 
tenets of the Catholic Church, and have brought up 
their family to a due observance of religion. The 
father and mother are regular attendants of the 
Roman Catholic Church in Benton Il.arbor, and are 
libeial contributors to the gooil work of their 
parish. 



RRIN BROWN, a successful and extensive 
horticulturist of Sodus Township, Berrien 

J^' Count}', Mich., is a man of line executive 
ability and business enterprise and ii.is during his 
entire lifetime been associated with the growth 
and history of the State. Mr. Brown was born in 
Wayne County, Mich., in September, 1836. His 
fatlier, Orrin Brown, Sr., was a native of New 
York State, wiicre he was united in marriage with 
jMiss Rhoda Weaver and with iier soon after 
emigrated to the then wilds of Michigan. The 
j'oung couple, making their home in the West in 
tliat early day, f.iced many privations, but with 
cheerful industry won their upward way, and had 
apparently a bright future before them when, [irior 
to the birtli of our subject, his father died. Orrin 
was only six months old when the bereaved widow 
with her three little sons and father removed, in 
1837, to Will County, 111. About six months after 
the family had located in their new home the 
young mother sickened and died, leaving her or- 
phaned children to the care of relatives. Norman 
E.Brown, the eldest of the brothers, is now sur- 
viving and resides in St. Joseph, Mich. 

Orrin, reared in Will County-, 111., attended the 
public schools and received a good common edu- 




Jo^/y^ ^.^.0^/^vUa — ^ 



PORTRAIT AND IJlOGRArUlCAL RECORD. 



697 



cation. As soon as lie w.as old enough ho worked 
ill lilt! cai[)CMilor"s trade with his l)roliicis until 
1863, when lie came to Sodus Townshii) and set- 
tled in his [iiesent locality." He at once engaged 
in the luniber trade and milling business, and re- 
mained in this line of occupation for five years. 
He then liought land and went into the culture of 
fruit and, being [jrospered, has since continued in 
the same branch of agriculture. Mr. Brown has 
forty-live acres in cultivation, four acres in straw- 
berries and raspberries, and he also raises enough 
grain for home consumption. Answering to the 
final call of the Government during the t'ivil War, 
our subject for a time forsook his peaceful occupa- 
tion and enlisted in the service of his country, 
entering Company E, Fourteenth Michigan In- 
fantry, in 18G4, .and remaining in constant mili- 
tary duty until the close of the war. Mr. Brown 
took i)art in the famous march of .Sherman to the 
sea and was mustered out at New York City, in 
June 1865. 

In 1858, Orrin ISrown and Frances Hamilton 
were united in marriage. Mrs. Brown was the 
daughter of Adam and Maggie Hamilton, old-time 
residents of Kankakee County, 111. Unto our 
sulijcct and his estimable wife have been born the 
following children: Elroy O., the eldest-born, mar- 
ried Miss Lottie E. Dick and is making his home 
in Cass County, Mich. Rhoda E. is the wife of 
Perry G. Pugh, and resides in Bainbridge Town- 
ship, Mich. Mr. Brown w.as a second time united 
in marriage, vvedding Miss F. Maria Butler, a lady 
of worth and intelligence. Mr. Brown is a prom- 
inent member and olficer of the Methodist Flpisco- 
pal Church. He is a Class-leader and Trustee and 
has been Steward. ^Vith his wife he is active in the 
good work of that religious organization and liber- 
ally assists in tlie promotion and extension of its in- 
lluence. Fraternally, our subject is a member of 
Cieoige H. Thomas Post No. 14, G. A. R., and much 
enjoys there-unions of the order. Politically, he is 
a stalwart Republican and has always voted that 
ticket. A true and loyal citizen and an excellent 
friend and neighbor, he commands the esteem and 
high regard of a wide circle of acquaintances. He 
has won his way unaided in life and may with 
pleasure retiect upon an industrious and useful 

2'J 



career, guided by ]iriiiciple. Left an orphan in 
infancy, he attained to a self-respecting and self- 
reliant manhood and is in the highest sense of the 
word a representative American citizen. 



^I'i^n^Mcs 



"^OHN W. DEMPSEY, a prominent |)ioneer 
settler and successful general farmer and 
stock-raiser of Berlrand Township, Berrien 
Count}', came with his parents to this State 
in very early days, and in 1838 settled in the 
woods, living in the log cabin built by his father. 
A sturdy, resolute boy of ten, he soon adapted 
himself to the privations and experiences of pio- 
neer life, and .as he attained to manhood became 
an important factor in local progress and advance- 
ment. 

Our subject was born in Allen Township, Alle- 
gany County, N. Y., July 30, 1827. His father, 
John Denipsey, was also a native of the Empire 
State, and was born in Schoharie County, July 16, 
1800, and was reared in his birthplace, and earl}' 
trained to assist in the duties of his father's farm. 
He continued in the pursuit of agriculture all his 
life. Married in his early home, he located on a 
farm in Allegany County, N. Y., and remained 
there a number of years. Finally, following the 
stream of emigration headed Westward, he, with 
his family, journeyed to Berrien County, Mich., 
and settled in tlie then wilderness, building the 
humble cabin of logs which safely sheltered him- 
self, wife and children. 

Arriving in the Stale of Michigan in 1838, .John 
Dempscj' survived fourteen years, and was an ac- 
tive participant in the wonderful changes wix)Ught 
in that time. He passed away in 1852, niourued 
as a public loss by the community among whom 
he was well known and highly regarded. The pa- 
ternal grandfather, Mark Dempsey, born in New 
York, was of Scotch-Irish descent. Three broth- 
ers, who emigrated from the Old Country and 
were soon separated after reaching the United 
States, were the founders of this branch of the 
Dempsey family in .\merica, the original Dcmp- 



598 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



se^'S having been among the early Colonists. The 
mother of our subject, Betsey (White) Dempsey, 
was born in Sclioharie County, N. Y., July 30, 
1793. She lived to be sevcnty-tliree years of age, 
and was of Scotch-Irisli-Ciernian descent. The 
parents of John W. Dempsey were blessed by the 
birth of ten children, throe daughters and seven 
sons. Tliree sons and two daughters survived to 
maturity. The three sons are now living, our 
subject being the eldest-ljorii. James E. resides in 
Dayton, Berrien County, Mich.; he lives with a 
son. Joseph M. is a well-known citizen of Benton 
Harbor. 

Mr. Dempsey was but ten years of age when, 
with liis sisters and brothers, he located in Michi- 
gan. He hud enjoyed instruction in the schools 
of his native State, but afterward attended the 
priuiitive schoolhouse of his home district, walk- 
ing through storms and sunshine, a mile or more 
each way. He assisted upon the farm until the 
death of his father, and then took full charge of 
the work of the homestead, but as others were 
able to cultivate the familj' acres, he found em- 
ployment by the month on adjoining farms, and 
aided his father long before his death with his 
hard-earned dollars. Money was not plentiful 
with the Dempseys then, and year after year the}' 
continued to make their home in the log caliin. 

July 1, 1866, John W. Dempse>' and Libbie 1\. 
Dakin were married. Mrs. Dempsey was a native of 
Ingham Township, Ingham Count}-, Mich., and was 
born in 18-18. Her father, John Dakin, was born 
in the State of New York, and found his wa}' to 
Michigan in an early day. Her mother, Amar^ilis 
(Southwortli) Dakin, was, like her husband, a na- 
tive of New York. Mr. and Mrs. Dakin were the 
parents of nine children, four daughters and five 
sons, Mrs. Dempsey being the eighth child. She 
was educated in the State of her nativity. 

Our subject located where he now resides, upon 
section 3, immediately following his wedding, and 
there, upon the old home farm endeared by many 
memories, Mr. Dempsey and his estimable wife 
have reared their family of two sons and two 
daughters. Charles H. makes his home in the 
State of Washington; Nora is the wife of Arthur 
jMiles, of South Dakota; and Zclma and John Will- 



iam are at home with their parents. The farm of 
one hundred and sixteen acres is nearly all under 
productive and profitable cultivation, and is de- 
voted to general farming and stock-raising. 

Mr. Dempsey and his family are members and 
attendants of tlie Methodist Episcopal Church in 
Buchanan Township, and are active in tlie good 
work and social entcri)rises of that denomination. 
Mr. Dempsey attiliates with the Ancient Eree & 
Accepted Masons, and is a member of the lodge 
at Buchanan. He also belongs to the Eastern Star, 
and his daughter and wife are members of the 
same order. Politically, our subject is a Demo- 
crat, and is interested in local .ind national affairs. 
By his own efforts he has overcome the ditHculties 
of early days, and now, tinancially prospered, may 
enjoy the success he has so worlhil\- won by per- 
sistent and intelligent industry. 



^ 




E. IRELAND. The occu|iali(in which 
this gentleman now follows has received 
his attention for man}' years, and it is 
but the truth to sa}' that in it he is 
thoroughly posted and well informed, and his 
labors in this direction have contributed very ma- 
terially to the leputation Cass County enjoys as a 
rich farming region. In connection with this, he 
has also been engaged in other occupations, but 
no matter what he has attempted, success has in- 
variably followed. Like many of the most suc- 
cessful farmers of this Icwalit}', he is a native of 
the State, and was born in Berrien Count}- in 184G, 
the son of Silas and Matilda (Michaels) Ireland. 

Stephen Ireland, grandfather of our subject, 
was the son of John Ireland, who was probably a 
native of Mar\'land, and whose ancestors emi- 
grated from Scotland at a period antedating the 
Revolutionaiy War. These ancestors settled in 
Maryland, and tliere Stephen first saw the light 
of day. He probably grew to manhood in that 
State, and became a farmer by occupation, but in 
connection was also engaged as a drover. When 
he had attained his majority he went to (Jhio with 



PORTRAIT AM) r.i;;(".KArin{'Ai> hixord. 



599 



his parents, and settled in Ross County, where he 

oil ti'icd ( lovi'iniiR'iit land. 'I'lioy cut llif road to 
their fariii.s and jjuilt a lo<i caliin near a large 
spring, whore they had an abundance of clear, cold 
water. lie married in (_)liio, and ten children 
wore the fruits of this union, the father of our 
subject being the eldest in order of birth. In pol- 
itics, Mr. Ireland was probalily a Democrat. 

Silas Ireland, son of the above, was born in Ross 
t'oiinty, Uhio, in 1818, and there his boyhood and 
youth were passed. The principal part of his ed- 
ucation was received by observation and self- 
stutly, for schools at that time were few and far 
between. He made surve^'ing a special stud}', and 
became quite proficient in that, lip to the age of 
twenty-one he remained with his parents, and at 
that age his father gave him a hcnse and saddle 
and ijilOO in money. Aliout 1832 he made his 
way to Michigan, and settled iu Ikrrien County, 
where he purchased eighty acres of land of Elias 
.lewell, paying *20() for the same. In order to 
make pa3'ments on the place, he grubbed at fifty 
cents per day. 

That county was the scene of his union with 
Miss Matilda Michaels, their nuptials being cele- 
brated in the year 1833. She was the daughter 
of Adam and INIary Micliacls. Immediately after 
his marriage, Mv. Ireland turned Ins attention 
strictly to his farm, and cleared it of the heavy 
timber with which it was covered. To the original 
tract he li.as added forty .acres, and since then he 
has been a dealer in real estate in Berrien and 
Cass Counties, and in Iowa and Missouri, owning 
at one time over eighteen hundred acres. Me was 
also engaged in the milling and lumber business 
to soil e extent, and had a controlling interest in 
the Benton Harbor I'low Company-, which lost 
heavily by fire. 

His marriage resulted in the birth of twelve 
children. E. M. married Miss McOill; A. F. is 
our suTiject; Almeda died at the age of seven- 
teen; Carrie is deceased; Alice, deceased, was the 
wife of Zeph bhalTer; Charles married Miss Nancy 
Kile; Libbie married L. II. I'erry; Frank married 
Miss Maggie Flewellen; Milo is next in order; 
Ilattie w.as inairied to E.S.Cameron; Roscoe died 
ftt the age of nineteen; and George is next. In 



politics, the father was a Democrat. He is a 

prominent man in his county, and was sent to the 
State Legislature in the year 1876. lie has held 
the oflice of County Surve^'or of Berrien County 
for many ^ears, as well as other positions of 
note. A director in the Citizens' Bank of Niles, 
and a stockholder in the Bank of Dowagiac, he is 
well and favorably known throughout the county. 
He makes his home on the farm he first bought f)n 
coming to this State. 

Until twenty-one years of age our subject re- 
mained under the parental roof, and received his 
education in the district schools and in the 
schools at Niles and Dowagiac. Upon attaining 
his majority he went to ^Missouri, and was en- 
gaged in selling wagons for a ^ear. After this he 
came North again, and later went to Wisconsin, 
where he worked at the car|)enter trade, having 
learned the latter in his native State. A year 
later he went to Minneapolis, Minn., and has made 
his home there the greater part of the time since, 
following his trade for the most par,t. He worked 
two seasons on the depot building for the Great 
Northern Railroad, and then, in 1884, came to 
Cass County, where he remained four 3'ears. Re- 
turning to Minneapolis, he remained there three 
years, since which time he has been a resident of 
this county. He is engaged in farming, and has 
a fine place on section 22, Silver Creek Township. 
He was married in Berrien County to Miss Louisa 
Abell, daughter of Ezra and Charlotte (Bortle) 
Abell. Three children have blessed tiiis union: 
Max, Birdie and Zoe. Socially, Mr. Ireland is a 
member of the Masonic fraternity, and politically 
he is a stanch Republican. 



H/ ENRY AUGUST WILLIAM IIELMHOLZ 
is one of the very earliest settlers of the 




vill.age of Three Oaks, having come hither 
at a period so early in the history of the 
place that there were but sixteen families located 
here. Many 3'ears have come and gone since then ; 
there have been remarkable changes and wonder- 



600 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



fill iniprdvcinL'iits, and the village is now otic of 
the most thriving in southvvestein JMitliigan. 
These hippy results have l)een secured tiirough 
the exertions of a number of public-spirited men, 
of whom Mr. Ilclmholz is one. His is one of the 
familiar faces of Three Oaks, and in liis little sliop 
he has industriously worked at his trade as a shoe- 
makir for thirty-tlve years. 

A native of Hanover, German^', the subject of 
this sketeii was born on tiie 9tii of June, 1832. 
His parents, Henry and Louisa Helmholz, were na- 
tives of German_y, and died, t!ie former when our 
subject was quite young, and the latter in 1883. 
They were the parents of a large family of 
children, four of whom survive, namely: Charles, 
who makes his home in Hamburg, Germany; Char- 
lotte, a resident of Lunel)urg, Germany; AVilliam, 
of Cincinnati; and Henry A. W., of this sketch. 
The father followed his trade of a cooper, and was 
an industrious, honorable man, whoso early death 
was deeply luouiued. 

In the schools of Dahlenburg, Hanover, Ger- 
many, the subject of this sketch received an excel- 
lent education, litting him for life's active duties. 
He served an aiiprenticeship of four years at the 
shoemaker's trade, after which he worked as a 
"jour" for six 3ears, traveling from place to place 
and engaging in mending shoes. On the 16tli of 
November, 1857, he left his native land and took 
passage on a vessel bound for America. Arriving 
in this countr}', he proceeded directly to Chicago. 
Thence lie went to Michigan Cit_v, Ind., and from 
that place, after a sojourn of two months, he came 
to Three Oaks, and for two years traveled through 
the surrounding country, following his trade. In 
1858 he opened a shop, where he has since engaged 
in business. 

On the 12tli of -January, 1862, Mr. Helmholz 
was united in marriage with Miss Frederica, 
daughter of Tobias Henzler. Mrs. Helmholz was 
born in Wittenberg, Germany, and emigrated to 
the United States about 1852. She became the 
mother of six children, of whom five are now 
living, viz.: Lottie, who is the wife of Mathew 
Mauser, a farmer residing in Three Oaks; Lena, 
the wife of AVilliam Waltz, a harness-maker resid- 
ing in Three Oaks; Amelia, a clerk in the post-of- 



fice at Tliree Oaks; William, a book-keeper, who 
resides with his parents; and Charles, a clerk in 
the store of .Jaines L. McKee. 

Ever since l)econiing a citizen of the United 
States, Mr. Ilclmholz has cast his ballot in favor of 
the candidates and princi|>les of the Uepublican 
party. He is identified with the German Work- 
ingmen's Society. Himself and wife, with all 
their children, are active members of the German 
Lutheran Church, toward the suiiport of which 
they contribute regularly and generously. At 
the time of emigrating to this country, Mr. 
Helmholz was very poor, with scarcely any of this 
world's goods to call his own, and all that he now 
has he acquired through industry and economy. 



farmer 
residing on section 30, La Grange Town- 
\\l ship, Cass County, was born in Cassopolis, 
^^'tliis county, in 1840, and is the son of 
William G. and Harriet A. (Sifert) Wiley. The 
paternal graiuUather of our subject, .lolin P.. Wiley, 
was horn in the North of Ireland, and at the age 
of eighteen ran awa}' from home, in coiuiuiny with 
his brother Robert. Emigrating to America, he 
located in New York City, and for a short time 
followed a seafaring life. In New York he mar- 
ried Miss Hannah Prior, who was born in thatcit}- 
and was of Dutch descent. 

Soon after his marriage Grandfather Wiley re- 
moved to New Jersey, and from there i)roceedcd 
to Erie, Pa., where he followed the trade of a 
cooper. Subsequently he removed to Ohio, and 
from that State came to ^Michigan, settling in 
Cassopolis about 1835. Here he followed his trade 
until his death. Politically, he was a Democrat, 
firm in his adherence to the party of his choice. 
He served in the War of 1812, and participated in 
the capture of Black Kock. His family included 
the following-named children: James, Robert, 
William (father of our suliject), Joanna M., Char- 
lotte, HaiiiKih and Sarah. His wife, and the 



POfiTRAlT AND BlOGIiAl'HICAL RECORD. 



GOl 



motlier of these cliildi'cii, survived for many j'ears, 
passing' away at tlie advanced age of eighty-four. 

William (i. Wiley was l)oin in New York City, 
in ISIG.and hecanie self-supiioiting; upon reaching 
his majority. He learned the cooper's trade, which 
he followed prior to his removal to Michigan. He 
married, in Cass County, Harriet A., dijughter of 
Lemuel and Elizabeth (Gambol) Sifert, the father 
born in 1711 1. The maternal grandfather, Peter 
Sifert, was born in Ireland, in 1758, and emigrated 
to America when a young man, participating in 
the Revolutionary War. After his marriage, Mr. 
Wiley, Sr., followed his trade a number of years 
in Wayne Township, and in 18o4 came to the 
farm now owned by our subject. Here he purchased 
two hundred acres, and upon the home there 
established remained until his demise, at the age 
of forty-nine, in 1 8(i."). His wife is still living, and 
h.as reached the advanced .age of seventy years. 
They were both devoted members of the Christian 
Church, and were held in high regai'd by all who 
knew them. Politicallj-, he was a Democrat, and 
in his social connections was identified with the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows at C.assopolis, 
and the Masonic fraternity at the same place. A 
man of prominence in the community, he was often 
called to pusitious of trust, and occu|)ied a num- 
ber of local township otlices. 

In the parental family theie wore five children, 
one of whom died m childhood. The others are: 
Robert H., of this sketch; Emily, the wife of Will- 
iam II. Ilain; iMary E.,IMrs. Marcus I). Mealov; and 
.Iohn,wlio rcsidesin Wexford County. IMicli. Mary 
is deceased. The subject of this sketch reiiiniupd 
at home until he was twenty-two year> old, mean- 
while receiving a common-school education in the 
home neighboi hin)d and at Nilo. For a time he 
followed farming pursuits on a [)ortion of his 
father's farm, but in l,s(!l went tf) California, where 
for eighteen niontlis lie was vaiiousl\ occupied. 
I'pon the death f)f his fatliei, he retuincd lionie to 
.assume the management of the estate. 

The marriage of Mr. Wiley took i)lace in 1S(;7, 
and united him with r>iua C. daughter of Hrigg 
W. and Paulina (Norton) Hill. Mrs. Wiley was 
bom ill Detroit. Mich., in ISM. and by her mar- 
riage lias had tliiee eliildien, two of whom died in 



infancy. The only surviving child is llattie. 
While a Democrat in his political opinions, Mr. 
Wiley is very liberal in his views. For eleven 
years he served as Supervisor of his township, and 
he has occupied other responsible positions. He is 
a man who maintains a deep interest in all matters 
of public interest and importance, and as a citizen 
is public-spirited and enteri)rising. As the result 
of Ids energy' and perseverance, he has increased 
the value of his father's estate, and is now the 
owner of two hundred and forty .acres of laud, of 
which one hundred and sixty are tillable. His 
farm is one of the best in the township, and con- 
tains all the improvements to be found upon a 
first-class place. 



^<^^ 



y(;ILLlAM HASLETT, deceased, who was 
for over two-score years a prosperous 
^^ representative general agriculturist and 
successful stock-raiser of Bertrand Township, 
Berrien C()unt3-, Mich., during his long career of 
usefulness held many important positions of trust, 
and was mourned as a public loss when, June 1 1, 
1889, he passed to his rest. For \'ears he had served 
acceptably .as Supervisor of the township, and as 
Secretary of the Farmers' Mutual Insurance Com- 
pany discharged his duties with fidelity, and estab- 
lished a large ae(piaintancc throughout the county. 
Honored for his sterling integrity of character, his 
memory will long be preserved in the hearts of 
many old friends tried and true. Our subject was 
born in Columbia County, Pa., March 22, 1820. 
His father, .John llaslett, was of English descent, as 
was likewise the mother, Lctilia Duiilap, and both 
the parents were Penn.sylvanians by birth. Mr. 
Haslett went to Indiana with his parent.'* in 1837, 
aiid was among the pioneers of St. .losepli County. 
He gained his education in his native State, and 
so<m after arriving in his new home began life for 
himself, lie was married in Si. .losepli County, 
July 21,1817, to Miss Maiy E. Best, and in tlie 
following November located on the farm where 
Mrs. Haslett now resides. 



602 



PORTRAIT AXD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Mr. Haslett was in political affiliation a Demo- 
crat and was elected b_\' that party to the office of 
Sapervisor, which twe held with marked ctficieney 
so many terms. He was a prominent member of 
the lodge of Ancient Free Jr Accepted Masons in 
Buchanan Township. Our subject was interred by 
the Masons at the Howe Cemetery, a large circle of 
acquaintances following his remains to their last 
resting-place. A kind friend and public-spirited 
citizen, his helping hand was ever extended to 
assist others in their hour of need. Mrs. Mary 
Ellen (Best) Haslett was bom In AVhite Deer 
Township. Union County. Pa.. September S. 1828. 
Her father. William Best, was a native of New 
Jersey, and was born in Sussex County, in March 
1800. Immediately after his marriage he removed 
with his wife to Union County, Pa., and several 
years later emigrated to Indiana, settling in St. 
Joseph County in 1S41 He loc-aled near Granger, 
Ind., on a farm, and died there October 12, 1844. 

The mother of Mrs. Haslett, Rachel McAfee, was 
born in the Quaker State August 22, 180.5. and 
died in Pennsylvania in early womanhood. Feb- 
rnary 3. 1831. The maternal grandfather, .James 
McAfee, was of Irish descent, and is supposed to 
have been bom in the Old Country. The father 
and mother of Mrs. Haslett were the parents of 
three children, two daughters and one son. The 
father, twice married, had b_v his second wife two 
daughters and two sons. Mrs. Haslett, who was 
the eldest child, is now the only survivor of the 
sons and daughters who gathered in the home of 
her father. She removed with her father and 
step-mother to Indiana in 1841. and there com- 
pleted her education. 

Our subject and his estimable widow were 
blessed by the birth of seven sons, two of whom 
died in infancy. The five surviving are manly and 
intelligent young men, worthily performing their 
allotted duties in life, and occupy social and busi- 
ness positions of usefulness. James D. is a resi- 
dent of Chikaming Township. Berrien County. 
Mich. Robert N. assists his mother in the man- 
agement of the productive home farm. John A. 
also assists at home. William B. makes his home 
in Bertrand Township on a farm of his own. 
Charles L. lives in Chesterton. Porter Countv.Ind. 



Andrew D. died when six months old. An infant 
died unnamed: those deceased were the second and 
third sons. The children were all born on the old 
homestead, which contains two hundred and two 
finely cultivated acres, forty acres situated in 
Chikaming Township. Mrs. Haslett is a member 
of the Eastern Star. A woman of resolution and 
excellent judgment, she conducts her various busi- 
ness interests with ability, and i? highly regarded 
bv her many friends and numerous acquaintant'es 
of the eountv of Berrien. 




-'■^ 



BRA3I YATES. For more than thirty 
years this gentleman has conducted agri- 
cultural pursuits upon his farm in Berrien 
County, and has a host of warm personal 
friends among the people of his community. His 
farm consists of three hundred and ten acres and 
is pleasantly located on sections 1. 2. 11 and 12 
Watervliet Township. At the time of locating 
here, in 1859, he purchased only seventy acres, 
but as time passed by and as his exertions were re- 
warded with success, he was enabled to add to his 
landed possessions until they aggregate the amount 
above named. He has cleared and cultivated 
about seventy acres of tlie property, and has erected 
a number of first-class farm buildings, adapted to 
their various purposes and considerably enhancing 
the value of the plac-e. 

The son of Abram and Elizabeth (Devoe) Yates, 
the subject of this notice was born in the village 
of Schaghticoke. Rensselaer County. N. Y., October 
3, 1825. He traces his ancestry to Holland, whence 
members of the family emigrated to the United 
States in an early day. Great-grandfather Peter 
Yates was a Colonel in the Revolutionary AVar and 
afterward settled where the grandfather, father of 
our subject and our subject himself were all born. 
Jacob Yates was born in Rensselaer County. N. Y.. 
and married there, becoming the father of six chil- 
dren: Peter. Cornelius, Christopher, Abram, Maria 
and :>arah. 

The father of our subject spent his entire life 



PORTRAIT AKD BIOGRAPIIK AL RF.rORD. 



nn:i 



upon the farm wlicre \\v «:i.s horn. He died in 
1837. at tlie c-arly as^e of tliirty-ninc, leaving his 
widow and eight children: .Maria; John; Jacob, 
deceased: William, who died in Montcalm Count}-, 
Midi.: Abram; Heiirv. of Rt)chesler, N. Y.; xVu- 
gustus. who also resides in Rochester; and Charles. 
Our subject's mother was a second time married, 
becoming the wife of Christopher Yates, and they 
became the parents of one daughter. Sarah, a resi- 
dent of New Jei-sey. 

After coni[>leting his schooling, at the age of fif- 
teen our subject began to make his own way in 
the world, and for ten yeai-s worked in the employ 
of others. Later he resided for five years in Mon- 
roe County. N. Y. In A|)ril. 18.j4. he c^ame to 
Michigan and located near Hartford, where he 
purclisised eighty .acres, and resided there a number 
of years, engaging in it« improvement and culti- 
vation. As above stated, he came to his present 
farm in lt<.5'.> and has since made his home here. 
He h.as .accumulated a large amount of this world's 
goods through his industrious efforts and excel- 
lent management, and is entitled to a foremost po- 
sition among the agriculturists of the county. In 
former yeai-s he affiliated with the Whigs, and now 
gives his sui)|)ort to the Democratic party. .So- 
cially, he takes considerable interest in the Ma- 
sonic fraternity, of which he is an active member. 

The lady who became the wifeof our subject on 
the ItUh of Februarv. I.s.j4. bore the m.aiden 
name of Kliza M. AVooden. and was born in Chili, 
Monrw County, X. Y., on Christmas Day, 1834. 
Her father, .lames Wooden, was born in Geneva 
County. N. Y..in December, 1801: and her mother. 
Sophia (Heaman) Wooden, w.os born in Windsor 
County, Vt., being the daughter of Joshua Bcaman, 
a native of .Massachusetts, who ditd in Franklin 
County. N. Y. James Wooden engaged in agri- 
cultural pursuits in Monroe County. X. Y.. where 
his death «>ccurred on the 12lh of Xovemlier, 1890. 
He was twice married, his first union being with 
EliEa Oates. Of his second marri.age ten children, 
eight living, were lK>rn: Kliza. Julia. Emily. Lod- 
awick. .Matilda, I^aura. Charles and Lorett^j. The 
mother of these children died March 29, 1880. 

The paternal grandfather of Mi-s. Yates was 
A\ illiam Wixidon. who was horn in Nowlniri;. X.Y.. 



April 1. 17^0. ill;; wile. Narah Widncr. :il the age 
of sixteen came to Senaca. Ontario County, X. Y. 
They settled in Chili, X. Y., where Grandfather 
Wooden passed aw.ay. They were the parents of 
four sons and nine daughters. The paternal great- 
grandfather, James Wooden, w.as a native of Eng- 
land and the first representative of the family in 
the United States. One of Mrs. Yates' brothers, 
Fernando C. Wooden, enlisted in the I'nion army, 
becoming a member of Company B. Thirty-fifth 
Iowa Infantry, and died at Cairo, III., while in 
active service. Lodawick. another brother, enlisted 
from Rochester, X. Y. He was a sharpshooter and 
lost his legs in the service. Unto Mr. and Mrs. 
Yates were born five children, of whom three are 
living: Edson A.. Charles D. and Edith M. The 
othei-s died in infancy. 




ilLLIAM COXLEY. Ohio has contributed 
f to Michigan many estimable citizens, but 
\^^ she h.as contributed none more worthy of 
respect and esteem than William Conley, who is 
classed among the prominent and wealtiiy agri- 
culturists of Cass County. lie w.as Ixirn in Stark 
County, Ohio, in the part that is now Summit 
County, March 3. 1822. and w.as next to the eld- 
est of a fauiily of nine children, four sons and 
five daughters, born to William and Elizabeth 
(Williams) Conley. 

William Conley, Sr., was a native of the Old 
Dominion, born near H.agerstown, and w.as the son 
of Eli Conley. who was born in London. England, 
but who came to America when quite young. The 
latter settled in Virginia and followed the occupa- 
tion of a farmer up to the time of his death. He 
w.as a man of moderate means. AVilliam Con- 
ley, .Sr.. was a shoemaker by trade in early life, 
and was a soldier in the War of 1812. After 
moving to Stark County, Ohio, he entered a small 
tract of land, on which he lived until liis death in 
IH'M). His wife was a native of the Keystone 
St-ite ninl was the daughter <>r (Jeorire Williams, 



604 



POxtTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



who was a Pen-nsylvania Dutchman. Early in life, 
Mrs. Conley was taken by her jiarents to Stark 
County, Ohio, and there her father took \ip land 
from the Government. There both her parents 
passed the remainder of their days. 

The mother of our subject died in Elkhart 
County, Ind., in the yeat 1887. She had re- 
moved there in the year 1850 to live with one of 
her sons. Of her ciiildrcn, James died wlien small; 
Delila married D. H. Norton, a prominent phy- 
sician of South Bend, Ind., and died there in 
March, 1891, leaving two children, a boy and a 
girl; George is a farmer in p]lkhart County, Ind.; 
Eliza Jane married Samuel Williams, a farmer, and 
they went to Illinois, where she now resides, her 
husband having died there; Eli resides in F^lkhart, 
Ind., and has made a fortune in the real-estate 
business; Caroline married Fred Shaffer, who re- 
sides at Elkhart, and who has been in the employ 
of the railroad company for thirty years; Jeremiah 
married Anna Miller, and died at Elkhart about 
1873, leaving two children, a boy and a girl. 

Owing to the death of his father when our sub- 
ject was but fourteen years of age, the latter re- 
ceived very little schooling, for the support of the 
famil3' fell upon his shoulders. Even at that early 
age he showed much good sense and judgment in 
his manner of doing vvork, and has ever been con- 
sidered a man of more than ordinaiy abilit}-. He 
took up his father's trade, that of shoemaker, and 
for years afterwards he contributed out of his 
small earnings to the support of the family. 

In 1844, he married Miss Caroline Menser, who 
was born in Lancaster Count}', Pa., August 9, 
1821, and is the daughter of Conrad Menser. The 
latter was born in Lancaster County, Pa., and 
early in life emigrated to Stark County-, Ohio, 
where he became a prominent farmer, accumulat- 
ing quite a fortune. He died there in 1883. Mrs. 
Conley received a fair education in the German 
language, and from her Mr. Conley learned to 
read, write and speak that language. He contin- 
ued to work at the shoemaker's trade for eleven 
years, after which he was engaged in other busi- 
ness enterprises for some time. In 1856, he went 
to Indiana, and with ^450 which he had managed 
to save from the time of his father's death, he 



bought a team and other necessary things, and 
went to work on forty acres of land that he had 
gone in debt for. 

This proved to be the turning-point in his life, 
for he soon paid for his land, sold it later at a 
good price, and in 1865 came to Cass County, 
Mich., where he bought one hundred and sixty 
acres of land in Mason Township. He ran in debt 
for this farm, but later paid this off, erected good 
buildings on it, and made manj' other improve- 
ments. Since then he has purchased two other 
farms, paid for them, and is now considered one 
of the wealthiest farmers in Mason Township. 
The greater part of his property is the result of 
great industry and perseverance on his part, and 
he has every reason to be proud of his success. 

Nine children have been the result of the mar- 
riage of our subject, two of whom died 3'oung. 
Susan married Isaac Moser, one of the wealthy 
men of Mason Township; William H. is a resident 
of Benton Harlior, Mich.; Uriace resides on one of 
his father's farms; Rohan na married Peter Hunt, 
a farmer of Adams County, Neb.; Eliza Jane mar- 
ried A. P. Boyer, a prominent inventor; Fiances 
resides with her parents; and Elizabeth married 
Frank Butler, and resides on one of Mr. Conley's 
farms. In politics, Mr. Conley has ever been a 
stanch Republican, but came from an old-line Dem- 
ocratic family. In fact, he is the only Republican 
in the family. He has never as|)ired to otlice and 
has never accepted one. 



3^^ 



1 OBERT SPINK, proprietor of one of thi; 
popular summer resorts of Berrien County 
[i \\\ and owner of a line fruit farm on section 
^S) 25, St. Joseph Township, was born in Jef- 
ferson County, N. Y., February 2, 1832. His fa- 
ther, Samuel Spink, was born in Jefferson County, 
and there was united in marriage with Miss Ada 
Consaul, whose father was a hero of the Revolu- 
tionary War, and lost a limb in that memor- 
able struggle, being afterward a pensioner of the 
Government. In 1844 the parents of our subject 



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rORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



007 



rcmovoci Westwunl to Ohio, loofttinn; in Lucas 
County, unci after a residence of two years there 
came to Michigan, in 184G. 

Purchasing land in Kainhridge Township, Ber- 
rien County, the senior Mr. Spink devoted his at- 
tention to clearing llie place and developing a 
fertile farm. After havinir resided tliere for tliree 
years, he sukl tlie proiierty and [)ureiiased tliefarm 
in St. Joseph Township wliich is the present home 
of our subject. At llic time of its purchase tlic 
farm contained few improvements, and Mv. Spink 
devoted liis attention unwcariedly and closelj' to 
its cultivation until his death. He and his wife 
were the parents of seven children, all of whom 
grew to manhood and womanhood. The surviv- 
ors at the present time (IHil.'i) are: Elijah, a vet- 
eran of the Civil War and a resident of Benton 
Township; .Tolin, who also makes his home in 
Benton Township; and Robert, of this sketch. 
Tiie father was a devout member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church and a man of indomitable en- 
ergy and force of character. 

At the age of fourteen years, Robert accom- 
panied his parents to Michigan, but remained here 
only three years, when, his youthful ardor being 
inllamed by stories of the wonderful discovery of 
gold in the far West, he made the overland trip 
across the country with an ox-team, and in 1849 
reached his destination, the Golden State. He re- 
mained on tlie Pacilic Coast for nine years and 
two months, meantime engaging in mining, team- 
ing and the mercantile business with varying suc- 
cess. Upon his return to Berrien County he pur- 
chased a portion of the old homestead in St. .loseph 
Township, and here he has made his home ever 
since. 

In 18()1 occurred the marriage of Robert Spink 
to Miss Miranda, daughter of Elnathan Phelps, a 
native of Canada. Mr. Phelps was a fine mill- 
wright and mechanic. He resided in Chicago 
thirteen 3'ears, and while there placed the ma- 
cliineiy in a number of tlie best Houring-mills. 
Mr. Spink and his estimable wife have had a fam- 
ily of si.\ children, of whom four are now living, 
namely: Netta, the wife of Patrick McGill, and a- 
resident of Florida; Edna, who married Rufus 
Lass, a printer residing in Chicago; Ilattie and 



Flora, who reside with their parents. The other 
children died in infancy. In his jjolitical belief, 
Mr. Spink is a Democrat, and he li.as served as 
Highway Commissioner of .St. Jose|)h Townshij). 

On section 25, Mr. Spink is the owner of sixty- 
eight acres, including Spink's Island, and of that 
tract thirty-one acres are set out in fruit, a spec- 
ialty being made of ])lums and peaches. The fam- 
ily residence is an attractive abode, occupying a 
fine location on Spring Bluff Avenue and fitted 
up as a summer resort. Here may be louiid all 
the modern conveniences and everything that 
will enhance the happiness of those who, unable 
to endure the heat of the cities, seek this cool and 
lovely retreat near the lake shore. Tin; residence 
is a commodious one, having accommodations for 
eighty guests at one time. Near the house fine 
bathing-places have been fitted up, and boats are 
kept on the river for the convenience of the visi- 
tors, while the toboggan slide furnishes amuse- 
ment for both old and young. 



<JI "IfelLLIAM H. MILLER, a practical agricul- 
\/iJ// *'"'''*'*' extensive stock-raiser and promi- 
^^^ nent citizen of Berrien County, Mich., is 
pleasantly located upon an extensive and valu- 
able homestead, a part of section 29, Berrien 
Township. Born in Preble County, Ohio, No- 
vember 21, 1837, our subject was the son of Henry 
and Nancy (Simpson) Miller. The father, like his 
son, was a native of Ohio, but the grandfather, 
David Miller, was born in Kentuck3' and was a 
soldier in the Revolutionary AVar. The mother, a 
native of Maryland, was the daughter of Walter 
Simpson. Married in Montgomery County, Ohio, 
the parents subsequently removed to Preble Coun- 
ty, where the father died in 1849; the mother, sur- 
viving her husband's death thirty-nine years, 
p.assed away in 1888. Eight children blessed the 
old Ohio home, four of whom are yet living. Eli- 
zabeth Lybrook resides in Cass County*, Mich.; E. 
D. lives in Chicago; James M. is a citizen of Law- 
rence. Kan.; and our subject. William H., com- 



608 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



pletes the list. The parents were members of the 
United Bretliren Church, and the father was es- 
pecially active in religious work. Politically, 
Henry Miller was an old-line Whig. Until he was 
eleven years of age, our subject remained in Win- 
chester. Ohio, where he attended the district 
school, receiving primary instruction. 

In 1849, William H., with his mother and fam- 
ily, removed to Michigan and settled upon a par- 
tially improved farm, where our subject worked 
steadily until the breaking out of the Civil War. 
In the fall of 1861, Mr. Miller enlisted in Com- 
pany I, Twelfth Michigan Infantry, and at the or- 
ganization of the company was elected Sergeant. 
Immediately forwarded to the front, the regiment 
participated in the battle of Pittsburg Landing 
and was under Gen. Prentiss in both days at .Shi- 
loh. Although so many of the troops and Gen. 
Prentiss were captured, our subject was among 
the fortunate few who escaped, and the next morn- 
ing, when the troops were re-organized, he re- 
mained there on duty under Gen. Logan. During 
the months of .June and July, he took an active 
part in the battles at .Jackson, Tenn., and in Au- 
gust was at the engagement in Bolivar, Tenn. 
Upon September 2, Mr. Miller served on picket 
duty near the battlefield of luka, and upon Oc- 
tober 5 was present at the battle of Metaniora. In 
ihe mean time our subject was promoted to tlie po- 
sition of Orderly-Sergeant. Ma}' 31, 1863, he was 
among others detailed to guard the Mississippi 
Central Railroad from Hickory Valley to near 
Bolivar, the command afterward engaging in the 
battle of Middleburg, Tenn., with Van Dorm's 
rebel cavalry. Mr. Miller was later with (irant 
at Vicksburg, where the forces opposed Gen. .Joe 
Johnston, and was in the fight at Helena, and 
assisted in the capture of Little Rock, Ark. Con- 
stantly surrounded b}' danger, he escaped as if b}' 
a miracle both wounds and capture. 

During the winter of 1863-64, our subject re- 
enlisted as a veteran at little Rock, Ark., and Jan- 
uary 14 left home on a thirty-days furlough. 
February 20, returning to the front, he took 
part under Gen. Steele in the battle of Pine Bluff, 
and with the command w.as on his way to the re- 
lief of Gen. Banks at Red River, but the troops 



were ordered back. March 23, 1864, Mr. Miller 
was promoted to be First Lieutenant of Company 
I. September 4, he accompanied the raid up the 
White River and participated in the fight of Greg- 
ory's Landing, and also took part in the battle 
of McDowell's Bluff, and upon August 26 was in 
a fight at Clarendon. He was in command of his 
camp at Buttermilk Station, guarding the railroad, 
and constantly engaged in skirraislies and sorties 
until May, 1865, wlien he resigned and was mus- 
tered out after an active service of three years 
and seven months. After receiving his commis- 
sion, our subject, being in command of the camp, 
was constantly on duty, and, .asliefore stated, was 
never wounded or captured, but his cartridge 
box was once struck with grape sliot. After his 
military service ended, Mr. Miller returned to the 
farm. 

Upon June 25, 1865, William H. Miller and 
Miss Eva Johnson were united in marriage and 
received the hearty best wishes of many friends. 
Mrs. Miller is the daughter of John Johnson, Sr., 
of Berrien Township, and, born October 21, 1840, 
within the limits of the township, she has spent 
her entire life in the near locality of her present 
home, where she enjoys the esteem of a host of 
friends. Our subject and his wife were the par- 
ents of two cliildren. Josephine, married to K(nal 
Morris, resides in Niles Township, and has one 
child, a daughter, Eva; Fred died in infancy. .Mr. 
and Mrs. Miller occupy the old homestead of oiu' 
hundred and twelve acres, of which one bundled 
and five are highly cultivated .and improved wlili 
an attractive residence and commodious barns. 
Mr. Miller devotes himself exclusively and profit- 
ably to mixed farming, raising grain and live 
stock, and for the past number of years breeding 
Shropshire sheep of a high grade. In religious af- 
filiation, our subject is a member and Class-leader 
of the United Brethren Church. He takes an 
active interest in educational advancement and 
has been a School Director of this district and a 
school officer for many .years. His daughter re- 
ceived excellent advantages for instruction and is 
qualified to teach. PVaternally, Mr. Miller is con- 
nected with the Ancient Order of United Work- 
men at Berrien Springs, and has held all the offices 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



find 



of tlie order. He is .also .a mcmlier of Po&t No. 39, 
G. A. U., Horriei) Sprin<rs, of wliicli lie is Presiding 
Adjutant; lie has been Commander and has received 
all the ofHces. He is .tIso a member of the select 
Knights of the Ancient Order of United Woodmen 
at Xilcs, and has been Lieutenant-Commander of 
the order. He is connected with the Grange, of 
which he luas been M.istcr, and has likewise atliliated 
with the Agricultural Society at Niles, and is also 
connected with one at Berrien S|, rings, of which 
he was .Secretary. Politically, our subject is a 
stalwart Republican, and h,as with ability dis- 
charged the duties of Township Treasurer. Tak- 
ing a deep interest in matters of local enterjirise 
and progress, IMr. Miller is aclivel^- in accord 
with efforts tending to advance the public wel- 
fare, and is esteemed \>y all who know him as a 
hbiTal-spiritcd citizen. 



'fl'OHN W. BKDFORI), a representative gen - 
eial agriculturist and an iiithicntial citizen 
of Pipestone Townsliip, section 24, Ber- 
rien County, Mich., is a native of the State, 
and was born upon the old homestead in Silver 
Creek Townsliip, Cass County, May 24, 1846. His 
father, George Bedford, was one of the early pio- 
neers of the county, but w.as a native of Lincoln- 
sliire, Kngland. The mother, Ann (Smith) Bed- 
ford, also t)f Lincolnshire, was educated and mar- 
ried in her native land, and together the husband 
and wife came to America in 1835. Mr. Bedford 
farmed at first in .Syracuse, N. Y., remaining there 
six years. Li 1841, with his wife and family, he 
removed to Michigan and settled in October in 
Silver Creek Township, Cass County, and entered 
wild land from the Government, cultivating forty 
acres, and making his permanent home thereon. 
Prospering, he added to his original homestead 
until he owned three hundred and sixty acres of 
valuable land, two hundred and sixty of which are 
under a high state of eultivation, and finely im- 
proved with excellent buildings. The father was 



a well-read man, and, a Democrat in politics, gave 
earnest attention to the issues of the day, but 
never was an oflice-seeker. He was interested in 
educational uiatteis, was an active member of 
the School Board, and gave his children the best 
possible opportunities for an education. Essen- 
tially a self-made man, he was liberal-spirited, and 
deeply- mourned when he passed to his rest. For 
many years he was an active and valued member 
of the Jlethodist Episcopal Church. 

The following obituary discourse was delivered 
by the Rev. G. C. Elliott: "George Bedford was 
born in Lincolnshire, England, December 14, 1813. 
He emigrated to this country in 1835, and came 
to Michigan when all was new, wild and strange, 
settling in the place which he so thoroughly cleared 
and cultivated and made his home. He was one 
of the pioneers of the State, and was contemporary 
with its development and its later growtii. While 
industriously making his farm and home, he was 
unconsciously making for himself a name and 
character that are to-day known and read of all 
men. He was a man of great indvistrj' and strict 
economy, consequently he succeeded admirably in 
the affairs of this life. He was a man of un- 
doubted integrity and more than ordinary busi- 
ness capacity, and commanded the esteem of all 
who knew him. He was of a strong and comely 
nature, and it was his aim and delight, while he was 
thorough and [iractical in all his improvements, 
buildings and surroundings, to make them harmon- 
ize with his own taste and that of his family. In 
doing this he stamped his individualitj' on every- 
thing alxiiit liini, so that in the years to come the 
passer-by will instinctively exclaim, 'This is the old 
Bedford estate, and no other owner can for years 
change the title.' 

"On the eve of George Bedford 's departure from 
the Old Country, he was married to Miss Ann 
Smith, December 15, 1835. Here lliey made their 
home; here their children were born and family 
reared, and those that have gone before died here, 
and it is proper and right that here they should 
be buried. Brother Bedford was a true, faithful 
husband, a kind, devoted father, respected, hon- 
ored and beloved, and has left a name and char- 
acter for which his children will revere his mem- 



GIO 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ory. At the age of about thirl._y j'ears, our friend 
and brother embraced religitm and bec.imea mem- 
ber of the church, and in liis long life he never 
faltered in his loyalt\' to Christ, and died in the 
faith of the Gospel. As we knew him, he was thor- 
oughly domestic in his tastes and liabits, loving 
his family-, and choosing to spend his time in their 
society, respecting his neighbors, and above all 
revering God. And thus we bid farewell to one 
who was known for sterling integrity, kindly be- 
nevolence, and all those attributes that make a 
noble manhood." 

Plight children blessed tiic parents" home, seven 
now surviving. George E. lives in the old home 
in Silver Creek Township, and is single; Harriet 
L., wife of J. B. Williams, resides in southern Mis- 
souri, and is the mother of two children, George 
and Reuben; INIaria A., wife of Gilbert Conklin, 
is a resident of Silver Creek Township, and lias 
three children, William G. B., Liiid.i and Alice; 
.lohn W., our subject, was the foiiith child; Martha 
A., wife of George W. Hawks, makes her home in 
Iowa, and is the mother of three children, Vena, 
Verna and Alice; Alice I., wife of Charles Conk- 
lin, resides at Big Indian Lake, and has two chil- 
dren, Ethel and Paul; Kdith, wife of IMichael S. 
Garrett lives al Dowagiac, and is the mother of 
two little ones, (iraceand abab3'; and .Jane K., de- 
ceased, was the wife of .John N. Hawks, and left 
two children, Guy W. and Earl B. .lohn W. Bed- 
ford grew up to manhood on the farm of his fa- 
ther, and first, having attended the district school 
of the neighborhood, aflerward enjoyed the bene- 
fit of a course of instruction in the High School of 
Dow.agiac, and later completed his studies in Al- 
bion College. Returning home, he remained with 
his parents until twent\-three years of age. En- 
ergetic and self-reliant by nature, he successfully 
taught school in Cass County. 

In October, 1869, our subject was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Rozilla Walter, daughter of Jo- 
seph and Rebecca (Dewey) Waller, who were 
among the early residents of Cass County. Giand- 
fatlier Dewe}- was a settler in the eastern jjart of 
Pokagon Township, and was one of the pioneers 
of 1836. The parents of Mrs. Bedford were mar- 
ried in Cass County, and settled in Pipestone 



Township, where they made their permanent 
home. The father is now deceased. Tlie mother 
still survives. They were the parents of two chil- 
dren: Mrs. Bedford; and Alice, wife of Lucien E. 
Wood, who lives in Suramerville, and has two 
children, Walter and Floyd. The paternal grand- 
father of jMrs. Bedford, Peter Walter, served with 
courage in the War of 1812. The parents, Mr. 
and Mrs. Joseph Walter, were members of the 
church, and highly esteemed b}' all who knew 
them. The estimable wife of our subject was edu- 
cated in the home schools of Cass County, and is 
a lady of bright intelligence. Immediately fol- 
lowing their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Bedford made 
their home where they now reside. Mr. Bedford 
owns four hundred acres of fine land, all in one 
body, with the exception of forty acres. Two 
hundred and fifteen acres are under a high state 
of cultivation. A general agriculturist, our sub- 
ject also owns some very good stock, handling 
only the liest, which he raises exclusively for llie 
market. 

The attractive residence, remodeled, is comfort- 
able .and commodious, and the large barn, built 
eighteen years ago, is one hundred feet front, and 
from thirty-six to forty-two feet deep. There are 
also excellent sheds and other farm buildings. 
There is upon the extensive acreage a fine orch- 
ard of a variety of fruit. Five acres are devoted to 
apples; two to pears, and seven or eight to peaches 
and small fruit. Mr. Bedford conducts the affairs 
of the farm, and has other valuable [iroperty in- 
terests. Without children of their own, our sub- 
ject and his estimable wife ado])ted and reared 
Earl B., now grown to manhood and seU'-rcliaiilly 
caring for himself. 

Mr. Bedfoi'd attends the Christian Church, of 
whii'h his wife is a membei'. He is Moderator of 
District 4, and has been an ollicer of the School 
Board almost the entire time he lias resided in this 
locality. He is also a Director of the Mutual 
Fariiicis' Fire Insurance Com])any of Cass Coun- 
ty, and has been a Director of the Union Fair As- 
sociation at Dowagiac. Our subject affiliates with 
the Democratic i)aity, and although deeply inter- 
ested in local and national issuer lias repeatedly 
refused offered local oltices. A man of enterprise. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOORAVIUCAL RECORD. 



fill 



liberal-spirited, lie is ever ready to extend h liel])- 
iiig hand in all matters of mutual welfare and 
progress, and possesses a host of friends and old 
aeipiain lance, whose respeet and high regard he 
has long enjoyed. 



Sp^, K\'. fllAin.KS A(;KR. For a period of 
IV-^ lliiity years or more this gentleman was a 
faithful an(i elo(iuent minister of the 
\^ (iospe^and in the liaptist (.'hurch occupied 
a position among tiie most prominent preachers of 
the denomination. lie has now retired from active 
ministerial duties, although he occasionally preaches 
and disi)lays in his discourses the fervor and zeal 
of younger years. The spirit of pict}- and ear- 
nestness in the cause of religion has ever been 
among iiis ])rominent characteristics, and has been 
an important factor in his success as a pastor. 

At Albany', M. Y., Charles Ager was born to 
C. C. and Elizabeth (Bradshaw) Ager, natives, 
respectively, of Windsor, ^'t., and New York State. 
His early years were spent upon his father's farm, 
and he was a student in the schools of Albany and 
the academy at Schoharie C. H.; subsetjuentlj' he 
entered Colgate University, from which institution 
he was graduated with the Class of '56. After 
having completed his studies, he accepted the 
position of teacher in the Union schools of Cass- 
oi)olis, Mich., which he held during 18.58 and 1859. 
In the year last named he went to Goshen, Ind., 
and there engaged in preaching as [)ast()r of the 
Goshen L5aptist Church. 

The year 1860 witnessed the ordination of Rev. 
Charles Ager as a minister in the Baptist Church, 
and his first pastorate was in Goshen, where he 
remained for three and one-half 3'ears. From 
that city he removed to South Bend, Ind., where 
he oHiciated as minister of the Baptist Church for 
a |)eriod of three years. Thence he went to A\irora, 
Ind., and for thirteen years was the pastor of the 
Baptist CInirch at that city. He resigned the 
charge there in order to accept the pastorate of 
the church in (ioslicn. to which he had ministered 



in former years. Three years were spent in that 
city, and thence in 1882 he came to Niles, where 
he has since resided. From September, 188.3, un- 
til l-'Y'hruary, 1880, he supplied the i)ulpit of the 
Baptist Church in Cassoijolis while living in Niles, 
it i)roving to be exceedingly pleasant work to 
minister to those who had in years before been 
his [)upils in the High School of Cassopolis. 

The marriage of Rev. Mr. Ager occurred on the 
18th of November, 18.58, and united him with 
Miss Mary A. Sherrill,lhc daughter of M.arcusand 
Amanda M. Sherrill. Mrs. Ager was born in New 
York State, but at the time of her marriage was 
residing in Niles. She is the motherof one child, 
K.itliaryne. The domestic life of this family is one 
of unusual felicity and happiness, .i^nd their posi- 
tion in the community is one of influence. While 
Mr. Ager has never mingled in politics, j'et lie h.as 
decided opinions of his own on all matters of pub- 
lic importance, and gives the inlluence of his ballot 
to the Republican party. 



-^^- 



\||OSEPII LYBROOK. Among the proniineiil 
citizens of Cass County who have passed 
their entire lives upon the places where 
' they now reside may be mentioned the sub- 
ject of this sketch, who owns and occupies a finely 
Improved farm on section '22, La Grange Town- 
shi]). Here he has passed his entire life, and here 
he was born November 22, 1845. The family was 
first represented in this country' bj' the great- 
grandfather of our subject, who was born in Prus- 
sia and emigrated to America in the old Colonial 
days, settling in Giles County, \'a., vvhere he reared 
his famil}'. The family name at the time of the 
earl}' history of its representatives in this country 
was spelled Leybroch. 

Henry Uybrook, our subject's grandfather, was 
born in Giles County, Va., and served for seven 
years in the Revolutionary War, being for part of 
the time in W.asliiiigton"s army, but serving piiii- 
eipally on the frontier with the Indians. He was 
an ollieer in the army. aii<l during his service was 



612 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



accidentally injured by having liis ankle put out 
of place. Fanning i)uisuits oecupied his atten- 
tion during his entire active life, and he followed 
tliat occupation first in Virginia and later in Preble 
County, Oiiio, where he made settlement in 1810. 
In 18'27 he came to JMichigan and located in Ber- 
rien County, but soon thereafter removed to Cass 
County, where he bought a large tract of land, 
twenty acres of tlie properly being now included 
in our subject's farm. The journey hither was 
made in wagons, and during much of the time they 
were compelled to open roails. Their entire house- 
hold effects tliej' brought with them, and with no 
caiiital or friends commenced life in the remote 
West. 

Grandfather J>yl)ruok and his good wife had a 
large family, whose names were: Sarah, Calhe 
rine, John (father of our subject), .\nna, Mary, Re- 
becca (now the only survivor), Clara and Eliza- 
beth. In his religious belief, the father of this 
family was a German Baptist, and politically he 
affiliated with the Whigs. His death occurred in 
Cass County ere he could witness the results of 
his arduous labors. The father of our subject, 
John Lybrook, was born in Giles County, Va., in 
1798, and accompanied his [jarents to Ohio. I^ater 
he came to Michigan, in 1822, and from this State 
returned to Ohio on foot. During the following 
year he came again to Michigan, and not long af- 
terward purchased one hundred and sixty acres, 
the present location of our subject's home. 

In Cass County Mr. Lybrook was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Mary, daughter of John and Re- 
becca Ilurd, who were pioneers of Cass County, 
having come hither in 1836. Three children were 
born to bless the union: Henry, Joseph and Ar- 
minda, Mrs. E. G. Stewart, deceased. The father 
was a Democrat in his iiolitical views, and served 
in the Black Hawk War against the Indians. His 
death occurred in 1881, and was mourned not only 
by his immediate circle of relatives, but by all 
with whom business or social relations had brought 
him in contact. His widow is still living and 
makes her home with our subject. 

In the parental home Joseph Lybrook passed 
bis boyhood years, and his entire life has been 
passed on the old homestead. To the property 



accumulated by his father he has added from lime 
to time and is now the owner of one hundred and 
eighty acres of highly cultivated land. Politi- 
cally, he is a Democrat, although he is notaclively 
interested in [)olilics. 



vr^sMMET Dl'NNING has been a resident of 
1^ Cass County >ince a child of three years 
Ij ' — '-^z and has been prominently connected with 
its development, having witnessed and contributed 
to its |)rogress materially and socially. As a 
farmer, he is energetic and industrious, anil in his 
relations with his fellow-men genial and coin- 
|)anionable. Since 186^ he has resided on section 
1 of Howard Township, where he owns and oper- 
ates f)ne hundred and eighty-eight acres of fertile 
land. He has attained a Haltering success, although 
the path to prosperitj' has ofttimes been a rugged 
one; in the face of every discouragement he has 
persevered, never relaxing his energy, and he has 
lived to see his efforts rewarded. 

Born in Erie County, Pa., on the 16th of Octo- 
ber, 1833, our subject is the son of Allen and 
Minerva (Reynolds) Dunning. The father, who was 
a native of either Pennsylvania or New York, came 
to Michigan in 1836, and located in Cass County, 
purchasing property in Milton Township and de- 
voting his attention to clearing and improving his 
property. He died at the age of seventy-three. 
His wife, who was a native of New York, passed 
away after a long and noble life of ninety years. 
Their family consisted of twelve children, seven 
sons and five daughters, ten of whom grew to man- 
hood and womanhood and nine are still living. 
The surviving memliers of that once united family 
are now scattered, and the associations of the old 
home have been forever severed. But the chil- 
dren of this .worthy couple, though now advanced 
in years and past life's prime, have never forgetten 
the precepts instilled in their minds by the ex- 
ample and training received from their parents. 

The eldest son of the family is the subject of 
this notice, who was a child of three years when 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RFXORD. 



613 



111' nee |>aiiii(l his parents toMiehigan. He grew 

to niaiiliudd ill Cass County and received such 
I'dueational advantages as were offered b^' the 
schools of Milton Township, after whieii he con- 
ducted his stuihcs for a time in Mishawalia, Ind. 
lie ii'iiiained nn tlie home farm until 1861, during 
which year he married Miss Carrie Hicks, a native 
of Ohio, and a hidy possessing great nobilitj' of 
cliaracter and culture. Tliey liave these chiklren: 
Kll.'i. wife of Charles Kininierley; Ora May, wlio 
dii'<l at the age of three years and nine montlis; 
Marguret, wife of (Jeorge Uatlibun, a resident of 
Kansas; (!race, who married Perry Oifford and 
makes iier home in Cass County; Flora, Lena, 
CharloUe and Uayinond, who arc with their i>ar- 
eiils. 

After his marriage our sulijccl located on a 
rented farm in \'oliiiia Township, Cass County, 
but later purchased a farm iii \au Buren County, 
Mich., where he remained for two years. Thence, 
in the spring of 1HG5, he removed to his present 
liome. Politicall\', he has been a Heiiublican, but 
is now a Prohibitionist. lie is a prominent mem- 
ber of the (Jrange, and active in all measures and 
projects originated for the promotion of the inter- 
ests of the community. He is a Trustee in the 
I'liion Church, which he aided in building, and 
lias always been a generous (ontributor to religious 
enterprises, as was his fatlier in ^ears gone by. 



'■ ' ^5- 




[; BRAM THORNTON. The liotcl in Amer- 
ica has attained to a state of development 
wliich, in many of its phases, is unknown 
in other countries. The ra[)id growth of 
business of all kinds througliout the United States, 
dui iiig the years that have intervened since the 
Civil War, lias brought into existence trade con- 
ditions wliich demand the constant employment of 
what cannot be called anything less than a mag- 
nilicent army of commercial tourists, who are to- 
day the principal support of hotels in large and 
small towns, aiul to whose taste and comfort hotel- 
keepers of high and low degree must cater, if they 



would make their houses popular and profitable. 
Bridgman, Mich., is not without a first-class hotel, 
and a most attractive and homelike one is Hotel 
Thornton, of which Abrain Thornton is owner 
and |)roprietor. This gentleman is also engaged 
as a real-estate and loan agent, and is one of the 
largest land-owners in Lake Township. 

Mr. Thornton is a product of the Empire State, 
born November 17, 1827, to the union of Ebcnczer 
and Abigail (Wood) Thornton, natives of New 
York. The father was a carpenter and house- 
joiner by trade. At an early date he moved 
to Toledo, Ohio, and there passed the remainder 
of his days. He and his wife reared a family of 
six children, four boys and two girls: William, Al- 
bert, John, Abram; Lucinda, deceased, who was the 
wife of Davis Glass; and Harriet, wife of Charles 
Cooley. Abram Thornton was educated in Rlon- 
roe County, Mich., and from there he commenced 
life for himself by going to Michigan City, where 
he built a lumber-yard. He was engaged in the 
lumlicr business on this portion of the lake for 
eighteen years, when he sold out and went to the 
lower portion of the lake, where he engaged m 
steaniboating. Before going on the Lower Lakes 
he w.as extensively engaged in trading in land in 
Muskingum County, Mich. 

Finally, in 1880, Mr. Thornton (luit the lake, 
brought a steam-mill to this section, and for a 
number of years was engaged in the lumber busi- 
ness. He is now the owner of a steam sawmill, 
and also owns seven hundred acres, on which the 
mill is located. This is a line fruit farm and two 
hundred acres are under cultivation. (Jn this is a 
tine cranberry marsh and a line orchard of peach 
and apple trees, etc. He also raises strawberries, red 
and black raspberries, gooseberries, etc. Aside 
from this farm i\lr. Thornton is the owner of eight 
hundred acres in Muskingum County, which is 
mostly timlier-land, and besides his beautiful 
hotel several private residences in the village of 
Bridgman. He is quite actively engaged in the 
real-estate business and in loaning money. 

In the year 1848, our subject was married to 
Miss Mary Richardson, a native of Lambeilsviile, 
Mich., and seven children have blessed this union, 
live of whom are now living: Theodore A., of 



614 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL RECORD. 



Chattanooga, Tenn.; Savannah, wife of Charles 
Vance; John, of Cliicago; Thomas, of this county, 
now rcsifiing in Thornton's Valle^'; and I'oter, of 
Lamberts vi lie, Mich, rolitiually, Mr. Tliointoii 
votes with the Republican pai-ty. lie is a man of 
social instincts, hospitable and enteitaining, and 
nothing delights him so much as to have guests 
about him in comfort, enjoying themselves. His 
accpiaintaiice, as one would naturally suppose, is a 
wide one, and his friends are legion. 



ERASTITS IMURPIIY, a practical general ag- 
riculturist and leading citizen, now residing 
upon section 16, Berrien Township, Berrien 
County, Mich., has spent his entire life in his pres- 
ent locality, and was born upon the well-known 
Murphy farm July 18, 1842. The father of our 
subject, Isaac Murphy, was a native Virginian, 
born in 1811. The paternal grandfather was a 
Marylander and a farmer by occupation. The 
family came originally from Wales to America, a 
direct ancestor settling in Maryland some time 
prior to the Revolutionary War. The mother of 
Mr. Murphy was in girlhood Miss Eliza Jenkins, 
and, born in Ohio in 1815, was a daughter of the 
Hon. Baldwin Jenkins, a Pennsylvanian by birth 
but of Welsh descent. He was an early settler of 
Greene County, Ohio, and, a man of enterprise, 
journeyed to Michigan in 1822. Settling in Po- 
kagon Township, Cass County, he became one of 
the very early pioneers of the wilderness, passing 
his first winter in an Indian wigwam. He re- 
mained permanently in Pokagon, became a mem- 
ber of the Legislature, and assisted in framing tlie 
constitution of Michigan. He took an active part 
in politics, and passed away honored by all who 
knew him. His wife was Mary Hackney, a native 
of Pennsylvania. The maternal grandfather and 
grandmother were the parents of five sons and 
three daughters, three of whom survive, John, 
Nimi'od and Silas. 



The paternal grandfather died in Virginia, and 
his widow, who afterward married in Ross County, 
Ohio, William Michael, removed with her family 
to Michigan and settled in the southeastern part 
of section 16, Berrien Springs. The children of 
tiiandfather Murphy, four sons and two daugh- 
ters, are now all deceased. ' By the second mar- 
riage the grandmother had two sons, B. II. an(i 
Noah. The parents of our subject married in 
Pokagon Township and settled on section 15, 
Berrien Township, all then wild land. The father 
cultivated eighty acres of the homestead and also 
improved another large farm. He died January 
21, 1893, and the mother passed away live days 
later, January 26, 1893. They were the beloved 
parents of thirteen children, seven of whom are 
yet surviving: .John J., Erastus, Lydia Williams, 
Albert, Almeda Suavely, Eliza Becker and Isaac. 
The father was a prominent man of the lownslii[) 
and took an active part in all public matters. He 
was a liberal giver to all religious and educational 
enterprises. He was a man of courage, and a sol- 
dier in the Sac Indian War in Michigan. 

Pulilicall}', Mr. Murphy was in early life a Whig, 
but later became a Republican. His brother George 
was Township Clerk for some length of time, and 
also ably occupied the offlce of Sui)ervisor. For 
many years the father served most acceptably as 
Justice of the Peace, and also for some length of 
time dischaiged with fidelity the duties of Con- 
stable. As delegate, he represented his constitu- 
ents at various conventions. Isaac Murphy was a 
thoroughly honest and upright man, oppt)sed to 
wrong and a lover of peace. He had many true 
friends, and his death was mouined by all who 
knew him. His good wife, a devout member of 
the Dunkard Church, was a sincere Christian 
woman. 

Our subject was reared on the Mur[)liy farm and 
was educated in the excellent schools of the dis- 
trict. He began the work of a farmer boy at a 
very early age. and arriving at niaturitj^ was 
united in marriage with Jliss Mary Johnson, April 
19, 1866. Mrs. Murphy was a daughter of John 
and y\iinie ( Lybrook) Johnson, and a sister of ex- 
Sheriff John Johnson and Mrs. W. H. Miller. She 




L. B. Lawrence. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



(u: 



w:is liDiii .l.-iiiu.iry 23, 1812, in Kurrii'ii Township, 
.111(1 is a lady of worth and ciiltuio. I tii mod lately 
aflcr thfir iiianiaije Mr. .•iiid Mrs. Mmiihy settled 
ii|ioii the iKii'th half of the old iMui'|)ii\' homestead, 
and remained there until 1871, with the excep- 
tion of two years, when they resided in (Jalien 
Townshi|). From 1(S74 our sulijcet has niadi^ his 
permanent home upon his present farm of one hun- 
dred an(J twenty aeres, ninety acres of which he 
has l)ioni;hl to a high state of cultivation. In 
1881 he erected the handsome residence wiiieh cost 
^1,20(1, aside from the ial)or involved and a (pian- 
tily of material Mr. Mur|ih\ liad on hand. Tiie 
comuKxlious barn caused another outlay of -?700. 
The comfort and hap|iiness of Iiisfamil3' iiaveever 
been matters of paramount importance to Mr. 
Murphy, who, in ISG;"), built an attractive resi- 
dence on the old home farm, costing a large 
amount of money, as he had to pay eleven cents 
per pound for nails. Aside from the pursuit of 
agriculture, our subject finds employment as ad- 
ministrator, and as guardian for various minors 
has jiroved himself jiossessed of superior executive 
ability and judgment. lie has successful!}' man- 
aged several estates intrusted to his care, and given 
to the work the able fidelity which has character- 
ized the entire labor of his life. 

Mr. and Mrs. Murphy are the parents of six chil- 
dren: Ada A., Henry C, Lena Alice, M^^ron E., 
Sylvia M. and Cordelia E. Thesons and daughters 
received a good education, and Henry C. is a book- 
keeper at Indianapolis, Ind. Ouv subject has been 
active in the conduct of agricultural societies and 
is now Secretary of an association at Berrien 
Springs, lie is a Patron of Husbandry at Berrien 
Centre and has held with ediciency all the oflices, 
and was Lecturer for four or five years. Politically, 
Ml-. Murphy is a Republican, and, prominently^ con- 
nected with local politics, has given excellent ser- 
vice as Townshi]) Cleik, Township Constable, 
Treasurer, School Inspector, and for seventeen 
years occupied the judicial position of Justice of 
the Peace, discharging the duties of ollice to the 
great satisfaction of his fello%v-townsinen. Our 
subject has also frequently represented his party 
at conventions, and possesses the esteem and con- 
fidence of a host of sincere friends. 

30 



EVI B. LAWRENCE. Almost seventy-four 
(^ years have passed over the head of the gen- 
[ L^^ tleman who is the subject of this sketch, 
leaving their impress in the whitening hair and 
lined features, but, while the outer garment of the 
soul shows the wear and tear of years, the man 
himself is richer, nobler and grander for the ex- 
lierienco that each successive decade has brought 
him. He is one of the old settlers of Cass Coun- 
ty, and is now the owner of a pleasant home on 
section 1 1, Volinia Townshi[). He is a native of 
New York, born on the banks of Chautaucjua 
Lake .June 12, 18111, and the son of Levi L. and 
Mary (Fales) Lawrence, Ijoth natives of Hamp- 
shire County, Mass. The grandfather of our sub- 
ject, .John L. Lawrence, was a native of England, 
but of Welsh descent. 

Levi L. I^awrence w.as born on the 1st of No- 
vember, 1783, and his wife on the 22d of Octo- 
ber of the same year. He w.as a mechanic, black- 
smith and edge-tool maker, and worked ten years 
in the United States Armor}', at Springfield, Mass., 
making muskets, etc. He was one of the few men 
at that time who could make tools for gun-locks. 
He married Miss Fales on the 1st of October, 
1806, and made his home in his native State until 
the spring of 1821, when he removed to Cincin- 
nati, Ohio. For seven or eight years he followed 
his trade in a large shop in that city, but still 
owned a farm on the banks of a lake in New 
York. This he sold, converted the proceeds into 
lumber, and rafted it to Cincinnati. From there 
he removed to southern Indiana, and identilie<l 
himself with the Owen Society, but at the end of 
one year returned to Cincinnati. Later he went 
to Butler County, Ohio, and thence came to Cass 
County, Mich., in 1831, entering land on section 
12, Volina Townslii|), removing here September 
4, 1832. In 183S) he went to Missouri, thence a 
couple of months later to Cincinnati, Ohio, and 
finally came back to Michigan, where his death oc- 
curred October 19, 18.57. His wife had passed 
awaj' on the 18th of October, 1839. Seven chil- 
dren were born of this union, two of whom, be- 
sides our subject, are now living, Maria Jacobs 
and Jane Terwilliger. Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence 
were reared Presbyterians, but later he became a 



618 



PORTRAIT AND mOGRAPIIICAL RECORD. 



believer in tiie Swedenborgian doctrine, and was 
very aclive in religious matters. He took very 
little interest in politics. Honest and upright in 
every vvalk of life, no man was more iiiglily es- 
teemed. 

Wlien fourteen years of age.tlie original of this 
notice came with his parents to Michigan, and he 
attended the first school ever held in Xiolinia 
Townsliip, a subscriiitiou scliool. The claim his 
fatiier entered was timber, and he was one of two 
who cleared and improved one hundred acres 
here. Indeed, there is little of i)ioneer work that 
he lias not experienced, in its hardships, disad- 
vantages or pleasures. When twenty-one years 
of age lie started out to make his own way in life 
without a dollar, and lirst went in debt for six- 
tv-two acres of liis present farm. On tiie 4th of 
February, 1849, he was married to Miss P^veline 
E. Copley, a native of Jefferson County, N. Y., 
born March 2(), 1824, and a sister of the Hon. 
A. B. Copley, of Decatur, Mich. 

After his marriage Mr. Lawrence went .actively 
to work to clear and improve ids farm and to pay 
off the indebtedness upon it. His success lias de- 
pended in a measure on the large crops of wheat 
that he raises each year, for he makes that a 
si)ccialty. A» the years passed by he added to the 
original tract until he became the owner of eight 
hundred and sixty-six acres, over six hundred 
acres being under cultivation. He is the largest 
and most thorough-going farmer in the township. 
He raises grain and clover seed, but very little 
stock, other than cows and work horses, and 
has ever been a hard worker. Possessed of a 
wonderful constitution, there has hardly been a 
da}' in thirty years when he could not get out 
to superintend his work. He erected a fine brick 
residence in 1874, and his broad acres and beauti- 
ful rural home are one of the most pleasing fea- 
tures of Violinia Township. His residence was 
erected at a cost of 110,000, has sixteen rooms, 
and is elegantly furnished. 

Mr. Lawrence is also the owner of two other 
residences, or tenant houses, besides other [irop- 
erty. Farming, though, has been his principal oc- 
cupation. Three children were born to his mar- 
riage. Linneus L., born May 13, 1853, married 



Miss Amanda Wheaten and now resides in New 
York; they have one child. Archie L., the sec- 
ond child, was born February 11, 185.J. He mar- 
ried IMiss Matilda ^'an Riper, and they reside in 
this township. Austin P>., born November 13, 
18.58, married Miss Eva Olcott, and also resides 
in this township. He is the father of two chil- 
dren. Mr. and ISIrs. Lawrence are members of the 
Swedenborgian Cliiireh, and are both highly es- 
teemed in the community. lie has held most of 
the lownsliii) otlices, and is a stanch Republican 
in his political views. This worthy man never 
had a lawsuit and never collected but one debt. 






y",ILLIAM COOKE, (iiir Miliject, was born in 
Ireland, a country that our people have 
„ „ heard or read moie or less of, the father- 
land of the brain, the energy and muscle that 
move the rest of the world. His birth occurred 
ill Eiiniskillen, County Fermanagh, North lieland, 
JIarch 'J, 1831, and lie was the son of Edward and 
Ann (Irving) Cooke, both natives of the Green 
Isle of Erin. 

Edward Cotik was b<iin in the same part of Ire- 
land as his son, and was a wealthy citizen, owning 
large tracts of laud in his native countiy. He 
was a man of education and belonged to the 
higher class, being known as the county "scpiire."' 
He selected his wife in the (lerson of Miss Ann 
Irving, a native also of Ireland, and the daugh- 
ter of William and Mary (Ball) Irving. In the 
year 183!) Edward Cooke brought his family to 
the United States, after an ocean voyage of nine 
weeks, and landed at Baltimore, Md. His iiiollier- 
in-law came with the family and died in Knox 
County, Ohio, at a good old age. 

About 1840, Mr. Cooke moved to Cincinnati, 
Ohio, having spent the previous winter in Pitts- 
burg, and subsequently to Knox County, that 
State, where he purchased two hundred and forty 
acres of land. He possessed good sound sense, in- 
domitable will and no lack of energy, and has 
made them all tell in his carci^'r, for he was one of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



619 



tlie suhstaiitial and inlliu'iilial nicii of his section. 
This farin he iinpiovcd in cvitv way, and on it re- 
ceived Ills Una! .suiniiioii.s Juno 2, 1817. Ilis chil- 
dren, eleven in number, were as follows: Mary 
A., who married Gcoi<ro Little; .John, Eliza, 
Kllen, Rebecca (deceased), William, .lane, Fannie, 
George E., one who died in infancy and Edward. 
The mother of these children passed away in the 
year 18 62. 

Aftei- the death of his fathcn-, the mother made 
her home with our suliject until he was thirty-live 
years of age, or until his marriage to Miss Mattie 
Sefton. This lady was a product of Wayne Coun- 
ty, Ohio, and the daughter of Heniy and Mary 
(Heatty) Sefton, both natives of the Keystone 
.State. Mr. ;iiid Mrs. Cooke's union w.as blessed 
by the birth of one child, a son, Edward P., who is 
a graduate of the Dowagiac High School. For some 
time the latter has been a school teacher in Ucrricn 
County and has also taught in Colorado. He is a 
prominent educator, and is well known as a jouiig 
man of unusual ability and prominence. 

Following his maniagc, our subject went to 
Iowa, and after a short residence there, in the 
year 1868, moved to the State of Michig.an. He 
immediately engaged in the sawmill business in 
Big Rapids, remaining there and meeting with 
fair success until 1874. He then came to liis pres- 
ent farm and bought ninety .acres of partly im- 
proved land. He is an intelligent gentleman, of 
superifir mental altainmeiits, who seeks to devel- 
op himself as well as his agricultural interests 
in the best and broadest directions. In politics he 
is a Democrat. 



_^] 



"SI 



^-^ 



(^ 



[S" 



,j^^ PETER MERHI FIELD. Among the suc- 
,^^^ cessful agriculturists of Berrien County, 

'v^Jt' and po|iular citizens of Watervliet, is 
Jill 111 Ijg red this gentleman, who is the son of .lohn 
and Catherine (Simmons) Merrilield. The tirst- 
iiamed parent was tiorn In Columbia County, 
JJ. Y., and as soon as he was old enough was put 
K) work on tiie farm of his father, In 1825, he 



moved to Yates County, the same State, where he 
engaged in farming, and linally purch.ased a tract 
in Potter, Yates Counts, on which he remained 
until 1841. At this period he moved by wagon 
to Michigan, being three weeks on the way. In 
June of that same year, he bought eighty acres 
in Watervliet Township, which he improved and 
made his home the remainder of his life. His wife 
was born in Columbia County, N. Y., and became 
the mother of twelve children, eleven of wlioni 
reached their majority. They are .as follows: John, 
Robert, George, Charlotte, Jacob, William, Bet- 
sey, Sarah, S. Peter, Cornelia II., and Thomas J., of 
Valparaiso, Ind. The father of this family died 
in October, 1851, aged sixty-six years, and the 
mother passed aw.ay in September, 1873. 

Peter Merrilield was born in Benton, Y'ates 
County, N. Y., September 12, 1827, and spent the 
tirst twenty-two years of his life on his father's 
farm, where he helped somewhat with the work and 
attended the district schools. When he became a 
man he started out in life for himself by teaching 
the district and select schools of his native State. 
After the tirst two years of his experience in this 
line, he went to Ohio and attended the schools 
there for three ^ears, teaching a part of the time 
in order to pa3' his expenses. He w.as a class- 
mate of James A. Garfield at one time, and also 
took a year's course at Oberlin College, alter ward 
supplementing this with a course at the Eclectic 
Institute, which is now kiKiwn .as the Eclectic Col- 
lege. Mr. Merrifield was a very successful in- 
structor, and met with encouragement wherever 
he went, teaching in the schools of New York, 
Ohio, Michigan and Iowa. In 1871 he came to 
Berrien County, and located on the live .acres of 
land where he now resides, and to which have been 
added fort}- acres, thirty of which are well im- 
proved land. Mr. Merrifield is an industrious 
man, and by his good man.agement and economi- 
cal living has made his farm one of the most at- 
tractive in the county. 

Our subject is quite active in all political mat- 
ters. I'p to the year 1876 he w.as a true-blood Re- 
publican, having since that time been a Green- 
backer. He has served six terms as Supervisor, 
discharging his duties as such to the satisfaction 



620 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of all concerned, and lie lias also been recently 
re-elected Treasurer of the tovviislii|), which makes 
his fourth ^'oar's service in that cai)acity. An 
important event took place in llie life of our sub- 
ject on September ■W, 1857, when lie was united 
in marriage to the lady of his choice, INIiss Sarah 
Dayton, daughter of John and PlKebe (F"owler) 
Dayton, natives of New York and Connecticut 
respectively. IMr. and Mrs. Dayton moved to 
Ohio, where they both died, leaving five boys and 
one girl. 

To our subject and his wife has been born one 
child, Adin, who is in Columbia, Tenn., where he 
is employed on the railroad. A peaceable, law- 
abiding citizen, just to his neighbor, and of 
friendl}' spirit, Mr. Mcrrifield of this sketch is 
well respected by those who know him, and 
pointed out as a self-made man. 




ILL! AM W. EASTON, M. D., a inacticing 
'' i)liysician and surgeon of Dowagiac, was 
born four miles from tiiis city, in Silver 
Creek Township, October 3, 1853. His father was 
one of the early settlers of this section of Michi- 
gan, while his paternal grandfather, Thomas Eastoii, 
was a native of Kentucky. His great-grandfatlier, 
also named Tiiomas Eastou, served with valor 
during the entire period of the Revolutionary 
War, and shortly after the close of the conflict 
came to Kentucky, having formerly been a resi- 
dent of Virginia. Grandfather Easton was a child 
of about ten j'ears when he accompanied his 
parents to Michigan, and with them settled in 
Berrien Township, Berrien County, remaining 
there until his death, in 1867. 

Tiie father of our subject, Thomas Easton, was 
born near Bowling Green, Ky., on the 26th of 
November, 1826. and grew to manhood in Berrien 
County. In 1850 he chose as the site of his future 
home an unimproved tract of land in Silver 
Creek Township, in the midst of the woods and 
far removed from other pioneer settlers. In that 
township he married Miss Emily, daughter of John 



K. Hinchman, a native of West Virginia, who 

came from Logan Court House to Michigan .about 
1850. Tlio young couple commenced iiousekcep- 
ing upon the eighly-acix- farm wliicli Mr. Easton 
hnil ijurcliased, and by their industry and energy 
they added to their property from time to time 
until their landed possessions aggregated two 
Iiundred acres in Silver Cieek Township. Of this 
tr.aet Mr. Easton im|)roved one hundred and twenty 
acres througli his own unaided efforts. In 18.S8 
he removed thence to Dow.agiac, where he and his 
wife have since made tlieir home. 

The parents of our subject have had a family of 
four children: Dr. W. W., of this sketch; Mrs. 
Jennie M. Allen, who resides in l)t)wagiac; J. M., 
who is in Chicago; and E. W., a resident of Do- 
wagiac. Politically, the father was a Democrat 
until the second term of President Lincoln, when 
his opinions underwent a radical change, and he 
has since that time attiliated with the Republicans. 
Our subject was reared in the i)arental home and 
enjo^'ed exceptional educational advantages. After 
having attended a course of study in the schools 
of Niles, he entered the University of Notre 
Dame, at South Lend, hid., and prosecuted his 
studies there with ililigcnco and success. 

His literary studies concluded, our subject en- 
tered the olticc of Clendenin & Whitehall, at Niles, 
and commenced the stud^- of medicine under their 
preceptorship. Later he entered the Bennett 
Medical College at Chicago, and was graduated 
from that institution on the 24th of June, 1877. 
He remained in Chicago for two and one-half years 
after graduating, and then returned to Dowagiac, 
where he has since conducted a general practice. 
In -November, 1879, he married Miss Alma A. 
Johnson, who was born in Gottenburg, Sweden, 
and came to this country in 1872 at the age of 
sixteen years. Her parents had died in Sweden, 
and she accompanied an uncle and aunt to America, 
settling with them in Chicago. The union of Dr. 
and Mrs. Easton has been blessed by the birth of 
two children, William T. and Mabel. 

As every public-spirited citizen should do, the 
Doctor takes an active interest in politics, and is 
an outspoken Republican, advocating the views of 
that party with all the enthusiasm of his nature 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



621 



111 1888 111? was chosen delegate to tlie State con- 
vention, and lie has served in other positions of 
honor and ti usl. Socially, lie is identified with the 
Ro^al Aich Masons, the Knights of the Mnceahees, 
the Knights of Pythias and the Legion of Honor, 
and is exaniining physician for the Order of Mac- 
cabees and Legion of Honor, also for the Masonic 
Mutual of Grand Hapids. He is a successful gen- 
eral ])i:ictitioner of tlie eclectic system of medicine, 
and lias nn extensive practice both in Dowagiac 
and Ihrougliout the surrounding ■counliy. His 
homo is one of the most Iteautiful in the city, 
being the residence roiiiii'iiy occiiiiicd by Ihf late 
P.l). IJockwith. 



-=^>-iJ^<^ 



/p^EORGE W. DOUG AN. P.errien County 
III .— has in tiic past offered many instances of 
*^;^'. the fact tiiat industry, enterprise and en- 
ergy, comliined with the exercise of sound business 
judgmenl, lind here a fitting arena for their devel- 
o|iiiieiit, and bring compensation in prosperity, 
and oftlinu's wealtii. Examples of success in mer- 
cantile enterprises arc not wanting here. Among 
llic (lrv-,noods houses which have attained a prom- 
inent place in the eonfidence of tiie general public 
may be mentioned Hie establishment at Niles of 
which <;. W. I)iiiiii!iii Ar Co. are the owners and 
proprietors. 

The location of (ieoiiic W. Doiigan A' Co.'s store 
is convi-nieii1 for all purposes of liiide. The 
building is 21x120 feel in dimensions, and is ad- 
mii;ibly adapted to the purpose for which it is 
utilized. Tlic house has held a high place in the 
conlideiiee and approbation of the public Ihrougli- 
oiit its long business lii.story by a steady adherence 
to correcl business principles, and b\ being reliable 
in every particular. Its standing in the trade is 
of the hij;hest character, and its large business is 
eondiuti'd upon ;i perfect system. The store is well 
stocked with a complete and varied assortment of 
dry goods, notions, carpets, etc. 

The success which has crowned this business 
venture is whollv due to the exercise of the 



wise judgment of Mr. Dougan. Having passed 
his entire life in the city of Niles, he is^ well 
known by all the citizens, and enjoys their con- 
fidence to the fullest extent. He was born in 
this city August 15, 1841, and is of direct Scotch- 
Irish descent, his father, George W. Dougan, hav- 
ing been born .in the Emerald Isle, whence he emi- 
grated to America at an early age. He located in 
Niles in 18.35, and was married in Ireland to Miss 
Eliza, daughter of Capt. Thomas Karr, who was of 
Irish birth, but of Scotch parentage. The father 
of (jur subject was a carpenter by trade, and fol- 
lowed his chosen occupation during tlie entire 
period of his active life. His death occurred on 
the 3d of March, 1890, when he had attained to 
four-score and seven j-ears. 

The third in a family of four children, the sub- 
ject of this sketch passed his boyhood in the pa- 
rental home, and attended the common schools of 
Niles. When a mere lad, he entered the mercan- 
tile establishment of C. F. IJentley, with whom he 
remained, occupying a clerical position for eight 
years. In 1873, in partnership with A. .1. Fox, he 
embarked in the dry-goods business under the (irm 
name of Fox & Dougan, continuing in that con- 
nection for five years. Afterward the stock was 
divided between the members of the firm, and Mr. 
Dougan has actively conducted the business to the 
present time. Of pleasing ap))earance, affable 
manners and honoralile business nielhods, he has 
gained the regard and confidence of the people of 
Berrien County. 

December 5, 1872, Mr. Dougan iii.-irried Miss 
Anna M. Smitli, of Kicliniond, Ind., anil the 
(laughter of Hon. .1. 1'. Smith, a prominent bu.'-i- 
iiess man of that city. Mr. and iMis. Dougan are 
the parents of four cbildreii: U'ichard N., Al.ay, 
(ieorge W., .Ir., and Ardel. In lii,> [lolilical 0|)in- 
ions Mr. Dougan is a Democrat, and while he li.as 
never sought political |iieferment, he has been the 
recipient of numerous positions of tiiist and honor. 
He witnessed with gre;it pleasure the inaugural 
cer(!monies attending the installation of Grover 
Cleveland into the I'resideiitial chair on the -1th 
of March, 18il3. He served one term as Mayor of 
llu' city, and two terms as Alderman of the Sec- 
ond Ward, and was a mi iiibcrof the School Hoard 



622 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



for three years, serving as Its Treasurer. In 1884 
he was appointed Indian trader for the Black Feet 
Indians, with headquarters in the northwestern 
part of Montana, at the old Indian agency known 
as the Black Feet Agency, north of Sun River, hut 
resigned that position on account of Indian trou- 
bles. 

Socially, Mr. Dougan is connected with St. .Jo- 
seph Valley Lodge No. 4, A. F. & A. M. Begin- 
ning in business with limited capital, he is now 
the owner of considerable realty, and is financially 
well-to-do. Among his landed possessions is a 
farm lying near the corporate limits of the city, 
the value of which will undoubtedly be enhanced 
during the coming years. He is also the owner of 
valuable real estate in the city. He is now a 
stockholder and Director in the First National 
Bank of Niles. His name is frequently mentioned 
by his friends as a candidate for Postmaster at 
Niles, and should the expectations of his hosts of 
acquaintances be realized, Niles will have a Post- 
master who will be popular with everyone, irre- 
spective of political opinions. The partner of ]\Ir. 
Dougan was the late Capt. H. B. Quiniln', of the 
United States Army, whose familj' retain his in- 
terest in the firm. 



d-!"5"5"5-,^^-!"{"5-+r 



^.{..{..j.^.'^ 



?***•£•? 




REDERICK F. KINO, for thirteen years 
5 an able Supervisor of Sodus Township, 
Berrien County, Mich., is a prosperous gen- 
eral farmer and successful horticulturist, and 
resides upon a fine farm, pleasantly located on 
section 22. Mr. King is a native of Onondaga 
County, N. Y., and was born October 15, 182!). 
The paternal grandparents were early settlers of 
Rhode Island, and in that State the father of our 
subject. Job King, was born in 1802. The education 
of the father was limited to a few months of 
schooling, but he was a man of great natural 
ability and sagacity and readily won his U|)vvard 
way. The business of his life w.as farming, but 
he was also a devout minister of the Baptist per- 
suasion, and for more than a half-century gave 



earnest and persistent work for the salvation of 
perishing humanity. Between his daily toil upon 
the farm and his labors in the pulpit, he led a life 
of busy usefulness, and was honored for his unself- 
ishness and sterling integrity of character. He 
married Miss Phoebe M. Freeman, daughter of 
Frederick Freeman, a highly respected settler of 
Onondaga County, N. Y. 

Unto the father and mother were born thirteen 
children, of whom our subject was the second, and 
named Frederick in remembrance of his maternal 
grandfather. The paternal grandfather. Job King, 
gallantly participated in the battle of Sackett's 
Harbor and also took part in many other impor- 
tant eng.agements of the Revolutionar}' War. 
When young Frederick King was seven years of 
age he journeyeil with his parents by wagon tf) a 
new home in Ohio, and, settling in Ashland 
County, there received a good common-school 
education. Aside from the lessons of the little 
district school, he received [)rivate instruction, and 
was soon enabled to begin the self-reliant work of 
life as a teacher. Our subject taught in the 
district schools of Jledina and Ashland Counties, 
Ohio, and in 186.3 emigrated to the State of 
Michigan, and, settling upon rented laud, entered 
with energy into the pursuits of agriculture in 
Berrien Count}', from that time his permanent 
home. Aside from the tilling of the soil, he soon 
engaged in running a sawmill, which he profitably 
conducted for twenty-nine years. Accumulating 
property and financially successful, Mr. King after 
a time bought the attractive homestead where he 
now resides, and, aside from other duties, makes a 
specialty of cultivating choice fruit for the Clii- 
cago market. 

March 1(3, 1845, Frederick F. King and Miss 
Susan F. Freeman were united in marriage. 
Mrs. King was a daughter of Frederick Freeman, 
a well-known and prosperous resident of Jackson 
County, Mich. Our subject and his esfimable 
wife have been blessed l>y the birth of eleven 
children, nine of whom are vet living. Six are 
married, and three are still at home with their 
parents. Fraternall}, Mr. King is a leading mem- 
ber of the Patrons of Hnsbandr\'. He also belongs 
to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. and 



PORTRAIT AND r.iOGRAPH'CAL RECORD. 



623 



Mrs. King are both v.aliied iiu'inliors of tlic Chiircli 
of C'lirist. witli wliic'li deiioniination our subject 
li.is liecn I'onupclc'd cvci- since he w.is twenty 
years of ai>c. Politically, Mr. King is a stalwart 
Republican and fioni its (irst organization has 
been an ardent advocate of the [larly. There has 
scarcely been an oflice within the gilt of liis fellow- 
townsmen he has not received, and, a man of ex- 
ecutive ability, has well discliarged the duties of 
Drainage Commissioner, .lustice of the Peace, 
School Insi)ector, Townsliip Treasurer, Township 
Clerk, and as Supervisor has been a prominent 
f.aetor in the promotion and development of the 
progressive interests of liis locality. Widely known, 
he possesses the confidence of tlic comniunily 
among whom he has spent the Last thirty years, 
and is numbered among the substantial citizens of 
Herrien County. 



<^_^^ 



fcj.». ^ 



=^J!» 



;RKDKHICK FIRST, one of the oldest and 
fj most prominent settlers of Pipestone Town- 
ship, Herrien County, Mich., has won his 
way ill life unaided, and, an energetic and indus- 
lri<iiis man of a high order of practical aliilily, has 
accumulated a large and v.aluabic property and is 
numbered among the substantial men and leading 
citizens of the county. A friend to educational 
advancement, he has, as an ollicer of the School 
Hoard, materially assisted to imi)rove the grade of 
in.striiction and scholarship in the district schools. 
Our siiliject is a native of (icrmany, and was born 
February 2, 1828. in Westphali.-i. liis parents, 
Frederick and Angcliiie (Shearman) First, were 
both born in Westphalia, the father in 17'.I3, and 
the mother in 1798. Reared, educated and mar- 
ried in the Old Country, they passed many years 
of their life in Germany before they finally de- 
cided to emigrate to the land of promise I)eyond 
the sea. lii 18 I'.), they emigrated with their fam- 
ily' to America, and, locating in Ohio, spent seven 
years in Hamilton County. They then removed 
to Michigan and made llicir home with our subject 
until their death. 



The parents trained to habits of industrious 
thiifl four children: Frederick, oursuhject: Henri- 
etta Ihiklehan, a resident of Cincinnati, ( (hi o.; Mrs. 
Kroline; and Mrs. Ilorsinan, the latter well known 
in F.errien County. The father and mother were 
valued members of the Lutheran Church and ac- 
tively assisted in religious work. Our subject re- 
ceived an excellent education in (ierraaiiy, and 
cro-ssing the broad Atlantic in 1847 passed ten 
years as a gardener in Cincinnati, Ohio. Mr. First 
is, however, a life-time general farmer and thor- 
oughly veised in evei'i' department of agriculture. 
In 185.3 our subject w.as united in marriage with 
Miss Louisa, daughter of Henry and Annie (Kukle- 
lian) Kuklehan, both natives of Westphalia, Clcr- 
inany. Mr. Kuklehan, a farmer, had been a. soldier 
and served in the wars of the Fatherland. He 
emigrated to America in 1841 and made his home 
in Hamilton County, Ohio, where he and his 
estimable wife both died. Thej' were the parents 
of nine children, seven of whom are now living; 
one brother, Lewis, is in business in New York 
City. Mr. and Mrs. Kuklehan were devout mem- 
bers of the Lutheran Church and were highly 
respected by all who knew them. 

Mrs. First was born in AVestplialia, Oermany, 
August 4, 1833. The pleasant home has been 
blessed by the birth of ten sons and daughters, 
live of the children j'ct surviving. Lizzie S., the 
wife of Charles Fuelling and the mother of one 
child, resides in Indiana; Sophia married llennaii 
Grabamayer, and with her iiusband and one child 
makes her home in Pipestone Townshij); Ilenr\. 
who married Miss Annie Varnan, lives in .Silver 
Creek Township, and is the father of four chil- 
dren; Lewis and Frank complete the list. Finan- 
cially prospered, Mr. First at one lime owned over 
eight hundred .acres of valuable land, and lias 
himself cleared, cultivated and improved over four 
hundred acres, reclaiming the soil from its wild 
state. As his children married he gave each a 
farm, and now retains three hundred and twenty 
acres, nearly all under high cultivatifm and lincly 
im|)roved. There were originally one hundred and 
sixty acres more in the homestead, which our sub- 
ject gave to his children. Among tlie costly im- 
provements of the extensive farm are good roads. 



624 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



which cross it, and a fine residence, erected at a 
cost of 14,000, one of the best and most attractive 
homes in tiie township. Mr. First li.as been for 
many years a prominent member and an officer in 
the Lutheran Church. He was long connected 
with the School Board and liberally aided hiscliil- 
dren to receive a good education. Politically, he 
is a Republican, and has ever taken a deep inter- 
est in local and national affairs, without aspiring 
to hold office. Energetic and enterprising, he has 
in all the various duties of life been true to him- 
self, his friends and family, and is known as a man 
of unswerving integrity and steadfast purpose. • 



>RED McOMBER, M. D., editor and pro- 
^^ prietof of llie Berrien Springs Era, was 
born in Orleans Count}^, N. Y., on the 
23d of January, 1846. He traces his line.age to 
Scotland, and the family of which he is a mem- 
ber was one of the first represented in America. 
His grandfather on the paternal side. Pardon Mc- 
Oniber, was born in Connecticut, as was also his 
father, Asa. The mother of our subject was Ma- 
nila, daughter of .John Graj' and a native of 
New York State. 

One in a family of eight, the subject of tiiis 
biographical notice was reared to manhood in Or- 
leans County, N. Y., receiving a common-school 
education. A mere lad when the war broke out, 
he was fired with the spirit of patriotism and de- 
sire to serve his country, and, accordingly, en- 
listed as a member of Company C, Eighth New 
Y'ork Heavy Artillery, Col. Peter A. Porter, of 
Niagara Falls, commanding. The regiment was 
assigned to the Army of the Potomac, Second Di- 
vision, Second Brigade, Second Army Corps. Dr. 
McOmber participated in nearly all the battles of 
the Wilderness. During the battle of Cold ILir- 
bor, on the 4th of June, 18G4, a shell struck a 
tree about eight feet above his head and some- 
what shocked Dr. .McOmlier, who, however, re- 
ceived no serious injury therefrom except a small 



wound on his arm. He remained with his regi- 
ment, taking part in all its engagements .ind 
marches until he was mustered out of the service 
at the close of the war. 

After having been honorably discharged in 
May, 1865, Dr. McOmber returned to his old home 
in Orleans County, N. Y., and a short time after- 
ward went to Canandaigua, N. Y., where he re- 
mained until 1867, learning the trade of a jeweler. 
In 1868 he made a tour of Iowa for the purpose 
of selecting a suitable location, but finding nothing 
satisfactory he went to Chicago, where he was in 
business and studying medicine for eighteen 
months. Later, he came to Michigan, and re- 
mained in Benton Harbor for three months. In 
Januar.v, 1869, he located in Berrien Springs, 
where he has since resided. For several 3'eai's he 
engaged in merchandising. In 1870 he estab- 
lished the Berrien Springs Dispensarj^ for the treat- 
ment of chronic diseases and the opium habit, as 
well as the liquor and tobacco habits, and has met 
with much success in this line. He is also the com- 
pounder of some very valuable remedies, in the 
sale of which he h.as built up a large trade, and 
also has several inventions for the treatment of 
chronic diseases, especially of the lungs, by medi- 
cated vapor, compressed air, etc. 

In 1873 Dr. McOmber was appointed Postmas- 
ter of Berrien Springs, and served with efticienc\' 
for ten years. His journalistic career commenced 
in 1873, at which time he established a monthly 
paper, which had the distinction of being the first 
paper published in Berrien Springs. This paper 
was called Gold and Silver. In 1874 it w.as merged 
into a weekly and the title changed to the Ber- 
rien County Journal, which, after editing and pub- 
lishing for several months, he sold. In 1876 he 
established a weekly paper, an eight-column fo- 
lio,J?epublican in politics and neat in its typo- 
graphical a|)pearance, which he called the Beriicn 
Springs Era, the only paper now published in the 
place. The publication of this he still' conducts 
in connection with his medical industry. 

The marriage of Dr. McOmber occurred in 1872. 
and united him with Miss Minnie M., the daugh- 
ter of the Hon. James Graham, an early settler of 
Berrien County, who served as Sheriff and also as 



/' 





PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



fi-27 



:i iiuMiilier of tlic lA'gislatnro. Dr. and Mrs. Mc- 
OiiiIkm- are tlic parents of vnv child, (iraliani O. 
S()c'iall.v, Dr. IMcOinber is idcnlilicd with Kilpatrick 
Post No. 39, G. A. R,; Western Star Lodge No. 
3!), A. F. <<; A. M., and other fraternal organiza- 
tions. He was largely interested in the estah- 
lishiiienl of tlie St. .Joseph X'alley IJailroad in 
ism;), and served as its General Manager for some 
time. He owns a half-interest in the Hc)tel Oron- 
oko, ereeted as a sanitarium and for the accommo- 
dation of summer visitors, and it is already quite 
popular thougliout this section of country. Al- 
ways interested in educational matters, Di'. Mc- 
Omber has nnidered ellicicnl service as a member 
v( the School Hoard, and has done all in his power 
toward advancing the standard of education in 
his vicinity, and as a i)ublic-spirited citizen he 
lia.s done a great deal to build \ip and advance 
the interests of Uerrien Si)rings. 



"M-t*P»W- 



f I I . t :-rt^t 




ENRY H. POUTER is the Secretary of the 
Mutual City and X'ill.age Fire Insurance 
Company, engineer and manager of tlie 
jj Dowagiac Construction Company, and Sec- 
retar}' and Treasurer of the Dowagiac Gas and 
Electric Company. He was born in Jordan, Onon- 
daga County, N. Y., on the 12th of October, 1847. 
On the maternal side he is descended from Hugue- 
not ancestry, his grandfather IJlancliard having 
Iteen a refugee from France and an early settler of 
Washington County, N. Y. The paternal grand- 
fatiier, William Porter, was born in Ireland, whence 
he en-.igrated to the United States and located in 
Wiishington (Jounty, N. Y. He served as Associate 
Judge of thecount3' and was a prominent attorney 
and coil nselor-at -law. 

William Porter, Jr., father of our subject, was 
born in Hebron, Washington County, N. Y., and 
in Ills youth attended the I'nion College, at Schen- 
ectady, graduating from that institution. Thence 
lie went to Camillus, where he studied law, and 
was admitted to the Bar at Syracuse. He com- 
menced the practice of his profession at .lordan, 



and also had offices in both Syiacuse and Auburn. 
At .Salem, Washington County, he married Helen 
Jane Blanchard, daughter of Judge Anthony Blan- 
cliard. Six children were born of this union, four 
of whom are still living: Anthony 15., of New 
York City; William H., of Auburn, N. Y.; Jennie B. 
Leet, of •Ncranton, Pa.; and our subject. 

Politically, Mr. Porter w.as a Democrat. lie re- 
ceived the appointment of Postmaster at Jordan, 
N. Y., and was a member of the State Legislature. 
He w.as nominated for Congress and made a splen- 
did canvass, but w.as defeated by a small majority 
by his oiiponent, Dennis McCarth}'. Afterward 
he was again nominated for Congress, his opponent 
being Senator Hiscock, and notwithstanding the 
fact that he was sevent3'-two years old, he spoke 
every night for four weeks in the campaign. He 
died in his eighty-first year, March 27, 1887, at his 
home in Jordan, N. Y. The mother of our subject 
died December 9, 1892, in her eighty-lifth year. 

An untiring worker, a logical thinker, and a man 
of unusually sound judgment, Mr. Porter won 
considerable fame in i)rofessional circles and was 
conceded to be one of the most eminent men of 
the Bar of New York. At the lime of his death he 
left seven cases in the Court of Appeals. His was 
a career illustrating the fact that industr}' and en- 
ergy will almost invariably bring to their possessor 
well-merited success, (icntlemanly in demeanor 
and cordial in manner, he numbered his friends by 
the hundreds and enjoyed great popularity. In 
his religious views he was very liberal. He was 
General-in-Chief of the State Militia of New Y'ork, 
and at the opening of the Rebellion was urged to 
accept the Colonelcy of the One Hundred and 
Twenty -second New York Infantry, but could not 
be prevailed upon to do so. His sympathies were 
on the side of the I'nion. 

In the Jordan Academy' the subject of this 
sketch received a good education. AVhen seven- 
teen years old he enlisted, in 1865, .as a member 
of Company F, One Hundred and Ninety-third 
New York Infantry, having run away from home 
in order to join the army. However, his martial 
impulses were indefinitely postponed by the arrival 
of his father on the scene, at Auburn, N. Y., and he 
was obliged to return home. A short time after- 



628 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ward he went to Elbridge, N. Y., wliere he clerked 
in a general store for three and oiie-half years. 
Then, purchasing a stock of drugs, lie embarked in 
business as a druggist and continued thus occupied 
until his store was burned out. 

October 25, 1870, occurred the marriage of Mr. 
Porter to Miss Georgiana, daugliter of 'Israel K. 
Perry, a farmer of Onondaga Count}', N. Y. Mrs. 
Porter was born and reared in Onondaga County, 
N. Y., receiving a good education in the Monroe 
Collegiate Institute. After his marriage Mr. Porter 
located at Syracuse, N. Y., where he engaged in the 
wholesale confectionery and fruit business. Later 
lie settled on a farm in Onondaga County and 
labored as a tiller of the soil until 1877, when he 
came to Michigan. While faiming in New York, 
and while filling the position of Superintendent of 
Implements at the State Fair, he became acquainted 
with Seth Green, the "father of fish culture." This 
gentleman gave him considerable instruction in 
the business and advised him to go into it. He fol- 
lowed the advice and built one of the finest hatcli- 
ing establishments in the State of New York. Mr. 
Porter hybridized the first crosses that were ever 
made between the salmon trout and the brook trout. 
After writing to many of the prominent fisher}' 
men concerning the matter, he published an article 
in llie Forest and Stream explaining it in full. 
They are now on exhibition at the Smithsonian 
Institute. He was the first to cross the California 
salmon with the brook trout, and also the first to 
hatch and raise the celebrated Michigan grayling, 
specimens of which are on exhibition at the Smith- 
sonian Institute. For two years he furnished eggs 
on contract to the State of Michigan, and while 
thus engaged was urged by (lOv. Bagley, of Mich- 
igan, and George H. .Jerome, who was at the head 
of the flsh commission, to come to this State and 
investigate their work, as what had been done 
piior to that time had proved a failure. 

During his visit to Michigan, Mr. Porter accepted 
the position tendered liim and superintended the 
Slate Fishery at Pokagon, Cass County. Hither, 
a slioit time afterward, he brought his fanjils'. 
After filling the position in the fisheries for one 
season, he came to Dowagiac and engaged in the 
grocery business with Frank J. Moslier, under the 



firm name of F. J. Mosher & Co. Two years were 
thus spent, and then Mr. Porter engaged in business 
as a produce dealer. While in the grocery business 
he became interested in the City and Milage Fire 
Insurance Compan}' and acted as its agent here. 
Upon the resignation of one of its Directors he 
he was elected to fill the vacant place. After 
serving as Director one year, he was elected Treas- 
urer, and served in that capacity until 1884, since 
which lime he lias been Secretary. 

At the time Mr. Porter was elected Secretary of 
the City and Village Insurance Company it was 
located at Niles, and for some time previous its 
business had steadily decreased until it seemed that 
there was no prospect of a better state of things. 
However, since Mr. Porter became connected with 
the company and removed the office to Dowagiac 
it has enjoyed a steady increase of business, and 
now has an assessable capital stock of *1, 500,(10(1. 
In addition to his other interests, he is a hydraulic 
engineer. He is a senior member of the Michigan 
Engineering Society, and is manager of the Do- 
wagiac Construction Company, which has ottices in 
Dowagiac and Chicago. 

The Dowagiac Gas and Electric Light Company 
was organized in February, 1890, at which lime 
]Mr. Porter was elected Secretary and Treasurer, 
and is still serving in that capacity. He and his 
wife have one son, William C, who is connoctcd 
with his father in business. 

Under the first administration of President 
Cleveland, Mr. Porter was appointed Postmaster 
at Dowagiac, but for political reasons the Senate 
refused to confirm the appointment. Upon the 
election of Cleveland the second time, he w.as 
solicited by prominent Democrats and Republicans 
to accept the appointment of Postmaster of this 
city, but for business reasons he refused. He 
served as Chairman of the first Democratic caucus 
in the city of Dowagiac, and has been a leader 
among the Democrats for many years. In his re- 
ligious views he is very liberal. Since twenty-one 
years i>f age he has been a member of the Inde|)end- 
enl (Jrder of Odd Fellows, and is also identified 
with the Modern Woodmen of America and the 
Older of Elks. He was the "father" of the .society 
called the American Legion of Honor in the State. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



629 



In the estimation of our subject, this sketch 
would be incomi)lete were no mention made of his 
maternal ancestors. In referring to the family 
genealogy we find the following facts: (Jen. .John 
Williams married Mrs. Susana (Thomas) Turner, a 
descendant of a family belonging to the Claud 
MacGregors, and they became the parents of four 
children. Jlaria, the youngest of the number, 
married Anthony I. Blanchard and they had a fam- 
ily of three sons and three daughters, of whom 
Helen Jane, the mother of our subject, was the 
youngest. Anthony I. Blanchard was Colonel of 
the Second New Hampshire Regiment and was 
the first .Judge of the Common Pleas Court of 
Washington County, N.. Y., having been appointed 
to that position March 12, 1810. In 17!)6 he was 
chosen Assistant Attorney- General of New York, 
and in 1X01 became District Attorney. He served 
as a member of the New York CJcneral Assembly 
for two terras, in ITDO-IIT. 

(ien. .lohn Williams, the great-grandfather of 
our subject, was born at Barnstable, Devon, Eng- 
land, in 17o2, and received a good education in 
his native land. For one year he served .as Major 
on an English man-of-war, and after completing 
his medical and surgical studies emigrated from 
England in 1773, and, coming to America, settled 
at Salem, N. Y., where he followed the profession 
of a physician. May 20, 1775, at the commenee- 
inenl of the Revolutionary War, he was elected 
to represent his county in the General Assem- 
bly, which met in New York City. In .June, 
177;'), he was appointed Surgeon of a regi- 
ment, and in Febiuary of the following }-ear he 
was commissioned Colonel of the regiment that 
had been raised principally through his efforts. 
After serving as commanding ollicer, he was pro- 
moted, April t, 1777, to the rank of Brigadier- 
General, and meantime still fullilled his duties as 
a member of the Assembly. He gave his vote for 
the or<linance creating the State of New York and 
adopting its constitution. I''rom 1792 until 1796 
he served in Congress. For more than twenty- 
live years, from the organization of the State of 
New York until his death, lie was Judge of the 
county of Charlotte and its successor, Washington 
County. As a member of the State Senate he 



offered the resolution, which was adopted, to build 
the canal connecting the Hudson River with Lake 
Champlain on the east and the Great Lakes on the 
west. His death occurred at Salem, N. Y., on the 
22d of July, 1806. 



^^EORGE BOYLE, a representative general 
III (-— , agriculturist, residing upon his finely culti- 
^^^( vated homestead located in Buchanan 
Township, Berrien County, IMicli., is a native of 
the county, and was born December 3, 1835, in 
Lake Township. His parents, (iodfrey and Rosiua 
(Cool) Boyle, were born, reared and married in 
Germany, and, emigrating to America in 1831, re- 
sided for some time in Baltimore, Md., and later 
removing to Pennsylvania, finally made their 
home, in 1834 or 1835, in Berrien Springs, Mich. 
Landing in Baltimore with only a cash capital of 
fifty cents, the parents labored early and late to 
supjiort themselves in the countrs' whose ways and 
language were to them new and strange. When 
the father came to Michigan he accompanied .Air. 
Kimball and his family, and for two years worked 
by the day and month for them. He bought 
a small bit of land one mile north of Niles, and 
built thereon a log house, but did not remain very 
long in this locality, although during the brief 
period of his residence there be managed to lose 
nearly all the small savings carefull3' hoarded 
dollar b}' dollar from his hardly earned w.ages. 
The father and mother then removed to Lake 
Townshij), where the father entered fort\' acres of 
Government land for ^1.25 per acre, and engaged 
energetically in the cultivati()n of the soil. After 
a time he sold this farm and with his family 
removed to Orinoko Township, where he pur- 
chased eighty acres of land and made this place 
his permanent home. 

I'rospering through tireless industry, (iodfrey 
Boyle added a tract of one hundred and sixtj' 
acres to the original farm, and with the aid of his 
sons cleared off the heav}- timber and brought one 



630 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



hundred and twenty acres up to a high state of 
pioductiveness.- He fuitlier improved the farm, 
building an attractive and commodious residence 
and good barns and sheds. From time to time he 
made investments in lands and bought and sold, 
at the time of his death owning two hundred and 
forty acres. Essentially a self-made man, Father 
Boyle, hard-working, upright and true to every 
duty of life, survived to reach sixt^'-three years of 
age, and passed awa}' in 1862, mourned by all who 
knew him. He had served in the army of his na- 
tive land, as had also a brother, and both had un- 
doubtedly shared the dangers of the Bonaparte 
campaign. The brother was captured by the 
troops of Napoleon, his clothes taken from him, 
and, without covering or shelter, he suffered most 
severely. Unto the parents were born thirteen 
children, five of whom lived to years of maturity, 
(iottlieb was the eldest; George was the second in 
order of birth; Mary became the wife of Orlando 
Nelson; Godfrey was named in honor of his father; 
and Hattie is the wife of Joel Ilartline. The mother 
of these brothers and sisters, Mrs. Lucinda Boyle, 
a most estimable woman, passed away in 1868. 

Our subject is self-educated, having in youth en- 
joyed but the most limited opportunities for in- 
struction and schooling. A man of earnest pur- 
pose, he learned to read and write after he had 
reached manhood. Toiling from his early child- 
hood, he attained to twenty years of age and then 
began life for himself on seventy-five acres of land 
his father had given him. The land in the woods 
be cleared and cultivated, and with patient indus- 
try winning his upward way, now owns two 
hundred and twenty-eight and a-half acres of some 
of the most valuable land in Berrien County. Mr. 
Boyle has now under a high state of productiveness 
one hundred and sixty acres, which annually 
yield an abundant harvest. In 1880 he purchased 
one hundred and twelve acres of his tract for 845 
per acre. For the balance he paid $72.50 per 
acre, with the exception of about twenty-six acres, 
which cost $80.10 per acre. Aside from this 
valuable piopert}', our subject also owns two 
hundred and thirteen acres six miles north of 
Nilcs, for which he |iaid $64 per acre. This latter 
farm has one hundred and seventy acres of linely 



cultivated land and is improved with a comfort- 
able residence, a commodious new barn and 
granary, and other buildings. For ten or twelve 
years, George Bo^le, in connection with his brother 
Gottlieb, ran a sawmill in Weesaw Township, a 
business which was then most profitable. In 1858 
George Boyle and Miss Ann Houstid were united 
in marriage. The estimable wife of our subject 
was a native of New York. Her mother, Mary A. 
Filkins, was twice married. Mr. Houstid died 
when his daughter Ann was an infant, and later 
the widow wedded William Walton. Mr. and 
Mrs. Boyle were blessed by the birth of seven 
children: Semantha, deceased; Eugene, a resident 
of Weesaw Township; Laura, wife of Louis Paul, 
of Weesaw Township; Sarah A., wife of R. N. 
Norris, of Niles Township; Ira, at home; Melvin, 
with his parents; and Myra, deceased. A con- 
stant resident of his native Stale throughout fifty- 
eight years of progress, our subject is identified 
with the growth and local improvements of Ber- 
rien County, and reared amid the pioneer scenes 
of early daj'S has acquired solely through his own 
self-reliant efforts a comfortable competence and 
ranks with the substantial men of Michigan. 



Ik 



ESTER H. KEMPTON,a prospeious general 
merchant of Glendora, Weesaw Township, 
Berrien County, Mich., is one of the most 
popular and enterprising citizens of his locality, 
and has held, with marked efliciency, many of the 
important township odlces. Born within the bor- 
ders of the county, December 9, 1860, he enjoys a 
wide acquaintance and the confidence and high 
esteem of a host of life-time friends. His parents, 
David F. and Mary (Henderson) Kempton, were 
both natives of New York. The father, born Au- 
gust 27, 1819, was the son of William Kempton, a 
native of Vermont, who later made his home in 
the Empire State, where he died in 1828. David 
F. Kempton and his estimable wife are both living. 
Tlic\ journeyed from New York .State to Michi- 
gan in 1855, and, locating in 15enieii County, 



PUUTRAIT AND BlOORAnnCAL RECORD. 



fiSI 



liiivc since continued to make their liome in Ibis 
part of the St.'ile. Tlic. fiillior is hy trade a lilack- 
siiiith. ;in(l \nn<x ajio inu'chascd one hundred and 
twelve aeies of woodland, whieii, wilii the aid of 
liis .sons, lie has cleared, cultivated and improved. 
Tlie deed of llie land was jjiven when .lames K. 
I'olU was President. Unto the parents was horn 
a large faniil\' of six sons and live daughters. 

Lester II. was the seventh I'liild in order of birth, 
and. reaied upon the old ISerrien County home- 
stead, attended in childliood the common schools 
of the district, afterward receiving the benefit of 
one ye;ir of instruction in the High 8clioolof New 
Troy, and linally completing his studios in the 
Ctimincrcial College in Crand Raijids. He served 
an apprenticeship to the mercantile business one 
year in the store of R. IJ. .Fennings, at Troy, and 
then, iin account of his health, varied his employ- 
ment with the outdoor work of the home farm for 
two years. In IXH'I Mr. Kemptou engaged in 
mercantile liusiness at Hill's Corners, and in 181)1 
reniDved his interests to Clcndora, where he now 
resides. He carries a stock of about $2,500 and 
docs a good and rapidl>' e.xtcnding business in the 
country round about. Upon April 8, 1893, our 
sulijecl was nnited in marriage with INIiss Florence 
Harlsell, a native of licrrien County, an accom- 
plished lady and a social favorite in the neighbor- 
liodd of Iwv home. JMis. Kempton is the daugh- 
ter of .IdiKithan and Laura (Harger) Hartsell, 
prominent and highly respected residents of Wee- 
saw Township. Mr. Hartsell is a native of the 
.State and was born in Cass County, November 11, 
18:50. 

Politically, Mr. Keinptoii is a pronounced Dem- 
ocrat. He cast his (irst Presidential vote for Gro- 
ver Cleveland, and in order to reach the polls 
walked from (lalien, where he was engaged in a 
store, to the home district. Fully possessing the 
regard of the many who have known his record as 
boy and man, our subject has held, since attaining 
his majority, various positions of trust. Elected 
School lnsi)ector in 188^, he faithfully devoted 
his service for two years to the cause of educational 
advancement, and for three years occupied the 
ollico of Township Clerk. For four successive 
years he was elected to the responsible oHice of 



Supervisor, and discharged the work involved to 
the great satisfaction of his fellow-townsmen, who 
would have continued him in the position, but 
Mr. Kempton, deciding that he had done his share 
toward the mutual welfare as a public ollicer, de- 
clined any further appointment. Mr. and Mrs. 
Kempton, occupying a social i)osition of useful 
inlluence, are prominent factors in the various be- 
nevolent enterprises and social life of the town- 
ship, and in their attractive lK)me receive and en- 
tertain an extensive and life-long acquaintance. 



.^^ 






^^EORGE B. RICHARDS, an enterprising citi- 
[|( g— , zen of lierrien County, Mich., now con- 
^^Jj ductingsuccessfully an extensive furniture 
business in the village of Buchanan, is a native of 
his present locality and was born in the township 
on the 18th of November, 185'.). Educated in the 
schools of Buchanan, he remained with his father 
until his twenty-first birtlidaj, when he began life 
for himself as a market gardener. He followed 
this occupation for some time, then entered into 
mercantile business as a clerk, and in 18;)1 estab- 
lished himself as a dealer in furniture, and has'a 
well-stocked store and enjoys an excellent and 
rapidly-extending trade. Politically a Re(iubli- 
can, Mr. Richards is intimatel}' identified with the 
local management of the leading offices of the 
township, and in 1890 was elected Township 
Treasurer, was re-elected in 1891, and in 1892 and 
in 1893 was elected to the responsible position of 
.Supervisor of the township, the ducies of whicli 
olfice our subject is now discharging to the great 
satisfaction of his fellow-townsmen. In 1879, 
George B. Richards was united in marriage with 
Miss Clara Roe, daughter of Jesse J. and Anna M. 
(Whitman) Roe, early settlers of the village, wide- 
Iv known and highly- respected. Mrs. Richards is 
a member of the Christian Church and a most et' 
timable lady, active in the social and religious life 
of Buchanan. One son, Robert, has blesse() th(? 
home. 



632 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Alfred Ricliards, tlie father of our subject, was 
one of the pioneer settlers of the village of Bu- 
chanan, and, horn in Wilmington, Del., November 
.5, 1822, was a young man twenty-eight yeais of 
age when he came in the pride of early manhood 
to seek his fortune in the broader fields of the 
West. He wastheson of Henry and Sarali (Bergh) 
Richards, who early in life made their home in 
Delaware, but were both natives of J^ngland. 
Hemy Richards, emigrating to America in 1818, 
settled in Delaware, and there married, hut later 
returned to his native land, where lie died. His 
wife, Sarah Bergh, was the daughter of George 
Bergh, who left England in 1820 and located in 
Philadelphia, but later made his home in Wilming- 
ton, Del., dying in the latter State. He and his 
good wife reared six or seven children, wiio located 
in and about Philadeli)hia, being among the fam- 
ily of Friends in that part of the United States. 
George Bergh, the maternal grandfather of Alfred 
Richards, was a prominent member of the (.Quaker 
sect, and commanded univeisal esteem. Five chil- 
dren gathered in the home of Henry and Sarah 
(Bergh) Richards. Emily, the eldest-born, mar- 
ried Charles Gibb, of New York City; George H. is 
deceased; Louisa married John Grain and resides 
in Sing Sing, N. Y.; Mary became the wife of 
James Blandford, and died in Sing Sing, N. Y.; 
Alfred, the youngest-born, received most of his 
education in Sing Sing, N. Y., and resides in Bu- 
chanan. 

Acquiring the trade of a carriage-maker, tlie 
father of our subject worked for some length of 
time in Bridgeport, Conn. Journeying to Michi- 
gan in 1848, he spent one year in Niles,and at the 
end of the following twelve months located in 
Buchanan Township and engaged in the manufac- 
ture of wagons, but few carriages being made in 
those days. After conducting an extensive and 
(jrotitable business as a wagon manufacturer for 
four or five years, Mr. Richards entered into mill- 
ing and lumbering on a large scale. He prospered 
steadily until the financial panic of 1873, when 
the disastrous closing of many large lirms with 
which he did business crippled him seriously. He, 
however, remained in business the next ten years, 
but, failing to enjoy the success which had at first 



attended his efforts, he sold out and retired from 
ths active cares of mercantile life. In 1847 the 
father and mother of our subject, Alfred and 
Laura E. (Martin) Richards, were united in mar- 
riage. Mrs. Richards, a devout Christian lady, 
and a valued member of the Adventist Church, 
passed away in 1887, at the age of fifty-eight 
years. She was the mother of six children. Emily 
is the wife of Charles Terriere, of Minneapolis, 
Minn.; Anna is the wife of Eli Eaton, of Buchanan; 
Laura is the widow of Frank G. Anderson ; Susan is 
the wife of C. Roe, of Buchanan; George B. was the 
fifth child; and Alfred resides in Buchanan. Like 
his wife, Mr. Richards is a member of the Adventist 
Church, and has ever been active in religious and 
benevolent work. He is politically a Re[niblican, 
and has for five years as Township Supervisor 
materially assisted in the promotion of needed 
improvements. He was Treasurer of the township 
for two years and served with ability as member 
of the Village Board of Commissioners. Surround- 
ed by his children, all occupying positions of busy 
usefulness, Alfred Richards is .entering upon the 
evening of his days among a large circle of old- 
time friends, by whom he is universally esteemed. 



[}^+^e 



RASMUS MILLER KRUSE. Li mention- 
ing those of foreign birth who have i)ec()nie 
eloselj' associated with the farming interests 
of Berrien County, Mich., we should not fail to 
present an outline of Mr. Kruse, for he is one who 
has fully borne out the rei)utation of that class of 
industrions, energetic and far-seeing men who 
claim Denmark as their native countrj-. He is a 
retired sailor and is now engaged in farming in 
Royalton Township, Berrien Count}'. Mich. He 
was born in Arhuns, Denmark, December 15, 1826, 
and is a son of Hans B. and Yearn (Skiptei) Kruse, 
both of whom were natives of that country. 

Hans 1). Kruse was a sailor and was captain of 
a sailing-vessel for about forty years. His father 
Amity Kruse, was also an old sailor, but after 
leaving the sea he wiis engaged in merchandising, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



f.33 



followiiiij tli.-it, until his (lu.iUi. Hans B. Krnse 
died in his native country in 185(), and his wife 
Idlhiwcd him to the grave about four years af- 
tcrwaids. They were members of tlio Lutheran 
Chnreli. Tiieir family consisted of three sons and 
one dausflitor, as follows: Erasmus M. our subject; 
Amity C. deceased; and Christina, wife of Mr. 
Danckert, who was born in Denmark and who wasa 
lawyer by profession. He is now deceased and his 
widow resides in the Old Country. Yance, another 
child, is deceased. The last-namedw.as a civil en- 
gineer and while standing up in a wagon putting 
on his overcoat, was thrown out backward b3' the 
horses starting, and was killed. The maternal 
grandfather of these children was also a sailor. 

The original of this brief notice remained with 
his parents until fourteen years of age, and then 
decided to try a sailor's life. He went from Den- 
mark to China for a cargo of tea in 1841, and 
continued working on the vessel until 1846, when 
hi! was shipwrecked off the coast of South America, 
near Montevideo. After this he went on a con- 
voy up the La Platte and Paraguay Rivers, thir- 
teen hundied miles, and returned to Montevideo 
loaded with hides. I>eaving the convoy, he boarded 
a llaltimore vessel and sailed for New York, land- 
ing in that city in \Hl{). From there he made 
three voyages to England. France and the East 
Indies, after which he settled in Boston. Shortly 
afterwards he went to San Francisco in a ship 
called the ".Tohn M. Mail," and had a Dane for 
captain. This was on the 2d of January, 1850, and 
he landeil in ,San Francisco the last of April. 
From Ai)rtl of that year until 18i)3 he was run- 
ning on a pilot boat, getting 8150 to $180 pei- 
month, but in the last-named year he heard that 
his mother was sick and started immediately' for 
his native country, reaching his home in Decem- 
ber, 1854. His mother recovered and lived for a 
number of years after that. 

From 1854 to 1858 Mr. Krnse was m.aster of a 
vessel called the "Caliph." but the year 1859 he 
came to Chicago and remained there until the fall, 
wlien he moved to St. Joseph, Mich. For sev- 
eral yeai-s after this he sailed on the Lakes, but in 
1870 he bought his present farm, forty acres, six 
miles south of Si. Josei)li. In the year 187^ he was 



married in Berrien County to Miss .Mary Sarah 
M.iyhew, a native of Canada, and four children 
were the fruits of this union: Ansel M., Rachel 
M., Robert E. and Reuben AV. Mr. Krusc is one 
of the houoralile, upright men of the county, and 
his word is as good as his bond. He is a stanch 
Republican in his political views, and his first 
Presidential vote was for Aliraham Lincoln. Mrs. 
Krnse is a Free Methodist in her religious belief, 
and a ladv of much intelligence. 



^ OC J> 



^^m^ms^ 



> 




UGUSTUS B. BI SBEE. Adjoining the cor- 
porate limits of the city of Benton Har- 
bor is located the twenty-acre fruit farm 
belonging to the subject of this sketch, 
who is a prominent citizen of this place .and an 
active business man. He was born in Portland, 
Me., on the 15th of F^ebruary, 1849, and is a son 
of Rufus and Marianne (Brown) Bisbee, both of 
whom were boru in the State of Maine, the father 
in June of 1819, and the mother in 1825. The pa- 
ternal grandfather was Rufus Bisbee, a brave sol- 
dier in the War of 1812, and a descendant of 
English ancestors. The family was first repre- 
sented in this country by Thomas Bisbee, who in 
1634 emigrated to America and made settlement 
u|)on the then inhospitable shores of Massachu- 
setts. Oliver Bisbee, the great-grandfather of our 
subject, was one of the participants in the War of 
the Revolution, where he aided in defeating the 
too-confident "red coats." The maternal grand- 
father of Mr. Bisbee was Capt. Consider 15iown, a 
native of Maine. 

For a number of years the parents of our sub- 
ject made their home in Scheneclad}', N. Y., where 
the father died in 1865. The mother is still liv- 
ing and resides at Arrowsic, Me. The parental 
family consisted of live children, only two of 
whom are now living, Augustus B. and Isaac S., 
the latter being a resident of Iowa. The first- 
named pa.ssed his bo\hood da\s in New York, 
wheie he carrie«I on his studies in the common 
schools, Aflerwurd he entered Union College 



634 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



at Schenectady, where he pursued his studies with 
diligence for a i)eriod of two or three years. He 
then entered upon tlie study of medicine, but re- 
limiuislied his plans of becoming a physician and 
secured an intciest in a drug store at Schenectady, 
carrying on a successful business for three years. 

In 1869 Mr. Bisltee came to Benton Harbor, 
where for twelve years ho was engaged in the 
drug business. In 1884 he was elected Recorder 
of Deeds of Berrien County, and in that position, 
as in other positions he was called upon to fill, he 
served with efficiency and fidelity the interests 
of the people. Retiring from the Recorder's office 
he embarked in the real-estate business, to which 
he is giving his attention at the present time. In 
1887 lie purchased part of the fruit farm to which 
allusion has already been made, and which he still 
superintends with success. 

The marriage of Mr. Bisbce occurred in 1873 
and united him with Miss Cecelia E., the daughter 
of John and Thirza McAlister, of Benton Harbor. 
They have live children, May, John, Edith, Arthur 
and Alice. In his social connections, Mr. Bisbee is 
a member of Lake Shore Lodge No. 298, A. F. & 
A. M.; Calvin Brittain Chapter No. 72, R. A. M.; 
St. Joseph Council No. 44, R. ct S. M.; and Niles 
Commandery No. 12, K. T. He has always been 
known as a consistent advocate of the principles 
of the Democratic party, and takes a prominent 
part in local politics, as well as in all enterprises 
which will benefit the community. He is a gentle- 
man of thoroughly accurate and leliable business 
methods, and enjoys the general respect as a sub- 
stantial and worthy citizen. 



^^>-^^-<m=^ 



mOMAS MILES, the able and energetic 
*, Highway Commissioner of Niles Township, 
0^ Berrien Count}^ Mich., has been associated 
with the progressive interests and advancement of 
his townsiiip for a period of nineteen years. He 
is a iixative of old England and was born in Cam- 
bridgeshire, August 13, 183.5. His parents, Robert 
and Ann (Watts) Miles, were of English birth, 




and the mother, four-score years of age, is yet a res- 
ident of the Queen's dominions. Our subject, 
reared and educated in his birthplace, was early 
trained to habits of industrious thrift, and at- 
tained his manhood ambitious and self-reliant. In 
1854, he determined to try his fortunes in Amer- 
ica and embarking on a sailing-vessel, the " Presi- 
dent Fillmore," took passage from London bound 
for the New World. At the close of a long and 
tedious voyage, lasting five weeks and three days, 
Mr. Miles landed safely in the harbor of New 
York City. For many years he remained in the 
Empire State, making his home in Monroe Coun- 
ty, and there devoting himself to agricultural 
pursuits. 

Tiie attractions presented by the West finally 
drew Mr. Miles to Indiana, and, locating in Wells 
County, he resumed fanning. He spent a number 
of years in the Hoosier State, and it was not until 
the fall of 1867 that he journeyed with his fam- 
ilv to Michigan. He came at first to Buchanan 
Township, but after a time settled in the south- 
western corner of Niles Township. Later he re- 
moved to his present homestead, where he has 
lived for a number of years. Upon Blarch 8, 
1858, some four years after his arrival in the 
[Tnited States, Thomas Miles was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Susan Rollings, born in Cam- 
bridgeshire, E^ngland, in April, 1839. The father 
and mother of Mrs. Miles, John and Rebecca Rol- 
lings, were both of English birth. Five children 
have blessed the home of our subject and his good 
wife. William was the eldest of the family; 
Arthur is the second in order of birth; Emma is 
the wife of Edwin Alliger; Elijah and Samuel 
complete the list. Mr. and Mrs. Miles, their sons 
and daughter, occupy positions of usefulness and 
enjoy the esteem and confidence of a large circle 
of friends. 

Our subject received but very limited advan- 
tages for instruction in early youth, and is mainly 
a self-educated man. He arrived in this country 
without capital, but has been enabled to care for 
his family and acquire a farm of sixty acres, 
now all under excellent improvement, and a valu- 
able and productive piece of property. Mr. Miles 
also owns twenty-five acres in Cass County. In 



PORTRAIT AND BlOGRAl'lIICAL RECORD. 



63? 



Ills political allilialioiis, lie is a strcing Doiiiocrat 
and believes in the piineiples and plalff)rni of 
Inie Deniociaey. lie siave to liis liist, term as 
Iligliway Commissioner sneli I'aitiiful and ellicicnt 
service thai lie was re-elected to a second term b}' 
the popular vote. Regardless of party or politics, 
onr subject is ever read}' to assist in all matters 
tending to the piiblii' good. Liberal-spirited and 
progressive, he is at all times a true representative 
Araencan citizen. 







% LBERT L. DREW, a skillful civil engin- 
eer and successful attorney-at-law, is a 
resident of Chikaming Township and 
well known throughout Berrien County, 
Mich. He is a native of Cass County and the 
first white child born on lieardslej' Prairie, Mil- 
ton 'I'ownship. The day of the birth of our highly 
esteemed subject was July 5, 183 J. The Drews 
are of direct Scotch descent, three brothers emi- 
grating from "bonnie Scotland" to America in a 
very early day in the history of the Colonies. 
One of tliv brothers settled in \'ermont, another 
ill N'ew .Jersey, and the third in the Emijire State. 
The father of our subject, Oliver Drew, was 
born, reared and educated in the Green Mountain 
State, and remained in the home of his childhood 
until he had arrived at his majority. Wiien twen- 
ty-one years of age, beginning life for himself, 
he went to the State of New York and engaged 
in stair-building, and, an excellent mechanic, was 
prospered. He remained in New York until 1832, 
when he determined to try his fortune in a new 
country and journeyed to the wilds of Michigan, 
settling in Cass County, where, in 1833, he mar- 
ried Miss Ann Woods, a native of the Quaker 
Stiite and a daughter of James Woods, a member 
of one of the old Pennsylvania-Dutch families. 

After locating in Micliigan, Oliver Drew en- 
gaged in a variety of employment, digging wells 
and pump making. He was a manufacturer of the 
first wooden iniinp in Cass County, and was a man 
of spirit and enterprise. During the Sac War he 

31 



made. a gallant defense against the Indians, and his 
dcatii was mourned as a public loss when he died 
in Cass County in 1«,")3. He and liis good wife 
were the parents of four sons and four daughters, 
of whom five are yet living. Harvey L. served with 
bravery in the Civil War, and is now a wealthy 
banker of San 15ernardino, Cal. Our subject, Al- 
bert L., was reared among the pioneer scenes of 
Milton Township, and attended the primitive 
schools of his home district, afterward receiving 
instruction in the graded schools of P^lkhart and 
Mishawaka, Ind. 

In 1861 iNIr. Drew made his permanent home in 
Berrien County, and in the same year began read- 
ing law with Judge Coolidge, and, in a brief time 
entering ujjon the practice of his legal profession, 
has since been retained in numerous important 
cases tried in various paris of Berrien County. 
Enjoying an extended reputation as a practitioner 
at the Bar, our subject is also known as an able 
civil engineer, and has done a large amount of 
business in that line of work, peculiarly incidental 
to a new country. For four years Mr. Drew oc- 
cupied with elHciency the responsible position of 
County Surveyor, and was also Supervisor of his 
township for eleven consecutive years, and was a 
most valuable factor in the i)romotion of the best 
interests of his locality. Our subject was like- 
wise one of the Trustees of the Michigan State 
Prison for one term, and oceu|)ied with distinc- 
tion the Presidential chair of the Farmers' Insti- 
tute and the Old Settlers' Association. 

Albert L. Drew and Miss Helen A. Sherrill were 
united in marriage in 1857, in Cass County, amid 
the best wishes of many friends. Mrs. Drew is 
the daughter of old settlers of Michigan, and was 
born in Jefferson Township, Cass County. Our 
subject and his estimable wife have one child, a 
son, Gu3' E., a young man of promise, now em- 
ployed in his profession as assistant civil engin- 
eer by the Micliigan Central Railroad Company, 
with which corporation he has been connected for 
many years. Wiien Mr. Drew first came to Ber- 
rien Couiit3' lie |)urchased the valuable farm of 
four hundred and eighty acres which he still owns. 
The land is under excellent cultivation and highly 
improved with an attractive residence, substan- 



638 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



tial barns and other buildings. The farm is one 
of the finest in the county and, located about 
twenty miles from the county seat, is the abode of 
hospitality. Soon after settling in Berrien County 
our subject built a sawmill, which he operated 
profitably for twelve years, and in his various en- 
terprises exhibits the indomitable energy and in- 
telligent business ability which have characterized 
his entire career. 

Politically, Mr. Drew is an Independent, but, 
formerly a Republican, cast his first Presidential 
vole for John C. Fremont. He lias from his earl- 
iest manhood actively interested himself in local 
and national issues, and been a leader in the coun- 
cils of his fellow-townsmen. The parents of our 
subject were valued members of the Baptist Church 
at Edwardsburgh, Cass County, with which re- 
ligious organization his wife is also connected. 
Mr. and Mrs. Drew are generous givers in behalf 
of religious and benevolent work and enterprise, 
and occupy a high social position. Passing a life 
of honored and busy usefulness, our subject has 
gained and retains the confidence of a host of old- 
time friends. 



^^ 




^^ AMUEL C. THOIMSON represents Howard 
Townshi[i on the Board of Supervisors of 
Cass County. A jirominent farmer and 
stock-raiser, he owns and operates on sec- 
tion 8 a well-conducted farm, consisting of two 
hundred and fifty-one acres, of which two hundred 
and sixteen acres are under excellent cultivation. 
He has embellished his ])lace witli a set of first- 
class farm buildings adapted to their several uses, 
and has also introduced machinei-y of the latest 
and most approved pattern. 

Many of the most successful and thrifty citizens 
of our country have emigrated hither from Scot- 
land, and among this number may be mentioned 
our subject, who was born in Glasgow, on the 
28tli of July 1842. His father, Samuel Thomson, 
who was likewise born in (Glasgow, was a grocer 
in that city, whence he emigrated to the United 



States and settled in Berrien County, Mich., m 
1844. He located on section 33, of Niles Town- 
ship, where he died on Christmas Day, 1882, aged 
eighty-five years. A man well known throughout 
the county, he served many years as Justice of 
the Peace and Highway Commissioner in Niles 
Township. In the Old Country he had been a 
Gladstone man, and after settling in Michigan 
adopted the principles of the Democratic party, to 
which he gave his influence and support. 

The mother of our subject bore the maiden name 
i of Lillian Atkin and was born and reared in Scot- 
land. At the age of more than ninety years, she 
still survives, making her home with her son, Hon. 
James B. Thomson, at the old place. She had 
eight children, four sons and four daughters, all of 
whom grew to manhood and womanhood; at this 
writing (1893) three still survive. The subject 
of this sketch is fifth in the famil}- circle and was 
about two years old when he came to America 
with his parents. His first schooling was obtained 
in the district schools of Niles Township, and later 
he attended the school in the village of Niles 
during one winter. 

Mr. Thomson remained at the old homestead 
and engaged in general farming for many years. 
He was not married until he was forty-two years 
of age, when he was united with Miss Caroline 
Gerberich, the ceremony which united them be- 
ing performed on the 20th of November, 1884. 
Mrs. Thomson was born in Bertrand Township, 
Berrien County, February 15, 1858, being the 
daughter of David and Catharine (Miller) Gerbe- 
rich, early settlers of St. Joseph County, Ind., and 
also pioneers of Berrien County, Mich. Mr. Thom- 
son purchased his present farm in 1881, and has 
since made this his home. Unto him and his wife 
have been born two children: Samuel and Jose- 
phine. 

In his political belief, Mr. Thomson is a Dem- 
ocrat. He served as Clerk of Niles Township for 
several years, and also filled the position of School 
Inspector. In 1883 he was elected Supervisor of 
Howard Township, and ten 3'ears later was again 
chosen to fill that important position. In 1887 he 
became Justice of the Peace, and is now filling 
that position for the second tLiin. He is an Elder 



PORTRAIT AMI BIOGRAPHICAL RKCORD 



r,.'?o 



in the Presbyterian Church at Niles, and has been 
ono of its loading mombers foi- many years. His 
father was one of Ihi' organizers and also the 
President of the lierrien County Farmers' Mutual 
Insurance Comiiany, and he is also connected 
with this organization as a Director. As a citizen, 
farmer, neighlior and friend, he possesses true no- 
bility of character and is held in general esteem. 



•;■ •i' _ =4t 



KWIS ROHKHTSS, an energetic and enter- 
prising general agriculturist and successful 
JLi^ stock-raiser of Weesaw 'I'ownslnp, Berrien 
County, Mich., has l)een a constant resident of his 
highly productive farm for the past quarter of a 
century. Ohio is the native Slate of our subject, 
who was born in Huron County October 13,1811. 
The Robertses are an old, well-known family in the 
East, and Grandfather Roberts was one of the pa- 
triotic citizens who fought with courage in the 
War of the Revolution. The father and mother, 
.lonalhan M.and Kliza (llortou) Roberts, were long- 
time residents of the Empire Stale, but with their 
family later made their home in Ohio, where the 
parents passed their last years, and at a good old 
age died. Their home was blessed by the birth of 
seven manly sons, of whom our subject was the 
sixth in t)rder of birth. Lewis Roberts spent the 
days of youth in his birthplace, and there grew 
up to manhood. He enjoyed the advantage of 
instruction in the schools of the home district and 
assisted his brothers in the daily round of farm- 
ing duties. Our sulijeet was not twenty years old, 
when, promptly answering the Government's ap- 
peal for troops, he bravely enlisted, September 17, 
IHGl, in the three years' service. 

Mr. Roberts entered Company C, Fifty-fifth 
Ohio Infantry, .as a private, and, immediately for- 
warded to the front, paiticipated in the battles of 
Cross Keys, Bull Run, Chancellorsville and Gettys- 
burg, Pa. He also took an active part in the 
fights of Mission Ridge and Resaca, (ia., and in 
the latter engagement was wounded by a gunshot 



through the right hip. Removed to the held hos- 
pital, our subject was soon transi)orted to Chatta- 
nooga, from there was sent one night to N.ashville, 
and w.as afterward forwarded to Louisville, and 
from there to .Jefferson vi lie, Ind., where he re- 
mained until September, at which time he re- 
ported at Chattanooga and assisted in driving four 
thousand cattle to Atlanta. His next engagement 
was at Savannah, (ia. In 1865, at Fayetteville, 
N. C, where he was serving on detailed duty, 
grinding corn at a mill with a comrade, he was 
attacked by seven rebels and, again wounded by a 
gunshot striking his right ej'e, was left for dead 
upon the field. The attack occurred upon the S)th of 
March, but our subject was not picked up until the 
i;3th, when he was carried to the house of a neigh- 
boring family, and from there was removed to 
Fayetteville, N. C, and later sent to Wilmington, 
N. C, and finally taken to Willet's Point Hospi- 
tal, in New York, five miles up East River. For 
his services he now draws $;30 per month pension 
from the Government. 

In this latter place Mr. Roberts remained until 
May, 18(J5, when he was discharged from the serv- 
ice and returned to Ohio. Soon after reaching his 
mother's he was violently attacked with tyi)hoid 
fever and was ill for some time. In 18()() our 
subject made Berrien County his permanent home, 
and in 1867 piu'chased the farm he now owns, and 
which contains fifty-five acres of excellent land. 
The homestead, when bought by Mr. Roberts, was 
heavily timbered land, but now, cleared and im- 
proved, is one of the most attractive pieces of faiin- 
ing property in this part of Weesaw Township. It 
was February 8. 18()6, that Mr Roberts first entered 
the bonds of matrimony, wedding Miss Mary StoU, 
a native of Sandusky, Ohio. This estimable lady, 
who passed away November 5, 187.5, lived to be- 
come the mother of three children, of whom but 
one now survives, a daughter, Mary R., wife of 
George Sullivan. Our subject contracted a second 
marriage May 15, 1877, with Miss Jane Allen, who 
died May 7, 1887, leaving two children, Charles 
and Ola. Ipon November 5, 188!), Mr. Roberts 
was united in marriage with Mrs. Addie (Foster) 
Slimpson, a lady of worth and intelligence, who 
has been blessed by the birth of two children. 



640 



POiiTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Flossie and Maxie. Fraternally, Mr. Roberts is a 
valued member of George Custer Post No. 208, 
Ct. A. R., and much enjoys tlie re-unions of the 
order. Among the reminiscences of the privations 
cour.ngeously endured while in the army, our sub- 
ject relates that when in Virginia he was eighteen 
d.iys without taking off his accoutrements. Mr. 
Roberts is a member of the Farmers' Mutual Fire 
Insurance Company, and lakes an active part in 
all matters of public welfare. Politically, he is a 
Republican, true and steadfast, and cast his first 
Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. Highly 
esteemed by the community with whose interests 
he has so long been identified, he is numbered 
among the substantial citizens of Fierrien County, 
and has a host of friends. 



ii 1 1 1 1 I 




U^n'HUEL FARLEY. Among the early pio- 
neers of Berrien C'ounty, Oronoko Town- 
t'lllll; ship, Mich., and who has attained to a vig- 
orous old age, is Bethuel Farley-, who 
many years .ago came to this section and entered 
actively upon his career as a farmer. The older 
members of a community arc doubl3' entitled to 
the respect and esteem of tiicir neighbors when 
their lives have beeu rei)lete with acts of kindness 
and their whole career marked by integrity and 
uprightness. Our subject is one of those who has 
fought the battle of life successfully, and is now 
in the enjoyment of the fruits of his early labors. 
He is a product of Ohio, born in the town of Kirt- 
land in 1823, and the son of Amos and Lucy 
(Hall) Farley, natives respectively of New Hamp- 
shire and Vermont. 

The parents were married in New Hampshire, 
but subsequently removed to Lower Canada, where 
they made their home for twelve years. From there 
they wenttoOhio in 1814 or 1815, settling in the 
town of Kirtland, neai which Mr. Farley tilled the 
soil for many years, but about 1830 he ventured 
into the wilds of Michigan, where for three years 
he resided on the site of tlie now prosperous vil- 
lage of St. .Joseph. There were but two or three 



houses there at that time, and our subject has in 
his possession two or three chairs made h>- a Mr. 
Chandler, who was a chair-maker there in 1830. 
While residing in St. .Joseph, Mr. Farley kept 
boarders, this being the first house of the kind in 
the village. In May, 1833, he settled on the faim 
where our subject now resides, then consisting of 
eighty acres, and for which he paid 8150, and at 
once began clearing and improving. 

At that time the country' was wild and unset- 
tled, neighbors were far off, and Indians were to be 
seen every day, their largest camp being located on 
the St. Joseph Uiver, near the present town of I>ii- 
chanan. Mr. Farley 's nearest neighbor was Ileza- 
kia Hall, whose farm was about a quarter of a mile 
away. On his farm. Mr. Farley' remained until his 
death in 1837. His wife survived him until 1854. 
The}' were the ])arcnts of eight children, all of 
whom are deceased but our subject. Laura was 
the wife of Joseph (!ard; Susana was the wife of 
IMartin Friley; Rebecca was the wife of Ransom 
French; Daniel H., Ebenezer and Amos A. came 
next; I<]liza M. was the wife of Chancy A. Hall; 
and Bethuel is our subject. The paternal grand- 
father of (uir ^uljjcct, Ebenezer Farley, was a na- 
tive of New llamijsliire, and lii» brother served in 
the Revolutionary War. 

Betliuel Farley was only about seven \eais of 
age when his parents came to Berrien County, 
Mich., and as a consequence nearly all his recol- 
lections arc of this State. At that time schools 
were scarce, and young Farley's educational ad- 
vantages were limited. He commenced for him- 
self after the death of his father and took care of 
his mother until her death. Besides the eighty 
acres inherited from his father's estate, he has 
since purchased forty acres, making one hundred 
and twenty acres, of which seventy acres are well 
cultivated. Mr. Farley has resided on this farm 
since 1833, a period of sixty years, and saw tlie 
first stick of timber cut from the place, as well as 
the last. Most of the improvements on the place 
have been made by his own hands, and he is one 
of the foremost agriculturists of the township. Ho 
is a deservedly popular man, and is well known 
for his integrity and general intelligence, .as well 
as for his long residence in tliis county. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ff41 



In the yciir 18,J3 lie was marrierl to Miss Sarah 
L. Thompson, the daughter of Robert P. and Caro- 
line L. (Slaikweather) Thompson, natives of the 
iMiipiro State, who came to Miehiijan in 1850. Mr. 
and .Mrs. Thompson first settled in Twin Springs, 
hilt later removed to IJerrien .Springs, where they 
rcmaiiiecl for five years. From there tliey went to 
St. .Joseph County, and made their iiomc there un- 
til after the war, when they removed to the north- 
ern part of the State. Not satisfied there, they 
moved to Nel)raska, where the father's death oc- 
curred on the 31st of August, 1875. He was acci- 
dentally killed while driving over a bridge, which 
gave way. throwing the horses and wagon upon 
him. IIl' and his wife were the parents of seven 
childien: Sarah L.; Emerett E., wife of H. Rich- 
ards, of St. .Joseph County; Maryett, wife of .John 
Landon, of St. .losei'li County; Plueba .J., wife of 
Ambrose lUitton, of Grand Travis County, Mich.; 
A. R. P., who resides in Missouri; Alonzo L. P., 
of Nebraska; and one, who died when small. 

Mr. Farley's union resulted in the birth of nine 
children, two of whom died when small. The oth- 
ers are: Fletcher, at home; Lucy L., wife of Will- 
iam Simpson, of Berrien Township; ,lolin W., of 
Nebraska; Laura A., wife of Newton .Spaulding; 
George A., Levi A. and Mary K., at home Mr. 
and JL's. Farley luild nicmbcrship in the Method- 
ist Episcopal Chiucli, and conlril)ule liberally of 
their means to its support and to all other worthj' 
enterprises. Mr. Farley is a very pninounccd 
Prohibitionist, but for many y<'ars voted the Deni- 
ociatic ticket. His fallicr-in-law, Mr. Thompson, 
w.as one of tlie lirst brick and stone masons iti the 
county, and erected some of llie most substantial 
biick and stone buildiiii's. 



^^ IIARI.KS .1. r.UOWN. A glance at the lives 
(l\ If "'^ i'i'l"'Ps^'"'!>'''ve men whose names np|)car 
^^/J in this volume will reveal many sketches of 
honored and iullucntial citizens who have resided 
many years in tin- counlw luil ainoui^ them none 



is more worthy or deserving of mention than AL-. 
Brown, who is a true type of a successful farmer. 
Many of the most active and enterprising residents 
of Berrien County arc natives of the county, and 
have here spent the greater part of their lives, hi 
them we find men of true loyalty to the interests 
of this partof the State, who understand, as it were 
by instinct, the needs, social and industrial, of this 
vicinity, and who have a thorough knowlciige of 
its resources. They are, therefore, better ada[)ted 
to succeed here than a stranger could be and are, 
probably without exception, warmly devoted to 
the prosperity' of their native place. .Such a man 
we lind in Mr. Brown. 

He was born on the farm where he now lives, 
April 12, 1843, and is a son of Richard and Eliza 
(Michael) Brown. The father was a product of 
Ohio soil, but came to Berrien County, Mich., while 
yet single. He first settled in Summervillc. ran 
an hotel several years, and then bought a farm near 
Berrien Springs, vvhere he remained for some time. 
He then traded that for a hotel at Summervilleand 
still later traded the hotel toward the farm which 
our subject now owns. During his latter days he 
devoted nearly all his time to farming, lie was 
one of the earliest settlers of the county, having 
moved to the farm where oursiil)ject now lives m 
the fall of 1852, and was a man iinivcrsall\ rc- 
sjiected. The mother of our subject was born in 
Ohio, and died in Berrien County about 1881. 

Of the nine children born to his parents, live 
sons and four daughters, seven ar(Miow living, and 
our subject was sixth in order of birth, lie was 
reared and educated in his native county, but be- 
ing left fatherless at an early age he was ol)liged 
to assist in su|)[)orting the famil}', and as a conse- 
quence his educational advantages were limited. 
He remained with his mother until after the age of 
twenty-one, and in September, liS82,was marricci to 
Miss Almeda Williams, a native of this county. 
.She died September (i. ll^'.M, leaving two children: 
Burl C. and Kebrcca May. llcr piirents, William 
II. and 'i'ilda Williams, werccarly settlers and niiicli 
esteemed citizens of this county. The parents of 
our subject were members of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, but although not a member of any 
church, Mr. l!rown is deeply interested in all 



642 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



worthy enterprises and contributes liberally to 
tlieir support. He has always resided where he 
now lives, eight miles south of St. .Joseph, and has 
sixty-eight acres under a good state of cultivation. 
Mr. Brown possesses all the thrift and industry 
of his German ancestors and his place is n model 
of neatness and order. He enjoys to an unlimited 
extent the confidence and esteem of all who know 
liira, is an influential man of the county, and is 
warmly devoted to its prosperity-. He is a mem- 
ber of the Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Com- 
pany and a member of Lodge No. 373, I. O. O. F., 
of Royalton. Ever since easting his first vote, 
which was for Tilden, he has affiliated with the 
Democratic party. 



♦^^^1 



mmm 



31^ 




HRISTIAN G. HAEFNER. This part of 
Michigan has proved a mine of wealth to 
"' Ihousandsof industriousand earnest farmers 
who have come hither from the Hast and foreign 
countries, and by dint of hard work and enterprise 
have developed the resources wljicli nature has so 
liberally ))rovided. No better citizens have made 
their home in Cass County than those of German 
origin, for they have as their inlieritance those 
traits of character and life which iiave ever dis- 
tinguished that race, and whicii have made them 
prosperous and intelligent. 

The original of tliis sketcli was born in Wur- 
temberg, German_y, December 14, 1831, and liis 
parents. Christian G. and Christina llaefner, were 
natives of the same place. The promises lield out 
by the rich farming lands of America tempted the 
elder Mr. Haefner to cross the ocean to the United 
States, and in 18.52 he took passage on a vessel for 
our shores. He brought his family with liim, but 
his wife died during the voyage. After landing 
at New York he went direct to Cincinnati, Ohio, 
where lie worked at the carpenter's trade until his 
death in 1855. Of tlie four children born to them, 
one died on the ocean and two are now living. 
Botii parents were members of tiie Reformed 
Church. 



The youthful days of our subject were passed 
in his native country, and he received a good ed- 
ucation in the German language. He learned tlic 
carpenter's trade from his father, and in 1852 
started to the "land of the free" with his parents. 
He went with his father to Cincinnati, and worked 
at his trade there until 1854, when lie took a trip to 
the Lone Star State. After working at his trade 
in Austin for two years, he decided that tlie North 
was the place for him, and returned to Cincinnati. 
In 1857 he came to Micliigan, and soon after set- 
tled on his farm in Volinia Township. There 
were no roads, the country was covered witii tim- 
ber, and lie had to haul the lumber to build a liouse 
through an almost unbroken wilderness. Tlie tiact 
consisted (>f forty acres, but he has added to this 
from time to time, until he now owns one hun- 
dred and thirty acres, with ninety acres under cul- 
tivation. In 1887 he built a handsome residence 
at a cost of 83,000, but built it all himself and has 
it nicely linished in hard wood. The doors are black 
walnut and ash, and this house is one of the best 
finished in tiie townsliip. His barns, cribs and 
outbuildings are all in first-class condition and are 
an ornament to the place. 

In February, 1864, he was filled with a patriotic 
desire to assist his adopted country, and he en- 
listed in Company C, Thirteenth Michigan Infan- 
try, and went with his company to Chattanooga. 
He participated in the battle of Nashville and was 
then with General Sherman from Goldsboro, 
N. C, to Washington, D. C. He took part in the 
i Grand Review at the last-named place and was 
discharged at Louisville, Ky., in .Inly, 1865. He 
was always on duty and was a faithful and gallant 
soldier. Previous to the war, in 1857, he was 
married to Miss Harriet Huff, a native of Wayne 
Township, this county, born in 1839, and ten 
children blessed tliis union, eight of whom are 
living. Mr. and Mrs. Haefner are members of 
the Methodist Episcoital Church, an<l he has been 
Treasurer and Trustee in the same. He has been 
active in educational matters, has been a member 
of the School Board ten years, and has given all his 
children good educations. Socially, Mr. llaefner 
is a member of the Masonic order and is .Junior 
Deacon of the same. He is also a member of Burn- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RKC(1KD. 



CIS 



side Post, G. A. R.. Dcciitiir, and in politics is a 
Repuldican. lie has lu'en T(>«nslii|) Treas\iror for 
two years, and is proniinont in all matters of mo- 
ment, lie is aself-niade man, and his cliildicn are 
nearly all doing for themselves. 



f 



SAAC LONG, a prominent citizen and pioneer 
settler of liertrand Township, I'.errien C'onnty, 
/li Mich., is one of the leading jjeneral agricnl- 
turists and successful stock- raisers of the Stjite. A 
man ()f superior business aliility, he h.as accumu- 
lated a large property and is one of tlie stock- ! 
holders of the First National Bank at Niles. INIr. j 
Long was born in Perry County, Pa., January 30, 
1822. His father, Cliristian Long, was a native ' 
of the same State and county, but later made his I 

home in Lancaster County. He died, however, in i 

• 
his birthplace at the age of sixty-five years. The 

paternal grandfather, David Long, was of im- 
mediate German descent, but his parents, early 
emigrating from the Old Country to America, lo- 
cated in Lancaster County, Pa., where he was born. 
The mother of our subject, Anna ((Toble) Long, 
was likewise born in Lancaster County, of the 
(Quaker State, which was the birthplace of her fa- 
ther, .lohn Goble, his parents being of German 
birth. The mother had reached three-score years 
and ten at the time of her death. Christian Long 
and his estimable wife were the parents of eighteen 
children, thirteen of whom lived to adult age, 
twelve sons and one daughter. Seven of the 
brothers and sisters now survive. 

Isaac Long was the ninth child and the ninth 
son of his parents' large family. He was reared 
upon a farm and received his education in the dis- 
trict school of the neighborhood, remaining among 
the as.sociations of Imyhood until twenty -six years 
old. In l«lit he journeyed Westward and located in 
liertrand Township, I'.errien County, Mich., where 
he immediately received employment ui)on the 
farm of .lacob Hough, working for *l(t per month. 
He w.as married within the same year to Miss Susan- 



nah Rough, a daughter of .Jacob and .Anna Koiigh, 
anda sister of (ieorge Rfnigh, a well-known citizen 
of Berrien County. Mrs. Long was born in Penn- 
sylvania and was about twenty-two years of .age 
when she accompanied her pareiit.s to Michigan. 
For three years our subject and his estimable wife 
made their home with Mr. Rough, but at the ex- 
piration of this time Mr. Long, who had continued 
to assist in the farming duties of the Rough 
homestead, located on section 7, Bertrand Town- 
ship, where he yet resides. For a number of years 
the husband and wife lived in a humlile log cabin, 
but in 18(51 our subject built a brick residence 
costing $2,000, and in 18()5 erected a fine barn at 
an expenditure of $800. An energetic and enter- 
prising man, ]\Ir. Long accumulated a large prop- 
erty and owned an extensive acreage, but has 
profitabl3' disposed of a portion of his home farm, 
which now contains one hundred and fifty acres, 
all under a high stale f)f cultivation. 

A son devotes himself to the agriculliiral duties 
of the old farm, and our suljject, now retired from 
active labor, enjoys a well-earned rest. Eleven 
children clustered in the pleasant home of Mr. and 
Mrs. Long, live sons and six daughters. IMaiy is 
deceased. Jane is the wife of ,Ioe Korn, of Indi- 
ana, and is the mother of four daughters and four 
sons. Elizabeth is the wife of L. Bachman, and 
had a family of five sons, three now surviving; she 
resides in Niles Township. Pluebe. deceased, the 
mother of three children, was the wife of .lohn 
Bicel, a resident of Buchanan Township. Kate, 
who resides with her parent-s, w.as the mother of 
four children, one daughter and three sons, two of 
whom arc deceased; her children are Frank Huss 
and Edward Huss. Fannie is the wife of Osmund 
Howe and has one daughter. William H. married 
Belle Ashbrook, and is the father of one sou and 
one daughter. Ira M., unmarried, is a student 
now attending the law department of the State 
University at Ann Arbor. George W. married 
Miss Mary Black and makes his home with his 
family in California, .lacob . I. is deceased. Ed- 
ward married Miss Lodemia Broscius and is a citi- 
zen of Buchanan Townshi[), Berrien County, Mich. 
Financially prospered Mr. Long is a stockholder 
in the First National Bank of Niles and is one of 



644 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the representative men of the count3'. He and 
the various members of his family' occupy a high 
position in tlie social and business circles of Ber- 
rien County and command universal esteem. Our 
subject and most of his sons are politically Repub- 
licans. Mr. Long was from his earliest residence 
in the township an active factor in local progress 
and has been identified with the promotion of the 
best interests and rapid advancement of Berrien 
County for more than two-score j'ears. 



.1^ 



=^^-f^ 




(=- 



.lYRON PENNELL. A biographical com- 
l^^» pendium of Berrien County would be in- 
complete were not mention made of the 
gentleman whose name introduces this 
sketch, for he is a man of much public spirit; he 
donates liberally to all public enterprises and gives 
his inlluence to every just measure for the promo- 
tion of the common good. He is a native of the 
Empire State, born in Locke, December 29, 1840, 
and was but eight years of age when he came with 
his father, A. C. Pennell, to this count}'. His fa- 
ther being an agriculturist, the scholastic training 
of our subject was received in the district schools 
and he divided his time in youth in attending the 
same and assisting on the farm. 

Thus our subject grew to sturdy manhood, and 
when he started out to begin the battle of life for 
himself, which was not until he was twenty-three 
years of age, he hired out for one year as a mill 
and lumber li.and. His father then gave him forty 
acres of land, principally timber, but our subject 
did not move onto this farm. In selecting a com- 
panion for life he chose Miss Sarah Sluiltz, a n.i- 
tive of Berrien Count}-, and their nuptials were 
celebrated in 1864. Her parents, .John G. and 
Betsie (Storick) Shultz, were natives of the Key- 
stone State, and came to this State at an early day. 
The father was an agriculturist and followed that 
occupalioii all liis life. Their three children were 
in tlie order of their birth as follows: Harriet, 
wife of Amos Painter; Sarah, Mrs. Pennell; and 
William, now residiii<; in this count\'. Mis. 



Shultz died in Berrien County in February, 1888, 
and her husband followed her to the grave in 
August of the same year. They were most worthy 
citizens. 

After marriage Mr. Pennell resided with his 
father-in-law for three years and assisted him in 
the payment of a large pl.ace. During his resi- 
dence there the father-in-law gave him and his 
wife a piece of land consisting of one hundred and 
twenty acres, all heavih' timbered, and Mr. Pen- 
nell sold his first pl.ace and began improving his 
new farm. He now has eighty-eight acres under 
a good state of cultivation, has two fine resi- 
dences, and his barns and outliinldings are sub- 
stantial and commodious. All his farming oper- 
ations are conducted in a thorough, wide-awake 
manner, and he is classed among the leading far- 
mers of his section. He has an abundance of 
fruit of all kinds for home consumption, and his 
rural home, which is [tresided over with much care 
by Mrs. Pennell, is one of the pleasantest in the 
section. Mr. and Mrs. Pennell have had no chil- 
dren of their own, but have reared two orphan 
children, Susan Howater and Clyde E. Pennell, 
both of whom are now with this estimable couple. 
Mr. Pennell is a member of the Baptist Church, 
and his wife is a member of the Dunkard Church. 



v^ EORGE OLSEN. Passing through St. Jo- 
11 <^w" ^''1''' lowship, Berrien County, the trav- 
*\^|! eler notes with admiration a fine fruit farm 
on section 34. The place comprises thirlv-llirce 
acres, devoted to the cultivation of small fruits, 
ten acres being planted to grapes, fourteen acres 
to blackberries and four acres to peaches, all of 
which Mr. ()lsen,the owner of the farm, cultivates 
with su(!cess. Since he located here in 1H84, he 
has introduced many improvements and effected 
many valuable changes, having planted the major- 
ity of the fruit trees now noticeable, and having 
also brought the soil to a thorough state of culti- 
vation. The residence is an elegant structure, 
commanding a fine view of Lake Michigan and 
occupying an .atti.active location on tlie bluffs. 




RESIDENCE OF BYROM PCMNELL, SZZ. 2B. OROl-JOKO TR^BLRRIEN CO., MICH. 







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RE51DEr4CE0F G. 0LSEr4, S EC . 3^ . , 5T. J05EPH TR, BERRl EN CO.,MiCH. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



647 



A Norwegian by birtli, Mr. Olsen was born 
in the northern part of that country on the 
2Gth "f February, 1889, and is the son of Ole 
and IJcrlha (Nelson) Olsen, wiio emigrated from 
Norway to the United States about 18;J0, be- 
ing accompanied on their removal hither by ten 
cliildren. Locating in Milwaukee, the father re- 
maiiie(l tliere for a short time, after which he went 
to Michigan and settled at Muskegon, making, 
iiowever, but n sliorl sojourn at that place. He 
returned thence to Milwaukee, wliere his doatli oc- 
curred shortly after his return. His wife, tlie 
mother of our subject, passed away very soon 
after the family- came to the United States. 

After the death of iiis father, our subject secured 
employment in a siiingle shop at Milwaukee, wiiere 
he engaged in packing shingles for about two 
years. Afterward he filled a clerical position for 
two years. He then went to the pineries of Wis- 
consin, where for two years he manufactured 
shingles for otiier |xirties. Subsequently, he was 
employed in milling, and later engaged in the 
lumber and shingle business for a period covering 
about nineteen years, his mill being located in 
Little Suamico, Wis. In that village he was mar- 
ried in December, 1862, to Miss Julia E., the 
daughter of Herman Peters. Mrs. Olsen was born 
in Cayuga County, N. Y., whence she removed to 
Wisconsin and settled in Marquette County; later 
she removed to Little Suamico, where she remained 
until her marriage. 

In liis political belief, Mr. C)lsen is a pronounced 
adherent of the principles of the Prohibition 
party, and is a very strong advocate of temper- 
ance. He has served for two j-ears as Justice of 
the Peace in St. Joseph Township, and has occupied 
other positions of trust and honor. He and his wife 
are .active members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, in which he is.olliciating as Steward. Ear- 
nest and loyal in his religious atliliations, he contrib- 
utes libcrallj- to the support of that denomination 
and aids in all its good work. 

From this brief review of the life of Mr. Olsen 
the thoughtful reader m.ay glean many lessons. 
In his youth he had very meagre educational ad- 
vantages in Norway, and at the age of fourteen, 
left an orphan without money or freinds, he 



started out to fight the battle of life unaidecL 
From thai humble beginning he has gradually 
worked his way upward and has accumulated a 
line property. Of more value, however, than any 
financial consideration is his |)osition among the 
honored and trusted citizens of Lerrien County, 
and the high esteem in which he is universally 
held by those who know him. 



-5— -^=i=^. 



i>^^<^ 



Jl^p'RANK STEIMLE is another of the many 
jjr!;^"! prominent citizens who claim America as 
/1\ their adopted country, for he was born in 

Baden, Germany, October 26, I8.'?7. Since the 
year 18r)6 he has been a resident of this countr}^ 
and, being a liberal, generous, high-minded gentle- 
man, has gathered around him a large circle of 
friends and well-wishers. He possesses those qual- 
ities of industry and energy so characteristic of 
the native German, and being public-spirited and 
strictly honorable he is with reason considered one 
of the most substantial and resi)onsihle citizens 
of the county in which he now makes his home. 

Our subject is the son of Sylfain and Louisa 
(Spade) Steimie, both of whom were natives of 
Saxony, Germany. In that country the father 
followed the occupation of a farmer for many 
years and was a man of more than ordinary intel- 
ligence. Both were highly esteemed in the com- 
munity in which they lived, and both were ex- 
emplary members of the Catholic Church, to wiiicli 
they contributed liberally of their means. Their 
son Frank, the subject of this brief sketch, was the 
eldest of three living children born to his parents, 
and was educated in the common schools of his 
countiy. 

When but nineteen years of age, young Steimie 
decided that he could better his financial condi- 
tion by a residence in the United Stales, and ac- 
cordingly took jjassage for America. After set- 
ting foot on the soil of this countiy he went di- 
rect to Greene Count}-, Ohio, and was engaged in 
farming near D.ay ton until 1 866, when he moved 
to Berrien County. Mich. For many years he has 



648 



PORTRAIT AND IJIOGRArHICAL RECORD. 



been engaged in tilling the soil in this comraunity, 
and his life of industry and usefulness and liis 
record for integrity and true-hearted faitlifulness 
in all the relations of life have given him a hold 
upon the community which all might well desire 
to siiare. 

Mr. Steimle bought the farm where he now lives 
in 1889, and his reputation as a farmer is no less 
than that of a citizen and neighbor. He owns 
about thirty-six acres seven miles and a-half from 
St. Joseph and about six miles from Benton Har- 
bor. He has a pleasant rural home, which is pre- 
sided over by his intelligent and most worthy 
wife, formerly Miss Emma Baker, whom he mar- 
ried in 1860. She was born in Saxonj', Germany, 
and is a daughter of William Baker, who was a na- 
tive of that country, but who came to the United 
States at an early date and settled in Ohio. The 
following children have been born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Steimle: John; Ellen, wife of M. Barger; 
Amelia, wife of A. Grawl; IMary, wife of Julias 
Fatke; Louisa, wife of Hammond Ivnuth; Hannah 
and Sarah. Mr. Steimle is a member of the 
Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company. He is a 
Democrat in politics and cist his first Presiflential 
vote for Douglas. 









'\f| OHN N. ROOT. Integrity, intelligence and 
sj'stcm are characteristics which will ad- 
vance the interests of any man and will 
tend to the prosperity to which all aspire. 
Such are some of the traits of the gentleman 
whose name appears above, and whose residence is 
on section 23, Volinia Township. He is one of 
the prominent farmers and stock-raisers of the 
county, and that he has been successful may be 
inferred from a glance at his present place. Mr. 
Hoot traces his paternal ancestors back to the New 
England States, and finds that they came to this 
country as early as 1640. He owes his nativity to 
Washington County, N. Y., born Septemlier 4. 1834. 
and in addition to a public-school education re- 
ceived in his native county, he attended Platts- 



burg Academy, and Hamilton College, from which 
he graduated in the Class of '58. 

His father, William Root, was a native of 
W.ashington County, N. Y., born in December, 
1799, and his grandfather, William Root, Sr., was 
a Colonel of militia, and he participated in the 
battle of Plattsburg. William Root, Jr., was mar- 
ried to Miss Harriet A. Smith, a native of New 
York City, and the daughter of Thomas Smith, 
who was a sea-captain and owned a vessel. His 
cargo and vessel were captured by the French in 
the early wars. Mr. and Mrs. Root were married 
in Washington County, N. Y., where her mother 
had large tr.aets of land. After residing in that 
county until 1845, they moved to Penn Yan, 
Yates County, that State, where Mr. Root engaged 
in milling and merchandising. When first mar- 
ried he lived for eight years at Columbus, Ga., 
where he followed merchandising. His death oc- 
curred in 1880, and his wife followed him to the 
grave a year later. They were the parents of 
four children, two of whom are living. Edward 
E. resides in Fredonia, Kan., and is engaged in 
farming. Tlie parents held membership in flic 
Presbyterian Church. 

After graduating from Hamilton College. Jolin 
N. Root read law in Penn Yan, N. Y., and also 
taught school for some time. In the fall of IS60, 
he came West and settled on one hundred and 
tiiirty-six .acres of his present land. He erected a 
log house in the woods and lived alone in this for 
three years, killing many deer, ducks, squirrels 
and partridges. He cleared off one hundred and 
ten acres and added to the original ti'act until he 
was the owner of two hundred and fifty-six acres, 
with two liundio<l and ten .acres under cultivation. 
In the month of October, 1864, he married Miss 
Nancy M. Hamilton, a daughter of John Hamil- 
ton, who resides at Nilcs, ]\Iich., whither he emi- 
grated from W.ashington County, N. Y., sixty 
years ago. Mrs. Root was born in Onondaga 
County, N. Y., May 17, 1840, and was educated in 
the schools of Nilcs. Six children were liorn to 
them: William L., John H., Sadie, Hattie A., 
Cliailes Edward and Asa F. 

During the Civil AVar. our subject was drafted 
ill the last call and attached to Company H, Fif- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



649 



tccntli Heiriinent Micliig.in Infantry, Fiftpontli 
Corps, Second Division and Third IJrigade, under 
Gen. John A. Logan. He joined the regiment at 
Alexandria, \'a.,and served until the close of hos- 
tilities. He was discharged at Detroit in Septem- 
ber, 1865, and returned to Michig.an after a short 
visit to his old home in New York. Here he has 
resided ever since. Mrs. Root is a member of the 
Baptist Cliurch, in which slie is an active worker. 
Their daughter, Hattic, who was a student at Niles 
for four 3ears, is married and resides in this coun- 
ty. Tlie other daughter, Sadie, is a student at Al- 
bion College of Music, and is a thorough teacher 
of music. 

Mr. Root is a member of Delta Cappa ITpsilon 
Society, and in politics is a decided Democrat. 
He has been Clerk of the township, was Director 
of tlie School Board for twelve years, and is at 
present Administrator of Estates, having settled 
three estates ahead v. 



lU^ ON. .lAMKS L. M.KIK. Tliroughout Ber- 
|i ricu County, and especially in Three Oaks, 
where he resides, this gentleman is well 
known and highly regarded as a success- 
ful business man and sagacious, enterprising citi- 
zen. His geneial mercantile establishment at 
Three Oaks is erpiipped with a carefully selected 
and large stock, embracing the finest imported 
and American goods. In all the departments of 
the business, the tact and judgment of the owner 
and proprietor are dis|)layed, and he carefull}' 
supervises the establishment so as to secure the 
most satisfactory result.s. 

A native of Mississippi, our subject was born in 
Neshoba County, February 10, 18.57. He is of di- 
rect Scotch and English descent. His father. 
Thom.as, was born in Scotland in 1810, and was 
reared to maturity in his native land, where he 
followed the occupation of a farmer. I'poii emi- 
grating to America in I,S3;i, he landed in (Quebec, 
ahd thence proceeded direct to New York State. 
There he was united in niairiasj;e with Miss Anna. 



the daughter of Edward Lewis, and a native of 
England, having emigrated to the United States 
about 1833. Removing to the sunny South, Mr. 
McKic engaged in farming near Philadelphia, 
Neshoba County, Miss., but after residing there 
for a few years, he removed to Bond County, 111., 
in 1841, and ten years later came to Michigan, lo- 
cating in Three Oaks. Here he continued to re- 
side until his career was terminated by his death 
in 1874. A Democrat politically, he was .active 
in his support of that party and was a man of in- 
fluence in every place where he resided. 

The five children constituting the parental fam- 
ily still survive, and are as follows: Mrs. Mary 
E. JJommerscheini, a resident of Three Oaks; Ed- 
ward H., who lives on the old homestead; Mrs. 
Anna S. Vincent, of Three Oaks; Thomas J. and 
James L. The last-named was about seven years 
old when he accompanied his parents to Bond 
County, 111., and ten years later he came to Mich- 
igan, of which State he has since been a resident. 
His education was acquired in the public schools 
and Smith's Academ}', in Bond County, 111., and 
has since been broadened bj^ systematic general 
reading and self-culture. At the age of eighteen 
he entered the mercantile establishment owned by 
Henry Chamberlain, of Three Oaks, with whom he 
remained about ten years. Subsequently, under 
the firm title of McKie & Warren, he formed a 
business connection with E. K. Warren, continuing 
in this partnership from 1868 until 1877. From 
that year until 1885 he was in business alone, after 
which he formed a partnership with E. II. Vincent, 
the title of the firm becoming McKic <fe Vincent; 
the establishment is still conducted under this 
name, although the junior member of the linn died 
in January, 1893. 

The marriage of Mr. ^McKie occurred on the 
30th of September, 18()2, and united him with 
Miss Maria II., a daughter of Horace Block, of 
Buchanan, Mich., a prominent manufacturer of, 
and dealer in, furniture at that place. Three chil- 
dren have blessed the union: .lennie B., Addie and 
Helen, all of whom are at home. In his political 
lielief, Mr. Mclvie is a Democrat and li.as filled 
many positions of trust, including those of Town- 
ship Clerk, Township Treasurer, Supervisor of the 



650 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



township, and President of the village. He is also 
a member of the Common Council and the Board 
of Education. 

In 1884, Mr. McKie was elected to represent the 
Second District of Berrien County in the State 
Legislature, and his services in belialf of his con- 
stituents were so satisfactory that he was re-elected 
two years later. In 1888 he received the nomina- 
tion on the Democrat ticket for .State Senator and 
made a strong run, receiving two hundred votes 
aiiead of his ticket on the county. He has fre- 
quently served as delegate to county and State 
conventions, and in every position has represented 
his fellow-citizens with energy, fidelity and dis- 
cretion. At the present time he is serving as a 
member of the Fourth Congressional Democratic 
Committee. 

Not only does Mr. McKie possess an intensely 
patriotic nature, but liis religious impulses are 
also fervent and unwavering. He is an active 
worker in the Congregational Church, and is at 
present one of the Trustees. The various meas- 
ures originated on behalf of the city and the citi- 
zens have his hearty and sympathetic co-operation, 
and he has contributed effectively to the advance- 
ment of the community. He is one of the most 
successful business men of Three Oaks, and iiis 
store, whicli was erected in 1887, contains a com- 
plete assortment of goods. In the conduct of his 
business he exercises excellent judgment and 
sound common-sense, and has built up an exten- 
sive and profitable trade with the people of this 
vicinity. 



J. — .{.= 



^, UGH P. GARRETT. One of the most 
highly-cultivated farms in Cass County is 
\v^'' located on section 3 1 , La Grange Township, 
(^ and is the property of tiie subject of this 
notice. A native of Montgomery County, Ohio, 
he was born October 26, 1830, and is a son of .lohn 
and Rosa (Petticrew) Garrett. The paternal grand- 
fathei' of our subject, .loseph Garrett, was born in 
Belfast, Ireland, and was there reared to manhood, 



having few advantages, as his parents were in 
humble circumstances. He was a farmer by occu- 
pation and held a warranty deed for ten acres of 
laud in Ireland. Unto him and his wife, whose 
maiden name was Ellen Orr, were born ten chil- 
dren, who were reared to manhood and woman- 
hood in the Emerald Isle. 

The eldest son in the family, Hugh, w.as a siiip- 
builder by trade, and emigrated to the ITnited 
States before the other members of the family 
sought a home in this country. John Garrett 
crossed the Atlantic about 1818, and two elder 
brothers, William and Daniel, carae to the Uni- 
ted States in 1840. A sister bj' the name of 
Mary Ellison emigrated to America in 1833. After 
landing on the shores of our country', John Gar- 
rett went to Cincinnati, walking the entire dis- 
tance to that eitj' from Piiiladelphia. His voyage 
hither liad been a tedious one, occupying three 
months, during which time the vessel came in 
contact with an iceberg, and for many days all on 
board despaired of being saved. 

After reaching Ohio, John Garrett there learned 
the trade of a cooper. He was married in 182'.l to 
Miss Rosa, daughter of James and Ann (Campbell) 
Petticrew, natives respectively of Virginia and 
Pennsylv.ania. Mrs. Garrett was born in Mont- 
gomery County, Ohio, in 1808, and was of Irish 
and Dutch descent. John Petticrew, an uncle, 
served in the Black Hawk War, and located in Cass 
County as early as 1830, near wlierc our subject 
now lives. Here he built a sawmill, which was 
the first one erected in Jefferson Townshi[). Tlie 
machinery for this mill was brought from Ohio by 
wagon. 

After establishing a liome of his own, Jamos 
Petticrew went to work industriously to gain a 
livelihood for the family. Upon one occasion, 
when he had gone thirty miles to the mill at Cin- 
cinnati, the Indians came into the house and took 
everything lliey wished to eat, although, fortu- 
nately, they did not assault the inmates. The 
mother of our subject owned forty acres in Mont- 
gomery County,- to which Mr. Garrett added one 
hundred acres. In 1848 he sold the property and 
c;iine to Van Buren County, Midi., where he pur- 
chased eighty acres and remained until Ins death, 



PORTRAIT AXD RIOGRAPIIICAL RECORD. 



fi51 



ill Fi'liin;iiv, 18(i2. The widow surviviMl him a 
nuinlici- of years, and departed this life in 1878. 
Thi' iiarciilal family consisted of ten ehildren, 
as follows: llnj>li P., of this sketch; Kllcn, Mrs. 
.lacol) llain, deceased; Ann, Mrs. .lohn Kennedy; 
Marj^aret and Catherine (twins), the former being 
the widow of .lolin Harrctt, and the latter being 
deceased; .lane, deceased; Agnes, the wife of James 
Laraway; Mary, who married (lilbert Guld; AVil- 
liaiii :iii(J David. The fatluT of this family was a 
Whig ill his youth, and u\Mn the organization of 
the Deniociatie i)arty joined its ranks and after- 
ward steadfastly adhered to its platform. 

The l)iograplier liiids little of unusual interest 
to record concerning the boyhood of our subject. 
After completing his studies in the common 
schools, he secured employment in a commission 
house at I.ockingtoii, Ohio, and afterward worked 
bv the iiioulh on a farm. In 1848, in company 
with his parents, he came to Michigan, and has 
since followed farming pursuits in Cass County. 
His present farm he purchased in 1865, at which 
time only forty-six acres had been placed under 
imi)rovemeiit. Now, through his arduous exer- 
tions, seventy-five of the one hundred acres com- 
prising the estate have been placed under excel- 
lent cultiv.ation. 

The lirst marriage of Mr. Garrett occurred in 
Miehigan in 1851, and united him with Miss Eliz- 
abeth While. .After the decease of this lad}', Mr. 
(iarrett married Mrs. Julia Garrett, the daughter 
of Samuel and Catherine Dunn, wee Garrett. .She 
had two chililren by her first huslcind, William 11. 
and l-jiiiiia .1. She was born and reared in Franklin 
County, Ind., and became the mother of two chil- 
dren by her marriage to Mr. Garrett, viz.: .John S., 
who resides in Van Huren County, Mich.; and 
David E., who makes his home in Nebraska. Mrs. 
Julia (iarrett died in 1871, and siibsefiuently our 
subject married Mrs. Plicbe .Struble, liie daughter of 
Nathaniel 15. Crawford. Three children have been 
born to bless this union, Charles W., Ralph F. and 
Rosa A. Mrs. Garrett had a daughter by her first 
marri:ige, Viola F. A man of enterprise and push, 
Mr. (Iarrett is interested in matters of public im- 
portance, .as well as in his own personal business 
affairs. His first Presidential ballot was cast for 



Gen. Winfield Scott, and since the nomination of 
J. C. Fremont for President he h:is been a Repub- 
lican in his [lolitical alliliations. An active worker 
in the party of his choice, he has served as dele- 
gate to township and congressional conventions, 
and has attended national conventions, and in- 
variably rei)reseiited the (leople of this section 
with ability and good judgment. 



■ y >P | ^ p>y >- pi 



? I I I ' I I I 



ICIIARD lU'TLER, senior member of the 
well-known and intlucntial lirm of Puller 
l^\ <k lUirrus, manufacturers of hard and soft 
V*@) wood lumber, lath and pickets, is univer- 
sally' conceded to be one of the most successful 
business men of Galicn, and, indeed, throughout 
Berrien County. lie is of direct English descent, 
his father, Richard, having been born in England, 
whence he emigrated to America in 1827, and made 
settlement in Lockport, N. Y. An industrious 
man, possessing great energy and force of char.acler, 
he was well and favorably known throughout that 
section of the State, where he remained until his 
death, devoting his attention to his trade of 
carpenter. 

Born in Lockport, N. Y., July 13, 1847, our sub- 
ject was a mere lad when he was orphaned bv the 
death of his mother, an estimable woman. The 
family consisted of seven children, but of these 
two alone survive, Richard and Nettie, the latter 
being the wife of C. E. Smith, foreman of the 
Union Steamboat Company of Chicago. The only 
surviving son was reared in Lock|>ort, where he 
learned the trade of a turner, after having re- 
ceived the advantages of a common-school educa- 
tion. In 18G7 he removed to Michigan, where he 
located at New Buffalo, and secured employment 
as a turner in a furniture factorv. One year later 
he came to Galien. and for the ten ensuing years 
was employed at the turner's trade, after which he 
engaged in the machine repairing business for eight 
jcars. He also tilled the position of assistant fore- 
man ill the R. W. .Monlross factory for two \ ears. 
On the 2(Hh of September, 18!»0, the present 



652 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



firm of Butler & Bun-us was established, and the 
connection then formed still continues, the busi- 
ness having been conducted in such a manner as to 
secure the approbation of the ijcople and the con- 
lidence of the trade. The sawmill lias a capacity 
of about ton thousand feet of lumber per day, and 
shipments are made to South l>end, Jnd., and Ben- 
ton Harbor, Mich. The firm also engages in the 
manufacture of lath and pickets, for which they 
find a ready sale. They liave built uf) a large trade 
in Galien and the surrounding country, and are 
well known as business men of keen sagacity and 
excellent judgment. 

The mairiage of Mr. Butler occurred at Galien 
May 13, 1874, and united him with Miss Sarah, 
daughter of Luther Green, a prominent farmer of 
Galien Township. They are the parents of one 
child, Orville, a promising joutli, who is now a 
student in the Galien High School. The family 
residence is the abode of hospitality, where the 
friends of the family are accustomed to meet and 
pass many a pleasant hour. In addition to this 
residence, Mr. Butler is the owner of three fine 
building lots and other valuable property-. Firm 
in his allegiance to the Republican party, Mr. 
Butler has been elected on that ticket to numerous 
local offices C(f trust. For three years he was a 
member of the Village I5oard, for one year he 
served as Assessor, and he has also been School 
Trustee, filling the.se several jjositions with credit 
to himself and to the general satisfaction of his 
fellow-citizens. 



^^ GORDON IIUNTLY was born in Howard 
III J- — Township, Cass County, where he now re- 
%3[f sides, on the 19th of April, 1850. His fa- 
ther, Ephraim Huntly, was born in Saratoga 
County, N. Y., being the son of Ray nor Huntly, 
and a descendant of Scotch-Irish-English ancestry. 
From the age of ten years he was reared in Erie 
County, N. Y., where he entered upon his life 
vocation of farming. In Erie County he married 



Miss Eliza Ross, and shortly afterward, agcom- 
panied by his wife, he came to Cass County, Mich., 
in 1834, entering from the Government the land 
where our subject now resides. He placed upon 
the land many valuable improvements and con- 
tinued to make liis home here until called hence 
by death, in 1883, at the age of eighty-four years. 
His wife passed away in 1856. 

The following is noted by the biograplier con- 
cerning the brothers and sisters of our subject: 
Harriet H. was born in Hamburgh, Erie County, 
N. Y., i\Iay 21,1 828, and married Seneca II. Abbott, 
of California; Benjamin F., who was born in Ham- 
burgh September 7, 1829, died in Sacramento, Cal.; 
James J., also a native of Hamburgh and born 
June 25, 1831, died in Iowa in 1883; .losepii U., 
born in Hamburgh October 16, 1833, resides in 
Howard Township, Cass County; Mary A., who 
was born in Howard Township June 20, 1836, 
still resides here; Phebe L., who was born in this 
township December 8, 1837, is the wife of Henry 
Mellinger, of Arkansas; Ellen E., born in Howard 
Townshii) April 12, 1840, is engaged as a milliner 
in South Dakota; Charles W., who was horn here 
on the 30th of April, 1843, resides in South 
Dakota; Emma M., whose birth occurred on the 
old homestead June 10, 1847, is the wife of Mar- 
shall Richardson, of Nebraska. 

The father of this family was one of the promi- 
nent men of Howard Township, with the history 
of which he was for Uuany years closely identified. 
Politically, he was a Democrat and held many im- 
portant orticial positions in the township and 
county. For many 3'ears he was Justice of the 
Peace and Notary Public, and held other [lositions 
of trust. lie aided in the survey of the roads in 
the township and did other pioneer work. A life- 
long Mason, he was one of the charter members of 
St. J(jseph Valle3' Lodge No. 4. He maintained an 
unceasing interest in educational matters and was 
quite prominent in the school work in his district, 
aiding in the organization of District No. 1 in 
Howard Township. 

The youngest child in the parental family' is the 
subject of tills sketch. In his childhood he at- 
tended the district schools and the select school 
taught by Miss Mary Brown, of Niles Township. 



PORTRAIT AM) BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



(553 



Scpteinbci- 23, 1879, lie in;urio(l Miss Aiiiiio, the 
eldest c-liild of J. W. and Calliaiine M. (Willard) 
Reese. Slic was horn in Howard Townsliii) on tlic 
21st of IMay, ISoO, and attended llie seliools of 
Niles, l)eini; a pupil in tlieseiiool wliieli Mr. lluntly 
aUiiided. Sinec his niania^e our s\d>jcct has re- 
mained on llie old family homestead, where he has 
one liuiidied and ten acres of tine land, as fertile 
as any in the eounly. lie and his wife have be- 
come the paienls of four eliildreii: Eugene R., 
who was born in 1880; Winifred W., born in 1883; 
M. I.onisa, in 1885; and Clarence G., in 1887. 

Politically a Democrat, Mr. lluntly has filled 
various ollicial positions. He was School I nspcctor, 
afterward Townshi|) Clerk for two years. Treasurer 
for two years, and Supervisor for seven years. He 
lias also served as School Director. Socially, lie is 
a inember of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
lows, beiiii; identified with IJerrieu County Lodge 
No. (), at Niles; he also atliliates with Anchor 
Lodge No. 42, A. O. U. W., at Niles; Niles Tent 
No. ".ly, K. (). T. M.; Union Tent No. 1, at Niles. 
.\s a farmer and stock-raiser, he is energetic and 
eiiteiprising, and displays in all his dealings the 
possession of sound common sense and strict jiro- 
bity. 



^^^\ 



H> 



\i? RA R. STEMM. Mr. Slemm is an experienced 
farmer and fruit-raiser of Oronoko Township, 
IJerrien County, Mich., the great natural re- 
sources of which region have been developed by 
the practical and intelligent toil of such men as 
Mr. Stemni, who is recognized as a man full of spirit 
and business enterprise. He is a native of the 
Keystone State, born in 1846, and is the son of 
Adam K. and Elizabeth (Reiber) Stemm, Pennsyl- 
vania (iermans. 

The .Stemm family is an old and prominent one 
of Pennsylvania, the first members having settled 
in that Slate at a period antedating the Revolu- 
tion. The Reiber family came originally from 
(lermany, the grandfather of our subject having 
emigrated to this country' when but a lad. The 
members of both faniilics were people of consider- 



able importance in the counties in wliicli they re- 
sided; uprightness and honesty marked their ca- 
reer, and they had the unbounded confidence of 
all with whom the}' came in contact. Adam K. 
Stemm followed the occupation of a farmer all his 
life, and left his native State for Michigan in 1868. 
He settled in Berrien County, and here he and 
his most estimable wife reside at the jx-cscnt time. 
He is in his seventieth and his wife in her sixty- 
seventh year, and both hold membership in the 
Evangelical Lutheran Cliurcii. Their children, 
five in number, named in the order of their births, 
are as follows: I. R.; ISIaiy K., wife of John H. 
Stover, of Berrien County; Sarah M., wife of 
Henry .J. Moyer, also of this county; William, of 
Berrien Springs; and Regina, wife of George 
Fogle. 

The original of this sketch received his educa- 
tion in the common and higher schools of his 
native county in Pennsylvania, and continued 
in the same until eighteen years of age. For 
some time after this he taught school and then 
entered a dry-goods store as clerk, where he re- 
mained for some time. Returning to the farm, he 
remained on the same until his parents removed 
to Michigan, when he came with them and engaged 
as a house carpenter, following this for some time. 
In 1873 lie purch.ased his present farm of forty 
acres, partially unproved, with a shell of a house 
and twenty acres cleared. For this land he paid 
^bO per acre and lie now has it all cleared and 
under cultivation. His buildings are all first-class 
and are ornaments to the place. 

In 188'J he purchased still more land, thirty-five 
acres, with ten acres cleared, and for this i>aid *50 
per acre. He has lovely residences on both places 
and is prosperous and happy. He possesses the 
integrity of character and honesty of purpose for 
which the stock from which he sprang has l)een 
noted, and may well take an honest i)ride in his 
sterling ancestors. He has filled ijuile a number 
of important township offices since 1885, being 
Higliway Commissioner for five years, on the 
Board of Review for two years, Township TreaS' 
urer in 1 8112, and in 1893 lie was elected Township 
Supervisor. Like many young men commenc-. 
iiig life in a new country, Mr. Stemm had but 



654 



PORTRAIT AND niCM.KAFIllCAL RFX'ORD 



little means to start with, but lie persevered and is 
now not only one of the substantial men of the 
. township, but is well liked b^' all, having gained 
by his generosity, hospitality and kindness a host 
of warm friends. 

Mr. Stemm was married in 1873 to a most esti- 
mable lady. Miss Mary M. Feather, of this county, 
and (laughter of Daniel T. and Caroline (Beclitel) 
Feather, both natives of Penns\lvania and of Ger- 
man iiarcntage. Mr. and Mrs. Feather were among 
tiie original settlers of Berrien County and they 
were most worthy citizens. To Mr. and Mrs. 
Stemm were born two children: Albert and Dora 
v., both at home. On his farm Mr. Stemm raises 
strawberries, ras})berries, blaekl)erries and grapes, 
and has about seven acres devoted to them. He 
also raises apples and peaches, having all the lead- 
ing varieties, and has three acres in the orchard. 
lie and Mrs. Stemm are members of the Kvangelical 
Lutheran Churcli and contriliute liberally in its 
support. 



>^ 



■il! OEL J. NASH. The vocation of the phar- 
macist is unquestionably a liighly imi)ort- 
ant one in any and every community, for 
ui)on his care and skill, almost as nuieli as 
upon that displayed by the medical profession, 
oftimes depends the physical welfare, nay. tiie life 
or death, of the sick and ailing. Among the fav- 
orabiy-kiiown druggists of this section may be 
mentioned the name of Joel J. Nash, whose ele- 
g-ant and attractive store is one of the principal 
features of Marcellus. He is junior member of 
the lirm of Goodrich ife Nash, which carries a full 
line of drugs, books, stationery, paints, oils, etc., 
and is one of the pushing, energetic .young busi- 
ness men of the town. The stock of goods in- 
cludes everything usually needed in the trade, 
consisting of pharmaceutical preparations, patent 
medicines, physicians' supplies, fine perfumery 
and such fancy articles as are usually found in a 
lirst-class pharmacy. A fine assortment of books 
ia also kept in the store. 



Mr. Nasb was born in Galesburg, Kalamazoo 
County, Mich., February 13, 1857, to which Slate 
his father, A. .1. Nasli, emigrated from New York 
State. The latter settled in Galesburg with his 
parents when eighteen years of age and followe<l 
the trade of a wagon-maker, lie was married to 
Miss Julia Wheaton, daughter of Joel Wheaton, 
who was a resident of Kalamazoo County, Mich., 
and a prominent farmer of that county. To Mr. 
and Mrs. Nash were born six children, live of 
whom are living. One son, A. D. Nash, runs a 
barber shop in this town; Ernest Nash is foreman 
in the Gazette ollice at Kalamazoo; A. O. Nash is a 
farmer and lumberman in Kalkaska County; and 
Bertha is at home. The one deceased, Ada, died 
at the age of twenty-seven. The father of these 
children was in sympathy with the Democratic 
party and took an active interest in its welfare. 

Our subject was about fourteen years of age 
when his father removed to Volinia Township, 
this county, and he remained in that township un- 
til 1879, when he moved to Marcellus Township. 
In 1885 he moved to the town of Marcellus and 
subsequently bought an interest in the drug store 
now conducted by himself and partner, and has 
continued this up to the present. In February, 
1887, Mr. Nash was married to Mrs. Phelira Good- 
speed, daughter of Jonathan Nichols, who was an 
old settler of the county. Politically, Mr. Nash is 
a Republican and a strong advocate of the princi- 
ples of that party. He was appointed Postmaster 
on the 1st of July, 1889, and has held that otilce 
ever since, discharging the duties incumbent upon 
that position in a very creditable and satisfactory 
manner. He has been on the Village Council 
foi' two years, and several times has been Presi- 
dent pro tem. 

Socially, he is a member of the Ancient Free it 
Accepted Masons and was Secretaiy of Lodge No. 
291 at this [ilace for tliiee years, and Junior War- 
den for one year. He takes a great deal of inter- 
est in the lodge and is one of its most worthy 
members. In addition to his business he carries on 
a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres, has it 
well cultivated and improved, and is engaged in 
general farming and stock-raising. Good build- 
ings are on this farm, and everything about the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



657 



place indicnlcs lliiil. a tliorougli liand is at the 
helm. Our sulijcct lias a very line residence on 
West Main Street, lie and his i)artner aie agents 
for the National Express Company and also agents 
for the Telephone Exchange. 

Mr. Nash and his partner were Deputy County 
Tre.isuiers for six years and filled tiiat position in 
an ahle and very satisfactory manner. He and 
his partner carry the largest stock of drugs, books, 
stationery, etc., of any house in the town and are 
doing a tlourisliing business. They own their own 
building, and have one of the best arranged post- 
olliccs in the State. Wide-awake and enterprising, 
they cannot fail to make a success of all their un- 
dertakings. 



^^-+-$-1 



THOMAS PAYNE a practical and extensive 
general agriculturist and successful stock- 
raiser, well located in Weesaw Township, 
Berrien County, handles upon his large acreage 
a superior grade of cattle and also raises choice 
varieties of horses and hogs. For over thirty-five 
years a constant resident of his present localit}', 
Mr. Payne has been intimately .associated with 
the march of improvement, which h.as distinguished 
the history of lierrien County from its earliest 
settlement. He is b^- birth an Englishman and was 
born in Ivanhoe December 17, 183.3. 

The parents of our subject, .lolin .and Fannie 
(Ealing) Rayne, were the descendants of a long 
line of sturdy English ancestry, .and were reared 
and educated in their native land. Their union 
was blessed by a family of twelve children. De- 
siring to see their sons and daughters worthil}- 
lilted to occupy positions of usefulness and influ- 
ence, the parents resolved to avail themselves of 
the broader opportunities offered in the United 
States and with the younger members of their 
faniily embarked for America in 18;j6, and, safely 
arriving in the land of |)romise, joined the son 
who had already preceded them to a new home in 
liis adopte<l country. 

Of the i)arental f;uiiily, but two representatives 



now survive, .Joseph, and Thomas, our subject. 
The parents made their home in Berrien County, 
where the devoted mother passed away in 1864. 
The father survived his wife eight years, and died 
in 1872 regretted b3' all who knew him. A man 
of upright character, earnest and industrious, his 
days had been spent in a round of energetic toil, 
leaving him but little time for rest or recreation. 
He was a sincere friend, a kind neighbor and a 
true and law-abiding citizen. 

Our subject attended the free schools in Eng- 
land but his opportunities for study were limited 
and he is in the main a self-educated man, having 
through habits of close observation and reading 
added to the stock of knowledge gained in early 
youth. He came to America two years before his 
parents emigrated hither, and reaching Michigan 
in 1854, settled in Berrien County, a stranger in a 
strange land. Arriving here without any capital 
other than his youth, health and determination to 
succeed, he set himself energetically to work and 
with frugal management carefully laid aside a 
small sum which he invested M.ay 26, 1857, in 
eighty acres of heavily timbered land. With this 
beginning as a nucleus for further effort Mr. Paj'ne 
has self-reliantl\- won his upward w.ay to a com- 
petence and now owns five hundred acres of excel- 
lent land, much of which is under cultivation and 
finely improved. 

Our subject aside from the animal harvest of 
golden grain h.as upon his farm large herds of 
cattle fatted for inaikel, and is at present feeding 
over one hundred head. In 185'.(, Thomas Payne 
and Miss Lydia Payne were united in marriage. 
The estimable wife bore lier husband eight chil- 
dren, three of whom, Edward, Martha and .lames 
survive. The mother of these children died in 

1886. Our subject took for his second wife Miss 
Zimmah Turner, a native of the British Isles. The 
marriage was celebrated in England October 12, 

1887. Two children have been born unto this 
union, a little son and daughter, Thomas and May 
Belle. 

Mr. Payne is not an active |)olitician, but takes 
an intelligent interest in all matters of local and 
national importance, and cast his first Presidential 
vote for Abraham Lincoln. In all local enter- 



658 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



prises of worth Mr. Payne lends a helping hand 
and is a true and loyal citizen, worthy of the high 
regard Ix'stowed upon liim by tlie entire commu- 
nity among whom lie has now [)assed almost two- 
score years. 






S5- 



^^U NSON F. BITHER, Superintendent of the 
(@ylI|| Niles Paper Company, vvas born in Albany, 
N. Y., on the 13tli of February, 18 46, be- 
fjfl ing tlie son of .John and Frances (Spath) 

Bitlier. Ilis fathei' learned the trade of a weaver 
in his native country, Germany, whence he emi- 
grated to America in 1830, locating in Albany 
and there engaging in the manufacture of paper for 
twenty-five years. Me is still living and makes 
his home on a farm in Columbia County, N. Y.; 
his wife died in 1870. 

The parental family consisted of eight children, 
seven of whom still survive, Anson F. being the 
eldest. Two of the brothers reside in Muskegon, 
Mich., one being a merchant and the other the 
American Express Agent in that city. Another 
brother is a farmer in IS'ew York State. The boy- 
hood days of our subject were passed in Albany 
and Chatham, N. Y., where he attended school for 
a short time. At the age of eleven years he be- 
came an employe in a paper-mill in New York, 
where he remained until reaching his twentieth 
year. Then going West to Wisconsin, he located 
at Beioitand built the BeloitStrawboard Company's 
works, remaining for two years in the employ of 
the Rock River Paper Company, of that place, 
they being connected with the above company. 
Later he worked for the same company in Mar- 
shall, Midi., and for six years conducted an exten- 
sive business in the manufacture and sale of roof- 
ing, carpet-lining and building paper. 

For two years Mr. Bither was in Ypsilanti, where 
he was an employe of the Michigan Paper Com- 
pany, engaged in the manufacture of manila [la- 
per. In 1878 he came to Niles to take the Super- 
intendency of the Niles Paper Mill Company, 
which he still holds. Through his carefully-di- 



rected efforts the business of the company has been 
largely increased, better facilities for conducting 
the work have been secured, and the entire maii- 
agenient placed under jierfect sjstem. While his 
business duties require his almost undivided atten- 
tion, Mr. Bither maintains an intelligent interest 
in public affairs and gives his support to all enter- 
prises originated on behalf of the community in 
general. He has served as President of the Build- 
ing and Loan Association. Socially, he is idenli- 
lied with Berrien County Lodge No. 6, I. 0.0. F., 
Encampment No.;i,at Niles, and the Select Knights. 
In 186'J Mr. Bither married Miss Rachel Man- 
gold, of Chicago, the daughter of George II. Man- 
gold. They are the parents of two ehildien, Fred 
II. and lieruice M., the former being Siipeiiiiten- 
dent of the Allegan Paper Mills. In politics a 
Re[)ublican, Mr. Bither has been elected on the 
ticket of that partv to numerous positions of re- 
sponsibility. For two years he served as Alder- 
man, repieseuting the Third Ward in the City 
Council, and his service in that position was emi- 
nently satisfact(ii'\' to his constituents. As the re- 
sult of good jiulginent in business investnients, he 
has accumulated a comi)cteiicy and owns three 
handsome residences in the city of Niles, besides 
other valuable pro|)eit3-. 



m^- 



^=m>^^^m 



Sy- 







EURY C. AVIMER. Among the residents 
of Coloma, Berrien County, who are spend- 
ing their declining years in the enjoyment 
of peace and plenty obtained b^- their in- 
dustrious efforts and good management, and se- 
cure in the esteem of all who know them, are 
Perry C. Wimer and his good wife. Our subject 
was born in Greene County, Pa., on St. Valentine's 
Day, 1848, and is the son of .John and Betsey 
(Siiicher) Wimer. 

The father of our subject was born in Somerset 
County, Ba., and was a farmer by occupation. He 
belonged to the (Terinaii l>aptist Church, in which 
he worked faithfully, and died in Greene County, 
Pa., in 1856, leaving a wife and family of cliiU 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



659 



(lii'ii. ( )iii' subjoet's iiiotlicr w;is iilso a native of 
SuiiiLMSol t'ouiity, ami after her union vvitli Mr. 
Winier hecanie tiie inollicr of lliirteen children, 
seven of whom readied mature years. The ehil- 
drcn are a> foMows: Miiiray, of Kansas; (Jeorye, 
deceased; William, who lives in rennsylvania; 
Frederick, a resident of Wayne Count}', Ohio; and 
Elizaheth, deee:is(!d. After the death of her lius- 
liand, Mrs. Wimer married .John Safford and died 
in 1869. 

Mr. Wimer of this sketeii was reared on his fa- 
ther's farm, reeeivini; only a meagre education, 
and in 1852, after his father died, he with his 
mother and two younger sisters emigrated to this 
Sljite and located two miles north of Colonia. 
Here they settled down to begin the struggle for 
existence, Perry working on the farm by the month 
for three years, and afterward linding em|)loyinent 
in a sawmill for the .same length of time. He then 
came to Coloma and worked in a gristmill be- 
longing to Sawyer liail, and it was there that 
he met with the accident in which he lost his left 
hand. In 1873, our subject formed a partnershii) 
with Mr. Ball and engaged in the manufacture of 
fruit packages, continuing in this for two years, 
at which time he bought out his partner and has 
ever since run the business alone. He began with 
the help of but eight men, but now has in his em- 
ploy from forty to lifty and realizes a lucrative 
trade. Mr. Wimer is also the possessor of thirty- 
live acres of land near the village, and owns a 
number of line pieces of property in Coloma. 

Politically, our subject is a supporter of the Re- 
publican principles and [)latforni. The marriage 
of .Mr. Wimer and Miss Sarah J. Dobbyn was cele- 
brated November 1.5, hSCT. Mi-s. Wimer was born 
in Kent County, Canada, and is the daughter of 
Henry and Catherine (Mcl)ermid) Dobbyn. Henry 
Dobbyn was of Irish extraction and came from his 
native country to Michigan in 1857. His wife 
was born in Scotland. Our subject, after his mar- 
riage, became the father of eight children, five of 
whom are living, namely: Klwood C, who is a 
man of excellent business qualities, and was edu- 
cated at Ann Arbor College, from which he was 
graduated in the business departments; Joseph L.; 
John H., Catherine K. and Klorence L. The other 




three children died in inf.-uicy. Mr. and Mrs. 
Wimer 's home is the abode of pleasant hospitality 
and their many friends often (ind a cordial wel- 
come l>cneatli its roof. 






/^^j^ B. HOUSER, whose residence is located in 
Lake Township, is a leading farmer of this 
section, and his fine farm attests by its 
thrift and productiveness the excellent 
qualities of thoroughness and system which mark 
the owner. He inherits all his industry and en- 
terprise from his German ancestors, no doubt, and 
is progressive and thorough-going in a marked de- 
gree. The Ilouser family came to America prior 
to the Revolutionary War, and the decendants be- 
came worthy and upright citizens of this country. 
M. B. Houser was born in the Buckeye State 
August 21, 1831, and was the third in order of 
seven children born to Henry and Mary (Brown) 
Ilouser, the former a native of Maryland, and the 
latter of North Carolina. Heniy Houser came to 
Michigan in 1836 or '37, and settled in the woods 
of Cass County. At that time Indians were num- 
erous, and there were very few white settlers. He 
purchased a farm of two hundred acres with a few 
improvements and engaged strictly as a farmer. 
He held very few otlices, but was Supervisor of 
the township, Townshij) Clerk, School Director 
and Justice of the J'eace. He took (juite an ac- 
tive part in politics, and was a prominent Whig 
in his daj'. His wife died in Cass Count}', and 
he followed her to the grave in 1880, when 
seventy-five 3'ears of age. Of the seven children 
born to this worthy couple all are living except 
two. Daniel, the eldest, died in childhood; S. M. 
resides in Howard Township, Cass County; M. B. 
is our subject; Ely is deceased; William resides in 
Cass County; Mary E., wife of Joshua Lants, re- 
sides near Dodge City, Kan.; and Martha J. makes 
her home in Cass Count}-. 

The original of this notice was educated in the 
common schools of Cass County and in the State 
Normal at Ypsilanti, Mich., receiving his diploma 



660 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



from that institution. He was granted a life cer- 
tificate to teacli anywhere in the State, and after 
this passed liis time teaching during tlie winter 
and tilling the soil during tlie summer seasons. In 
1855 he went to Kansas, but returned the same 
year, and subsequently engaged in te.aehing at 
(^uincy. 111. In 185C he returned to Kansas and was 
theie during the John Brown trouble. Returning 
to the Kast in 1858, he stopped in Illinois for some 
time and then came home. In 1861, wlien the 
war cloud hung darkly over the nation, he assisted 
in raising Company .\, of the Twelfth Michigan 
Infantry, and served wim considerable distinction 
for one year. He was mustered in as a private, 
but was soon promoted to be First Sergeant. He 
refused the otHce of First Lieutenant when first 
entering the service. Mr. Ilouser participated in 
the first battle of Shiloh only, .as on account of 
disability he was discharged at Detroit, Blich., in 
1862. 

In 1860, previous to entering the army, Mr. 
Ilouser i)urchased one hundred and sixt3" acres of 
liis present farm, and to this h.as since added 
eighty acres more, thus making two hundred and 
forty .acres of excellent land. His first farm w.as 
heavily timbered, but he went Lo work and with 
much hard labor succeeded in clearing it. On this 
farm in 1890 si)rang up the pretty little vill.age 
of Barroda. Mr. Houser being anxious to establish 
a depot, gave the railroad considerable property 
for that purpose, and then laid out his land in lots, 
which he sold very clie.ap. On his farm he now 
h.as one of the largest shipiting points on the rail- 
road in this section for fruits of all kinds. He has 
under cultivation one hundred and twenty-five 
acres, and has one of the handsomest rural homes 
in the townshiii, if not in the county. Everything 
about the place indicates him to be a man of prog- 
ress and enterprise, and refiects the greatest credit 
upon his management. 

In political matters our subject h.as ever taken 
an active part, and is quite an active Republican. 
He has frequently been a delegate to the county 
conventions, and is a public-spirited and valuable 
citizen. Previous to the war he was noted through- 
out the county in whicli he resided as being greatlv 
opposed to slavery. In his younger days Mr. 



Houser was celebrated for his penin.ansliip, and 

frequently taught writing-schools. At one time 
he taught a writing-school in Bloomlield, Iowa, 
and ft)r his pupils had the County Clerk, County 
Judge and County Attorney. Gen. Weaver was 
also one of his pui)ils, and Mr. Houser found iiiin 
an apt scholar. The clerk. Judge and atlorney 
became noted men during .and after the war, either 
in Iowa or ]\Iissoiui. 

In 1880 Mr. Ilouser was married in Michigan to 
Miss .Sarah A.Guntle,a native of- Ohio, and a daugh- 
ter of Elias and Sarah (Hoops) Guntle. the father 
also a native of the Buckeye State. Mr. and Mrs. 
Guntle were the parents of seven children: Emily, 
wife of D. Whittle, of Kansas; William A., of In- 
diana; Louisa, deceased; Sarah A., wife of our 
subject; John A., of Kansas; Ellen E., wife of 
Tiiomas J. Chiviiigton, of Indiana; and Evan A., 
deceased. To IMr. and Mrs. Ilouser have been 
born five children: Addle Z. and Alta F. (twins), 
born December 28, 1880; Mabel B., born Ainil 15, 
1883; and Zadaa G. and Edith P. (twins), born 
July 28, 1885. Air. Houser has been a M.asou foi 
many ^ears. Mr. and Mrs. Houser are in religi- 
ous belief stanch Uiiiversalists, although not mein- 
bei-s of any church. 






=T^ 



"^fOIIN H. STOVER. The .agricultural part 
of any community is the bone and sinew 
from which come the strength and vigor 
necessary to carry on the affairs of manufac- 
ture, commerce and the State. When the farming 
people are composed of men and women of cour- 
age, enterprise, intelligence and integrity-, pros- 
perity will attend all deiiartments of activity, and 
this is pre-emineiitl\' the case in Berrien County, 
Mich.; and among those who hold high rank as a 
tiller of the soil is Mr. Stover, who springs from a 
good old family of Pennsylvania. He was born 
in Centre County, Pa., May 30, 1840, and is a son 
of Samuel and Catherine (Warntz) Stover, both of 
whom were natives of that State also. 

Samuel Stover was a siiocmaker by tiaile and 



PORTRAIT ANr. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



661 



followed tlie same in his native Slate until his 
death, wiieii .seveiily-tliice years of a^i\ To his 
marriaiie were Ikmii seven ehildien, two sons and 
five (hiiiirhters. John II. Stover, the eldest of the 
ehildren, was reared in iiis native State and there 
received his education in tlie conunt)n sehools. On 
the oth of Oetober, 1 802. he was married in Penn- 
sylvania to Miss Sarah ('. Plotner, who was also a 
n.itive of the Keystone State and the daughter of 
Samuel and Sarah I'lotner. IMr. and .Airs. I'lotner 
removed to Cass County, Mich., near Kdwards- 
burgh, in 1B70, and there they now reside. 

Our subject and family made their home in 
Pennsylvania until 1870, when they removed to 
Michigan and located in Cass County. There they 
resided for eight years and then removed to near 
their present location, where the^- made their home 
until 1890, when Mr. Stover bought his present 
property. This is located ten miles southeast of 
St. .Joseph and contains over one hundred and 
fift3'-one acres. All his farming operations are 
conducted in a manner rellecting credit upon 
himself and his inaiiagement. The farm is in a 
high state of cultivation, the improvements are all 
good, and Mr. Stover ranks among the representa- 
tive agriculturists of the countv. 

Ten children have been born to Mr. and Mrs 
Stover, seven sons and three daughters, as follows: 
Samuel, William, Edward, Eugene, (Jeorge, Ray, 
Clarence; ^■irgia, wife of Ameal Metsger; Cora, 
wife of Albert Metsger; and Edith, at home. In 
1881 our subject w:is elected Townslii[) Treasurer, 
and after serving in that cajwcity for two years 
was elected Township Sui)ervisor, which position 
he lilled in a very .satisfactory manner for five 
consecutive terms. He has been a memher of the 
Hoard of Review here, and was on the School 
Hoard in Ca.ss County while residing there. In 18!).S 
he was elected .lustice of the Peace, and now settles 
the petty dillieulties of his township in a manner 
rellecting credit upon himself and to the evident 
satisfaction of the people, lie w.as elected Drain 
Commissioner one year, but did not ipialify. Pub- 
lic-spirited and enterprising, Mr. Stover is one of 
the representative men of the county. 

Mr. Stover has been a nuMuber of the Independ 
ent Order of Odd Fellows durin;:almost Ins entire 



residence in IMichigan, and he is also a member of 
the Grange and Encampment. He represented his 
lodge in the (hand Lodge in Detroit, is deeply 
interested in all things pertaining to his order, and 
holds membership in Uoyalton Lodge No. 37:3. Mr. 
Stover cast his first Presidential vote for McClellan 
and was elected to his various offices by the Dem- 
ocratic party. Ills [)arents were members of the 
German Reformed Church. His wife is a Lutheian 
in her religious belief. 



V - *^-i 



/^ i-^i^' 



¥' ILLIAM E. SYMS, a prominent paper 
manufacturer of Michigan, and the owner 
of a large mill at Watervliet, was bom in 
Litchfield, Kennebec Count.y, Me., October 2'.t, 
1838, being the son of John and Clarissa (Hlake) 
S3'ms, both natives of Maine. In his youth he 
was a stage-driver, but later in life followed the 
occupation of a teamster. He inherited the jier- 
severance and energy of a long line of English 
forefathers. In his religious views he w.'is a Erec- 
will l!a|)tist, and took an active inlerest in the 
welfare of that denomination. 

In the parental family there were four sons and 
one daughter, William E. being the third son. lie 
received a high school education at (Gardiner, Me., 
to which jilace his father had removed in his boy- 
hood. At the age of sixteen he commenced to 
work as a sliip-joiner, and followed that occupa- 
tion for one season, after which he enlered a 
pa|)er-mill, owned by Richards A- Iloskins, at 
(iardincr. Three years afterward he resigned that 
position, and, removing to Lawrence, .Mass., be- 
came an employe in the paper-mill owned and 
o|ierated liy S. S. Crocker, where for six years he 
filled the position of forem.an. Thence he went 
to Westminster, Mass., and spent tliree \cars in 
that city, going from there in 1870 to UolyoUe, 
Mass., and filling the position of Superintendent 
of the Crocker .Manufacturing Com[)any until 1881. 
Forming .a business connection with George E. 
l)u(lle\'. uiiilei the firm naine of the Syms iV Dud- 



662 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ley Paper Company, Mr. Syms erected a mill at 
Holyoke, Mass.. and for a niiralier of years suc- 
cessfully conducted this enterprise. In 1892 he 
disposed of his property, and, coming to AVater- 
vliet, Iniiit a large mill for the manuf.'ieture of 
writing and book paper. Tiiis he still operates, 
and with continually increasing success. In his 
political opinions he is a Republican, and lias 
served as Alderman and in other positions of 
trust, where his iiigh talents were utilized for the 
benefit of his fellow-citizens. Socially, he is con- 
nected with the Masonic fraternity, Knights Tem- 
plar, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. 
Tlie lady who presides over Mr. Syms' pleasant 
home was known in former years by the name of 
Lucinda A. Ilarriman, and is the daughter of 
Ransom and Sallie Ilarriman, prominent residents 
of Lawrence, Mass. One child has blessed the 
union, Bert L. Socially, Mr. and Mrs. Syms are 
highly regarded in the vill.age of Watervliet, and 
have a host of warm personal friends in this com- 
munity. In the Baptist Church thej' are active 
and earnest workers, and contribute with gener- 
osit}' to religious and benevolent projects. As a 
business man, Mr. Syms possesses the traits of 
character which are conducive to success, and 
througli excellent management he has already se- 
cured a position among the successful manufac- 
turers of the State. 



J-m-i^ -i"W 



f ' < i I I ' I 



■il/OHN N. McCOY. As another illustration 
of the success wliioli almost invariably 
crowns the exertions of the intelligent 
worker, mention should be made of Mi'. 
McCoy, a prosperous farmer of Cass County and 
tiie owner of a fine farm located on section 30, 
LaGrange Township. The tract of land owned 
and operated by him has Ijeen brought to a high 
degree of cultivation through his arduous labors, 
and has been embellished with substantial build- 
ings adapted to their varied purposes. From a 
small tract, including only fifty-eight acres, he 
gradually enlarged his possessions until he is now 



the owner of two hundred and twenty-two acres 
of improved land. A few words with reference 
to the parents of our subject will not be amiss. His 
paternal grandfathei-, Herman McCoy, was a farmer 
in the count}' of Montgomery, Va., where he was 
born and also where he died. The father of our 
subject, Richard McCoy, became self supporting 
when a mere lad, and upon establishing a home of 
his own married Miss Mary Sifford, the ceremony 
which united their lives Iieing performed in Wr- 
ginia, where the three eldest children in the fam- 
ily were born. In a very early d.ay, Mr. McCoj' 
came to Michigan, and entered a tr.act of land in 
Pokagon Township, Cass County. Though com- 
mencing a poor man, without capital other than 
his own industrious habits, he accumulated con- 
siderable property and gained a comfortable 
amount of this world's goods. Politically, he w.as 
a Democrat, and always voted with that party. 
His death occurred when the subject of this sketch 
was about seventeen years of age. The wife and 
mother survived him a number of years, passing 
away in 1885. 

The parental family consisted of seven sons 
and seven daughters, three of whom died young. 
There are now living six sons and five daughters. 
Born in Pok.agon Township, Cass County, on the 
20tli of .Tanuary, 1835, .John N. McCoy remained 
at home with his mother until he was twenty-one, 
meanwhile receiving limited educational advant- 
ages and devoting his time in-ineipally to farm 
labor. Upon reaching his majority, he began 
working by the month, and for three years contin- 
ued thus occupied. Upon making his first pur- 
cli.ase of land, he bought fifty-eight .acres, to which 
he added from time to time as opportunity of- 
fered, until he is now the owner of tvvo hundred 
and twenty-two acres. 

The lady who on the 25th of December, 1858, 
bcame the wife of Mr. McCoy bore the maiden 
name of Sarah McDaniels and is the daughter of 
.lolm and Sarah (Moats) McDaniels. She w.as 
reared in Pokagon Township, there married and 
has spent most of her life in Cass County. She is 
a devoted wife and tender mother, bestowing 
ever}' care and attention upon her children, C'larie 
E., David K. and Pari-y W. While nominally a 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAl'llICAL RECORD. 



r.R3 



nemoornl, Mr. IMcCoy in icalitv is iU)n-i)artisan 
and casts the \vei<rlil of liis inlluence and l)allot 
for the man whom he dicnis liest qualilied for the 
particular ollicc in question, irrespective of polit- 
ical alliliations. 



1^^ AUNDERS L. \'AN CAM!', prominently 
^^4 idcntiliod with the history of Berrien 
lll/\^) (-'onnty, Mich., since I.stiC, lias held with 
efliciency various f>llices of trust in l>ent.on 
Township, and is widely and favoralily known 
throughout this part of the State. Mr. \'an Cam]) 
is a descendant of distinguished lineage. His re- 
mote anccstois were Hollanders li>' birth, but his 
paternal great-great-grandfather emigrating to 
America, founded the branch of the family- famous 
in the early annals of our country. The paternal 
giandfathcr, Moses Van Camp, was a native of the 
butch Colony of New York, and was one of the 
original founders of the city of Albany. liater 
Moses \'an Camp figured conspicuously in the set- 
tlement and progress of western Pennsylvania, 
and, a man of earnest purpose, sterling character 
and executive ability, was a most important factor 
in the dcveloiiment of the best interests of the 
Miildle States. The parents of our subject, Gar- 
rett and .lulia A. (Saunders) Van Camp, were 
natives of New Vork. The father was born in 
(iencsee County. The birthplace of the mother 
was Otsego. The maternal grandfather, Capt. 
Klisha .Saunders, served with coui-.age in the War 
of IHl-i. and was killed ;it the battle of Lundy's 
Lane. 

Our' subject was born in I'eiinsylvauia, where 
he att.-iined to matuie age, and in llSCi'i, answering 
the (•.■Ul of the (iovernment, enlisted in {'otupany 
A, One Hundred and Forty-fifth Pennsylvania 
Infantry, and having served two 3'ears and three 
months was wounded at (Jetlysburg and from 
the elTccts was confined in the hosi)ital. Mr. Nan- 
Camp actively participated in the battles of Antie- 
lam, Chancellorsvillc, Kredcricksbuigh and (Tcttys- 



biirg. The war ended, lie returned to his home, 
and in the spring of 1865 was united in marriage 
with Miss Abbie A. Pettis, the following j-ear. 
18Gfi, journeying to Berrien County, Mich., where 
husband and wife .settled in the dense timber. 
The eighty- acres, entirely covered with wood, 
was in time brought to a high state of cultivation, 
and Mr. \'an Camp li.as converted the once wilder- 
ness into an orchard of fruit, giving his attention 
mainlj- to the culture of peaches. The beautiful 
residence and other substantial im|)rovements ren- 
der the homestead one of the most attractive in 
Berrien County. Two of the three children born 
unto our subject and his estimable wife survive. 
Eda H. is the wife of W. L. Stroine, of Berrien 
County; Hal|ih 1-. is the youngest born; and Neal 
G. died in infanc}'. 

Fraternally, our subject is a member of (George 
H. Thomas Post No. 1 4,G. A. U., .at P>enton Harbor, 
and much enjoys the reunions of the tried and 
true. He is also an ( )dd Fellow of the suliordin- 
ate and encampment lodges. Politically, Mr. 
Van Camp is a Repulilican, and was twice elected 
Treasurer of Berrien County and with ability dis- 
charged the duties of the ollicc from 188;? to 1887. 
He also for several years occupied the iiosition of 
.Supervisor of the township, and in this cap.acity 
did much for the progressive interests and mutual 
welfare of his fellow-townsmen, to whom his ])ub- 
lic work gave unbounded satisf.action. 

Bevil H. V^an Camp, a prosi)erous and leading 
horticulturist of Benton Township, Picrrien County, 
Mich., born upon the old homestead in Erie C'oun- 
ty. Pa., in 1815, leniained there until he had 
arrived at manhood. He received a good cominon- 
scliool education and enjoyed a course of instruc- 
tion in the Normal School. In 1870, Mr. Van 
Camp was married in the (Quaker .State to Miss 
Margaret L. Evans, daughter of .loshua Evans, 
who came to Colonia, Mich., in 1880, and about two 
years before his death, in March, 18".»:$, he made his 
home with his daughter, Mrs. Van ('amp. 

Our subject settled with his wile in Iieriien 
County in 1875, anji i)urchased a |)art of the farm 
now owned by his elder brother. In 1885, he Ixjught 
the ninety acres of timber lan<l which, cleared, 
cultivated and improved, is now a most valuable 



664 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



liomeslead. The farm is devoted mostl3' to the 
culture of fruit and berries, Mr. Van Camp being 
particularly successful in the handling of straw- 
berries and peaches. One son, George, is at home 
and assists his father in the conduct of the farm. 
Maud, the little daughter, died in infancy, and 
Robert passed awa}- when a child. Our subject, 
in common with liis father and five brotiiers, is a 
stanch Republican. In April, 1893, he was elected 
Treasurer of Benton Townslii|), and is now giving 
a portion of his time to the duties of that respon- 
sible office. Fraternally, he is connected with the 
Ancient Order of Ignited Workmen, and has many 
warm friends within the order. Mr. and Mrs. 
Van Camp are valued members of tiie Metliodist 
Episcopal Church at Benton Harbor and liberally 
aid in the extension of its good work and influ- 
ence. The^' are widely known and are identified 
witli the social and benevolent enterprises of tiieir 
iiome locality, commanding the esteem of the en- 
tire community b^- wiiich they are surrounded. 



' AMES E. FULTON is a wide-awake citizen 
of Berrien County, IMich., and as he has 
resided here ever since his birth, on the 13th 
of May, 1851, the people have had every 
opportunity to judge of his character and qualifi- 
cations as a man of affairs, and naught has ever 
been said derogatory to his honor. He has ever 
sliown himself to be endowed with su])erior abil- 
ity, and his comprehensive knowledge of agricul- 
tural pursuits, together with the soundness of his 
judgment, has secured him prompt recognition in 
this section. 

The parents of our subject, Alexander and 
Sarah (Gard) Fulton, were natives of Ohio and 
Lidiana, respectively, the father born in 1807. 
The latter, with three brothers, came to Michigan 
at an early date, and settled in Cass County, in Lit- 
tle Prairie Honde, where he resided a short time. 
He then removed to Berrien County in 1840, and 
bought a fine farm of two hundred and fort}- acres 
in Royalton Township. In addition to that he 



bought two hundred and forty acres near Tr3'on 
Corners. He was a man of superior mental en- 
dowments, and, being industrious and enterprising, 
he was almost certain to prosper. The remainder 
of his da^'s was passed in tilling the soil, and he 
died in the year 1863, respected and honored by 
everj' one. His wife had passed away in 1853. 

The live children liorn to the above-mentioned 
union were named in the order of their births as 
follows: Margaret, Elizabeth, John B., David and 
James E. After the death of his first wife, our 
subject's father was married to Louisa Tryon, and 
by her had one son, Alexander H. All these are 
now deceased except James and Alexander H., the 
former, our subject, being fifth in order of birth. 
He grew to manhood in his native count}', and 
his time in 3-outh was divided betvveen assisting 
his father in clearing his farm of the heavy timber 
with which it was covered, and in attending the 
district schools, where he secured a fair education. 
Being gifted with more than the average degree of 
intelligence and shrewdness, it was but natural 
that when starting out for himself he should 
choose agricultural pursuits as his occupation in 
life, and that he should make a decided success of 
that calling. 

In the year 1888 Mr. Fulton was married to 
Miss Alice Ilelmick, a native of the State of New- 
York, and the fruits of this union are two chil- 
dren, Robert Alexander and Stanley H. Mr. Ful- 
ton is a prominent citizen in his township, and has 
held man}' local offices, the most prominent being 
School Inspector, Township Treasurer, Highway 
Commissioner, and for several terms he was on the 
Board of Review. At present he is Justice of the 
Peace of Royalton Township, and discharges the 
duties incumbent upon that office in a creditable 
and very satisfactory manner. 

Our subject settled on the farm where he now 
resides in 1884, eight miles south of St. Joseph, 
and has resided there ever since. He is the owner 
of seventy acres, and has them all under a good 
state of cultivation. At present lie is a member 
of the Cass County Mutual Fire Insurance Com- 
pany. Mr. Fulton joined Lodge No. 15, I. O. O. 
F., at Schoolcraft, soon after attaining his major- 
ity, but he soon afterward withdrew and joined at 




U(ru^^ 





i-^yii^i 



<::tZ<>^uiA^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



667 



Tryim Cnrncrs. Mrs. Kullon is a Seventli-I)ay 
Advcnlist. Mr. Fulton's paicnts were niemljers of 
tlu' I'nitcd liictliion Cliiiirli. (Ti-andfatlier Oanl 
was an early scttli-r of llcrrien County, and here 
tlic closing scenes of liis life were ))assed. 'I'lu' 
Fulton family settled in the Hiiekeyt! State at a 
verv early l)eriod, and there the j^randfather of 
our subject followed the blacksmith trade, lie 
was an Indian scout for some time. 




■^EN.IAMIN COOl'KR, a prominent and in- 
fluential citizen of Dowai^iac, Cass County, 



§D)1I) Mich., has now retired from the active du- 
ties of business, and in the evening of his 
days enjoys the comiietence earned by persevering 
and intelligent industry. In very early life a 
farmer, Mr. Cooper soon abandoned the tilling of 
the soil, and entered into a profitable and exten- 
sive quarry business, in which he remained contin- 
uously until about three months since, finally dis- 
posing of his business interests in April, 1893. 

Our subject was horn while his parents were on 
a journey from their birthplace in New York State 
to Cincinnati, Ohio. The date of Mr. Cooper's 
birth w.as September 19, 1820. The Lather and 
MKither later removed from Cincinnati, and made 
their home in Hig Island Township, Marion Coun- 
ty', the same State. Benjamin Cooper was four- 
teen years of age when, for the third time, his par- 
(tnU changed their locality and came from Ohio to 
Cass County, Mich., in the year 1834. The father 
spent .all of his early life in his native State, New 
York, and served bravely .as a soldier in the War 
of 1812. He w.as a man of high cour.ageand great 
endurance, and was a representative pioneer of 
the West. He died in Michigan, passing away at 
the .advanced age of ninety-three years. 

The paternal grandfather, -John Cooper, emi- 
grated to this country from England, and was in 
early youth when he crossed the broad Atlantic. He 
settled first in Canada, afterward located in M.assn- 
chusetls, and hijei- made liis permanent residence 



in New York, where he married and reared a large 
family, who lived to adult age and occupied use- 
ful and influential positions in life. Our subject 
received a common-school education, and was 
naturally possessed of fine business ([iialifications. 
He had only leached his majority when he assumed 
the cares of a family, and w.as married in Feljruary, 
1811, to Miss Lorinda Mowry, who was a resident 
of Honora Township. This estimable lady, who 
died in 1880, was a native of New York, hut 
passed the greater part of her life in the West. In 
18G3, Mr. Cooper came to Dowagiac and built his 
first residence in the city. His substantial dwell- 
ing was erected on the jjroperty sold six years 
ago to P. D. Beckwith, and stood on the spot 
where Fred E. Lee, the manager of the Beckwith 
estate, is now building a magnificent home, one of 
the most finely ajjpointed structures and costly 
residences in this part of the State. 

Mr. Cooper first entered the ((uarry business in 
company with .Joel Andrews, but the two had been 
partners for only a few months when their [)rop- 
erty was entirely destroyed by fire. With invin- 
cible hope and courage our subject .again tried the 
business by himself, and was a second time a total 
loser by fire, lindaunted, he subsequently formed 
a partnership in the quarry business in connection 
with J. F. Moshier. This latter partnership con- 
tinuously endured for twenty-seven years, the 
business extending its limits rapidly, and yielding 
lucrative results. The two long-time partners, old 
friends, tried and true, yet hold real estate in com- 
mon, and still enjoy close companionship. 

November 2, 1881, Mr. Cooper a second time 
entered into matrimony, and w.as united in mar- 
ri.age with Mrs. Parker, a daughter of William 
and Mary A. (BrowncU) Wilder, of New York 
State. In 18(54, the Wilders settled in Dowagi.ac, 
where the father, a highly respected citizen, died 
in 1886, at the age of seventy-five. The mother 
survived until 1892, and was at the time of her 
demise seventy-seven years of age. 

Mr. and Mrs. Cooper have shared the benefits of 
extensive travel in the United States, and are 
known in their own home locality .as liberal and 
progressive, alw.ays ready to render assistance in 
social. l)eiu'voleiit and religious enterprise. Fra- 



668 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



tenially, our subject has affiliated witli the An- 
cient Free & Accepted Masons since I860, and was 
made a member of the Ancient Order in Pokagon. 
Altiiougli never an otHce-seeker, Mr. Cooper is in- 
terested in Governmental issues, and is an ardent 
advocate for the elevation of the masses. 



i-^+^l 



^Jt. SOL MAUDLIN. The value to any 
J) connnunity of a professional man is not 
marked merely by his learnini;' and skill, his 
proflciency in medical and surgical practice, but 
also by his character, both private and profes- 
sional, his honorable adiicreuce to medical ethics, 
and his personal integrity and benevolence of pur- 
jiose. When a physici.an combines these charac- 
teristics, it is with pleasure that we record his life 
work, and such a man do we find in Dr. Sol 
Maudlin. This gentleman, who is one of the 
prominent physicians of PjcrruMi County, is also 
one of its most active and substantial business 
men. He has been practicing medicine in this 
county since 1867, and for twenty-six years he has 
been kept busy following his profession. Since 
1 880 he has onl^' been doing a large office prac- 
tice. As he operates a farm of sixt^-six acres, 
he is also engaged quite extensively in fruit- 
raising. 

Or. Maudlin is a product of Indiana, born in 
Henry County August 27, 1832, and is the eldest 
of nine children born to Barnabas and Martha 
(Hodge) INIaudlin, natives respectively of North 
Carolina and \'irginia. The parents were mar- 
ried in the Old Dominion, and there the father 
followed .agricultural pursuits for some time. At 
an early day they removed to Indiana, and the 
father's death occurred in St. Joseph Count}-. He 
was a member of the Church 01 Friends. Dr. 
Maudlin received his literary education in Henry 
and Madison Counties, Ind., and when twenty- 
seven years of age he attended his first course of 
lectures at the Eclectic Medical .School, of Cincin- 
nati, Ohio. The breaking out of the war put a 
stop to his medical studies for the tune beilig. 



and November 5, 1861, he enlisted in Company 
G, Fifteenth I'niled States Infantry, and was at- 
taciied to the Army of the Cumberland. 

Our subject enlisted as a private and partici- 
pated in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Florence 
and .Stone River. He was injured at the battle 
of Corinth, but returned to the armj' shortly after- 
ward and participated in the other battles men- 
tioned, besides numerous skirmishes. Although 
captured at Nashville, Tenn., he only remained a 
prisoner nine days, when he succeeded in making 
his escape. The Doctor was then in the battle of 
Lookout Mountain, during Hooker's charge, and, 
being stationed in the bend of the river, had a 
fine view of it all. He was discharged on the 
7th of November, 1864, on Lookout Mountain, 
within the Georgia line, and went direct from 
there to ]\Iuscatine, Iowa. After remaining in 
that city for four months, he returned to Indi- 
ana and began practicing his profession. 

Having chosen the eclectic system, our sub- 
ject had rather uphill work in those days, for 
nothing was considered correct but the allopalliic. 
(iradiially he worked himself into a good i>rac- 
tice, and there remained until 1868, when he 
came to Michigan and located in Berrien County. 
The country was new and heavily timbered at 
that time, and the principal business of the early 
settlers was lumbering. The wood was slii|ii)ed 
to Chicago, and, as there were no railroads pass- 
ing through the county, boating on the lake was 
in a prosperous condition. Fruit-growers had but 
just started, and thai onlv so far as peaches were 
concerned. As soon as located, the Doctor opened 
up his practice, and, as he was well up with the 
times in medical lore, and had the ability to 
apply his knowledge at the proper time and in 
the proper place, it is not to be wondered at that 
he had a large practice. In 1881 he engaged in 
the mercantile business, and has since carried it on. 
doing an annual business of from ijilO.OOO to ¥1."),- 
000. He also laises peaches, plums, pears, apples, 
and iiuicli small fruit on his farm, and is one of 
tlie wide-awake, thorough-going men of the county. 

The Doclt)r lias been twice married, first in 1867, 
to Miss Josephine Gregory, of New York, and 
one child was born of this union, Marv. wife of 



PORTRAIT AND liJOGRAPH'CAL RECORD. 



669 



(leorfjc IFann, of Oiand K'apids, Midi. Mrs. 
Maudlin died on tiie 21lii of Kubruarv, 1875, and 
on March 1 of the following year Dr. Maudlin 
married Mrs. Carrie \. Wiiipplc, nee Watson, a 
native of Indiana. Two children were born to 
the marriage, but only one is now surviving, 
Krna, who is at home. The Doctor is a member 
of Lake Lodge No. 113, I. O. O. F. He is a Re- 
|nihlican in polities, but has never been an as- 
pirant for political preferment. Of a decidedly' 
practical turn of mind, he has a wide circle of 
friends and acquaintances, and is very popular. 



OIIN !•:. ROSS. No State in the Tnion 
gives greater encourngcment to a man wlio 
desires to devote himself to agricultural 
pursuits and fruit-raising than does Michi- 
gan. Its resources are almost inexhaustible, and 
its climate is adapted to the cultivation of varied 
crops. Mr. Ross, who is one of the most substan- 
tial and thoroughgoing agriculturists of Berrien 
County, Mich., has been eng.aged in tilling the 
soil from early boyhood, his father, David C. 
Ross, having initiated him into the m^'steries of 
that occupation, and he thus gained a good, prac- 
tical knowledge of the same to start out with. 

Mr. Ross was born in Laporte County, Ind., 
on the .'Id of ,Iuly 1H48, to the union of David 
C'. and Lydia (Richardson) Ross, natives res- 
pectively of Pennsylvania and Indiana. The fa- 
ther left his native State at an earl^' age, and 
went to Indiana, settling in La I'orte County, where 
he was among the early settlers. About the year 
IHIT), he moved to Ikrrien County, Mich., and 
here his death occurred many years later. He was 
of Welsh-Scotch descent, and inheriting all the 
sterling characteristics of that nationality — up- 
rightness, integrity and industry — it was but nat- 
ural that he should prosper. When first settling 
in Berrien County, he bought eighty acres of 
land, all wihl and unbroken, and immediately 
entered upon liis duties as an agriculturist, clear- 
ing, grubbing and making improvements. Mrs. 



Ross IS still living, is a most estimable lady, and 
resides on the old homestead. 

Of the seven children born to our subject and 
wife, three are now living and named as follows: 
James A., Charley and Paul. John A. Ross passed 
his youthful days in Berrien County, Mich., and 
secured a good practical education in the schools 
of the same. When not in the .schoolroom in 
youth, he was engaged in the arduous duties of 
the farm and tlius gained his extensive knowl- 
edge of that vocation. He ])ossesses all the attri- 
butes necessary for a first-class farmer, and is now 
the owner of forty acres eight miles south of St. 
Joseph, as well as another farm of forty acres. 
Unlike his father, who was a Methodist, Mr. Ross 
holds membership in the Christian Church, and his 
wife is also a member of that church. The}' are 
well respected in the cominunit}' in which they 
live and are hapi)y in the friendship of many 
friends. Mr. Ross lias adhered closely to the prin- 
ciples of the Democratic part}-, and his first Presi- 
dential vote was for (i. li. McClellan. 



-=^^>^^<^^-^ 



a I^ILLIAM ADAMSON, one of the leading 
\rJ// farmers of Calvin Township, Cass Counlw 
^^ was born in Coluiiiltiaiia Count}-, Ohio, on 
the 7th of July, 181^1, the son of .John and Sarah 
(Erwin) Adainson. His father was born in 
Columbiana County, Ohio, in 1802, and was the 
son of .Lames and Hannah (Heald) Adamson. 
This family is of Knglish and Irish ancestry and 
was a prominent old C^uakcr family. Their history 
in this countr}' dates back for many generations, 
but the exact date of their emigration hither or 
the names of the ancestors back of James, the 
grandfather of William, we have been unable to 
learn. 

Grandfather Adamson followed the occupation 
of a farmer in Columbiana County, Ohio, whither 
he removed as early as IHOd and where lie resided 
until death terminateil his career. He had two 
sons and three daughters, of whom John, the 
fathci' of our subject. \v:is the youngest. He was 



670 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



a man of limited schooling, but possessed a good 
stock of natural ability', and through general read- 
ing and observation atoned to a large extent for 
his lack of earl3'^ advantages. A liard worker and 
a good financier, he accumulated a moderate fort- 
une, and, what was better than that, lie gained the 
respect of all with whom he made acquaintance. 

In Ohio he married Sarah Erwin, and for many 
years afterward continued to make his home in 
ilie Buckeye State. In 1853 he removed from 
Ohio to Michigan and made settlement in Calvin 
Township, Cass Count}', where he purchased a 
large tract of land. Coming here with perhaps 
|!.'),n00, he added largely to this amount, and at 
tiie time of his death, which occurred in 1873, was 
numbered among the moneyed men of the county. 
He remained in the Society of Friends up to the 
age of foi'ty-five years, but for some reason not 
known to the biographer, he at that age left the 
church of his forefathers and never afterward 
returned to its membership. His wife survived 
him tiiree years and passed away at the old home- 
stead in Calvin Townshiii, during the month of 
February, 1876. 

In a family of nine children, the subject of this 
sketch was the third in order of birth, and at this 
writing (1893) five of the entire number are 
living. William grew to manliood upon his 
father's farm in Ohio, and had the advantage of 
excellent educational oi)|)ortunilies iu early life. 
Wlien about nineteen years old he came to Michi- 
gan with, his fatlior, but subsequently returned to 
Ohio, where he completed his education in a jiri- 
vate school at New Salem. He then returned to 
Michigan, and in December, 1857, niairied Miss 
Mary Ann Norton. This lady was born in .Jeffer- 
son Township, Cass County, in 1838, being the 
eldest daugliter of Levi D. Norton, who w.as Itorn 
in Champaign County, Ohio, in 1811, and came to 
Michigan in 1828, being one of the very early 
settlers of Cass County. The paternal grandfather 
of Mrs. Adamson was Nathan Norton, a native of 
North Carolina. 

Tradition says that long before the war for in- 
(U'pi'ndcnce, three brothers by the name of Norton 
canu^ from Ireland. One setthnl in North Carolina 
or Xirijinia, another went to Texas, and the third 



established his home in Maine. From the first- 
named this branch of tiie Norton famih' springs. 
The grandmother of Levi D. Norton, whose name 
was Dixon, was a member of an old :ind leading 
(Quaker family. Mrs. Adamson had two brothers 
and two sisters. Her elder brother, Leonard 1{., 
enlisted in the defense of the Union in 18()]. and 
served continuously until 1866. He married 
Annette Sheldon and is now a salesman for .1. V. 
Farwell <fe Co., of Chicago, where he resides. 
Elizabeth became the wife of Thomas E. Shaw, a 
farmer of Michigan, and they have a family of 
five children. .Jane married Constantine Baldwin, 
a farmer residing in Calvin Township. .Samuel M. 
chose for liis wife Miss .Jessie Belden, by whom he 
lias three children. Their home is in California. 

Pleasant Norton, a brother of Levi D., was born 
in 1806, and in 1826 married Miss Hachael Fukery. 
Coming to Cass County, he became prominently 
connected with the development of this part of 
Michigan. For eight years he served as .Super- 
visor of Jefferson Township, was Treasurer for a 
number of terms and served for two terms in tlic 
Michigan State I^egislature. In his political be- 
lief he was a life-long Democrat. He died in 
Jefferson Township on the 12th of May, 1877, and 
his wife passed awaj- on the 17th of March, 1887. 
Five children survive them. Levi D. Norton, 
father of Mrs. Adamson, resided for a number of 
jeais in Jefferson Township, and from there re- 
moved to Calvin Township, where be died on Mie 
i<tli of November, 1872. He w.as a prominent 
member of the Christian Church and was an hon- 
orable, upright man, whom everyone respected. 
His wife, Martha (Mcllvain) Norton, was born in 
Logan County, Ohio, November 26, 1812, and 
died on the lOth of .lanuary, 1883. Religiously, 
she was a devout member of the Baptist Church. 

After their marriage, our subject and his wife 
settled on the place where they have ever since 
lived. He has cleared more than two hundred 
■acres of land, and as a result of his industry and 
shrewd business investments, he gained a compe- 
tency and is novv counted among the leading and 
vveaUhv men of the township. He belongs to au 
old Whig family, and in former years was a 
Republican, but is now numbered in the ranks of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



671 



Dpiiiocracy. Ill' lias nevur souglil or held ollice, 
wiUi Uic cxci'|)li«>ii of tserving on Uic School 
IJoanl and in sonic minor township ollices. IMrs. 
Adamson is a iiu'iiiher of the IJapUst C'huich, active 
in all its good works, and foremost in eveiy relig- 
ious and heiR'volent onUM'prisc. 

Kiglit children liav(^ licen lioni to lirigliten the 
home of oiir subject. Frank, who was born April 
21, 1S;')1), died on the 17th of August, the same 
year; Koss, wlio was born Soi)teml)er 27, 1860, 
married Lima Leonard, and with his wife and 
child residi's in t'liippewa County, Mich.; Dell, a 
promising young man, lives with his parents; 
IJerllia married A. (i. Hull and they have three 
clilldnii; Liila died when three years old, and 
Nellie was called liunie at the same age; EstcUe 
and Kiltie are at home. 



^: 



^•{•♦♦'i 

•i"l"{"!-^ 



vSt'.VK IMTC'llKR, a successful farmer resid- 
ing ill Watervliet 'rowiislii|), IJerrien Coun- 
ty, was born in .Ii'lTerson County. N. Y., 
December 1«, 1847. His parents, Peter and Ma- 
tilda (.Smith) Pitcher, were natives of Jefferson 
Comity, the former having been born October 17, 
1811, and the latter August .31, 1826. Their chil- 
dren were: Oscar, Delia, Viola, Isola and Lillie. 
In 18(i8, they wime to Michigan .-111(1 located in 
Watervliet, where he died .lune 8, 1885. A little 
more than two j-ears afterward, on the 26th of 
October, 1887, his wife departed this life. In his 
political alliliations, lie was a Republican, loyal to 
every principle of his chosen part}'. He wjis a de- 
voted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
and an earnest worker in religious enterprises. 
Throughout his entire .active life, he followed the 
occupation of an agriculturist, in which he met 
with success. The maternal grandfather of our 
subject was Harmonious Smith, whose wife bore 
him three sons and one daughter. 

At the age of fourteen, our subject commenced 
to be a wage-earner. When about (ifteen years of 
age, in .September. 1862, he enlisted in the service 
of the I'liHMi. his name being enrolled as a meniT 



ber of Company I, Twentieth New York Cavalry. 
He served on detached duty and participated in a 
number of important and decisive engagemenUs. 
In February, I860, he entered the hospital at 
Portsmouth, Va., from which he was discharged 
on the 7lh of .lune, 186.5, at the close of the war. 
Resuming the peaceful pursuits of civil life, he re- 
turned home and learned the trade of a carpenter. 
In 186'J, he came to Watervliet, and in 1876 pur- 
chased forty acres on section 5 of this township. 
He now owns an eighty-acre tract, the improve- 
ments on which have been made through his un- 
tiring efforts. 

On Christmas Day. 1873, Mr. Pitcher was united 
in marriage with Miss Isabelle Dustin, who w.is 
born near Kalamazoo, ]\Iich., March 1, 1855, being 
the daughter of .Joseph M. and .lane A. (lOaston) 
Dustin. Her p.aternal grandfather, Cobiirn Dus- 
tin, was a descendant of F^nglish ancestors, and he 
and his wife reared six children: Albert, LaFay- 
etle, Dudley, Luke, .Joseph M. and Philine. Jos- 
eph M. Dustin was born in Boston March 20, 
1810, and in his youth learned the cari;enter's 
trade. He went later to Cayuga County, Js. Y., 
where he met and married Miss Jane A. Easton. 
Sub.seciuently he removed to Michigan and ar- 
rived in Kalamazoo County at a period so early in 
the settlement of the now nourishing city of Kal.a- 
mazoo that it contained only a very few houses. 
There he entered land from the Government and 
erected a primitive structure, destitute even of 
doors, for the abode of his family. He improved 
a farm, which, as time p.assed by, he embellished 
with a number of suitable and conveniently-ar- 
ranged buildings. Politically, he was a strong 
Republican, and was a leader in his party in the 
township. His death occurred January 6, 1 86(5. 

The mother of Mrs. Pitcher bore the maiden 
name of Jane G. F>aslon, and was born in Cayuga 
County, N. Y., December 9, 1818, being the 
daughter of Isaac Kaston. a farmer. She married 
George Sparks for her second husband. \ sincere 
Christian and a gifted singer, it was her custom 
in the pioneer d.ays, when it w.as imiiossible to se- 
cure a preacher to minister to the spiritual wanUs 
of the peoiile, to preside at meetings, and fre- 
ipiently she preacheil funeral sermons. Hei nine 



672 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAl'HICAL RECORD. 



chiklien were: Albert M., who served in the 
Civil War; William, also a soldiei' in the de- 
fense of the I'nion; l^uke E., Eugene, Elizabeth, 
Frank, Isabelle, Mary E. and Jennie. Mr. Pitcher 
and his excellent wife have one son, Robert, and 
the family is one of the most prominent and pop- 
ular in the township. 



(^ERNON KING. If to one class of people 
more than another the United States owes 
a debt of gratitude, it is to the hard-work- 
ing, i)erseveriug farmers, on whom our prosi)erit3' 
as a nation so largely depends. Among those who 
for a long tune followed agricultural pursuits in 
Berrien County may be mentioned the name of 
Mr. King, who now, in the twilight of his useful 
existence, lives retired from active business cares, 
occupying a neat and comfortable residence on 
Lake Avenue, Benton Harbor. 

On his father's side our subject tr.acus his ances- 
try to France and Ireland, while his maternal 
forefathers came from England. Grandfather Job 
King was a native of Massachusetts, which State 
was also the birthplace of Henry King, father of 
our subject, who died in Ohio during the year 
1862. C\'nthia Nichols, as the mother of our sub- 
ject w.as known in maidenhood, was born in 
Massachusetts, and was the daughter of David 
Nichols, a native of England. Vernon King spent 
his childhood years in Jefferson County, N. Y., 
where he was born on the yth of July, 1818. His 
education was gained in the common schools of 
the district, and he alternated attendance at school 
with work on his father's farm. 

There is little of special note to record concern- 
ing the life of Mr. King until 18.54, when he 
sought the El Dorado of thousands of Argonauts, 
and traveling Westward to California, engaged in 
mining there for three years. During that time 
he suffered the hardships incident to life in a new 
country, where civilization had not yet reached a 
high development, and where people of every na- 
tionality were striving with frenzied eagerness to 



gain some of the coveted gold. When ready to 
return home, Mr. King took passage on the "Yan- 
kee Blade," which struck on the reefs off the coast 
of California, near Port Arquilla. The passengers 
were rescued by another boat and convej'cd to 
land. 

Returning to Michigan in 1857, Mr. King set- 
tled in Benton Township, Berrien County. Upon 
land purchased here, he cut down the timber and 
the dense forest growth, and through the exercise 
of sound judgment and perseverance improved 
the place so that it took rank among the best 
farms of the county. For more than twenty 
years Mr. King resided upon that place, devoting 
his attention to general farming and stock-rais- 
ing, but in 1880 he retired from farming pursuits, 
and, coming to Benton Harbor, has since made his 
home in this vill.age. He owns and occupies a 
comfortable house on Lake Avenue. 

In 1843 Mr. King married Miss Polly A. Brad- 
ley, a native of Onondaga County, N. Y., who be- 
came the mother of two children: Homer, a resi- 
dent of Berrien County; and Elmer, deceased. 
The present wife of our subject, whom he married 
in 1882, was Mrs. Rosina J. Powers. She was 
born in Ohio, and is the daughter of George and 
Anney Conkey. AVhile Mr. King is not a strong 
partisan, and has never desired ofliclal position, 
yet he is Hrm in his allegiance to the Republican 
party, and takes an intelligent interest in public 
affairs. 



il/_^ IRAM A. EDWARDS, the efficient ex-Su- 
pervisor of Niles Township, Berrien Coun- 
ty, Mich., is a native of .Jefferson Coun- 
ty, N. Y., and was born May 30tli, 1836. 
His parents were John W. and Annie (Brigham) 
Edwards. The father was a native of the Empire 
State, his family being well known in that portion 
of the country. The maternal grandparents were 
of New England origin, and the mother of our 
subject was born in Connecticut. Hiram A., one 
brother and three sisters comprise the remaining 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



673 



sdiis and daugliters wlio once gatlicied in the old 
lioiiic. Our subject was reared and educated in 
the Stale of New York and well improved tlie op- 
purtunities for study in the district school of the 
neiglilHirhood. He also enjoyed a term of in- 
struction in the Union Academy in Belleville, N. 
Y., and tauo;ht for two winters in his native State, 
afterward having charge of a scliool in Henry 
County, 111. He was married before attaining his 
majority, and early assumed the responsibilities 
common to mature years. 

September 17, IS.'ifi, our subject was wedded to 
Angdiiie Dickey, daugiiter of Joseph F. and Eliza 
Dickey, both of whom were born in the State of 
New York. Of the nine children who blessed the 
marriage of Mr. Edwards and his estimable wife, 
seven vet survive. William I'\, the eldest, a man 
of superior al)ilil,\- and line attainments, is Assis- 
tant Professor of Chemistry at the Universitj' of 
Ann .\rhor, Mich., from which institution of learn- 
ing he giailualed with honor. Frederick H. is the 
second son; then follow, in order of birth, Elmer 
E., -Mice M., Kate H., Stella II. and Mary E. 
Two children aie deceased. In the late fall suc- 
ceeding his marriage oiu' sul>ject and his newly- 
made wife journeyed to the West and settled 
at (list in the Stale of Illinois, where they re- 
mained, however, only a few years. In 1859 Mr. 
and Mrs. Edwards removed lo Berrien County, 
Mich., and in IbGd located on tiieir present farm. 

Our subject owns one hundred and ten acres of 
excellent land under a high stale of cultivation. 
'I'laincd to agricultural duties from his child- 
liooil, he li.as achieved success in the culture of 
the soil. Essentially a self-made man, he has vvell 
improved every advantage of life which lay with- 
in his grasp, and was, as an instructor, highly re- 
garded by all who studied under his care. He is 
in jjolitical allllialion a Democrat and has occu- 
pied with honor and fidelity several otlicial posi- 
tions of trust. For four successive terms he served 
as Supervisor of Niles Township, and was an ar- 
dent advocate of local progress and improvement. 
For four terms he most acceptably discliarged the 
duties of Township Treasurer. Mr. Edwards is a 
popular man, well and highly esteemed as a friend 
and citizen. Fraleiiiallv. he is a member of St. 



.loseph Valley Lodge No. 1, A. F. & A. M., and 
for several years was Master of the lodge. His 
work and influence, beneficially exerted in behalf 
of the best interests of Berrien County, have won 
him the lasting regard of the entire community 
by whom he is surrounded, and with whom he has 
sustained the most pleasant relations for over 
thirty years. 



WIeKEMIAH V. SHEFARD. A compariscm 
has often been drawn between New York and 
Michigan, and they are much alike in intel- 
ligence, enterprise and productiveness, while 
their natural features, made notable by altitude, 
contiguity to the lake district, and abundance of 
forest and mineral wealth, will bear close com i)ari- 
son. That their people are much alike is due to 
the fact that the Empire State h.as given freely of 
sons and daughters to help in populating this 
younger one in the sisterhood of States. Among 
those who claim New York as their native State is 
the subject of this sketch. 

Mr. Shepard was born not far from Syracuse, 
November 30, 1819, and was sixth in order of birth 
of nine children born to Josei)h and Lucy ( Vose) 
Shepard, both natives of Massachusetts and of oM 
Puritan stock. Joseph Shepard was born about 
twenty miles from Boston in July, 1779, and was a 
minute-man in the War of 1812. He was a stone- 
mason by trade and followed that for the most part 
until his death in 1867. His last wife died in 188 I. 
Mr. Shepard 's first marriage occurred in Massachu- 
setts to Miss Mary Ilaydeu, who bore him one child, 
Mary. The latter died in 1887, at the age of eighty- 
five years. The mother of this child died when 
comparatively a 3'oung woman, and Mr. Shepard 
took for his second wife Miss Lucy Vose. 

The parents had born to them a large family 
of children. Alvira married John Phares, a shoe- 
maker, and became the mother of eight children; 
she died in Syracuse in 1881, at seventy -six years 
of .age. Polly married Asa Hayden and had two 
children; she died in .Syracuse in 18o5, when forty. 
four years of age. Hannah married Eli.as .Jacobs 



674 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and four eliildien were born to them; she resides 
at Bancroft. Eliza, single, makes her home at Syr- 
acuse, N. Y. Joseph, single, died in 1887, when 
sixty-two years of age. John married Miss Z^dva 
O'Daniels, and went West to Illinois, where he died 
in 1878, when fifty -six years of age; they were the 
parents of eight children. IJiantha was married 
twice, first to a Mr. Padden, by whom she had one 
child, and then to a IMr. Duncan; they reside in 
Syracuse. Orlando married Miss Sarah Snaack, 
and resides near Grand Rapids. They had four 
children, alf boys, and two of them twins. 

During his youthful days our subject had lim- 
ited educational advantages, for most of his time 
was taken up in assisting his father make a living. 
When still quite young he started out to fight his 
own way in life, and first began to manufacture 
salt in a small way. Later he was engaged in boat- 
ing on the Erie Canal, also followed lumljering, 
and afterward cleared up a farm in New York Stale. 
About 1841 or '42 he niarriei) Mi.ss Statyra t^uick, 
a native of New York Stale, born June 22, 1824, and 
the daughter'of Sylvester (Juick, who dropped dead 
when Mrs. Shepard was but a child. Her half- 
brother, Sj'lvester, was a soldier in the Civil War 
and was killed while in service. Another of her 
brothers, Henry, served from first to last during 
the war and escaped without a wound. 

In 1859 our suljject brought his family from the 
State of New York to Michigan and settled on a 
farm in Calvin Township, where he resides at the 
present time. This farm he has cleared and im- 
proved and now it is one of the pleasautest in the 
township. Our subject and his wife had a fam- 
ily of children. Emma, born Ma\- 16, 1844, mar- 
ried Mr. Manning Morse and became the mother 
of three children; they reside in Mason Town- 
ship, this county. Charles, born in 1846, enlisted in 
the army and died while in service. Clifton died 
when a lad of eight years. Ella died at the age of 
four years. Jessie married Allen Morse, whose 
father was one of the early settlers of Cass County. 
This daughter is now living with her father, and 
her husband is doing business in Elkhart, Ind. 
Etta married Louis Lamb, a farmer in Calvin 
Township, and they had one child, Edna, who 
died when not yet three years old, 



The mother of the above-mentioned children 
died May 7, 1889. She was a most excellent wo- 
man, a devoted wife, and a kind and loving mother. 
Since her death Mr. Shepard has done but little 
work, but rents his farm. One of his daughters is 
alwa3s with him, keeping his house anil making 
him comfortable and contented during his declin- 
ing years. He has ever been a quiet, assuming man 
and one who attends strictly to business. He takes 
very little interest in public affairs, but is well re- 
spected and esteemed by all. Formerly a AVhig, he 
cast his lot with the Republican part^', with which 
he has remained ever since. While living in New 
York State he was a member of the Sons of Tem- 
perance and was also an Odd Fellow. 



IP^ICHARD J. HUYCK. This family in 
[Lj^ America came originally from Holland, 
and the descendants have inherited those 
traits of character which made their an- 
cestors industrious and substantial people. The 
grandfather of our subject, Richard Iluyck, was 
born in the Empire State, as was also John Huyck, 
the father of our subject. The latter married Miss 
May Christie, a native of New York, and the 
daughter of Frederick Christie. Mr. and Mrs. 
John Iluyck were married in their native State, 
and in 1828 came to Michigan, settling in the 
wilds of Lenawee County. There they remained 
until 18:3(), when they moved to Cass County, 
settled on a farm, and there made their home for 
a few years. From there they moved toMarcellus, 
where the father died in September, 1851, and the 
mother in December. 1852. They were the par- 
ents of eight children, four of whom are now liv- 
ing: Richard J.; Abijah; Eveline, now Mrs. 
Ingam; and Norman. Both held membership in 
the Presbyterian Church, and were active workers 
in the same. 

Richard .1. Iluyck, the original of this notice, 
was born in Sidney Township, Delaware County, 
N. Y., on the 21st of February, 1811. His early 




>:SfB%'u 




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



077 



life was passed on a farm, and ;ill his scholastic 
ttiiiiiing was received in liis native State. He 
came to Michigan in 1832. and as he iiad partly 
learned the carpenter's trade in New York, he 
worked at this for some time. His happy do- 
mestic relations I)ogan in \M(i, when he was mar- 
ried to Miss S.irnli Fell<)w.s, a native of Luzerne 
County, I'a., liorn March 111, 1818, and the 
daui;hler of Abel and l)orca.s (lIo|)kins) Fellows, 
the father a native of Connecticut, and the mother 
of Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Fellows were 
married in the lve3'stonc State, but later came to 
Michigan and settled on a new farm in Kalamazoo 
County, where they made a permanent home. 
His death occuried in 1833, and hers in 18()G. Mr. 
Fellows served the three last years of the Revolu- 
tinnary War. Thirteen children were horn to this 
worthy couple, five of whom are now living. 
Several of their sons served in the Llack Hawk 
War. 

For one year after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. 
lluyck resided in Kalauiazoo, hut they then moved 
to Cass County, settled on a farm, and have re- 
sided on this ever since. Mr. lluyck first engaged 
in merchandising, followed .this for five or six 
years, but then turned his attention to agricul- 
tural pursuits, which have been his chief occupa- 
tion since. Although well along in years, he still 
owns and operates his farm. He has one hundred 
and fifteen acres in the home place, and one hun- 
dred and thirty acres one mile from there. He is 
etigaged exclusively in mixed farming, and is 
wide-awake and thorough-going. With care and 
l)erseverance he has attended to his large farm, 
and with energ.y and thoroughness his successful 
results have been reached, until now, |).ast the age 
usually allotted to man. he is in possession of a 
competence fully sufficient to warrant him in pass- 
ing the remainder of his days in peace and comfort. 

Mr. and Mrs. Huyck became the parents of 
seven children, only four of whom now survive. 
Fiances E., wife of William Anderson, deceased, 
resides in Cass County; Mary E., wife of S. G. 
Toof, resides in Decatur; Alva II. married Miss 
Elizabeth Lewis, and resides in Decatur; he is 
cashier of the bank;_and Ella M., wife of L. W. 
J)olloff, makes her home in Denver, Colo. Mr. 



Huyck has always been interested in educational 
matters, and was not satisfied to have his chihiren 
quit with a common-school education, but sent 
them off to finish their .schooling. The son grad- 
uated from Eastman's Business College at Pough- 
keepsie, N. Y. Mr. lluyck has shown his api>iecia- 
tion of secret organizations by becoming a mem- 
ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and 
the Good Templars, being the first Worthy Chief 
in the lodge. He has been a member of the School 
Board, served as School Inspector, and has held 
other olHces. He has ever been active in political 
affairs, and [n-evious to the war atliliated with the 
Democratic party. Since then he has been a Re- 
publican. For a number of 3'ears he w.as Town- 
ship Clerk, and was also. Postmaster at Little 
Prairie Konde, he being the first one appointed to 
that office under Van Buren's administration. 

On the 8th of December, I81»2, this much es- 
teemed gentleman fell and fractured his hi)), and 
has since been an invalid. His son, Alva, was a 
soldier in the Fifth Michigan Cavahy, and held 
the position of hospital steward. He served one 
year, and after the surrender of Gen. Lee's army, 
he, with his regiment, was sent to Salt Lake City. 



IH. 



\f/ ON. JACOB J. VAN RIPER, Judge of the 

Probate Court of Berrien County, has for 
a number of years been one of the most 
distinguished men in the public life of 
Michigan, and is probably better known through- 
out the State, at least by rei)utation, than any 
other citizen of Berrien County. As a Repub- 
lican, he wields a potential infiuence in the coun- 
cils of his party; .as an attorney, he is keen and 
forceful; as a judge, he is wise, impartial and 
learned; while in every relatnjii of life, both pri- 
vate and public, he has acquitted himself as an 
honorable, upright man. 

Some facts concerning the life of this well- 
known and eminent man will be of interest to our 
readers. He was born in Ilaverstraw Rockland 
County, N. Y., on the 8th of March, 1838. His 



678 



i'ORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



father, John A. Van Riper, was born in New Jer- 
sey in 1811. and was the son of Abraham Van 
Ri{)er, an early settler of New York, his ancestors 
having settled in America during Colonial days. 
The father of our subject was engaged extensively 
as a manufacturer of woolen goods, and was also 
an inventor of some repute. He married Leah, 
daughter of William and Margaret Zabriske, of 
Paterson, N. J., and many years afterward, in 
1856, moved from New York City to LaGrange, 
Cass County, Mich., where he erected a woolen 
mill for the manufacture of woolen goods. His 
death occurred in 1886, and his wife is still living 
and makes her home at Dowagiac. 

The third in a family of eight cliildren (live 
sons and three daughters), the subject of this 
sketch laid the foundation of his education in the 
schools of New York City, after which he at- 
tended Charlotteville Institute. During the 
winter of 1860-61 he read law in the office of 
James M. Spencer, of Dowagiac, Mich., after which 
he pursued his studies in the law department of 
the Universit}' of Michigan, at Ann Arbor. He 
was admitted to the Bar at Cassopolis in 1863, 
and opened an office for the practice of his pro- 
fession at Dowagiac. In 1881 he was admitted as 
au attorney of the Supreme Court of the United 
States at Washington. 

In 1872 our subject located in Buchanan, Ber- 
rien County, where he conducted a general law 
practice until he removed to Niles, in 1887. In 
January of 1893 he came to Berrien Springs, 
where he now resides. He has held many posi- 
tions high in county and State political life, and 
has been the recipient of many honors from his 
fellow-citizens. In 1876 he was elected Prosecut- 
ing Attorney' of Berrien County, and served for 
two terms of two 3'ears each. Under the admin- 
istration of Governor Croswcll he was appointed 
Regent of the Universitj' of Michigan, and held 
that position for six years. In the fall of 1880 he 
was elected Attorney-General of Michigan, and 
was re-elected in 1882, serving in all four years. 
In 1892 he was elected Judge of Probate on the 
Republican ticket, and is now the incumbent of 
this office. 

The marriage of Judge Van Riper occurred in 



1858, and united him with Miss Emma E. Bron- 
ner, who was born in New York, but at the time 
of her marriage was residing in Cass County, 
Mich. Her i)arents were Jacob and Mary (Nor- 
ton) Bronner, natives of New York. Judge and 
Mrs. Van Riper are the pareuts of three children, 
namely: Luella, wife of A. Worthington, a 
prominent lawyer residing in Buchanan; Cassius 
M., also a lawyer, who makes his home in Three 
Oaks, Mich.; and Adah, who is at home. The 
family residence is a convenientl3'-arranged and 
cozily-furnished house located in Berrien Springs. 
In his fraternal relations, the Judge is identified 
with tlie Masonic fraternity and the Ancient Order 
of United Workmen. He has attained a degree of 
success beyond that which rewards the efforts of 
the majoiity of men, but, notwithstanding his 
prosperity', he maintains the same geniality of 
manner and kindness of disposition which char- 
acterized him in former years. In all respects he 
is a typical American, free from ostentation, and 
of easy approach — a man from the people, of the 
people, and for the jieople. 



THAMES E. GOULD. Cass County, Jlich., is 
consi)icuous for its magnilicent farms that 
are faultless in tlie wa^" of management and 
the order in which they are kept. Those in 
Volinia Township are especially advantageously 
located, the land being rolling and well watered, 
fertile and productive. No one is to be more com- 
plimented on the perfect method and order with 
which his agricultural affairs are conducted than 
he whose name is given above. Mr. Gould is a 
farmer and stock-raiser on section 32, where he has 
a fine home, the house being commodious and 
attractive, with capacious and well-filled barns and 
granaries. The fields are wide-spreading and pro- 
ductive and consist of over two hundred and 
eighty-seven acres. 

Our subject is a descendant of an old and prom- 
inent Massachusetts family, ui which Stale his 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RI'XORD. 



679 



parents, James II. ami i';ii/.,il«tli (<)uiiiif>y) Gould, 
were born, tlic former April 23, \1'.)^, and the 
latter in 17!)7. The paternal gnmdfalher, William 
(JoiiUi, was a native of the old Bay State, and was 
:i farmer and blacksmith by occupation. TIk' 
maternal grandfather. Zacliaiiah (Juimby, was Ijorn 
in Massachusetts, and there followed farming for 
many years. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. 

The parents of our subject were inmates of a 
Shaker village in Massachusetts, and were obliged 
to run aw.iy to mairy. They settled on a farm in 
Cayuga County, N. Y., and remained there until 
the spring of 1846, when they started Westward. 
They found their wa>' to Michigan, and settled in 
the wilds of Cass County. Mr. Gould cut the first 
road in here from the old Government road. At 
that time there was only one house between his 
jilaceand Young's Prairie. He erected a log house, 
and after partly clearing the farm, moved close to 
the southern line of Volinia Township, where he 
made a permanent home. This much-esteemed and 
prominent pioneer died in October, 18GG, and his 
wife in February, 1879. He was industrious and 
enterprising, and although when became to Michi- 
gan he had but little of this world's goods, he soon 
gathered around him many of the comforts of life. 
Both were members of the German Baptist Church 
and active workers in the same. Six of their 
seven children are now living: Mrs. Minerva 
Townsend, Mrs. Permelia Tietsort, Mrs. Harriet 
Tietsort, Mrs. Maria Clark, Mrs. Diana Gibbs and 
James E. 

The last-named was fourth in order of Inrth, 
born June 19, 1839, in Cayuga County, N. Y.,aiid 
was seven years of age when became to Michigan. 
He grew to manhood in the wilderness, received 
his schol.astic training in the common schools, and 
remained under the home roof until eighteen years 
of age. On the fith of Septemlier, 1857, he mar- 
ried Miss Christiana l.leaclier. a native of Lancas- 
ter County, Pa., born June 15, 1840. Her jiarents, 
Daniel and Mary (Barr) Bleacher, were both natives 
of the Keystone State. They came to Michigan 
in 1845, settled on La Grange Prairie, and there 
p.issed the remainder of their days. Their union 
resulted in tiie birth of twelve children, six of 
whom are now living: Mrs. Maria Smith, Mrs, 



Susan Sh.-inafcH, Mrs. F;iiiiiie BlackiM:in, Mrs. 
Esther I'liunaby, Mrs. Sarah Bleacher and Mis. 
Gould, liolii father and mother were members of 
the Lutheran Church, and he was a Keptiblican in 
politics. 

After marriage, Mr. (iould settled in Volinia 
Township, and with the exception of one year 
spent in Jersey County, III., and one year in Cal- 
houn County, Iowa, he has resided here since. 
Five children blessed his union: Lowell E., who 
married Miss Belle Morris; Ira L., Jennie S., James 
Newton and Minnie. All these children have had 
good educational .advantages and are possessed of 
more than ordinary ability. Mr. (Joiild has been 
connected with the School Board for twenty years 
and is now Moderator. He is the owner of over 
two hundred and eighty-seven acres of land, all 
in a body, and all but about ten acres improved. 
He is engaged in general farming and stock-rais- 
ing, and recently sold a team of his own raising 
for 11,000. He buys, sells and raises line horses, 
of the '•Dauntless" and "Post Boy" stock, and 
sold a span of blacks for *750. Socially, Mr. 
(tould is a Mason. He is a member of the Anti- 
llorse Thief Association, of which he h.as been a 
member four years, and he .also takes a deep in- 
terest in the Volinia Farmers' Club. In politics 
he is a Bepublicjin, and cast his liist Presidential 
vote for Abraham Lincoln. He is frequeiitl\ a 
delegate to conventions, etc., and is a man of 
sound understanding and excellent judgment. 
Both are members of the Progressive Brethren 
Church ill Penn Townshii). 



-^— ^^— ^ 



^ J^IMMEY SHANAHAN. a prosperous general 
S|<^ agriculturist and enterprising citizen v( 

/4\\y\ Outwa Township, Cass County, Mich., is a 
V@' native of Milton Township, and a well- 
known and lifetime resident of the .State. He 
was born February 20, 1854, and is the son of Ed- 
ward and Bebecea Moore (Kimmey) Shanahan. 
His paternal grandfather, Clifford Shanahan, was 
a farmer of Delaware, the Slate of his nativity 



680 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and his abiding-place tliroiigliout his life. He 
was born February 8, 1764, and was a man of up- 
right character, energetic and capable. His wife, 
Eleanor (Colburn) Shanahan, born February 4, 
1773, bore liim eleven children, six of whom she 
reared to maturity. Frances, the eldest daughter, 
married Mr. Smith first, and afterward wedded a 
second husband, Capt. Henry Lee Massey, a Rev- 
olutionary soldier, through whose death she be- 
came a pensioner of the War of 1776. Peter, the 
second-born, died in Niles. Elizabeth w.as twice 
married, first to A. Smith, and the second time 
was united in marriage with (iabriel Odell. Clif- 
ford was .ludge Shanahan, of Cassopolis. Edward 
passed away in Wisconsin, but was buried in 
P^dwardsburgli; and Eleanor became Mrs. Hirons. 
Mrs. Clifford Shanahan married a Mr. Allen for 
her second husband, and bore him one child, 
Nancy W. She was a worthy member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. 

Edward Shanahan, the father of our suliject, 
was born in Sussex Count^^ Del., March 5, 1806. 
He was a successful tiller of the soil, and in 18-32 
joined the tide of early emigration to the then 
far West, with his wife and three children travel- 
ing to ISIichigan in a two-wlieeled cart drawn 
by two horses. The family were six weeks on the 
way. and, tired and worn, settled in Milton Town- 
ship. Here the father, entering forty acres of 
land, began to carve his upward way, and long 
before his death bad accumulated nine hundred 
acres of valuable land. He finely imi)roved a 
farm of one hundred and twenty acres and also 
brought up to a high state of cultivation a three 
hundred and twenty acre tract. He later sold all 
his real estate in Michigan, and, removing to 
Adams County, Wis., there purchased twelve hun- 
dred acres of laud. He died October 24, 1891, 
and was buried at Edwardsburgh. His wife pre- 
ceded him to the better world October 24, 1889. 
The fatlier was a Whig in early 3'ears and later a 
Republican. He received political ottlce, being 
sent from the southern yiart of the State in 1861 
as Representative. In religious altiliation he was 
from 1843 a member of the Close-Communion Bap- 
tists. He was the father of fifteen children, eleven 
of whom survived to adult age, 



.Joseph K. was the eldest. William L. died at 
twenty years of age. Sarah E. was twice married, 
her first husband being Mr. Tittle, her second 
Charles Kimmey. Alexander entered the Elev- 
enth United States Infantry and died in the iios- 
pital in Richmond, Va., October 20, 1865. Julia 
A. Raymond resides in Centerville. Henry M. en- 
tered Company M, Fourth Michigan Cavalry, .as 
Corporal. He survived the war and is a citizen of 
Adams County, Wis. Clifford, the seventh child, 
lives in Adams Counlj% Wis. Judson D. is also lo- 
cated in Wisconsin. Louise Taylor died in Wiscon- 
sin, and was buried in Michigan. Edward m.akes his 
liome in Wisconsin. Kimmey is our subject. The 
mother of our subject was born in Kent County, 
Del., .July i3, 1810. She was the daughter of 
James and Saiah (Moore) Kimmey. Her father 
was the son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Shields) Kim- 
mey, who lived in Delaware and died December 22, 
1802, aged forty-nine years. James Kimmey w.as 
born July 17, 1779, in Delaware, where he served 
with brave fidelity in the War of 1812, and after- 
ward passed aw.ay, Ma\- 5, 1851. He was a planter 
and a slave-owner, but would never sell and at 
maturity set liis slaves free. He twice entered 
the bonds of wedlock. His first wife bore him Jo- 
sejjli and Alex, l)0th of wliom died unmarried; 
Elizabeth Wallace; Susan, who died young; Re- 
becca M.; and Mary A. Raymond. The second 
wife, Juliann A. Laws, was the mother of .lames, 
Sarah Jackson, Deborah Roberts, Louisa Postles 
and Juliann Davis. The grandparents of Mr. 
Shanah.an were Pjiglisli. 

Our subject, . Kimmey .Shanahan, received his 
education in the distiict schools and began to 
make his w.a}' in life on a farm when only twenty 
j'ears of age. His first farm of eighty acres was 
bought in 1883, and in 1884 he bought his father's 
homestead of one hundred and sixty acres, which 
he afterward disposed of, then purchasing one 
hundred acres of land where he now resides. 
His wife also owns ninet_v-six acres of valuable 
land. Mr. Shanahan was married December 5, 
1874, to Miss Alice K. .lacks, who was born 
where she now lives, September 14, 1851. Mrs. 
Shanahan is the daughter of Joseph L. an<l Al- 
vira J. (Penwell) Jacks. Her grandfather, Rob- 



PORTRAIT AND BlOGRAl'IIICAI, RF/'OUD. 



nnl 



ort Jacks, son of AUon ami Isalioll (Caiiitlieis) 
Jacks, iiianicd Ann Kol)inson. 'I'lif i;r;ui d father 
was boin in Maicli, ITfKi. and died in rcnnsyl- 
vania November I';'), I«;!.'!. Me was a farmer by 
oecnpation, and served witii eonrage in the War of 
1812. His good wife, liorn January •), 17H2, died 
April 3, 18(!8. Siie was the inotlier of ten children: 
Allen, who was killed at nineteen years of age by 
a falling tree; Christian, who died at the ago of 
eighty-two; Joseph; Eliza; Robert C, who died in 
Wisconsin; James M., who also died in Wisconsin; 
Isabelle; Eleanor Sturgeon; John; and Alex A., 
who died at Niles. (irandnioiher Jacks was a 
stanch I'resbyteriaii. The father of Mrs. Shana- 
lian, Joseph L. Jacks, was born May 18, 1804, in 
Krie County, Ta., and was reared on a farm. He 
served for about five days in the Ulack I lawk War 
and was a Corporal. 

In 1827 Joseph Jacks went to Chautauqua 
County, N. Y., and was married. In 1829 be 
went to Detroit, and jonrncyed thence by wagon 
to Kdwaidsburgli, reaching his destination on the 
■Ith of Jul3' and arriving in the midst of a cele- 
bration. He was a|)poiiited the first Clerk of the 
County by (Jov. Cass, and held the position two 
years. In 1831, he was elected the first Assessor 
of Ontwa Township, when it comprised half of the 
county. It took iiim five days to make the assess- 
ment, lie was a leading man, a Democrat, and 
also served as Supervisor, ably aiding in the devel- 
opment and rapid progress of Cass County. lie 
pursued agriculture on various farms until 184(), 
when he located permanently on two hundred 
and sixteen acres on section 4, Ontwa Township, 
which he highly improved. He died on the home- 
stead, January 7, 188;'). lie was first married to 
Susannah Silsbee, who bore him two children: 
Jane A., who was Mrs. Cheney and afterward be- 
came Mrs. Jordan; and John S., of Kiie County, 
I'a. The second wife of Joseph Jacks was the 
mother of three chihlren: Mary A. Harwood; Alice 
K. Shanahan; :ind l'>elle, wIk) died at nineteen 
years of age. 'I'he .lacks are of Scolcli-liisli de- 
scent. The second wife, born in Hancoi k Coun- 
ty, Ind., October 17, 1821. was the daughter of 
CJeorge and Anna (Tyner) IVnwell, fanning peo- 
ple of Knglish origin. Alvirti .1. ( Ten well) .lacks 



passed to her rest January 2.3, 1872. She was in 
religions belief a I'lesbyterian, and was a mo.st ex- 
cellent woman. Oui- subject is lil)eral in leligion, 
and his estimable wife and son are valued mem- 
bers of the Presbyterian Chvnch. They have one 
.son, IJsle, born September 2H, 187.'). An iiit(!lli- 
gent and ambitions young man, he has a bright 
future before him. 




,,, SAlIl<:i, D. NORTHROP, a prominent old 
J^OI settler of Cass County and a leading and 
successful farmer of Calvin Township, 
was born in Rutland C<»unty, Vt., Fc^b- 
ruary 13, 1822, and was the eldest in a family 
of nine children, there being seven sons and two 
daughters. The father, Aiuijjs Nortliroj), was twin 
in Rutland County, \'t., January 4, 1799, and was 
the son of Samuel Northrop, a native of Connecli- 
cnl and a member of an old Puritan family. Ivxrly 
in life he went to A'ermont, and it is said tli.-it he 
served in the war for independence, but in what 
capacity' we cannot state, probably as teamster. 
He was a farmer by oceui)ation and p.assed his 
closing days in Vermont, where he died at a good 
old age. Politically, he was a Whig and opposed 
to slavery, while his religious connections were 
with the Hai>list Church. His wife, the grand- 
mother of our subject, was also a member of the 
Baptist Church. She came to Michigan with her 
son Amos in 1838, and died here a year later. The 
grandfather died in 1827. 

The mother of our subject, Kleela IJndd. was 
born in Vermont, being the daughter of Herrick 
Rudd, a member of a large and prominent family 
of the (Ireen Mountain .State, who, after the death 
of his wife, went to New York State, wliere he 
died. A farmer by occupation, he \v;is quite suc- 
cessful in his agricultural openitions .-ind accnmn- 
lated a handsome propcity. He had nine children, 
and his sons were principally occupied as carpen- 
ters and farmers. In 1821 Amos Northrop and 
Klecta Rudd were married. In 183(i he c:une 
to Miehi^an. find, being a man <if some lllean^. he 



^ 



682 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



purchased a large tract of laiid, partly in Calvin 
and partly in Penn Townships, a portion of which 
is included in the farm of our subject. 

After purchasing this land, Amos Northrop re- 
turned to the East, and in 1838, accompanied by 
his f.amily, he started West overland, but when 
they reached Buffalo they took a boat to Toledo 
and finally reached their new home in the then 
wilderness of Calvin Township. He was a hard- 
working man, possessing more than ordinar}' bus- 
iness ability, a much-esteemed citizen, and did his 
full share toward converting the wilderness into a 
prosperous farming communit3'. At the place 
where he settled in 1838 he departed this life in 
1883, at the age of eighty-four years. His wife's 
demise preceded his own some ten years, it having 
occurred on the 3d of March, 1873. 

So far as we have been able to gather at this late 
d.ay from the survivors, this is the history of the 
pioneer family of Northrops, but though incom- 
plete it is suHicient to show the sturdy old New 
England stock that helped to build up the great 
West. Of the nine children born to Amos and 
Electa Northrop, as stated above, A. D. was the 
eldest. William B., the second in order of birth, 
went forth to battle for his country in the Civil 
War, being a member of the First Michigan Sharp- 
shooters. He lost a limb at Petersburg and died 
in the hospital at Ft. Schuyler, N. Y., from the ef- 
fects of the wound. He left a wife, three sons and 
two daughters to mourn his loss. 

Amos F., the third son of this faniil}', is now 
living in Calvin Township, where he is a promi- 
nent farmer. Spoftord B. is a farmer in the north- 
ern part of Michigan. Serenus died in infancy. 
Cerena mai-ried John Thorp .and died soon after 
the close of the late war. A.Judson was a soldier 
in the Civil War and w.as wounded in the early 
part of the battle of Stone River, but refused to 
leave the ranks. lie was ag.ain struck by a rebel 
ball and instantly killed, finding an unknown 
grave on that bloody battlefield. He was an un- 
married man and about twenty-five years of .ago 
at the time he was killed. Saraph was married to 
Thomas Shaw and died soon afterward. Marvin 
A. enlisted in the Fiist Michigan Sharpshooters and 
was taken ill and died in a hospital in Chicago. 



A. D. was about sixteen years of .age when he 
came to Michigan with his parents in 1838. He 
grew to manhood on the home farm, his time 
being employed in a manner similar to other pio- 
neer lads, and as he received the advantage of a 
fair education he utilized his knowledge by fol- 
lowing the profession of a teacher for some years. 
He remained with his father until twenty-three 
years of age, when he married Harriet Sherrill, the 
ceremony which united their destinies being sol- 
emnized on the 17tli of June, 1845. The family 
of which she was a member was earl3' represented 
in Michigan, having come hither from New York, 
her native State. Of this union there were born 
two sons and two daughters. Ira D., the eldest, 
received a good education and learned telegrai)hy, 
which he followed for some years, but is now Clerk 
of Stafford County, Kan., where he has resided for 
some j'ears. He married Josephine Mines and they 
have six children, of whom there are living one son 
and two daughters. PersisC.was for a time a teacher 
in the public schools, but died at the early .age of 
nineteen yeais. Lora C. married Phincas Hull, at 
her death, which occurred in November, 1879, leav- 
ing one daughter. She had had a splendid musical 
education and w.as a proficient pianist, engaging 
for some years in teaching music. Frisby F., a 
farmer by occupation, married Genia St.age. and 
they have had three sons. The mother of these 
four children died August 31, 1858. 

The second marriage of Mr. Northrop took 
place on the 29th of February, 18()0, and united 
him with Miss Laura Lee, a native of Indiana 
and the daughter of Hir.am and Lovina Lee. 
The Lee family was for many years quite promi- 
nent in the history of Tennessee and was repre- 
sented in Indiana during the pioneer history of 
that State, whence removal was made to Michigan 
in 1835. Nathan Lee, the grandfather of Mrs. 
Northrop, was a leading Quaker ami knew much of 
the workings of the "underground railro.ad" in 
slavery times, and many a poor runaway slave 
found in him a true friend. 

Five children were born to bless the union of 
Mr. and Mrs. Northrop. Casus M. married, but is 
now a widower without children; Le Roy .hidson 
married Hattie Stephens, and of that union one 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RFX'ORD. 



fi83 



(laiig-litftr was born; lie (liofl April 7, 1892, his wife 
li.'iviiiif piisscd mviiv in llie Novonibct previous. 
\V;iltci' M. is :i siiiulf iii;in niui ;i caliiiict-makcr In 
tiadc. .1. C is a "jradiiato ol' tin- Cassopolis iliuli 
Scliool and a teacher hy profession, now residing 
witli his parents. Orley, tlie youngest ciiild, is 
lieing educaled in the comniun seliools and is a 
promising yontli. 

In 1815 Mr. Northrop hnill a log liouse on llie 
faim where he now lives. His farm is now oneof 
the finest in (nlvin Township, and its S|)lendid 
inipidvements are almost entirely tin? work of his 
hands. During the lifty-five \ears he has lived in 
this townslii|) he h.is done much toward building 
up the county. lie has served in numerous posi- 
tions of trust, having been Township Clerk, mem- 
ber of the School Itoard and also lilling other 
important ijositions. First a Whig, he joined the 
Kepublican party when it was organized, but of 
late years has been identified with the Prohibition 
party, having been a lifelong temper.ance innn. 
lie is doing all in his power to crush the Iniuor 
tratlie and has accomplished TK)t a little through his 
personal efforts. lie has taken some interest in 
the firange and the Farmers' Alliance. He and 
his wife are exemplary niembcrs of the Free-will 
Baptist Church and are honoiable, devoted Chris- 
tians, proving by the nobility of their lives the 
depth of their religious belief. As he spends the 
evening of his days in his pleasant and h;i|)py 
home he can look back upon a long life that has 
been well spent in the service of his fellow-men. 



-^OUNKLirs TAPPFN.au early and highly 
(l( respected resident of I\Iare(?llus Township, 

^^s^'' has for nearly two-score years profitably 
cultivated the .soil of Cass County, Mich. Our 
subject is a native of Sullivan County, N. V., and, 
born in 1812, remained in the Fmpire State until 
he had reached mature years. His parents, Tunis 
and Flizabeth (Hynders) Tappen, were born in 
Dutchess County, N. Y. Kleveii children clustered 



about the fireside of the father and mother, who 
reared their -sons and daughters up to habits of 
industrious tliiift. Cornelius was the second eld- 
est of the famil\', and through boyhood and early 
manhood assisted his parents and self-reliautly be- 
gan the xvork of life. In 1836, when about twen- 
ty-three years of age, he married Miss .Sarah Harp, 
and during the same year located in Ohio. For 
eighteen years our subject reni:iincd in the liiick- 
eye State, but at the expiration of that time re- 
solved to try his fortune in the farther West, and 
with his wife and family emigrated to Michigan, 
and settled on the farm where he now resides. 

When Mr. and Mrs. Tappen made their home in 
Cass County their means were very limited, and 
they siiflered many privations. They settled in 
the timber and developed a farm. Much hard 
work was required to bring the laud prolit.ably 
under cultivation, but ere long Mr. Ta|)peii iin- 
jiroved sixty acres, and gradually more easy and 
comfortabie times resulted from the bounteous 
harvest yielded by the fertile soil of Michigan. 
Our subject and his estimable wife were sni-round- 
ed with a family of five children. Two sons and 
two daughters lived to years of maturity. Hhoda 
A., the eldest-born, became the wife of Krastus 
Hicks. Henry grew u|) to manhood, and during 
the Civil War enlisted in the service of the (lov- 
erniTient, and faithfully ft)Ught for the Fnion. 
He met with an accident that caused his death. 
Harlow died single. Isaac, the youngest, lived to 
marry and become the father of a family. He died 
in St. Joseph County, Mich., and left three chil- 
dren to mourn his loss. 

Mr. and Mrs. Tappen have been man and wife 
for fifty-seven years and are yet both hale and 
hearty. Spending their hours in useful toil, they 
have cheerfully borne the heat and burden of the 
day, and in the evening of their lives can with 
satisfaction review the nearly three-score years in 
which they have pleasantly walked together side 
by side. With kindly word and deed they h.ave 
endeared themselves to a host of friends aixl ac- 
(luaintauces. Locating in Michigan in 18;j4, they 
have since that date been identified with the his- 
tory and progress of ('.ass County, and have been 
inlimatelv associated with the changes ami ad- 



684 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



vancement incidental to the long period of their 
residence in Marcellus Township. In political af- 
filiation Mr. Tappen has ever been a strong Dem- 
ocrat and has invariably cast his vote with the 
"Party of the People" from his twenty-first birth- 
day. Without desiring political promotion, lie 
kept himself well informed upon affairs of local 
and national importance and has ever been a 
public-spirited .ind upright citizen. 






ll^^ALENTINE HAAS is an early settler of Ber- 
\Lw' ''^" County, and a practical and energetic 
W'^ farmer, well posted in all the details of gen- 
eral agriculture. He also successfully' handles 
a high grade of stock. By birth a Pennsj'lvanian, 
our subject was born in Juniata County, December 
3, 1831. He resides upon section 9, Bertrand 
Townsliip, in wliich locality' he lias lived for thirty- 
nine years. His parents, Eli and Catherine (Keeley) 
Haas, were highly respected citizens of Pennsyl- 
vania, and within the boundaries of that State 
reared their family. 

Eli Haas was born in Frederick County, Md., 
and the paternal grandfather, Valentine Haas, was 
a native of Virginia. The birthplace of Mrs. Ila.as 
was in Montgomery County, Pa. Her father, John 
Keeley, was a native of German^sand was a man 
of sterling integrity of character, thrifty and in- 
dustrious. Tlie parents of Valentine Ha.as were 
united in marriage in Pennsylvania, and settled 
upon a farm in Juniata County. Here they pur- 
sued the even tenor of their lives, the father 
season after season cultivating tlie soil of tiie old 
homestead. At sixty-five j'ears of age he peace- 
fully passed away, mourned b}- all who knew him. 
The mother, who survived to reach seventy-five 
years, bore a family of eleven children, five sons 
aiirl six daughters, ten of wliom survived the perils 
of childhood and reached maturity; and five are 
yet living. 

Mr. Haas is the fifth child and the third son in 
the parental family. He was reared on a farm 
and trained in the daily round of labor. He at- 



tended the schools of his native place and received 
a good common education. Having dutifully as- 
sisted his parents upon the homestead until nine- 
teen years of age, he then served an apprenticeship 
at the trade of a blacksmith at Selens Grove. For 
two years he devoted his time to the anvil and 
then, deciding to try the broader West, came to 
Michigan, locating in Bertrand Township upon 
section 15, where he improved a farm. 

In 1852, our subject was married to IMiss Eliza- 
beth Shetterly, a native of Juniata County, Pa. 
This estimable lady died in Michigan .in 1881. She 
was the mother of three children, one daughter 
and two sons, all of whom are now deceased. 
George, tiie eldest-born, reached twenty years of 
age. He was married, and at his death left one 
child. Ivy, the only grandchild of Mr. Haas. Oc- 
tober 11, 1883, Ml'. Haas was married to Miss Mary 
Beyrer,a native of Bertrand Township. Her par- 
ents, Jacob and Doratha (Griner) Beyrer, were na- 
tives of Germany and settled in Michigan in 1851. 
The father makes his home with our subject, aged 
eighty-seven years. The mother died in 1883, aged 
scventj'-two years. 

Our subject arrived in Berrien County, Mich., 
with a capital of $100 and at once made a pur- 
chase of fifty .acres of land, situated in the woods. 
For fifteen j'ears he patiently toiled, with hard 
work clearing and cultivating the small homestead, 
and then, having with diligent industry prospered, 
invested in a valuable farm of one hundred and 
ninety-one acres, to which in 1877 he removed. He 
owns forty .acres a-half mile distant from his present 
place of residence, and, steadily accumulating, is 
now numbered among the substantial and well-to- 
do men of Bertrand Township. In 1881, he built 
upon the home farm a fine and commodious barn 
with all modern conveniences for storing grain and 
housing his stock. This barn w.as erected at a cost 
of $1,000. In 1889, the extent of his agricultural 
interests demanding still greater accommodation, 
Mr. Haas built another substantial barn, at a cost of 
$500. The thrifty and prosperous appearance of 
the farm clearly evidences the excellent manage- 
ment and financial success of its owner. 

Oi.' subject is a valued member of the Evangel- 
ical Z' -I Cliurch and has held the office of Stewaixl 




^^^^ 






ssi!M3aMigaiEMiniif^ 



RESIDENCE OF JOEL H A RTLl N E, 5 EC . S. BUCHANAN TP. BEF?RI tN CO. MICH. 




RESIDENCL or VALENTINE H AAS , SEC. 9. BER'^RAND TR BERRi EM CO. MICH. 




V-,, 






^i*^t. 







■■■,:a^8i.6iJ»tJi.WJ^ai 



RESIDENCE OF DANIEL MU ELLER , 5EC.18.,NEW BUFFALO TP. BERRiEl; .0 MlCH. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RFX'ORD. 



687 



in that religious organization. He gave gener- 
ously toward the erection of its commodious iiouse 
of worship and lias ever liberally assisted in the 
extension of its good work and benevolent enter- 
prises. Politically a Democrat, Mr. Haas is not a 
politician hut is ever deeply interested in local and 
National government, and, an intelligent and pub- 
lic-spirited citizen, is prominently associated with 
the jirogressive interests of Bertrand Township. 



E^ 



"iTfOEL HARTLINE, an extensive general ag- 
riculturist and pioneer settler of Buchanan 
Township, lierrien County, is a native of 
Pennsylvania and was born in Schuyler 
County, October 7, 1829. His parents, David and 
Mollie (Smith) Hartline, were of German parent- 
age and long-time residents of the Quaker State. 
The father, a blacksmith by trade and an energetic 
hard-working man, removed with his family to 
Ohio in 1835, and in 1841 died in that State. 
The maternal grandfather, Michael Smith, was a 
cour.ageous and resolute man, serving with fidelity 
in the war for independence. 

Soon after the death of her husband, the mother 
of our subject Itrought her family to Jlichigan, 
and in 1841 settled two miles north of the farm on 
which Mr. Haitline now resides. The country 
was then a veritable wilderness, without roads from 
one settlement to another, the ])aths being the 
only visible trail. The mother with her children 
hail but very little means, and eagerly did all that 
they could to help, working out b}- the day or 
month, and when without employment returning 
lo the hou'e. As the eldest child was but fourteen 
years of .age when the family located in Berrien 
County, the widow and her little ones were often 
sorely pressed to obtain the necessaries of life, but 
after a few years their circumstances improved. 

Mrs. Hartline survived to witness the progress 
of twenl3'-seven changing 3'ears in Michigan. Eli, 
the eldest-born, died in the service of the Union, 
in l.Sfi.'? or IHfil; .Joel is our subject; Mary is the 
widow of .lasjier Worthington; Betsey is the widow 



of Domingo Spuretta; Abbie, deceased, was the 
wife of \'an Buren Clendennin; Joshua resides iu 
Weesaw Township; Catherine, dece.a.sed, was the 
wife of Joseph Willard; Laney is the widow of 
Theo Root; and Melissa is the wife of John Cus- 
pard. 

Our subject was bound out when eleven years 
of age to Nathan Fitch, of Berrien County, and 
worked for him until twenty-one years old. His 
education was limited to a very few months of 
study in the winter, and from his earliest child- 
hood he was inured to hard labor. As soon as he 
attained his m.ajoiity Jlr. Fitch gave him |!100, 
which sum w.as applied at once toward the pay- 
ment of forty .icres of land bought by Mr. Hart- 
line of Mr. Fitch for 1125. Our subject worked 
out the $25 at 112.50 per month. After a time he 
sold this land at 130 profit and then bought one 
hundred and sixty acres in Oronoko Township at 
$4 per acre. Later he disposed of fifty acres to 
Nathan Field for 1800. The next venture, eighty 
acres of land in the neighborhood of Dayton, and 
slightly improved, was purch.ased by Mr. Hartline 
.ind disposed of about a year after at a clean profit 
of $600. Finally our subject bought one hundred 
acres close to his residence and added to the tr.-ict 
until he owned about two hundred acres, which 
having improved he sold at ?!l,000 profit. Con- 
stantly speculating in land he purcluased in Berrien 
Springs one hundred and sixty-eight unimproved 
acres at $36, and the same year, 1864, sold it for 
$57.50 per acre. His next purchase was his pres- 
ent homestead, of which he at first bought one 
hundred and sixty acres, with seventy- acres under 
cultivation, for which he paid $50 per acre. To 
this Mr. Hartline has since added, and after giving 
forty acres to his son h.is two hundred and twen- 
ty-five acres remaining, one hundred and twenty 
of which are under a high slate of cultivation. 
Our subject has improved the homestea<l with a 
handsome tw'o-stoi^- residence and a bank barn, 
30x60 on the ground and 36x60 at the top. 

In 1859, Mr. Hartline was married to Miss Hel- 
tie Boyle, a native of Berrien County and a daugh- 
ter of Godfrey and Rosanna Boj-le, natives of Ger- 
many. Our subject! and his estimable wife have 
been blessed by the birth of thirteen children, 



688 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ten of whom are yet living. Tliej' are in the or- 
der of their birtii: David, Eli, George, Ella (wife 
of John Gifford), Nathan, Stella, I^dna, Minnie, 
William and CLayton. These children have en- 
joyed excellent opportunities of receiving a good 
education and are worthily fitted to occupy posi- 
tions of usefulness. Politically, Mr. Ilartline is a 
stanch Republican and takes an interest in the 
management of local and national affairs. Finan- 
cially prospered, he has won his upward way by 
self-reliant effort and is a liberal-spirited man and 
a leading citizen of Berrien County. 



►^^<^^^^ 




^ANIEL MUELLER, an cnteiprising gen- 
eral agriculturist, raising a superior grade 
of stock upon his valuable homestead, is 
widely known and has been a highl}' es- 
teemed resident of his present locality, upon sec- 
tion 10, New Buffalo Township, Berrien County, 
since 1865. Mr. Mueller is a native of Ger- 
many and was born October 18, 1838. His par- 
ents, upright and hard-working residents of the 
Empire, born, reared and married in Germany, 
passed their peaceful days among the associations 
of tiieir youth. They trained up their childien to 
habits of thrift and fitted them as well as their 
limited opportunities would permit to make their 
way in life. The father and mother, Jacob and 
Mary Louisa (Wieshaupt) Mueller, were respected 
by all who knew t.hem, and in their humble home 
welcomed five children, four sons and one daugh- 
ter. Three of the family are yet surviving: Jacob, 
who lives in Germany; and Frederick and our 
subject, both of whom crossed the broad Atlantic 
to America many years ago. 

Mr. Mueller received his education in the com- 
mon schools of Germany, and when only a young 
lad appreciated the broader opportunities offered 
by the United States to its citizens and early re- 
solved to seek his fortune in America. At six- 
teen years of age he left his native country and 



made his way to New York State, and at first lo- 
cated near Niagara Falls, where he remained a 
a year and a-lialf employed upon a farm .is a 
hired man. He managed with care and self-sacri- 
ficing economy to increase his little stock of 
money, and at the expiration of the eighteen 
months, journeyed to Berrien County, Mich., where 
he again hired out by the month and busily en- 
gaged in the cultivation of the soil until 1860. 
At this jteriod of time, our subject, in common 
with thousands of others, became smitten with the 
Western fever and went to Colorado and Mon- 
tana, where he mined, dug for gold and was var- 
iously employed for the succeeding five years. In 
the fall of 1865, returning to Michigan, he pur- 
chased one hundred and sixty acres of the valu- 
able homestead, to whose extent he has since 
added other acres, now owning a two hundred 
and forty acre tract of land. 

When IMr. Mueller bought the quarter-section, 
there were only about twenty-seven acres of the 
land cleared. The farm, most of it in a highly 
productive state, has been brought up to its pres- 
ent attractive appearance and commercial value 
by hard work, and our subject may well congrat- 
ulate himself upon the result of his persistent and 
self-reliant toil. In 1866, Daniel Mueller and 
Miss Mary Stumpf were united in marriage. Mrs. 
Mueller, a most estimable woman, survived her 
marriage only three years and died in 1869. She 
became the mother of one child, now deceased. 
Her parents were old settlers of Tlirec Oaks. Mich., 
and some time after her death our subject wedded 
her sister, Miss Lena Stuniiif, born in the village 
of Three Oaks. The second marri.age has been 
blessed by the birth of five children: Jacob, Mary, 
Ilattie, Henry and Emma. 

Mr. and Mrs. Mueller are valued members of 
the Lutheran C'hurch. They have given to their 
children an opportunity to acquire a good educa- 
tion and are worthily training them to become in- 
telligent and useful citizens. Politically, our suli- 
ject is a Democrat. He cast his first Presidential 
vote for Greeley, and, actively interested in local 
and national issues, has held with alile service the 
iui|)ortaiit [tosition of Township Treasurer, dis- 
charging the duties involved to the great satis- 



PORTRAIT ANIJ BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



689 



faction of his fellow-townsmeTi. Mr. Mueller is 
liiijiilv rc<j!ir(le<l by his friendti aiHi iieij;hl)ors and 
is imiiihiTi'il ftiiKiiiii the siilihtanliui faniuMs (»f tiic 
poiml V. 



lff_., ENRY L. DRAKE. Novvliere in Cass 
t County is there to be found a man of more 
energy, determined will or force of char- 
acter than Ml-. Drake possesses, and no ag- 
riculturist is deserving of greater success in the 
conduct and management of the farm than he. 
Althougli in more recent years he has given his 
attention to farming as his cliief calling, Mr. 
Drake has been actively engaged in other enter- 
prises, and although lie started at the foot of the 
ladder, he has met with good success in most of 
his pursuits. 

He is a native of this State, born in Washtenaw 
County in 18;5G, and is the son of Flemon and 
Electa (DePue) Drake. The grandfather of our 
subject, Elijah Drake, was boin in New Jersey' in 
1764, and was the descendant of an English fam- 
ily who settled in New .Icrsoy about 1720. Eli- 
jali was a carpenter by trade, hut, in connection 
was also engaged in tilling the soil. At the early 
age of sixteen he enlisted as a private in the Rev- 
olutionary War, and had no trouble about his 
age, for he stood six feet four inches in his stock- 
ings. He W.1S wounded in the left shoulder, and 
drew a pension for his services. He married a 
Miss Stoddard, in Wyoming ^'^alley, Pa., and sub- 
se(iiiently engaged in farming. Later he went to 
New York State. During the Revolutionary War 
he was the only Whig in his family, all the rest 
being Tories, and as the}- went to Canada, all 
communication was cut off. 

The following chihlien were born of this union: 
Elijah, deceased, who was for many years a i)hysi- 
cian of Flint, Mich.; Edward, a farmer of Michi- 
gan; Thoniiis, a prominent attorney of Ponliac, 
Mich., who was Tnited States .Indge of I'lah under 
Lincoln; Flemon, the father of our subject, a phy- 
sician; Cyrus, also decease<l, a physician of Ohio; 
Elias, deceased, who was a physician of Adrian, 



Mich.; Morgan L., who was an attorney at Pon- 
tiac, Mich.: Sallie, who was married to Guy Atkins; 
Wealthy, who now lives near Puffahj, N. Y., where 
Sallie also resides; and Samuel, a painter of Farm- 
iiigton, Mich. Elijah made his home with the fa- 
ther of our subject for many years, and died at the 
age of eighty-six >-ears. His wife survived him, 
and had passed the eighty-ninth milestone at the 
time of her death. 

Flemon Drake, the father of our subject, was 
reared to manhood in the Empire State, and his lit- 
erary education was received in the district school. 
Later he attended the Batavia (N. Y.) Medical 
College, and then started out to make his own w.ay 
in life. He began at the fool of the ladder, first 
working out by the month, and later teaching 
school. In 1833 he moved to Michigan, and 
settled on a farm near Ann Arbor, where for a 
short time he was connected with the publishers of 
a newspaper. In 1842 he moved near Detroit, to a 
village called Royal O.ak, bought a large farm, but 
in connection was also engaged in the pr.actice of 
medicine. There his death occurred in I8()6. He 
was married in the State of New York to Miss 
Electa DePue, whose ancestors came from Holland. 

Mr. Drake was a most (exemplary man, and a 
member of the Congregational Church. In politics 
he was at first a AVhig, and later a Republican. 
He was not an office-seeker, but was so popular 
that he held all the different township offices, and 
discharged the duties of the same very creditably-, 
ro his marriage were born thirteen children, six 
of whom died in 3-outh. The others were as 
follows: Abigail, who married Stephen Buzzell; 
Henry L., our subject; Flemon, residing in 
Omaha, Neb.; CIcma, wife of Charles Smith; 
Luther, a banker of Omaha; Sarah, wife of R. 
Parker, a successful attorney of Detroit; and 
Charles, a resident of Washington State. 

At the age of fourteen our subject began for 
himself, but remained with his parents until nine- 
teen years of age. He first began bj- clerking in 
a wholesale grocery store at Detroit, later in a 
country store at Ko^'al, Oak, and after his mar- 
riage engaged in business at Iladley, Mich. He 
was only nineteen years of age when he married 
Miss ]5elliania A. Williams, a most estimable lad\-, 



690 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and he remained in Hadley until 1863, with the 
exception of one year. In February, 1863, he 
went to Canada, engaged in the ssawmill business 
a few yeSrs, and then went to Guelph, that 
country, where he was in the insurance business 
for eleven j'ears. From there he went to Mount 
Forest, where he followed the same business for 
nine 3ears, and in 1890 came back to the United 
States, where he expects to pass the remainder of 
his days. He has a good farm of eighty acres, 
and is meeting with unusual success as an agri- 
culturist. 

He and Mrs. Drake are members of the Christa- 
delphian Church, and in politics he is independ- 
ent. The union of this worthy' couple w.as blessed 
b^' the birth of one child, Eva M., who is a grad- 
uate of the Teachers' Normal, of Toronto, Can- 
ada, and has been a successful teacher in that 
country and in Michigan. She is ayounglad3' of 
brilliant attainments, and has a fine library of her 
own. Mr. and Mrs. Drake have an adopted 
daughter, Mary Sturgis, whom they took when 
she was but three months old, and they are bring- 
ing her up .as their own. 



I'^i^i^ 



V(|OIIN T. BECKWITH, County Superinten- 
I dent of the Poor, in Berrien County. Mich., 
: now efflciently serving liis ninth year of 
^/' office in his present position, is a leading 
agriculturist and prominent citizen of Weesaw 
Township, where, five times elected Supervisoi, he 
resigned the position to assume the charge of the 
duties which now engage much of his time and 
attention. Mr. Beckwitii is a native of Wyoming 
County, N. Y., and was born May 26, 1841. His 
parents, Josiah R. and Levindah H. (Fisk) Beck- 
witii, were married in the Empire State and, 
highly regarded, made tiicii home within its 
borders for many years. The father, of direct 
English descent, was born in Connecticut, reared 
and educated in his birthplace, and later, young 
and ambitious, journeyed to New York to seek his 
fortune. When our subject was about eight years 



of age the father with his family removed to the 
West, locating in Berrien County, Mich., May 18, 
1849. The Beckwiths located permanently in 
Buchanan Township, where the father died after a 
residence of eighteen years, in August, 1867. The 
mother, a native of Vermont, survived her husband 
many years, p.assing away in Berrien Counts- 
November 7, 1886. The home of the parents had 
been blessed by the birth of three sons and five 
daughters. Two sons and two daughters are now 
living. 

John T., the fifth child in order of birth, at- 
tended the common schools of his birthpl.ace in 
early childhood, and later received instruction in 
the district schools of Buchanan Township. For 
three terms he pursued the higher branches of 
stud^- in the Buchanan High School and completed 
his education b^' a fall and winter term in Niles. 
After leaving school he gave his attention to the 
pursuit of agriculture and assisted his father on 
the homestead. Our subject has been twice mar- 
ried, first entering the bonds of matrimony with 
Miss Mar}' A. Young, born in Shelby County, Iiid. 
Wedded in March, 1867, this estimable lady sur- 
vived seven years and died February 23, 1874. 
She was the mother of one son and two daugh- 
ters. Alta L. is the wife of P^dward Harner; Min- 
nie P. married Franklin Kool. Upon October 24, 
1878, Mr. Beckwill) was united in marriage '.villi 
Mrs. Henrietta (Weaver) Boj'le, born in Buchanan 
Township, and a daughter of J.acob and Orplia 
Weaver, who were early settlers of Berrien County, 
and intimately associated with its growth and 
prosperity. Mr. Weaver, b}' occupation a farmer, 
p.assed aw.ay, mourned by many friends, in May, 
1882. His widow is 3'et living in the county. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Beckwith have been born 
four sons: C'la>'ton, Earl, Glenn and Vere. In 
1870 our subject and his family made their home 
in Weesaw Townsliip, where Mr. Beckwith bought 
eighty acres of land, to which he has since added, 
now owning two iiundred acres, highly cultivated 
and substantially improved with excellent and at- 
tractive buildings. The valuable farm is situated 
SIX miles west and one mile north of Buchanan. 
Our subject, financially prospered, has a handsome 
capital out at interest, and by his own self-reliant 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



691 



olToits has won his way stoudily upw.ird to a com- 
fortable ccmpetenee. The honorerl parents of Mr. 
Bcekwith were both members of the Christian 
Church and were active in good work. Our sub- 
ject, an ini|)orl:int factor in tlie enterprises of 
his locality, is now and lias been for six years a 
Director of the Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance 
Company of Herrien County. Politically, Mr. 
Beckwith was in early ^ears a Republican and cast 
his first I'lcsidential vote for Lincoln. In 1879 
lie was elected Supervisor of Wecsaw Township on 
the Democratic and (Greenback tickets and served 
one year to the satisfaction of the general public. 
In 1881 he was again elected to the oflice and re- 
elected in 1882, 1883 and 1881. He resigned dur- 
ing the latter term to accept his present position as 
Superintendent of the Poor of licrrien County. 
Man)' years have llown since lln' father of our sub- 
ject bought, cleared and cultivated eighty acres of 
land in the woods. To-day the farm, highly pro- 
ductive, is a mute witness to tlie growth and 
progress of Berrien County from an almost wild- 
erness into one of the garden spots of the State. 
A continuous resident of his present locality since 
1849, John T. Beckwith is actively identified with 
the rapid advancement and progressive history of 
his township and county, where as boy and man 
he h.as for forty-four years commanded the con- 
fidence of a wide ac(iuaintancc. 



■■:-^- 



K. O'BRIEN, residing upon section 2, Ber- 
rien Township, Berrien County, Mich., a 
prosperous citizen, devoting the labor of his 
life to agricultural pursuits, has held with 
efliciency various i)ublic oflices, and has been re- 
cently appointed Postmaster of Berrien Centre. 
Born -Vpril 2'). 1810, in Ogdensburgli, N. Y., he is 
the son of William O'Brien, a native of In'laiid. 
The father, attaining to manhood in the Emerald 
Isle, was there united in marriage witli Miss Sarah 
T. Slorah, also a native of Ireland. Soon after 
they were wedded the young couple emigrated to 



America, and landed in IS.'iO in (Quebec, Canada. 
It was not long before they made their way to the 
United States, locating subsequently in Syracuse, 
Ogdensburgli and Rochester. In 18 1.'?, the husband 
journeyed to the farther West to look at lands in 
Michigan, and, pleased with the country, remained 
here, his wife with their children joining him in 
1841. The father and mother settled near the 
"Old Yellow Mill' at Niles, and here William 
O'Brien spent the remainder of his life. lie was 
a man of energy and enterprise, and, a cooper by 
trade, readily found remunerative employment 
in his new home. He built the lifth house on the 
west side of the river in Niles, and was an appli- 
cant for the lighthouse in St. Joseph. 

While at work one d;iy, the father was suddenly 
stricken with blindness, from which he never 
recovered. He died in Niles in the winter of 
1853, and three years after, in 1856, the family re- 
moved to Berrien Township, locating upon a farm 
on section 27. The mother survived her husband 
many years, passing awaj' in the spring of 1893. 
Twelve children, eight of whom arc now living, 
had blessed the home. The parents were devout 
members of the Roman Catholic Church, and, 
.active in good work, carefully trained their fam- 
ily in the observance of religion. The father, 
politically a Democrat, took an active and leading 
part in local issues, and was a man of sterling 
worth and highly respected. Two of the sons 
served with gallantry in the Civil War. William 
II. was .Sergeant of Company A, Seventh Mic'liigan 
Cavalry, and, wounded at Yellow Tavern, was 
taken prisoner, conveyed first to Libby Prison, 
and from there removed to .-Vuderson ville, where 
he died in 1864. Our suliject, only a little child 
when his parents removed to Michigan, attended 
scluH)! in Niles until twelve years of age, and was 
then obliged to go out to work, and enjoyed only 
three months' instruction afterward. Energetic 
and industrious, he worked steadily at biickmaking 
for five seasons between Michigan City, La Porte 
and Niles, the first season being paid ii!8 per uionlh, 
and the next receiving $10. .\t the expiration of 
the five years he engaged in labor upon a farm, 
and coiUiiiued in the pursuit of .agviciillure uiiiil 
the breaking out of the Civil War. 



692 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



In J 862, in the month of August, Mr. O'Biien 
enlisted in Company C, Twenty-fifth Micliigan In- 
fantry, and served as a private. He was under 
llie command of Gen. Buell at Louisville, K3'., 
and tooii an active part in the battle at Kingston, 
TeiHi., where lie was wounded by a ball which, en- 
tering through the left side, lodged near the spine, 
liut was afterward removed. Our subject, first 
taken to the hospital at Kingston, was later for- 
warded to Knoxville, and was finally transferred 
to the Veteran Reserve Corps, stationed at Knox- 
ville, Tenn. At the close of three years' service, 
he was discharged in Knoxville, July, 1865. Aside 
from other unpleasant experiences of those troub- 
lous days, Mr. O'Brien was ill at Bowling Green 
with typhoid fever. Immediately after his dis- 
charge, our subject returned home. He had mar- 
ried and enlisted on the same day. The lady whom 
he then wedded was Miss Mary Jane Royce, a 
daughter of John Ro3ce, of Cayuga County, N. Y. 
J. H. Royce, of Lake Township, this county, is a 
brother of Mrs. O'Brien. This estimable lady was 
born in New York State and died October 14, 186.5, 
leaving no children. Mr. O'Brien again entered 
the bonds of matrimony, January 10, 1867. being 
then united in marriage with ]Miss Adaline Shearer, 
a daughter of John and Margaret Shearer, de- 
ceased, early settlers and highly esteemed residents 
of Berrien Township. Mrs. O'Brien, a native of 
Ohio, has made her home for many years in Ber- 
rien County, and has a wide circle of friends. She 
is the mother of five children, three of whom are 
living: Florence, wife of H. L. Rutter, a successful 
merchant at Berrien Centre; Mr. and Mrs. Rutter 
have two children. Addie O'Brien is at home. 
Edward Larue is the youngest of the family. 

Our subject and his excellent wife are valued 
members of the Free- Will Baptist Churcli, and Mr. 
O'Brien is a Deacon of the South Berrien church. 
He was elected Assistant Superintendent of the 
Sunday-school, but could not accejjt the position. 
The daughters and son have enjoyed excellent 
educational advantages, and Miss Addie, who has 
a talent for drawing and painting, has been en- 
couraged in her studies and the development of 
her artistic tastes. Mrs. Rutter and Edward both 
excel in music, and have enjoyed ample oppor- 



tunity of cultivating their talent. Our subject 
bought out the heirs of the old homestead, which 
he later traded for his present farm of ninety-six 
acres, seventy under fine cultivation and well im- 
proved, with an attractive residence, good barns 
and other buildings. For seven years Mr. O'Brien 
has been Director of the school district, and is now 
Assessor of the same. He is a member of the 
Ancient Order of United Workmen^ and has held 
ottice in the order. Fraternally connected with 
the Grand Army of the Republic, he is a member 
of George G. Meade Post No. 36, Berrien 
Centre, and has occupied the positions of Com- 
mander, Olflcer of the D.ay, Adjutant, and is now 
Chaplain. Politically, our subject is a Democrat 
and active in township politics. A delegate to 
various conventions, he has ably represented the 
views of his constituents, and is now occupying 
with efficiency the office of Justice of the Peace. 
He has also been Roadmaster, and in all his public 
duties displays the faithful consideration which 
has won him the sincere regard of a host of 
accpuiintanccs. 



<S\ IkILLIAM L. JONES, a native of the town- 
\rJ// ship in which he now resides (Penn), and 
^^ a son of a family whose history was iden- 
tified with the State in earlier days, is one of the 
wide-awake, enterprising tillers of the soil and 
one whose energy and industry have had much to 
do with his success thus far. Mr. Jones fii-st saw 
the light of day August 9, 1859, and was the only 
living child born to the union of William and 
Maria (Parrish) Jones. 

William Jones, Sr., is a native of Ohio, born in 
Preble County in 1813, and like most of the na- 
tive-born residents of that .State, he has ever been 
thrifty and progressive. Although past the al- 
lotted age of man, this much-esteemed and worthy- 
citizen still survives and is in the enjoyment of 
comparatively good health. He finds a comfort- 
able and pleasant home with his son, our subject, 
and is now passing the sunset of his life in peace 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



693 



and pk'iilv. lie was the son of Charles Jones and 
tlic •{landson of George Jones, both of whom were 
originally from the State of Georgia. 

George Jones, the great-grandfather of our sub- 
jeet, remained in iiis native State until after his 
niarri.age mui iiiilil after the birth of one of his 
children, when the rich and productive soil of the 
lUickeye Sliite tempted hini Westward. This was at 
a very early period and the little family made the 
journey on horseback, reaching Preble County in 
safety after many adventures and exciting inci- 
dents. He erected a gristmill in that county and 
for many years carried on a flourishing and pay- 
ing business. IJeing one of the early settlers of 
that county, he understood thoroughly all the 
privations and disadvantages of jjioneer life. 

His son, Charles, was reared to mature years in 
Preble County, but instead of milling he preferred 
till' independent life <if a farmer and followed that 
occupation all his life. About November, 1829, 
he emigrated to Cass County, Mich., and there 
continued his former occupation of tilling the soil. 
He was one of the lirst settlers of that county and 
there p.assed the remainder of his days, dying in 
18(;i, when seventy-one yeai'sof age. The mother 
of our subject was born in the Empire State, but 
died in Cass County, Mich., May 7, 1885. 

The boyhood and youth of our subject were 
passed in his native county and he was early in- 
itialed into the duties of farm life. The funda- 
mental principles of education were instilled into 
his young mind in the common schools, also in 
the schools at Kicliniond, Ind., and in Bryant & 
Stratton's Business College of Chicago. It was no 
doubt owing to his early training that, when start- 
ing out to fight his own way in life, he selected 
agricultural pursuits as his chosen calling and has 
followed this ever since. 

In 188.5 our subject was married to Miss Kstella 
I'.ainev, a native of J, a Porte County, Ind., and 
the daugliler of Kmory A. and Harriet (Collins) 
Baiiu'v, the former born in Van Buren County, 
N. Y. Both Mr. and Mrs. Barney died at an early 
day. To our subject and his wife have been born 
si.K children: Nellie K., Charles V., George B., 
Kittle I... (iertrude M. and Frank B. .Mr. Jones 
has held the oflice of Tinvnshiii Treasurer and ha^ 



held other local jiositions. Politically, he inclines 
to the platform of the Democratic i)arty and his 
first Presidential vote was cast for Hancock. His 
father's first vote w.as cast for Van Biircn. Of late 
years Mr. Jones h.as alliliated with the Prohibition 
party. He has a fine farm of four hundred acres, 
located three and a-half miles east of the county 
seat, and is one of the substantial men of the 
county. 



E^ 




,()BERT FOSTER is a native of the county 
in which he now resides, and is a son of a 
family whose history was identified with 
^^p) the State inan earlier and asimpler day of 
living. He of whom we write is now possessed of a 
fine farm of his own on section 8, Niles Township, 
where he is known as a prominent farmer and 
stock-dealer. He was born February 20, 1850, and 
is a son of George and Jlargaret (John.son) Foster. 

George ?"oster w.as born in County Down, Ire- 
hmd, and remained in his native country until af- 
ter his twelfth birthday. Later he braved Ne[>- 
tune's tender mercies and reached the coast of the 
United States, locating first in Indiana and later 
in Michigan. After reaching mature years, he 
married Miss Margaret .lohnson and settled in 
Niles Township, where he died when seventy-five 
years of age. He w.as an honest, industrious citi- 
zen, and one whose career through life was marked 
by great uprightness and unswerving fidelity to 
any trust reposed in him. A hard worker all his 
life, he accumulated a comfortable fortune, and Ins 
latter days were passed in peace and <iuiet. His 
companion. wIkj had stood slujulder to shoulder 
with him in his struggle for a livelihoud, passed 
away when sixty-six years of .age. She also had 
many warm friends. 

Of the nine children born to this much-esteemed 
couple. Robert Foster vv.as second in t)rder of liirlh. 
He was reared in his native county, and early in 
life the characteristics of industry and enconomy 
that li.ad marked his ancestors made their appearance 
in our subject. He received his scholastic training 



694 



PORTRAIT AND mOCHAPIlICAL RECORD 



in llie distiicl scliools, and divided his time lie- 
tween attending tlie same and in assistinjj; his fa- 
ther on tlie farm. Thus he became thoroughly 
familiar with all the details of farm life, and when 
it becime time for him to startoutto light his own 
way in life, agricultural pursuits were his chosen 
occupation. 

In the year 1887, when twenty-seven years of 
age, he united his fortune with that of Miss Martha 
Burke, who was also a product of JNIichigan soil, 
her birth occurring in Berrien Township, Berrien 
Count}'. Her parents were early settlers of that 
county and for many years were honored citizens 
of the same. Two children have been born to Mr. 
and Mrs. Foster, a daughter and son, viz.: Maigaret 
and Murry, both bright, intelligent little children. 
Mr. Foster is one of the i)rominent farmers of Niles 
Township and has two hundred and fort}' acres of 
excellent land, all under cultivation except thirty 
acres that are coveied with tindjer. In carrying on 
his large farm, Mr. Foster does not neglect the 
stock-raising industry and has some fine animals 
on his place. In i)olitics he is associated with the 
Democratic party and favors all its movements. 






RZA G. GAGE, President of the Citizens' 
National Bank of Niles, was born in Cass 
County, Mich., near the city of Dowagiac, 
April 21, 1847. His parents, Ebenezer 
and Minerva (Allen) Gage, were natives of New 
York, and the former, by occupation a farmer, was 
one of the early settlers of Cass County, Mich., 
having settled there as early as 1837, at a time 
when settlements were few and neighbors equally 
scarce. Purchasing some land, he industriously 
and energetically tilled the soil, and as a result of 
his efforts developed a fine farm, which was con- 
sidered one of the best estates in the county. 
There Mr. Gage made his home until his death, 
which occurred in 1871. An active, intelligent 
and public-spirited citizen, he took considerable 
interest in political matters, and in early life was a 




Whig, later becoming an advocate of the princi- 
ples of the Rciiublican party. 

The paternal grandfather of our subject was 
Justice Gage, an earl}' settler of New York State 
and a descendant of P^nglish ancestry. 'I'he family 
is one whose repiesentatives have gained enviable 
reputations in their several communities and have 
occupied positions of intUience in public life. Ly- 
man Gage, the well-known financier of Chicago, 
is a member of this famih', being a nephew of 
F^benezer (iage. Our subject is one of eight chil- 
dren, three daughters and five sons, he being the 
fourth in order of birth. The biographer finds 
little of special importance to record concerning 
his boyhood. It was then that he .acquired the 
habits of industry, enterprise and uprightness 
which laid the foundation of his success in busi- 
ness life. After carrying on his studies in the 
district schools of Cass County for some years, he 
entered the Mayhew Commercial College of De- 
troit, from which institution he was graduated in 
1872. 

Returning from Detroit to the parental home in 
Cass County, Mr. (iage soon afterward came to 
Niles, and in 1873, forming a partnership with his 
brother Eli A., he embarked in the grocery busi- 
ness in this city. The firm of Gage Bros, still con- 
ducts an extensive and lucrative business here and 
in their establishment, vv'hich is located at No. .54 
Main Street, they carry a complete stock of gro- 
ceries, crockery and queensware. They have long 
been identilied with the mercantile interests of 
Niles and are prosperous as a result of close atten- 
tion paid to the details of the business. 

In 1886 Mr. Gage became connected with the 
banking interests of Niles, as at that time he pur- 
chased an interest in the Citizens' National Bank 
and became Vice-President of that financial insti- 
tution. Two years later he was chosen President, 
and still occupies that responsible and honored po- 
sition. The ba-k conducts a general banking bus- 
iness and is regarded as one of the solid financial 
institutions of Berrien County. In the banking 
circles of southwestern Michigan Mr. (iage occu- 
pies a foremost jjosition, and he is admirably 
adai)ted for the duties of his position, being 
quick in decision, sound in judgment and prompt 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL RECORD. 



697 



in action. lie is also si stociiliolder ;iiiil Diiector 
in tlie Karlc-Slorms MaiuifacliiririL; Cdiiipany, of 
Niles. 

The Miarriage of Mr. (iage took place in October, 
liS77, and united iiim with Miss Nettie, daiiglitcr 
of Charles and Cordelia (Messick) Wood, of Niles. 
Mr. and Mrs. Gage are the parents of one daugh- 
ter. Edith. In his [jolitical opinions, our subject 
adheres to the policy of the Re[)ublican party, and 
is inlluentinl in the ranks of his chosen party; his 
inlUience, however, is {piietly exerted and he has 
lu'ver been prevailed upon to accept oUicial hon- 
ors. In his social connections he isidentitied with 
St. .loscph Valley Lodge No. 4, A. F. & A. M.; St. 
Jose|)li Valley Chapter No. 2, R. A. M.; Niles 
Conimanderj' No. 12, K. T.; and is also a Knight 
of Pythias. The First Presbyterian Church is tlie 
religious home of Mr. Gage and his cultured wife, 
and their contributions to its support are gener- 
ous. 



-i- 




-^- 



f LONZO D. liROWN, M. D., was formerly 
(^'Jy/JI a successful physician and surgeon, but of 
w recent years has devoted his attention ex- 
clusivel}' to the cultivation of fruit, in 
which he eng.agcs in St. Joseph Township, Berrien 
County. lie was born in Yates Count}', N. Y., 
December 21, 1818, and traces his ancestry to Eng- 
land, whence his paternal grandfather, .John Brown, 
emigrated to the United .Slates, settling in Massa- 
chusetts, and afterward participated in the Revo- 
lutionary War. Tlie father of our subject, Luther 
Brown, was born in the village of Windsor, Berk- 
shire County, Mass., and was there reared to man- 
hood. He was a particii)ant in the War of 1812, 
and three 3'ears afterward, when Boston was threat- 
ened, enlisted for the defense of the city, receiv- 
ing as a icward for his service a quarter-section of 
land. 

Luther Brown, while yet a yiiung man, moved 
to Yates County, N. Y., where he married Miss 
Lora A. Pangborn, and with his bride commenced 
housekeeping on a farm in that county. In 1828 
be removed to Canandaigua, Ontario County, 

34 



N. Y., wiiere he engaged in agricultural pursuits 
and remained until his death, in .laniiary. 18.56. 
lie and his wife were the parents of the following 
children: Melissa, who married .lohn r>iiili;un, of 
Canandaigua, N. Y., and after his death became 
the wife of Dr. J. N. Banks, of Chicago; Maigaiet 
M., who was married in Canandaigua lo Joel B. 
Norris, a farmer now residing in Hillsdale, Mich.; 
Philo E., who follows agricultural pursuits in El 
Dorado, Kan.; Walter .1., a ranchman residing near 
Los Angeles. Cal., and a soldier in the late war; 
and John S., who is a molder by tiade and resides 
in Battle Creek, Mich. Those deceased are: Seth 
T., who died of cholera in 1848; Sarah, who passed 
away in infancy; and George W., who died at 
Aldcn, 111. 

A man possessing whole-souled, generous im- 
pulses, Luther Brown was prominent in the com- 
munity where he I'esided, and was held in high 
esteem by all who knew him. He atlilialed with 
the Whigs and gave his heart}- support to the 
principles advocated by that party. In his relig- 
ious belief he was a faithful member of the ISIethod- 
ist Episcopal Church, in which for fifty years liis 
brother Philo E. was a prominent minister. The 
subject of this sketch was about eleven years old 
when he accompanied his father to Canandaigua, 
Ontario County, N. Y., where he grew to man- 
hood, meanwhile conducting his studies in the 
common schools and at the Canandaigua Acad- 
emy, and later in Wesleyan Seminary, at Lima, N. Y. 

His literary studies completed, our subject com- 
menced the study of medicine under the precep- 
torship of Dr. E. W. Cheney, a prominent practi- 
tioner of Canandaigua, N. Y. Prior to that, how- 
ever, and when he was about nineteen, he went to 
Ohio, where he remained for two years engaged in 
teaching .school in .Summit County. He took a 
course of medical lectures at Willoughby, Ohio, 
and later entered the medical department of the 
New York State University, from which lie was 
graduated March 7, 1847. After conducting his 
practice for one year, he returned to college and 
took a third course of lectures. Later he opened 
an otlice at Canandaigua, N. Y., where he engaged 
in the practice of his profession for seven 3'ears. 

Following the famous advice of Ilor.ace Greele}', 



698 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the young Doctor caiiie West, and located in Cedar 
Falls, Iowa, wiiere he speculated with fair success. 
He returned from there to his old home, but in 
the spring of 18.56 he went to Thornton, Cook 
County, 111., where he s|)entone summer. Thence 
he came to Michigan, and in the fall of 18.i7 lo- 
cated in St. Joseph, where for several >ears he 
taught the only school in the place. In 1862 he 
purchased his present farm of nineteen acres, upon 
which he raises apples, pears, peaches, berries, and 
all varieties of small fruits. The inde|iendent life 
of a fruit-grower is exactly suited to his tastes, 
and he linds here recreation and pleasure after a 
life of professional toil. 

Jla^' 17, 1849, Dr. Urown was united in marriage 
with Miss Margaret Ellen, daughter of Dr. Cheney, 
his medical |)receplor, and sister of the illustrious 
Bishop Cheney-, of Chicago. Mrs. Brown was born 
in Livingston County, N. Y., October 1, 1818, and 
is a lady of refinement and intelligence. Three 
children have blessed the union: Alice C, the wife 
of Albert E. Stephens, who is a traveling salesman 
for a Cleveland oil company; Frank C, who is in 
the mercantile business at Oiympia, Wash.; and 
Helen C, who is a teacher of painting and draw- 
ing in a school at Duluth, Minn. Politically, the 
Doctor is a Kepublican, and in 1840 cast iiis l)allot 
for William Henry Harrison. He has ofHciated as 
Township Treasurer for two .years, and in 1861 
served as Supervisor of the township of St. .Iose|)h; 
he also held the same office in Lincoln Township for 
nine j'ears. 



ellARLES C. BELL, a leading general agri- 
culturist and reiircsentative citizen of So- 
dus Township, Berrien County, Mich., has 
recently entered upon his third year of office as 
Supervisor, and in the vvoik pertaining to the po- 
sition has displayed a high order of efficiency and 
materially aided in the |)romotion and develop- 
ment of needed improvements and [jrogressive en- 
terprises. Our subject was born May 10, 1848, in 
Ogle County, 111. His father, Aaron Bell, a na- 



tive of Berkshire County, Mass., and born in 1820, 
w.as but two years old when with the [laternal 
grandi)arents he removed to Ohio. He s[)enl the 
days of boyhood in the Buckeye State and en- 
joyed the benefit of instruction in the district 
schools of those early days. Attaining to man- 
hood, Aaron Bell was in 1843 united in marriage 
with Miss Jane Collins, of Ohio, in which State 
the husband and wile remained four years, then 
emigrating to Ogle County, 111. There the father 
engaged in farming and prosperously continued 
in his vocation as a tiller of the soil until 1889, 
w-lien he emigrated to South Dakota, and settled 
in Brown County uiion a three hundred and 
twenty acre farm, which, although seventj'-six 
years of age, he still conducts. 

Nine children were born unto the parents, and 
seven sons and daughters are .yet living. Last 
jear the venerable father and mother celebrated 
their golden wedding in their Dakota home. 
Tuesday, October 20, 1842, in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, 
were joined in wedlock Aaron Bell and Jane Col- 
lins, who after fifty years of joy and sorrow, 
u[)on October 20, 1892, invited all of their be- 
loved family and iii;iny friends to partici|>ato with 
i them in the anniveisaiy which was the fiftieth 
I milestone in the Journey they had traveled so 
[ harmoniously together through all the changing 
years. Every child was present, and numerous 
other relatives and distinguished guests from far 
and near shared in the joy and festivities of the 
occasion. Kosanna Caldwell, a daughter, w.as there 
from Ellsworth, Kan; Charles Bell, the eldest son, 
arrived from Benton Harbor; James C. Bell, the 
second son, residing in Grotou, Dak., was one of 
the family group; Trilla Young, the second 
daughter, had traveled thither from her home in 
Des Moines, Iowa; Cordelia Moon, of Cleveland, 
Ohio, with Tellia Keed, of Woodlawn, Cal., and 
Lulu Bell, of Groton, Dak., were the three 
younger daughters, and completed the children 
who again, after years of separation, gathered 
around the fiicside of their parents. The best 
wishes of all present were showered upon the ven- 
erable couple, who had walked tranquilly side by 
side for a half-century. 

The third sou of the familv, our subject, at- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOHRAPHICAL RECORD. 



699 



tended the scliools of Ogle County, 111., until the 
age of twenty, when he entered the Whealon Col- 
lege, at Wlieaton 111., and there received the bene- 
fit of a comprehensive course of study for one 
year. The anniversary of the twenty-first birth- 
day of Mr. Ikll fell on the memorable day of the 
completion of the Union Pacific Railroad, which, 
on the 10th of Ma^', 1869, had crossed the contin- 
ent with its iron rail. After leaving college, our 
subject came at once to Michigan, where he 
purchased sixty acres of fertile land, intending to 
then start in life b}' cultivating the farm. After 
partially clearing it of timber, he exchanged the 
acres for lots in Irving Park, now a suburb of 
Chicago. In 1872, Mr. Bell located peiinanently 
in Sodus Township, Berrien County, and settled 
upon land near his present homestead. Since then 
he has |)rosperously devoted himself to the pur- 
suit of agriculture, and has taken a place with the 
prominent farmers of the county. Our subject 
entered the bonds of wedlock Marcli 16, 1870, 
marrying Miss Martha Hemingway, daughter of 
.lesse and Lois Ilemingwa}'. Jesse Hemingway, 
from his location in the county in 1854, up to 
tlie time of his death in 1831, took an active i)art 
in all local affairs und was highly esteemed by all 
who knew liini. Mr. and Mrs. Bell have been 
blessed by the birth of three children: Trilla 
l/Ois, born .July 17, 1876; Mar\-, born June 18, 
1880. just one hundred years after the birth of 
lier great-grandmother, Mary Bell, a lineal descend- 
ant of Mary (iueen of Scots; and Charles Arthur, 
born in April, 188.5. The daughters in the dawn of 
wimianluiud and the manly son make glad the 
hearts of the parents. 

Our subject and his estimable wife are devout 
members of the Ihiited Brethren Church, and are 
active in the good work of that denomination. 
Fiateinally. Mr. r>ell is a valued member of the 
Patrons of Husbandry and is a Past Master of 
that Older. He also participates in the gatherings 
I if the Modern Woodmen of America, and has 
long been connected with that society. Politi- 
cally, our subject is a stalwart Hepublican, and in 
1.SK2 was elected Township 'I'nistee, which otiice 
he held to the universal >atisfacti<)ii of his fellow- 
townsmen two years. In 1887, he was elected to 



the office of Supervisor, holding the position until 
1891. In 1893, Mr. Bell was again elected Super- 
visor and is now an incumbent of that olliee. In 
his public work, as in his business, our subject is a 
thoroughly practical man of excellent methods 
and executive ability. 




'^ ENRY ^'ELSON CAMERON, a prosperous 
general farmer of Cass County, resides on 
section 8, Howard Township, and is well 
,j known and highly' respected among the 
citizens of the comniunily. He is a native of 
Pennsylvania and was born in Juniata County, on 
the llth of October. 1821. His father, .Joseph 
Cameron, was born in Lebanon Count}', Pa., being 
the son of Lewis Cameron, a native of Scotland, 
who emigrated to America when a mere boy. The 
m;>thcr of our subject was Mary, the daughter of 
Peter Burns, both natives of the Keystone State, 
the mother having been born in Juniata County. 

In Juniata County, Joseph Cameron and Miss 
Mary Burris were united in marriage, and, locating 
there, they commenced housekeeping on a modest 
scale. He was a carpenter and followed that 
trade with considerable success. In 1854, accom- 
panied by their children, they started on the long 
journey to Illinois, expecting to locate in that 
State permanently. On the day of their arrival 
in tJalena, the wife and mother died, also one of 
the children, the victims of that dread disease, 
cholera. After this heavy bereavement the father 
proceeded to Stephenson County, 111., and in the 
fall of 1854 came to Berrien Count}-, this State. 
He died in Clay County, Ind., at the age of sixty- 
five. 

In the parental family there were four childi-en 
who grew to mature years. They were: Henry N., 
of this sketch; Catherine, dece.nsed; Mary Ann, 
the wife of George Kiser, of Clay County, Ind.; 
and Susan, widow of Roy Eastwood, of South 
Itend, Ind. Our subject, the eldest of the famil}', 
was reared in .luniata County, where he attended 



iOO 



PORTRAIT AND LIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the district suliools, and worked during the vaca- 
tion seasons on tlie farm. In 1853 he came 
to Micliigan, and, locating in Berrien County, 
worlied at tlie trade of a carpenter during one 
summer. Afterward lie rented a farm belonging 
to David Rough and located in liertrand Town- 
sliijj. For one year his sister was his housekeeper, 
but at the expiration of that time he brought a 
wife to his cozy liome. 

The lad}' who on the lltli of April, 1854, 
became the wife of Mr. Cameron was formerly 
Miss Mary R. Williams, and was born in Cass Coun- 
ty, Mich., April 1, 1838. Her parents, William H. 
and Ann (Pasmore) Williams, were natives of 
Delaware, and died at the respective ages of 
eighty-one and seventy-nine. They had nine 
children, all of whom married and reared families. 
After his marriage, our subject rented a farm in 
Bertrand Township, remaining there for four 
years. When he located on that place he was in 
debt to the amount of 180, but he prospered to 
such an extent that at the expiration of four years 
he was the possessor of $2,300 in cash, four head 
of good horses and nineteen head of cattle. 

From Berrien County Mr. Cameron removed to 
Iowa, where he invested in lands and remained 
for two years. Later he rented a farm coji.sisting 
of one hundred and sixty acres in Berrien County, 
residing there for four years. Next he [lurcliased 
a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 
1 7, Howard Township, Cass County, and continued 
to cultivate this property for a period of fifteen 
years, when he sold a portion of the estate and lo- 
cated at his present place of residence. Here he 
owns three hundred and thirteen acres, all under 
cultivation with the exception of fifty acres of 
timber-land. 

Mr. and Mrs. Cameron have been the parents 
of fifteen children: AVilliam .1., of Marcellus, 
Mich.; Sarah .J., formerly a school teacher, now the 
wife of W. D. Young, of Dakota; Mary A., the 
wife of Solomon Walker, a resident of Berrien 
County, Mich.; Alice A., Mrs. Arthur Walter, of 
Washington; Edwin S., who formerly followed 
the profession of a teacher and is now a prominent 
citizen of Kettle Falls, Wash.; George B., who re- 
sides in Howard Township, Cass County; Cora B, 



and Carrie M., who are successful teachers; Charles 
A. and Frank N., who reside with their parents; 
Maud E., wife of Lewis Moore; Henry AV., Simon, 
Frank and Rosa Z., the four last-named being de- 
ceased. The surviving children have received the 
best educational advantages possible, and five of 
them have been teacliei'S. 

In polities a Democrat, Mr. Cameron has served 
as .Justice of the Peace and Road Commissioner. 
In his religious convictions he is an earnest Chris- 
tian and a devout member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. He is a man who carries his 
religious belief into his iiractieal everyday life, 
proving by the uprightness and honor of his life 
the sincerity of his belief. As a citizen, he is 
iniblic-spiritcd and energetic, always favoring the 
measures which in his judgment will benefit the 
community. 



■^ 



NSON L. Dl'NN, who was a native of 
l,@H Hillsdale County, Mich., w.as born in 1838. 




After a life of usefulness, in which he be- 
^g^ came a pros|(erous agriculturist, successful 

merchant and occu|iied with honor various otHcial 
positions, he passed awii^' in Cass County in 1888, 
sincerely lamented by a wide circle of ac(|uaiiit- 
ances throughout the State. Our subject w.as one 
of eight children of Archibald and Sallie A. (Mon- 
roe) Dunn, who were born, reared and married in 
the State of New York. The father and mother 
came to Michigan about 1835 and located in Hills- 
dale Count}', where they remained until 1855, 
when they made Cass County their permanent 
home. Arcliibald Dunn survived until 1889; the 
mother is still living. The Dunns are of Irish an- 
cestiy, but various members of the famil}' have 
for generations been numbered among the sub- 
stantial American citizens. Anson L. Dunn spent 
the early days of his 3'outh in Hillsdale County, 
and, accompanying his parents to their new resi- 
dence in 1859, was from his first days of man- 
hood associated with the growth and progress of 
Cass County. In 1859 our subject was united in 



PORTRAIT AND BlGGRAl'IIICAL RECORD. 



701 



niftrriniip witli TVFiss Mary A. Gill, only dautiliter of 
.lolin nud Aim (Ivnealc) (Jill, l)(>lli of wlioin were 
liuiii 1111(111 the Isle of M;iii,aii(l tlioro altaiiiiiit;' In 
mature years emii^rated to America, and were mar- 
ried near Cleveland, Ohio 

Mr. and Mrs. Gill settled in Mason Townslii]), 
Cass County, Mieli., in 18.'{;') and in IHIl the mother 
and eldest elidd died. At that time Mrs. Dunn 
w.as but nine months old. In IcS l.i, the I'atlier niar- 
rie(l Miss .Martlia 'I'hompson, ami Mr. and Mrs. (iill 
later in life made their home witli Mrs. Dunn, and 
both passed away tenderly eared for l)y tlieii' de- 
voted daughter. Mr. (iill was one of the pioneers 
of Cass Countw and eleared a homestead whieh 
he took u|) fiom the ( ioveinnient. He sold his 
farm in IfStiti, later removed to Adamsville and 
later came to Jones, Cass County. The paternal 
grandparents of Mrs. (Jill, William (tIII and his 
wife, followed their son John to Oliio, and died 
in the lUiekeye State. When Mr. and Mrs. Dunn 
began life together they bought a small farm and 
made their home in a board house 12x14 feet in 
dimensions. In this humble abode they passed 
one and a-half years, the huslwnd and wife both 
doing their part in the daily work of life. They 
were soon enabled to buy another farm, but in a 
few years sold that i)ro[)erty and invested in a one 
hundred and twenty .acre tr.aet of land, to whieh 
from time to time other acres were added, until at 
the jjcriod of Mr. Dunn's death he owned a large 
and valuable farm. 

In 18()4 our subject enlisted in Company D, 
Fifteenth Michigan Infantry, and cour.ageously 
set ved until the close of the war. Mr. Dunn was 
elected County Treasurer in 1870, and with able 
fidelity discharging the duties of the responsible 
l)osition was a second time elected to the office by 
his constituents. He also served as Supervisor of 
the township for two years, and in the transaction 
of business gave universal satisfaction, besides serv- 
ing in various other offices. In the spring of 1879 he 
engaged in the liandling of merchandise, and con- 
tinued in the mercantile business until his last ill- 
ness and death, July, 1888. Although only about 
fifty years of age, Mr. Dunn had been a great suf- 
ferer for many years prior to his demise, but with 
fortitude endured all. and w.as always a busy man. 



energetic and enterprising. He was a valued mem- 
ber of the Haptist Church and a liberal supporter 
of its good work. Mr. and .Mrs. Dunn were the 
parents f)f three sons. (Jarry is a leading merchant 
of .lones; (ieorge resides in Jones; and Frank 
lives on the old farm .-ukI assists in the cultivation 
of the two hundred and eighty acres of fertile 
land which comprise the Jiomestcad. 




? MOS C. HOUSE, an extensive land-owner 
and representative agriculturist of Her- 
I'i trand Township, Berrien County, resides 
upon a magnificent homestead pleasantly 
located upon section 18, the valuable acreage 
with its costly improvements being one of the 
finest pieces of farming property in the State. 
Oiir subject, a native of Juniata County, Pa., 
born May 21, 1843, is the son of Kphraim and 
Mary (Scott) House. The father, born and reared 
in New Jersey, was of German descent. The 
mother, who was a native of England, remained 
in her native land until aliout sixteen 3-cars of 
age, when she came to America with her father 
and settled in New York. The father, also born 
in England, returned later to the Old Country 
for the rest of the family. It was supposed th.at 
he was killed on the outward-hound journey, 
and his daughter Mary was then left alone, a 
stranger in a strange land. The mother of Mr. 
House married for her first husband .Mr. Sanders, 
and bore him three sons, George, Richard and 
Joseph. Later Ephraim and Marv House were 
united in niarri.age and became the parents of 
eleven children. The father died in Pennsylvania 
at about sixty-two years of age. The mother 
afterward m.ade her home in Michigan and passed 
away at the elo.se of four-sctire years. In physi- 
(}ue, she was small, but was a woniiiu of intelli- 
gence and strength of character. 

Our subject was reared on a farm in .luniata 
County, Pa., and received his education in the 
common schools of the district, and when eighteen 



702 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



years old began tlie battle of life for himself. For 
seven seasons he boated on the Pennsylvania 
Canal, and was driver, steersman and captain, 
working for the same man most of the time. He 
journeyed from Liverpool to Columbia, thence to 
Sunbury and on to Baltimore. One year he 
boated on liis own account. March 8, 1865, he 
went to Missouri, but remained there only a short 
time, going tlience to Illinois, and from that State 
finding his way to Indiana. Later he came to 
Michigan, and finally, during 1865, settled in 
Bertrand Townsliip, where he worked for a time 
by the day and month. Amos C. House was mar- 
ried August 23, 1868, to Miss Eliza, daughter of 
David and Anna (Rliodes) Rougli. The parents 
of Mrs. House, with their five children, were born 
in Pennsylvania. The father and mother jour- 
neyed with their family to Michigan by team in 
1849. They were twenty-eight days on the way, 
and slept at night in the large wagon which com- 
fortably sheltered the weary travelers. 

Mrs. House, the j'oungest child and second 
daughter, born in the (Quaker State May 16, 1843, 
was but six 3-ears of age when she arrived in Ber- 
rien County, and in the district schools of her new 
home received her education. Immediately subse- 
quent to their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. House made 
their home with Father Rough, remaining upon 
his homestead for four years, in 1873 removing 
to Tripp's farm. In 1881, they located perma- 
nently where they now reside, and built an ele- 
gant residence and other buildings at a cost of 
$15,000. The finely appointed house is a modern 
brick structure, containing fifteen conveniently' ar- 
ranged apartments, whose finish is in keeping with 
the beautiful design and st3ie of architecture. The 
barn, 46x72 feet, is attractive in exterior and con- 
tains ever3' convenience desirable for housing 
grain and stock. The six hundred acreage, all in 
one bod3', is mostly under cultivation and, furn- 
isliing a variety of products, yields annuall3' a 
bounteous harvest. Our subject owns otiier valu- 
able farming property, among which is a tract of 
two hundred and six acres, with a house and barn; 
also a one hundred and thirty-seven acre farm 
in Indiana, with a house and barn: also a one 
hundred and six acre homestead, well improved. 



with house and barn, in Terre Coupee Prau-ie, 
Bertrand Township; and a farm of one hundred 
and nine acres in Niles Township, his entire acre- 
age being estimated at thirteen hundred and forty- 
six. 

Mr. House is a stockholder in the First National 
Bank of Niles, and is prominent in financial enter- 
prises. He is an active member of the Zion Evan- 
gelical Church, of which he has been Steward for 
seven years. He was one of the building commit- 
tee through whose efforts the new house of wor- 
ship was erected. Our subject was a liberal donor 
and generousl3r gave man3- hundreds of dollars 
toward the completion of the new building. Mrs. 
House has also been a valuable aid in religious work 
and benevolent enterprises, and has long been 
connected with the church. One son has blessed 
the home, William David, born upon his grand- 
father's homestead August 20, 1871. William D. 
House is an intelligent young man and, possessing 
excellent business ability, has a bright future be- 
fore him. He is married, and with his wife, form- 
erly Miss Nellie Shearer, has been residing with 
his parents. Our subject is now erecting a dwell- 
ing in Buchanan, where he expects after a time to 
locate, and will then retire from active business. 
His life has been a bus3' one, and throughout the 
prosperous years he has steadily won his upward 
way, true to each daily duty. Without being a 
politician, he has taken a deep interest in national 
issues and is in every sense of the word an enter- 
prising and loyal American citizen, and votes the 
Democratic ticket. 



-=^^>^¥r<m 



S. INOT INGRAHAM, a well-to-do citizen 
of C'oloma and for twenty-three year's the 
most prominent merchant of this thriving 
village, was born in Sackett's Harbor, N. Y., 
on the 10th of February, 1820. His father, .larett 
Ingraham, was a native of Connecticut, having 
been born there in 1777, and was one of eight 
children in the family of a Revolutionary hero, 
who, after having served his country with indom- 




PORTRAIT AND liKKJHAPirC'AI. RECORD. 



ro3 



itable bravery. (Ii<'i1 (luriiiijr tlip c-oiitiii nance of the 
stnis^ijlo witli Knylanil. The family t)iiginaled 
in Kni>;lan(]. 

.laioU Inirraliain was a nuH'lianic and a farmer, 
and in an early da\' made settlement in .leffeison 
County. N. V. Dnrintj the Wtxv of 1MI2 lie served 
as inspeelor of provisiims, and he also shouldered 
Ills musket and partiei|)ated actively in the liatlle 
of Sackett's llarl)or. In IKl.'i he came to Michi- 
jjaii and for one summer resided in Uainliridge ; 
Township, Uerrien County, after whicli he located 
in the nnrtliern part of W.atervliet. Here he and 
his son, our subject, purchased s(;ven eighty-acre 
tracts, and he cleared and improved one of these 
lot*, m.'iking it his home for a number of years. 
Ilis death occurred in Uainliridge in 18,56. 

A Whig in polities, Mr. Ingraham was a man 
who gave consideral)le attention to atTairs of local 
or general interest, and was a thoughtful student 
of the times. He was a consistent Chiistian and 
an .active worker in the Free-will llaptist Church, 
toward the growth of which he was a lilieral and 
regular contributor. lie and his wife, whose 
maiden name was I'olly Pitman, weie the parents 
of ten children, five sons and live daughters. The 
wife and mother survived her husband's demise 
fur liftecn years. 

Karly in life our subject liegan work in a wagon 
sho|) and at the age of twenty-live l)egan in busi- 
ness for himself, purchasing at that time fifty acres 
in the town of Clayton, N. Y. In 1847 he sold 
that pi-opert\' and, coming to Michigan, settled on 
section 4, Watervliet Township, where he im- 
proved two hundred and eighty acres. Me has 
given considerable assistance to his sons, and still 
retains the ownership of one hundred and sixty 
.acres, besides four houses in Coloina, the St. Cloud 
niock in this village, and other real estate. It 
will thus be seen that in-osperily has rewarded his 
exertions, and he is one i<\' the muneyed men of 
the village. 

On Ihc last day of tiie year lS|;i. Mr. Ingraham 
was united in marriage with Miss X'aletta ('..daugh- 
ter of ,Iacob A. Williams. Her father was one of the 
pioneers of .Jefferson Cuunty, N. \., whither he i 
removed fiom Massachusetts, and he was also one 
of the pioneer teachers of Watertown, where he 



taught for a number of years. His death oeenrred 
on a farm. He had served in a number of count\- 
iillics and w.as one of the prominent men of the 
township. His father was also a man of iiidueuce 
and note. and died during the Revolutionary War. 
.Mr. and Mrs. Ingraham are members of the Free-will 
liaptist Church. They were the parents of three 
children, two of whom were reared to manhood, 
Lyman and Sulon. In addition to engaging in 
the mercantile business for almost a quarter of a 
century, Mr. Ingraham also was proprietor of a 
hotel and conducted that enterprise with success. 
F'orinerlya Whig, he is now a l^epublican, and has 
been the incumbent of a number of positions of 
trust. 



^ 



^T'oiiN S. COLLI N.>^. In the perusal of this 
volume the reachM' has doubtless been im- 
pressed with the f.act that the large major- 
it}' of our most succes.sful citizens have 
ri.sen to positions of iiiHuence from humble en- 
vironments and in spite of adverse circumstances. 
To this list of men we add the name of .John S. 
Ct)llins, the well-known farmer of Milton Town- 
ship, whose farm is jjleasantly located on section 
7. Here he engages in general agricultural pur- 
suits on the one hundred and thirty acres com- 
prising the estate, most of which is under cultiva- 
tion. .Since he located on this pl.ace in IHitd he 
has added many improvements and erected a num- 
ber of substantial farm buildings, in this way in- 
creasing the value of the |)roperty materially. 

A few words with reference to the ancestors of 
our subject will not be amiss in this connection. His 
paternal grandfather, riiom.as Collins, was a native 
of F>nglandand with two brothers emigrated to this 
country at an early day. The maternal grand- 
father, William Candy, was also born in Kngland, 
whence, accompanied by lw<i brothers, he came to 
.\mcrica many years .ago. 'I'he parents of oursub- 
ject, Thomas and Sophia (Candy) Collins, were 
both natives of Delaware, where they were mar- 
ried. They located in Milford, Kent County, that 
State, where the father engaged as a brick mason 



704 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and plasterer until his death, which occurred at 
the ago of forty years. His wife survived him 
many years, and passed away at the au;e of sev- 
enty-one. 

Thomas and Sophia Collins were the parents of 
nine children, of whom three daughters and five 
sons reached mature years. Five arc now living 
as follows: Benjamin Y., a resident of Niles; 
James A., who is living in St. .losepli, this St;ile; 
John, of tills sketch; Sophia, the widow of N. Den- 
nis, of Chicago; and Mavy C, widow of George N. 
Bond, a resident of Denver, Colo. John 8., the 
seventh in order of lijrth, was horn m Kent 
County, Del., January 4, J 817, and remained in 
his native place until sixteen years of age, when 
he came to Michigan, in 1834, and located in Niles. 
For seventeen years lie followed the trade of a 
shoemaker, and for fourteen successive years he 
and a brother engaged m the manufacture c>f 
boots and shoes in that city. Later he conducted 
a grocery and bakery for one year, and in 1849 he 
purchased a farm, consisting of one hmulrcd and 
twenty .acres in Niles Township. 

After making his home on that place for live 
and one-half J'eai-s, Mr. Collins disiwsed of his 
property and returned to Niles. In 1856, .as has 
been stated, he purchased the place where he has 
since resided. On the !)tli of April, 1843. he mar- 
ried Martha Reese, who was born in Tioga County, 
N. Y., January 17. 1821. The paternal grandf.a- 
ther of Mrs. Collins was Jacob IJeese, a native of 
AVest Stockbridge. JIass., who traced his ancestry 
to Holland, ller parents, John M. and Angelina 
M. (Mills) Heese, were natives of New York, the 
latter having been Ixirn in Amsterdam, of Welsh 
descent. Mr. Heese was a farmer by occupation, 
and was thus engaged in New York and in Indi- 
ana, whither he removed in 18;i4. settling in St. 
Joseph. Two years later he came to Cass County, 
where he died at the age of eighty. His mother 
had attained to the advanced age of one hundred 
and two. Mi^s. Angelina Ivcese is still living and 
makes her home in Cass County. .She is quite ac- 
tive, notwithstanding the fact that she is ninety- 
thi-ee yeai-s vf age. 

Of a family of eleven children who lived to ma- 
turity, two having died in childlu'od. Mrs. Col- 



lins is the second daughter. She was a child of 
ten years when she accompanied her i)arents to 
Indiana, and two years later came to Cass County, 
where she grew to womanhood and married. 
Her marri.age w.as blessed by the birth of four 
children, as follows: Albert H., of Niles; Alice, 
who is the wife of Fred Fowler and resides with 
our subject on the home farm; Emma B., who 
married Edwin Fowler, a farmer residing in Cass 
County, N. Dak.; and Rev. John S., a minister in 
the Baptist Church and a missionary in the Iron 
Mountains, in the northern part of Michigan. 

In his younger years Mr. Collins atliliated with 
the Democratic party and cast his first Presiden- 
tial ballot for Martin Van Burcn. However, for 
many years he has been identitied with the Repub- 
licans and is a stanch advocate of that party. He 
has held a number of i>tlicial i^wsitions in Herrieu 
and Cass Counties, has filled the various school 
oflices and served as Treasurer of the village of 
Niles, where he was also a member of the Common 
Council. He has served as Highway Commissioner 
of Milton Township. While he still superintends 
his farm, he no longer actively engages in tilling 
the soil, but is p.assing his time quietly at his home 
ill the enjoyment of all the comforts of life. He 
and his estimable wife are highly regarded through- 
out this community and have a large circle of 
warm pei-sonal friends. 



6" 



v.t>RMAN K. l.ANDON. England h:us ever 
numbered many representatives among the 
best cl.ass of citizens of this country. There 
is a sterling quality about tlie nationality that 
particularly tits them for pioneer life, and we. as 
Americans, are greatly indebted to settlei-s of 
English origin for the rapid advancement made in 
our ciyilization. The I.andon family came origin- 
ally from England, and a branch of the family 
tree took root in American soil at a period far 
antedating the Revolution. Rufus I.andon. the 
grandfather of our subject, entered the Colonial 
.\riny when but seventeen yeai-s of age and fought 




wvx 








PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



707 



bravely for independence. He was one who en- ] 
teied Canoda to relieve Aiiiold, who was operating 
aiiainsl (Quebec. Heinjf a drummer boy, he served j 
tlirouijhout the war and was under Oen. Schuyler 
in tlie northern |)arl of the United Stales for some 
time. 

N»)rman E. I.andon was born in tiie town of [ 
Salishiiry. Litchfield County, Conn., in 1824, and 
was the vounnest of seven children horn to Luther 
and iSLartha (Hewitt) Landon, natives also of 
Connecticut. Mr. Landon was a farmer by oecu- 
[tation and followed that very successfully all his 
life. His inarriaije resulted in the birth of the fol- 
lowing children: .Tohn, docease<l; Sarah, deceased, 
who w.as the wife of Abram Bergart; Rufus, de- 
ceased; Catherine, widow of George Eldredge; 
Martha, deceased, who was the wife of Harris 
Beckley, who is also deceased; and Norman E., 
our subject. All these children lived to maturity. 

Norman E. Landon was reared in his native 
State and received hut a limited education. When 
seventeen years of age he started out to make his 
own way in life, and at once began learning the 
carpenter's and joiner's trade in Kinderhook, N. Y. 
He remained in that section for seven years, four 
years of which time he was engaged in managing 
and contracting for himself. ]>alcr he returned to 
Connecticut, and for nine years worked at his trade 
in that State. Seeing lietter prospects for his 
trade in the West, he turned his face in that 
direction in IHo.S. and landed in Berrien County', 
Lake Township, Mich., where, with the exception 
of about three years, he has resided ever since. 
For the most part, he has been engaged in farming, 
and has followed his trade but little. The land on 
which Mr. Laiuhin now lesides, when purchased by 
him had but few improvements, but he began at 
once to clear, and now has one of the finest places 
in his section. Of the hvindicd and sixty acres 
comprising the farm, lu' lias sixty acres finely im- 
proved, and on this a beautiful residence, out- 
buildings, etc. 

In 1817, Mr. Landon married Miss Rebecca 
Allen, a native of New York, and the daughter of 
Harris and Clara (.luiu") .\llcii, of Kinderhook, 
N. Y. The Allen family came originally from 
England, and its inenibers became prominent citi- 



zens of the Empire State. The June family settled 
in New York at a very early period. Mrs. Lan- 
don was the only child born to her parents. The 
six children born to our subject and wife were 
as follows: Martha, wife of Ransom AshcrofT; 
Elizabeth, wife of Wellington Munson, of Cass 
County, Mich.; Edward N.; Clara, wife of Rich- 
mond Stahclin, of this county; and two who died 
in infancy. In politics, he has lieeii a life-long 
Democrat, and in religion he and Mrs. Landon are 
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 



--^=^#^ii-^"i^li^^l 




iHEO R. MARBLE, a prominent general 
agriculturist and esteemed citizen of Bu- 
chanan Townshi|), Berrien County, IVHch.) 
was born amid the Green Mountains of A'ermont 
.January 18, 1830. The Marble family is well 
known in New England, and the parents of our 
subject, Jaines and Alice (Smith) Marble, were 
born in Salem, Mass. From there they moved to 
Vermont, and in 1844 emigrated to the State of 
Indiana, and settled upon a farm in St. .Joseph 
County. The father died in 18 18, but the mother 
surviverl many years, p.assing awa^- at four-score 
years and ten. Tiie eight children of the parental 
family were as follows: Edward, living in Ber- 
rien County, Mich.; Sarah, deceased, the wife of 
L. Shaddock; .John C, a citizen of St. Joseph 
County, Ind.; Willard and Orson, deceased; Isaac, 
a resident of Buchanan; Lucy, deceased; and The- 
odore R., our subject. The father, an energetic 
and industrious man of sterling integrity of char- 
.acter, was sixty-five years of .age at the time of 
his decease. 

Tlieo R. Marble was reared on a farm and re- 
mained with his parents until sixteen year* of 
age, when he began life for himself, and wtu-ked 
by the month, still eng.aging in the inirsuit of 
agriculture, for about six years. At the expira- 
tion of this length of time, he, in 18;)2, emigrated 
to California, traveling oveiland \vith an ox-team 
and taking other stock. He was hired as driver 
to accoinpan3' .Messrs. Hopkins and Lit7.eiil)erger, 



708 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



who preceded him to Council Bluffs, from which 
city he walked the entire distance to McCellamy 
Hill, Cal. There were in the train forty-one men 
and women, seventeen wagons, two or three hun- 
dred head of cattle, and a dozen loose horses. 
After leaving Omaha everything went smoothly 
until the party reached Shell Creek, about one 
and a-half days' drive from Council Bluffs, when 
the train was attacked by three liundred Pawnee 
Indians. A running fight occurred, the wagons 
moving slowly along in the mean time. Two men 
were shot through the thighs, and Mr. Litzen- 
berger was shot through the left lung by an ar- 
row and never fully recovered from the wound. 
Six or seven Indians were killed outright and a 
number so badly wounded that they soon after died. 
The Indians, later reinforced .and fully five hun- 
dred strong, followed after and camped within a 
half-mile of the train, hut the latter had been joined 
by about three hundred ISIissouri men and their fam- 
ilies, and the Indians, finding themselves ojiposed 
by a small and armed army of determined emi- 
grants, abandoned their hostile designs and with- 
diew from the field. At the time this trip was 
taken Omaha boasted only a few families, and the 
country w.as almost a desert until the weary train 
struck Utah. 

At last, safely arriving in California, Mr. Marlile 
spent two years in mining. At first he was very 
successful, .and took from a mine from ^.")0 to 
$100 per day. For this mine he was offered $20,- 
000 in cash, but refused, and in a short time 
the deposit was exhausted and the mine became 
worthless. Remaining in the Golden State for 
twenty-one years, our subject witnessed the re- 
markable growth .and prosperity of San Francisco 
and Sacramento, which, when he saw them, were 
at first "canvas" towns, but inside the tents were 
gay trappings and furniture, especiall}' in the 
gambling houses, which abounded. At that time 
some of the most valiuible business lots could 
have been purchased for $100 and less. 

After his two years' experience in mining Mr. 
Marble engaged in carpenter work, speculated, 
raised stock and was variously employed. Finally 
he returned to his former home, married and 
with his wife again journeyed to California. 



Having some time before purchased city lots, he 
now sold them and invested in six hundred and 
forty acres of laud, a portion of which was under 
cultivation, and which was situated about one 
hundred miles from San Francisco. There vvere 
upon the tract a tine orchard and vineyard, hut 
our subject devoted the land mostly to the cul- 
tivation of wheat. This farm Mr. Marble sold in 
1870, returned to Indiana, remained there two or 
three years, and then purch.ased his present home- 
stead of two hundred and seventy-four acres, 
costing $35 per acre. One hundred and forty 
acres have been brought to a high state of pro- 
ductiveness and the farm is one of tiie best in 
Berrien County. 

Our subject was united in marriage in 1S71 
with Mrs. Ann M. (Frain) Curtis, daughter of 
Nathaniel Frain, of St. .loseph County, Ind. One 
son, Arthur, blessed the union, now a resident of 
South Bend. Fraternally, Mr. Marble is a mem- 
ber of Buchanan Lodge No. 68, A. F. & A. M. 
He joined Curtis Lodge No. 140 in California. 
He was also in the early days of California an 
active member of the Vigilance Committee, which 
was then the terror of evil-doers. Since 1876 
Mr. Marble has been somewhat disabled by a par- 
tial paralysis of the lower limbs, the effects of a 
fever. A man of bright intelligence and suiierior 
business ability, he manages his homestead wiili 
excellent judgment and practical skill. AltlK>ugh 
never a politician, our subject is deeply inteicsted 
in the affairs of the day, and is a liberal-spirited 
and progressive citizen. 



^ 



\) 




^^••* b^p> 



ILLIAM HANSON, a prosperous citizen 
\\\/"\//'' ''*'"'' retired agriculturist of Cass C<mnty, 
Mich., was for 3 ears one of the representa- 
tive farmers of the State, ai:d, a man of ability and 
excellent judgment, won his way from small be- 
ginnings steadily upward to an honorable position 
of usefulness and influence. Born November 14, 
1824, in Montgomery County, N. Y., our subject 
is now entering the evening of his age and, resid- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



709 



ins; in Edwaidsliiirgli, enjoys the companionship 
of a large circle of old friends and acquaintan- 
ces. Mr. Hanson was tiie son of .lolin and Lydia 
(Sciienck) Hanson. His paternal ii;randfather it is 
supposed canic from Holland to Ameriia, .ind set- 
tled near Fonda, N. V. He inirticipated in the 
struijgles of the Kovolutionary ^^'ar and. captured, 
escaped by running the gauntlet of the enemy 's 
fire. He was engaged in the battle of the Mohawk. 
H^' occupation he was a tiller of the soil, and upon 
the old homestead on the Mohawk Hiver reared a 
famil}'. His son, the father of our subject, trained 
to the duties of .agriculture, was also a farmer. 
In the fall of 1835, John Hanson journeyed b>' 
canal and lake to Detroit, starting by wagon from 
Fultonville, N. Y. From Detioit he made his w.ay 
to Cass County and settled in Ontvva Township, 
where he winteied. 

In the spring of 1830, the father located on sec- 
tion 31, .lefferson Township, and entered one hun- 
dred and twenty acres, which he im|)roved, trans- 
forming the unbroken prairie into productive 
fields. He died in 18.57, at fifty-seven years of 
age. He voted the Democratic ticket, and w.as in 
religious belief a Presbyterian. His widow, a de- 
voted Cliri.sti.in woman, also a Presbyterian, sur- 
vived until lisTl. .lolm Hanson w.as twice mar- 
ried, and his first wife was Miss Salisbury. She be- 
came the mother of two children, Sarah and Mag- 
gie. I5y his second wife the father of our subject 
had his household increased In" the birth of ten 
chihlren: William; Ann Northup, of California; 
Daniel, who died in infancy; Ralph, killed in the 
mines of California; .lames; Hebecca Blair; Victor 
P., of Montana; Benjamin, who served in the 
Sixth Michigan, and died at Ship Island; John, of 
California; and Mary, who died in early youth. The 
mother of these sons and daugliters was a native 
of Montgomery County, N. Y., and was a daugh- 
ter of William Schenck, of New York. Mr. Schenck 
was a prosperous farmer and ran a plaster-mill, 
also grist, saw and carding mills. He accumu- 
lated a handsome jiroperly. and three times en- 
tered the bonds of matrimony. 

In the '40s Mr. Schenck emigrated to Rock 
County, Wis., where he later passed aw.i\'. Through- 
out his long career he was au active business man 



and reared a family by e.ach wife. The mother of 
our subject had one brother, Hal|>h. The ma- 
ternal great-grandfather was a farmer of the Km- 
pire State. Our subject was reared upon the home 
farm and received but a limited education, hav- 
ing been obliged very early in life to aid m the 
support of his father's large family. Arrived at 
manhood, self-reliant, energetic and industrious, 
Mr. Hanson began to work for himself, and for 
three years ran a breaking team with eight and 
ten yoke of cattle. When twenty-two years old 
he invested his savings in eighty acres, which he 
diligently improved, and was soon able to add 
forty acres more to his farm. Prospering, he pur- 
chased eightj' additional acres and located on sec- 
tion 31, Jefferson Township. In ISaO he sold out 
his former interests and bought ninety acres on 
section 27, Jefferson Township, and, constantly 
adding to this homestead, finally owned five hun- 
dred and sixty acres in one large body, and was 
also the owner of another valuable farm of one 
hundred and fifty acres. The tract of five hun- 
dred and sixty acres has been brought mostly up 
to a high state of cultivation and is one of the 
finest farms in this section of Michigan, being im- 
jiroved with substantial, cominodifius and hand- 
some buildings. 

Our subject has been married twice. Elizabeth 
Crawford, daughter of Robert and Elizabeth (Sol- 
omon) Crawford, was his first wife. Mr. Craw- 
ford was a pioneer farmer of Cass County, and 
settled within its boundaries in 1836. He was a 
native of Ireland, a m.an of ability, and was highly 
respected. Mrs. Elizabeth IIansf>n was the mother 
of six children: Mary, wife of P. Head, of Texas; 
Henry; Charles; Ann, wife of Charles Thatcher; 
and two who died in infancy. The first wife died 
September 7, 1865, aged forty-two. She was a mem- 
ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was 
an estimable woman, beloved by all who knew her. 
The second wife, Matilda Hownover,born in Colum- 
bia County, Pa., was the daughter of Richard and 
Catherine (Dye) Hownover, natives of New Jersey. 
The Hownovers emigrated from the E.ast to Michi- 
gan in 1840, and settled in White Pigeon. In 
1846, the father and mother returned to their 
early home, and there Richard Hownover died in 



710 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1861, in the month of November. He wasan active 
man and engaged in various occui)ations, princi- 
pally milling and farming. His wife passed awaj' 
in 1859. Their home was blessed by the birth 
of two sons and four daughters: David, William, 
Mary, Deborah, Margaret and Matilda. Richard 
Hownover was a son of Ralph Kovenhoven, a na- 
tive af Holland, who early emigrated to America. 
His wife, a Baptist in religious belief, was Anna 
Lake. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Han- 
son were the father and mother of three sons and 
one daughter. Our subject and his estimable wife 
are the parents of one child, Minnie .1., now the 
wife of Edwin Harris. Mr. Hanson, essentially a 
self-made man and the architect of his own for- 
tune, has acquired a handsome competence, and 
since 1881 has been in the enjoyment of a well- 
earned rest. From his earliest youth having faith- 
fully performed every duty of life entrusted to 
his care, he may with pleasure review the nnnals 
of his long and successful career. 



«^^>^^>^BW^BtM 



f \ I i t -T-fcl 



f/^ YLVESTER M. COPELAND, a prosperous 
^5^, wencral asrriculturist and stock-raiser, re- 
l|A/)l) siding about two and a-fourth miles north- 
west of the pleasant village of Three Oaks, 
Mich., has cultivated liis flnel^'-improved home- 
stead for over a cpiarter of a century and is num- 
bered among the substantial citizens of Berrien 
County. Mr. Copeland is a native of Oswego 
County, N. Y., and was born June 11, 1814. Tlie 
paternal grandfather, A bial Copeland, a hard-work- 
ing and energetic man, made his home in the Em- 
pire State and w.as a well-known and highly re- 
spected resident of Jefferson County, in which part 
of New York the father of our subject, Alonzo 
Coiicland, was born. Tiie father, reared and ed- 
ucated in his native State, attained to adult age in 
his early home and married Miss Chloe Vj. Martin, 
whose birtli|)lace was also in Jefferson County, 
N. Y. The husband and wife, settling in Oswego 
County, were there blessed by the birth of six 
children, four sons and two daughters, three of the 



family yet surviving. The fairlier was by trade a 
carpenter and joiner and made his trade the main 
occupation of his busy life. In 1865, Alonzo 
Copeland with ins wife and children, emigrated 
from the old New York homestead to Berrien 
County, Mich. 

The father is yet living at an advanced age.niul 
makes his home in the village of Three Oaks; the 
mother passed aw.ay in her Western lu)me in Ber- 
rien County November 22, 1890. She was a wo- 
man of intelligence, beloved by all who knew her. 
Sylvester M. was the third child born unto his 
parents and passed his j'outh and early manhood 
among the familiar scenes of Oswego County. Me 
received a good common-school education and 
also learned the trade of a carpenter and joiner 
and was well fitted by habits of industry to make 
his own way in life wheji he came to Berrien 
County, about one 3'ear previous to his father. 
Upon August 22, 1862, our subject patriotically 
enlisted in the service of the Government, joining 
Company E, One Hundred and Tenth New York 
Infantry. While passing from Ship Island to New 
Orleans, he was attacked with the measles on ship- 
board and was sent to the hospital in New Or- 
leans, June 11,1863. He was very sick and was 
not able to leave the hospital until September 22, 
1863, and soon after, discharged on account of 
disability, returned to his home in New York. He 
yet receives a pension, as his health \\;as seriously 
impaired, but in these succeeding years he has in 
a measure outgrown the effects of his cxiiosure. 

In the spring of 1861, Mr. Copeland located in 
Aurora, ni., where he remained until January 1, 
1865, when he journeyed to Nashville, Tenn., and 
worked in the employ of the Government as a car- 
penter and joiner. He was engaged in Nashville 
until May, 1865, at which date he joined his par- 
ents in Michigan. Our subject h.as since con- 
stantly resided in Berrien County, and upon the 
Isl of November, 1867, was married to Miss Hen- 
rietta Barnes, a native of La Porte County, Ind. 
Mrs. Copeland, born l\[ay 1, 1844, is a daughter of 
Perry and Hannah (Laferty) Barnes, who were of 
Eastern nativity. Unto our subject and liisestira- 
alile wife were born three children, one daughter 
and two sons: Ada Belle, Ainos B. and Walter W. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



711 



Mr. Copeland lias boon rinancially successful, and 
aside from his valuable and hiirhly-cullivated 
farm of ciylily acres, containing excellent improve- 
ments, a commodious residence, barns and other 
buildings, owns a lot in Three Oaks and ten 
acres adjoining the town site. In political af- 
(iliation our subject is a Republican and cast his 
first vote ftir Lincoln. His jiarcnts were members 
of the Free-will Huptist Church, but Mr. Copeland 
is not himself connected with any religious de- 
nominalion He is, however, a man of sterling in- 
tegrity and, doing his daily duty ;is a neighbor, 
friend and citizen enjoys the esteem of the com- 
nmnity by whom he is surrounded. 



Cil l»,ILLIAM M. I'.AI.DWIN is a substantial 
\fj/l citizen of Uerricn County, Mich., and 
wW from early boyhood has devoted his at- 
tention to farming interests, being now the owner 
of an excellent tract of land, comprising seventy 
acres, which is the result of earnest persistent toil, 
•as well as progressive and enlightened views. 
From the age of ten years he has been a resident 
of Michigan, and he has witnessed a wonderful 
transformation in the State, csi)ecially in Herrien 
County, and during all these years he has been an 
active observei of the trend of events. He has 
not been merely a " looker on in Venice," but a 
citizen who has through his enterprise, his integ- 
rity and his public spirit contributed his full 
share to the niagnilicent development of the sec- 
tion in which he resides. 

Mr. Haldwin was born in Essex County, N. J., 
in 181.'), and is a son of David U. and Elizabeth 
(Kerns) Haldwin, natives respectively of New 
.lersey and Pennsylvania. The parents celebrated 
their nuptials in the Keystone Slate, but subse- 
quently returned to New Jersey, where they resided 
some time. From there they moved to Calhoun 
County, Mich., and in 1859 came to Berrien 
County, when it w.as wild and unsettled. He lo- 
cated at what is now known as Ruggles' Mills and 



engaged in blacksmithing, which he followed until 
his death, which occurred in 1880, when about 
seventy-one years of age. Ilis wife survived him 
until about 188.3. They were the parents of the 
following children: Margaret, deceased, who was 
the wife of Joel Starr; George, who was killed in 
the l)attlc of Atlanta; Sarah, the wife of L. Hunter, 
of Oceana County, Mich.; Charles, who died in the 
army;Elias, who resides in Barroda; and William 
M., our subject. 

The original of this notice was(iuile small when 
his parents first came to Michigan, and he was edu- 
cated in the common schools of Calhoun County. 
At the youthful age of sixteen years he started 
out to fight life's battles for himself and first com- 
menced as a laborer on a farm. This he continued 
until about 1865, when he began renting land, 
continuing this for a number of years. In 1886 
he purchased his present farm of seventy acres, 
which w.as all heavy timber-land. For the past 
thirteen years he has been engaged in milling and 
has utilized the timber on his land. He has a mill 
on his farm, and for a number of years has been 
doing quite an extensive lumber business. 

In the year 1866 he was united in marriage with 
Miss Jcanette Mead, a native of Berrien County, 
Mich., and the daughter of Varney P. and Experi- 
ence (Saunders) Mead, early settlers of this coun- 
ty. To !Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin were born three 
children: Alice, the wife of Allison Post, of this 
county; Nellie, deceased; and Eva, at home. 
Politically, Mr. Baldwin is a Democrat and is a 
warm advocate of the |)riiicipies of his party. 









^^^EORGE M. SCOTT is one of the leading 
III f—y agriculturists of Berrien County, Mich., 
%^i and has followed this calling from his 
earliest boyhood, being initiated into its mysteries 
l)y his father, George H.Scott, who was originally 
from the Green Mountain State. In addition to 
that, he is also engaged in truit-growiug, and in 
all things relating to that industry he is a con- 
noisseur, his products being of the best varieties, 



712 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of unusual size, and of delicious taste. Mr. Scott 
is a native-born resident of this count}-, his birth 
occurring March 28, 1845, and for that reason, 
perliups, is more liable to succeed in his calling 
than though he had moved in from some other 
State. 

George H. Scott, father of our subject, selected 
his wife in the person of Miss Eliza Gragg, a 
native of the Empire State, and to them were given 
five children, four of whom are living, our subject 
being first in order of birth. The |)areuts came to 
Michigan about 1840, settling uear St. Joseph, and 
were among the early settlers of that region. The 
father is still living, making his home in St. 
■loseph, and is respected by all. When he first 
went to that town he engaged in various enter- 
prises, having at one time a general store there. 
Later, he and his brother Keuben owned and 
operated two vessels on the lake, and were thus 
engaged for a number of 3'ears, dealing extensively 
in wood and lumber. After that Mr. Scott bought 
a farm in Royaiton Township, and here resided 
for about twenty-five jeais, carrying on his farm, 
and at the same time operating a sawmill. lie 
finally sold that farm, and is now residing in St. 
•Toseph, retired from the active duties of life. He 
had the misfortune to lose his woithy companion 
in Berrien County, in September, 1872. 

The original of this notice remained in St. Joseph 
until fifteen years of age, and received a good 
practical education in the schools of that city. 
Ho then went on the farm with his father, and in 
connection with the farming industry carried 011 
the sawmill business for his father for ten 3'ears. 
Since then he has been engaged in fanning and 
fruit-growing, and is making a complete success of 
both callings. Although there arc but forty-nine 
acres in his farm, every part is improved and under 
a splendid state of cultivation; the crops never 
fail him, and he is recognized throughout his sec- 
tion as a man suited in every way for his calling. 

Mr. Scott has been twice married, his first wife 
having been Miss Lottie E.Carlton. She left one 
child, Dwight C. In selecting a companion for his 
second wife, he chose Miss May C. Matrau, a native 
of Bainbi'idge Township, Berrien County, Mich., 
and their nuptials were celebrated in that county 



on the 5th of December, 1876. Eour children were 
born to this union, and named as follows: Erma, 
Roy, Clarence and Paul. Mr. Scott is a stanch 
supporter of Republican [iiinciples, and his first 
Presidential vote was east for Gen. U. S. Grant. 
He is one of the county's best citizens, and is well 
respected. 




z:-^^z=i' 



,,.y BRAHAM CORELL. Man does not come 
(.^/LJi into the world with mature thoughts and 
feelings. He learns a few isolated facts, 
and from these he evolves related truths, 
and only at the time of saying farewell to the 
world IS he a man in stature and intellect. His life 
is but a preparatory school for the life to come. It 
is so with everyone, and not less so to the man 
whose name is above. He developed, he acquired, 
he struggled, he died, when to the infinite mind 
he was only ready to live well, but a nobler life is 
continued above. 

Mr. Corell was born in Albany County, N. Y., 
August 10, 1815, and inherited his sturdj' traits of 
character from his Scotch-Irish ancestors. His 
parents, Abraham and Mary (Miller) Corell, were 
natives respectively of New Jersey and New York, 
and their nuptials were celebrated in the latter 
State. Of the eleven children born to them our 
subject was the ninth child in order of birth and 
the fifth son. When four years of age he moved 
with his parents to Livingston Count}', N. Y., and 
there remained until the age of twenty-two. His 
scholastic training was received in the common 
schools, and at the above-mentioned age he went 
with his father to Girard, Erie Count}', Pa., and 
there engaged in farming. Our subject was a 
natural mechanic, could shoe horses and could 
turn his attention to almost an^'thingof that kind. 
In connection with farming he carried on carpen- 
tering, and was unusually successful in his differ- 
ent occupations. 

In 1850 he left the Keystone State for the West, 
and settled in Niles Township, Berrien County, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRArillCAL RECORD. 



713 



I\!nli., on the faiin wlicro Mrs. Corcll now resides. 
Al Uial lime llieic were no improvements on tlie 
place, excciit .-i small frame house and a log shed 
for a l)arn. and al>out eiijlil acres under cultiva- 
tion. He began at once to make great cliangcs in 
the place, and on this farm p.assed the remainder 
of Ills life, living December 'i.'i, l,H,s;3. lie was a man 
of industrv and perseverance, and one who left an 
un>ullicd record as an inheritance to his children. 
In politics he favored the Kepublicun [tarty, and 
held a number of local ollices, beiTig .lustice of the 
IVacc for some time. His widow, who was for- 
merly Miss Ann Kli/.abelh IJrownell. was born in 
the town of Cambridge, Washington County, X. Y., 
Novemlier 1, l.SKS, and was the daughter of Hen ja- 
min iirowncll, who was .'dsoa native of that county 
and a soldier in the War of 1,S12. His father, 
Benjamin Brownell, was liorn in l\hode Island, and 
was of English descent. Some of the ISrownells 
weie in the Revolutionary Wai'. 

Mis. Corell's molhei', formerly Susanna Fish, 
was a native of the Empire Stale, as was also the 
latter's lather, Henjamin Fish, who came of Eng- 
lish-iiuaker stock. They were relatives of Ethan 
Allen, leader of the Green Mountain boys, and 
the Hrownells were related to Col. Elsworth. Mrs. 
Corell's father and mother were married near Al- 
Itany, N. Y., April 17, ItSdfi, but later located in 
the town of Cambridge, where the father followed 
farming until 1826. From there they moved to 
cential New York, where the father continued 
tilling the soil, and later moved to Erie County, 
I'a. This was in 183;5, and they remained there 
until 18 47, when the}' came to Berrien Count}-, 
Mich. In this county both passed the closing 
scenes of their lives, the father dying at the age 
of seventy-two, and the mother when eighty-three 
years of age. They were the (larents of twelve 
children, three daughters and nine sons, ten of 
whom grew to mature years, and four of whom 
are now living. 

Mrs. Corell is the sixth child and eldest daugh- 
ter. By her marriage to Mr. Corell, she became 
the mother of eleven children, six daughters and 
five sons: Delia !,.. who died at the age of twenty- 
eight; Ann E., wife of Edward Terriene, of Chi- 
cago; Susan A., wife of Elwood S. Chamlierlain, of 



Kansas City; George A. (see sketch); Alice. I., who 
died at the age of four years; Perry 1).. of Plain- 
view, Neb.; Horace G.,also of Nebraska; M.Alice, 
at home; Charlotte F., who died at the age of six 
years; -lohn, who died at the age of four years; 
and Benjamin, who died at the ago of twenty 
months. Mrs. Corcll has a good farm of ninety- 
eight acres, and this has been carried on li}' her son 
George since the death of Mr. Corell. She is a 
woman of moie than ordinary intelligence, and is 
well liked by all who are favored with her ac- 
quaintance. 



Vl'OSEPlI W. HETEEB. The adaptability of 
Berrien County soil to the cultivation of 
small fruits has induced many progressive 
men to purchase property here and engage 
in business as fruit-growers. Among the fine 
fruit farms of St. Joseph is the one owned by the 
subject of this sketch, a well-known and intluen- 
tial resident of this township. He is a native of 
this county, and having passed the greater portion 
of his life here, hiis a wide circle of acquaintances 
among its best [)eople. He w.as born in Ilo^alton 
Township on the 2d of February, 1857, and is the 
son of Gottlieb .and Martha Heller. 

At the age of ten ^ears our subjeclaccom[)anied 
his father in the removal from Royalton Township 
to the place where he now lives. His bo \ hood 
days were mainly spent in farm work, and he 
earl J' learned the duties of agricultural life and 
became familiar with every department of farm- 
ing. In his youth he conducted his studies in 
the Lincoln Avenue School. He was seventeen 
years of age when, with a manly self-reliance and 
independence, he started out in the world for 
himself, and since that time he has been self-sup- 
porting. For a time he worked on a farm b}' the 
month, and continued in the emplo}' of others for 
ten yeais. 

In connection with his brother, .). M., our subject 
in 1881 |)urchased the old homestead, which the 



714 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



two farmed in partnership until about 1889, when 
the property- was diviiied. Mr. Iletler is now the 
owner of eigliteen acres of valuable land, about 
nine acres being set out in fruit. He makes a 
specialty of berries, in the cultivation of which he 
has met with excellent success. The annual yield 
of fruit is large, and the sales aggregate about 
11,000 or $1,200 per year. Since locating on this 
place, he has erected the commodious house and 
substantial barns now noticeable on the farm, and 
lie lias also built a number of outbuildings adapted 
to their varied purposes. 

November 10, 1885, in Lincoln Township, Ler- 
rien County, occurred the marriage of Mr. Hetler 
to Miss Hannah, daughter of Nicholas Broderson, 
of Germany. Mrs. Iletler was born in Germany, 
whence she emigrated to this country at the age 
of fifteen years in company with her mother, and 
at the time of her marriage was residing in Lin- 
coln Township, Beirien County. One ciiild has 
blessed this happy union, Roy Edward, who was 
born April 23, 18'.) 1, and is a bright and attractive 
child. Politicall3', Mr. Hetler is strongly attached 
to the principles of the Republican party, of which 
he is a devoted adherent. He takes an active in- 
terest in k)eal. State and national politics, and is 
one of the leaders of his party in the community. 
In his religious belief he is identified with the 
Evangelical Association, lo which liis wife also 
belongs. 



-'< —- 



^>-^<m^ 



^i HARLES M. WILLIAMS. It has been 
(li officially recorded that the natives of coun- 

^^^/ tries where vast amounts of fruit are raised 
are wholl}' free from certain diseases that are in- 
variably brought on by the consumption of meat; 
and if the use of fruit as a diet serves no other 
end than that of a preventive of human ailments, 
it lias fulfilled its mission and duty. The fruit 
industry has become a profitable and popular one 
in southern iMichigan, and one of the men who, 
in connection with farming, earns bis living thus 



is Charles M. Williams, who has a fine farm of 
forty acres situated about eight miles south of St. 
Joseph, in Royalton Township. 

Mr. Williams was born in the township and 
county in which he now resides September 24, 1836, 
his i)arents being Daniel and Malinda (Millage) 
Williams, the former of whom was born in Penn- 
sylvania in 1810. In an early day he removed 
from the State of his birth to Michigan, becoming 
one of the first settlers of Berrien County, and 
during the long term of years that elapsed until 
his death, in 1861, he cleared a number of valua- 
able farms and tilled the soil with success. He 
was of English descent. His widow died in Kan- 
sas in 1868, having borne her husband five sons 
and two daughters, of which number the subject 
of this sketch was the second in order of birth. 
Charles M. Williams was born in Berrien County 
and received his education in the common schools, 
but was compelled to leave- them when quite 
young because his parents were poor, and he had 
to lend his assistance in the support of the family. 
He remained with and aided them until he attained 
his majority, then began to accumulate for him- 
self, and since about 1873 has resided on the farm 
on which he is now living. As a citizen, Mr. 
Williams has always been industrious, enterprising 
and honest, is a practical and intelligent fruit- 
grower and farmer, a man who has a naturally 
humane and kindly dis[)Osition, and a discerning 
mind, which has been strengthened and broadened 
by reading, observation and contact with the busi- 
ness affairs of life. 

He chose for his wife Miss Catharine Moyer, a 
native of the State of Pennsylvania, their union 
being solemnized on the 11th of September, 1858, 
and to them three sons and a daughter were 
given: Aurilla, wife of Charles Scotield; Franklin, 
Robert and Henry. Mr. Williams is a member of 
the Farmers' Fire Insurance Company, and has 
been a member of the Ancient Free & Acce|)ted 
Masons since 1887, Occidental Lodge of St. Joseph. 
He and his wife are members of the Free Metho- 
dist Church, and politically he has always been a 
member of the Democratic party, his first Presi- 
dential vote being cast for Douglas. Mr. Williams 
is an honorable man, of well-known integrity of 




Leavitt Camfield 



PORTRAIT AND KIOORAPIIICAL RECORD. 



character and liigli moral princiijles, and liis life- 
long residence in Herrien Connt\- renders his in- 
(lucnce for good in his section certain and 
effective. 



f 



jf/ KAVrrr CAMFIELD, a self-made man, an 
il (@ energetic citizen, upright and industrious, 
11'-^ vvas for a number of years closely identified 
with the growth and improvement of Berrien 
Count}', Mich. Our subject, a native of Ontario, 
Canada, was born in 183.5. His father, Rev. Ziba 
Camlield, was a prominent Baptist minister of the 
Dominion, and vvas one of the earnest Christian 
workers of his day. (Uiided by excellent influence 
and trained to the hal)its of useful thrift and self- 
reliance, Mr. Camfield attained to a vigorous and 
enterprising manhood. He received a good com- 
mon-school education, and in after years con- 
stantly added to his knowledge by intelligent ob- 
servation and reading. A man of advanced ideas 
and interested in the sul)jeet of reforms, he was an 
ardent advocate of temperance, and while residing 
in Canada often lectured upon that subject. 

In 1858, Mr. Camlield was married to Miss Car- 
rie Omstead, daughter of Marvey Omstead, a na- 
tive of Canada. Into the husband and estimable 
wife w.'is boin a family of five children, one son 
and four daughters. El va became the wife of By- 
ron Drake, a leading citizen of the county; 
Cynthia is the wife of Gale Handy, vvlio is a 
successful agriculturist of the county; Mary is 
the wife of Frank Brown, a prominent young 
farmer of Berrien County; Martha died in infancy; 
Bradford A., the only son, after a thorough pre- 
l)aratory course of study, entered the Bennett 
Medical College at Chicago, and graduating from 
that institution remained in the Garden City en- 
gaged Ml piacticc with Dr. Henry Olin. Later, 
Dr. Camlield made a specialty of the eye and ear, 
and graduated from a celebrated institution de- 
voted especially to the study of thf)se organs. 
lie has achieved marked success in his practice 
Bnd is widely known :\ui] highly esteemed as a phy- 
aician and citizen, 

■do 



In the spring of 1865, our subject located per- 
manently in Michigan, working for two years at 
his trade of a mechanic in .St. .Joseph. At the ex- 
piration of that time he began the cultivation of 
a farm of thirty .acres, which he brought up to a 
high state of productiveness and improved with 
substantial and commodious buildings. Mr. Cam- 
field died in 1874, regretted by a large acquaintance 
and mourned deeply by his friends and family. 
The wife, to whom was left the care and responsi- 
bility of rearing and educating the children, has 
enjo.yed the satisfaction of seeing them grow up 
to an intelligent and honored manhood and 
womanhood. Mr. Camfield was in many respects 
an exceptional man. Devoted to the betterment 
of his fellow-creatures, he was a valued member of 
the Good Templars of Canada, and throughout his 
life exerted his influence for the real good and 
advancement of others. He was politically u Re- 
publican and took an earnest interest in the man- 
agement of local and national affairs. 

Mr. and Mrs. Camfield, both from early years 
members of the Baptist Church, were ever foremost 
ill the promotion of its social and benevolent 
work. The parents of Mrs. Camfield yet survive 
and reside in Canada. Surrounded by her chil- 
dren the widow of our subject spends her busy 
days, and in the retrospect of her well-spent life 
may view with unalloyed satisfaction the successful 
termination of her struggles to rear to positions 
of usefulness and influence the son and daughters 
intrusted to her faithful care. 



-^^-1-^1-= 



ACOB M< INTOSII. A man seems living 
nearer to nature who adopts as his life call- 
ing some occupation that h.as been honored 
from the earliest times. That of the agri- 
culturist is of historic growth, and this our sub- 
ject has been reared to know best, for from early 
boyhood his days have been passed in farm work. 
William Mcintosh, the immediate progenitor of 
(uir subject, was born in Scotland in 1801, and 
when three years of age was brought to the United 



718 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPIUCAL RECORD. 



States by his parents. Daniel Mcintosh, his fa- 
ther, located in Baltimore, and there followed the 
trade of a wagon-maker. Me moved from Balti- 
more to Oliio, and thence to Cass County, Mich., 
at a very early day, and endured many hardships 
in the wilds of tliat county. When he first settled 
here he liad three horses, and two of them soon 
were missing. He took the third horse to go in 
search of them, and was compelled to sleep out 
of doors for several nights. The weather became 
very cold, and both his feet were badly frozen. 
Thinking that water might draw out the frost, 
he went to a stream, but this did no good, for 
his feet had to be amputated. An uncle of our 
subject's was the surgeon in this case, accom- 
plishing the work with a jack-knife. Daniel was 
a man of great endurance, and lived to the ad- 
vanced age of eighty-seven. After losing his feet 
he would hobble to the woods and s[)lit rails and 
chop wood, standing on his knees while working, 
lie was a man universally resiiected. 

The father of our subject grew to aianliood in 
tlie different States in which his father resided, 
prineipally Michigan, and selected as his compan- 
ion in life Miss Saiah McEutaffer, a native of 
Pennsylvania. Both passed the closing scenes of 
tlieir life in Cass County, Mich., the mother dying 
in .Tune, 1881). Nine children were born to them, 
four sons and five daugiiters, three sons and two 
daughters now living. Our subject remained un- 
der tlie parental roof until twenty-one years of 
age, and received iiis education in the common 
schools. lie served an apprenticeship at the car- 
penter's trade, and on the 7th of August, 1861, he 
enlisted in Company' D, Michigan Infantry-, and 
served three years. During the charge on Ft. 
Hudson, La., a rifle-ball passed through his right 
hip, and for this he now receives a pension. He 
was in the battle of Baton Rouge, August 5, 1862, 
and was in various skirmislies. 

At the close of service our subject returned to 
Cass County, and on the 26th of November, 1865, 
he wedded Miss Emily Rivers, a native of Chester, 
N. Y., and the daughter of .lames and Delilah 
(Chase) Rivers. Her grandfather Rivers was a na- 
tive of England, and crossed the ocean to the 
United Stales when James was a small bo^'. James 



Rivers and his wife removed from New York State 
to Illinois, and thence to Cass County, Mich., in 
1864. To our subject and his wife were born two 
children, Minnie Blanch and Jacob Howard. 

Mr. Mcintosh is one of the representative nieii 
of the township, has held the oftices of Township 
Treasurer, Highway Commissioner, and is now 
Justice of the Peace. In 1886 he was elected 
Sheriff of Cass County, and is a man eminently 
(inalified for that position, being faithful and fear- 
less in the discharge of his duties. He served four 
years with ciedit to himself and his constiiuents. 
In politics, he is a Republican, and his first Presi- 
dential vote was for (icn. V. S. Grant. In his 
social relations, lie is a member of Cassojiolis 
Lodge No. 22, I. < ). t). F., the Albert Anderson 
Post No. 167, G. A. R., and is also a member of 
the Order of Modern AVorkinen, in which he car- 
ries $2,000 life insurance. He is a member of the 
Free-will Baptist Church, and his wife is a member 
of the Presbyterian Church. He is the owner of 
eighty acres of valuable land near the east shore 
of Diamond Lake, and is a prosperous and pro- 
gressive man. 



^^^m^:^^ 



^=^^m^m&^ 



G. TERWILLKGER. The finger of time 
... is one of the most satisfactory and reliable 
endorsers of a man's career. Men in the 
various walks of life may with justification halt 
and hesitate to listen to the advice of a beginner, 
but the voice of the old and reliable agriculturist 
always carries with it attention and respect. This 
rule applies to C. (t. Terwilleger, whose name 
represents one of the most successful farmers of 
Volinia Township. He is now actively follow iug 
the occu[iation to which he was I'eared, and whicli 
has been his life's work, a calling that has for ages 
received undivided efforts from many worthy in- 
dividuals, and one that always furnishes suste- 
nance to the ready worker. 

The father of our subject, Cornelius Terwilleger, 
was a native of the Empire .State, l)orn in the latter 
part of the eighteenlli century. This family w.os 



I'UKTKAIT AND blOGRAPIIICAL RECORD. 



719 



originally from Holland. He was married in Ilam- 

illon C'ouiily, Oliio, to Miss l\I:iry Stikles, a native 
(if I'oiinsylvani.n, and llie^v resided in tiiat county 
uiilil IH;!3, when they moved to Siielliy County, of 
the same (State. Tiiey were pioneers of lliat county, 
and there they passed tlie remainder of tiieir days. 
Of the twelve children born to this uiuch-csteenied 
couple, live sons and seven daughters, three be- 
sides our subject are now living, all daughters. 
Mr. Terwilleger was a soldier in the War of 1812, 
and was under Gen. Hull at Detroit. Both he and 
wife hold membership in the I'rtjsbyterian Cliiircli. 
and he was a Whig in politics. 

Their son, C. G. Terwilleger, was born in llam- 
illon County, Ohio, February 2!), 1821, and all his 
y(inthf\il days were passed in assisting on the farm 
and in attending the district school, which was 
held in a log schoolliouse, with slab scats, lire- 
place, etc. When eighteen ^-earsof age, he decided 
that farming was not the occupation designed for 
him, and he went to Indiana, where he spent three 
years in learning the blacksmith's trade. From 
there he went to Hamilton County, Ohio, located 
eleven miles north of Cincinnati, and was married 
January 1, 18r)(l. to Miss Jane Lawrence, a sister of 
Levi 15. Lawrence. (See sketch.) She was born in 
New York State. 

In 1853, our subject and wife came to Cass 
County, Mich., settled on section 4, A'olinia Town- 
ship, and ini|(roved a line farm here. This farm 
is now owned by Jas|)er \'an Curen, and the large 
brick residence on it was erected by our subject. 
Mr. Terwilleger settled on his present farm in 1861, 
and on this he has ever since resided. He has 
made great improvements in the place, and takes a 
natural pride in its appearance. Of the eighty- 
acres owned by him, seventy are under a line state 
of cultivation, although the tract was originally- 
heavily timbered. In 186!), he built a nice two- 
sloiy l)rick house. Brought up a Presbyterian in 
his religious belief, he remained so for twenty 
years, after wliieh he was a I'ni veisalist. While in 
Ohio he met Mr. Lawrence, his father-in-law, bor- 
rowed some books from him and was deeply inter- 
ested in the doctrines advanced. At Carthage, 
Ohio, he heard a Second Advent preacher and 
debated with him privately. He kept on reading 



and seeking information, and finally- became thor- 
oughly imbued with the Swedenborgian belief. A 
great many of his articles on this subject have 
been printed in the newspapers. He is a seer and 
a prophet, can foretell events, and has frequently 
entertained visitors from the other world. 

Ilis mother died when he w.as fifteen years old. 
One week previous to her death our subject fore- 
told it exactly' by vision, and while at the funeral 
he was a|)proached spiritually and told that his 
mother was not dead, but was in the crowd. This 
event startled him spiritually in his present cour.se. 
Mr. Terwilleger has been a great reader all his 
life, is thoroughly posted on all topics, and is 
especially well posted on all subjects relating to 
the Swedenborgian belief. He takes much interest 
in public alTairs, and has been a member of the 
School Board here. 



-g^ 



^^•••f^p= 



"^ 



jTni)ENJAMlN FIELD, a skilled machinist and 
\l^\ exiierienced builder, now |irosperously en- 
((W)\}j o^'o^'l '" business in Buchanan, Berrien 
^^^=i^ County, Mich., is a native of the Wolver- 
ine State, and was born in Fabius Township, St. 
Joseph County, July 25,1852. Our subject was 
the third child of the family of two sons and four 
daughters, born unto William and Elizabeth (Mi;- 
Millin) Field. The father emigrated to Michigan 
from New York, his native State, in 1832, and at 
first made his home upon a farm in Lenawee 
County, but later removed to St. Joseph County, 
where he and his good wife were numbered among 
the early and highly respected pioneer settlers. 
The father purchased a heavily timbered farm, 
which he has since cleared and brought up to a 
high state of productiveness. He is now in his 
seventy-sixth year, hale and beartj-, and resides 
ui)on the old homestead with his excellent wife, 
who was born, reared and educated in the State of 
^Michigan, and has passed the most of her life in 
her present locality. The father is b^' trade a car- 
penter, but for the past three-score years h.os de- 
voted liiniself mainly to farming, and occupies a 



r20 



PORTRAIT AMD BIOGRAPHICAL RKCORD. 



position among tlie lending general agriculturists 
of St. Joseph Count}'. The six cliildren who gath- 
ered in tlie old home a\\ lived to years of maturity. 
Maria L., residing in Cass County, has been twice 
married. Her first husband was F. L. Beadle; her 
second San ford York. VAlcn married Henry Sprague 
and lives in Grand Rapids; our subject, Benja- 
min, was the third child; Rosalthe married Allen 
Covili, of Cass County; Frank, a carpenter and 
joiner, is a |)rosperous citizen of Mayville, .S. 
Dak.; and Zelma is a popular dress-maker, conduct- 
ing a huge business in Grand Rapids, Jliili. 

Tlie Field family are of English descent, their 
ancestors coining to America before the Revolu- 
tionary War. Tlie McMillin family emigrated 
from their native land to America iu 1776, and 
have occupied positions of useful influence in the 
United States. Mrs, Elizabetli (McMillin) Fields is 
now in her sixt3-seventh year. The father and 
mother are both church members and have ever 
been active in good work. Mr. Field is frateinall}' 
associated with the Ancient Free & Accepted Ma- 
sons, and is also a member of the Grange, and has 
always been known as a jiublic-spirited and enter- 
prising man. Benjamin Field was educated in the 
district schools of St. .Uiseph County, and when 
twelve }-ears of age began his apprenticeshi|) to 
the trade of a blacksmith, the details of which oc- 
cupation lie thoroughly mastered, now being an 
expert in the craft. His knowledge as a machin- 
ist was gained by observation of, and close asso- 
ciation with, experienced men who have been in 
his employ. At twenty-one years of age our sub- 
ject engaged in business for himself at Jones' 
Crossing, Cass County, where he began a general 
business, wood-work included. After a three-years 
residence iu Jones, Cass County, Mr. Field opened 
business in Dailey, Cass County, and remained in 
this latter locality eight years, and in connection 
with his former business operated successfully a 
machine shop and foundry. From Dailey he re- 
moved to Cassopolis and established a machine- 
shop, foundry and general repair shops. 

Three years later our subject settled in Elkhart,! ad. 
and entered into his usual line of work, but find- 
ing Elkiiart then dull remained there only a short 
time and came to Buchanan, wlwre he is now en- 



gaged conducting an extensive machine and boiler 

manufacturing establishment, as well as a repair- 
ing de[)artment with an excellent custom. In his 
changes of residence, Jlr. Field liad an ample op- 
portunity to interest companies in the manufac- 
ture of a double balance engine, which lie hims-clf 
makes, and present it to the ()ublic. A number of 
these engines, the invention of our subject, are 
now out on trial and, giving satisfaction, promise 
to rival and surpass many of the most popular 
engines heretofore favorites. 

In 1IS82, Benjamin Field and Miss Ida JI. Ar- 
nold were united in marriage. Mrs. Field isa native 
of Indiana, and the daughter of John and Amanda 
(Armcnlrout) Arnold, natives of Ohio. Mr. and 
ISIrs. Arnold, both surviving, are highly esteemed 
by a large circle of old friends and have spent 
their lives in the occupation of farming. Mrs. 
Field, an only daughter and an accomplished lady, 
is the mother of three bright, intelligent children, 
one son and two daughters: Gladys, born January 
22, 1885; Plinney F., Octobers, 1888; and Benja- 
min Adlai, January ;), 1891. Mr. and Mrs. Field are 
both regular attendants at religious service and 
are active workers in benevolent enterprises. Our 
subject is in no seiist; of the word a politician, Iml, 
a true American citizen, is interested in the con- 
duct of local and national affairs, and is ever 
ready to aid in all matters of public welfare, and 
votes the Democratic ticket. He and his estima- 
ble wife enjoy the high regard of a wide circle of 
acquaintances and are prominent factors in the 
social life of Buchanan. 



"^'AMES G. HAYDEN, a prominent and suc- 
cessful lumber merchant located in Cass- 
opolis, Mich., has been identified with the 
J progressive interests and leading enter- 
prises of Cass County almost his entire life. He 
is a native of tlje State and, born in Calvin Town- 
ship, November 10, 18.54, has made his constant 
home within the limits of the county for nearly 
two-scoi'e years. His parents, Joseph G. and Har- 



POUTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



^21 



riot (Lincoln) Iluydcn. were natives of New York 
nnil Ohio, lespcctivoly, the father ti;iviii;i lieen 
liorn in CliniitaiKiMM t'oiiiily, wliiie the niatei- 
nal <;ran(l|iarent.s reared tiie iiiollier in tlie lUiek- 
eye State. Tiie fatiicr. trained in the duties of 
agriculture, decided to try farming amid the 
l)roai]er o|>|>oitunities of tiie West, and emigrated 
to Cass County while yet in early manhood. lie 
was prospered and was rapidly winning his way 
upward, when he died aged thirty-live years, 
mourneil liy the community among wlioui he had 
then spent a number of yeais. An earnest and 
int<'lligcnt citizen, he took an active interest in 
local atlairs and was ever ready to assist in all 
matters tending to the promotion of the public 
good. 

Our subject was the fourth-born of five chil- 
dren, three sons and two daughters, who clustered 
about the family hearth of the old homestead. 
William 1'.. is a well-known citizen of Cassopolis; 
Oeorgc W., the eldest, is associated in business 
with his brother .Tames G. Adalaide is Mrs. ,Iesse 
I'arker, of Calvin Township. Mattie, the young- 
.est daughter, is the wife of Jacob Kecne and re- 
sides in Battle Creek, Mich. .Mr. Ilaydeu was six 
yeai-s of age when he came to live with an uncle 
at Cassoi)olis, and therefore received his primary 
education in his present locality. He eujoj'ed the 
advantage of a llmrough course of instruction in 
the Uryant it Stratum's Commercial College 
but, beginning life for himself, for seven years de- 
voted his time to general agriculture. It was u|)on 
the fine old homestead of his father-in-law that he 
engaged in the lilliug of the soil artd industriously 
aided in the cultivation of the three hundred and 
eighty acres which compiised the extensive and 
highly improved farm. 

Novenibei' H. 1H7!I, the marriage of our subject 
and Miss Ruth T. Kingsb\iry was celebrated at the 
Imnu' of the bride's parents, Asaand .lane (Monroe) 
Kingsbury. Five children have made the home 
blight with their inlelligenl presence. Asa K., 
named in hiuiorcd icmembrance of his iiialcriial 
grandfather, was the first-born. The ehlest daugh- 
ter is \'era. Then follow in order of birth 
.lay <:.. Hazel and Kolierl T. In .laiiuary, 1886, 
.Ml. Ilaydeu enlcr('(l into the grocery business in 



Cassopf)lis and remained actively engaged in 
handling that line of goods until March, 18!t:5. 
I'poii this latter date, in company with his brother 
(ieorge, he associated himself in the lumber busi- 
ness on the mill property owned by C. W. IJiinii, 
and the firm name under which their joint inter- 
ests are prosperously conducted is the liuiin A' 
Haydeii Lumber Company. 

Our subject has always taken a dci'p interest in 
local and national issues and is in political allilia- 
tion a stanch Republican. In the fall of I88(;iie 
w.as elected County Treasurer and, serving with 
great acceptance two terms, abl^' discharged the 
duties of the responsible position. Mr. Ilaydeu 
enjoyed the honor of being appointed one of the 
.\uxiliary AVorld's Fair Committee in Cass County. 
F'raternally, our subject is a valued member of the 
Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, and belongs to 
Hackus Lodge No. lo.'). He is also connected 
with Kingsbury Chapter and is numbered among 
the representative citizens and jjublic-spirited men 
of the county. He was also one of the cliart«r 
members of the Knights of Pythias at this place, 
and the first political office held by him was that 
of Townsliii) Treasurer, he being elected in La 
Gi'ange 'l\)wnsliip by a majority of seven in the 
spring of 188:5, although the Democrats outnum- 
bered the L'epublicans bv one hundred anil twenty. 



DOAH S. BRADY, an energetic agriculturist 
, and leading citizen, well known through- 
1 out Cass County, Mich., was born on section 

1 1, Ontwa Township. March 17, 1839, and yet re- 
sides uixiii the old homestead whose soil he assisted 
in cultivating from his early youth. An active 
Democrat. Mr. Biady has held high place in the 
local councils of the jiarty and has been the chosen 
delegate to main State and county conventions. 
He has also held ollicial luisilions, discharging 
their duties with elliciencv. Our subject is the 
son of .lames L. and Mary (.loiies) Brady. The 
paternal giaiidpaieiits, Michael and Calherine 



722 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



(Leddy) Brady, who lived and died in Dium Lane. 
County Cavan, Ireland, reared four cliildren: 
Rose, wife of Lester Harrington; .lames L., Thomas 
and .lolin, all of whom emigrated to the United 
States. The last known of Tliom.as and John they 
were in Brooklyn, N. Y., .Tames L. Brady was 
born March 1, 1802, in Drum Lane Parish, County 
Cavan, heland, and was by occupation a farmer. 
His father was killed by being thrown from a horse, 
and the children, deprived of his care, early began 
the struggle of life. 

The father of our subject accompanied a sister 
to Canada and worked for two years in the ship- 
j'ard. He was seized and pressed into the service 
of the British on board a man-of-war. He escaped 
by swimming ashore, but until the day of his death 
it was not a ])le.asant memory. He linally settled 
in Wayne County, N. Y., and rafted on the St. 
Lawrence and Genesee Rivers. In 183.5, he vvent 
by lake to Detroit and thence traveled to Ontwa, 
Cass County, and entered a tract of land upon 
section 11, where he prudently accumulated three 
hundred and sixty acres, which by incessant toil 
he brought mostly under a high slate of cultiva- 
tion. In 1847 he profitably disposed of his exten- 
sive farm and bought one hundred and sixt3' acres 
on sections 10 and 11. To this latter purchase he 
added until he had three hundred and thirt3'-six 
acres, all under improvement with the exception 
of about one hundred acres. In 1870, Father 
Brady removed to Elkhart, Ind.. where he died 
April 19. 1881. and left a fine proi)erty to his wife 
and children. He w.as a Democrat, and etiiciently 
served in township offices. He came to America 
without means and by perseverance and industry 
won his upward wa}' to a competency. The sis- 
ter with whom he emigrated to Canada died in 
Branch County, Mich. His wife resides in Elk- 
hart, and was born .Tune 13, 1801), near Camden, N. 
.1. Slie was the mother of seven children: Will- 
iam J., who died in Elko, Nev., in 1878; Thomas 
L., who died in Step-toe Valley, Nev.; .lohn M.; 
Noah S.; Marion E., wife of A. .1. Moody, of Elk- 
hart; Mary .J., who died at four 3ears of age; and 
()l)liclia .1., the wife of Clarence Knickerbocker, 
of Elkhart. 

Mrs. Mary (.Tones) Brady was a daughter of 



William Jones, who died in Wayne County, N. Y. 
He was b\- occupation a farmer, and in religious 
faith a Quaker. ()ui- subject w.as educated in the 
common and High Schools of his home and was 
early trained to the daily- round of agricultural 
duties on his father's farm. Beginning for liiniself. 
he worked the homestead on shares. He has spent 
all his life on section 11. and owns one hundred 
and sixty acres of his father's old homestead. 
Occupying official positions, he has served two 
years as Township Treasurer, and for fourteen 
years a leading Democrat, has been Supervisor of 
his township for that length of time. 

January 1, 1866, Noah S. Brady and Miss Maria 
McNeill were united in marri.age. Mrs. Brady w.as 
born in Mason Township, and is the daughter of 
William B. and Lydia (Beardsley) McNeill. Her 
parents were natives of the Empire State. The fa- 
ther was a pioneer of Mason Township and a car- 
penter by trade. He served in the war as a niusiciau 
and was discharged for disability. Early in life a 
Democrat and later a Republican, he assisted with 
ability in the conduct of local offices. Fraternally, 
he was associated with the Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows, and was mourned by many friends 
when he passed away in Brownsville. He was 
twice married. By his first wife he became the 
father of six children. Nancy Brown, deceased, 
left a daughter. Charles died unmarried. He 
served four years in the army. At the age of 
forty-four he died at Shiloh, iiaving been shot 
through both thighs. The others are Maria; Dora 
Brad}', deceased; Riley, deceased; and Emma 
Ivroine, who died leaving a son. The mother of 
these children died in Mason Township. The sec- 
ond wife, Olive lUitler, bore one cliibl, who died 
young. 

Our subject has been the father of thirteen 
children, of whom ten are yet living: F'red T., 
Louis E., .lames M., Clifford N., Alice M., Con- 
stance R., Marion, Arthur S., Charles II. and Edwin. 
Three died young. Denis died when one and a- 
half j'cars of age; Edith survived until five. The 
sons and daughters have been given an op|)ortunity 
of receiving an excellent education, and four of 
the family have taught school. The father, mother, 
sisters and brothers are active in the social and 



PORTHATT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



r2:? 



benevolent life of tlieir home louiilily, and arc 
liii;;hiy estepined l>v a larijc circle of friends. Our 
(iul)jcct lias liccn |)ros|H'i('(l linancially, and in llic 
nianv cliaiijjcsof the couiil\ . it> r.apid proj^icss and 
upward i^rowili. ii.as aelivciy participated, and is 
a tliorouiiliiy pi'aclicai and lilicral-spiritcd citizen. 



^•{••5"5-{- 




"^W^ NDUKW .1. KAS'l'ON.an enler))risinu; gen- 
v@/-JIl ei-ai farmer, proniincnl citizen .and Super- 
visor of lleirieu Townsliip, iJerrien County, 
Midi., is a native of Indiana, and w.as horn 
September .'5(1, 1H;!4. liis faliier. Tliomas Kaslon, a 
tiller of the soil hy occupation, and hy birth a Ken- 
tuckian, who had remuved fioni his early home, and 
located in Indiana, foui;lit in i\w Sac Indian War. 
The niothei', .Mrs. Catherine (King) Kaston, was 
Ijiirn in \'irginia, and afterw.ards made her home in 
Kentucky, in which State the parents were united 
in m.arri.age. They emiirrated to Illinois in pioneer 
days, but subsequently removed to indian.a. In 
the fall of lis.'i8, they located permanently in 
Michigan, settling upon section ll,lierrien Town- 
,ship, on heavy timber-land, tliie(^ miles from any 
settlement. The f.athcr entered forty acres from 
the Covcrnment, and in the fall liought forty more. 
Afterwards adding to his formei' purchases, he 
owned at the time of his death a homestead of 
one hundred and twenty finely eultiv.aled .acres. 
When the parents made their home in Berrien 
C'ounly, Indians abounded and wild game was plen- 
tiful. The father, in common with the majority 
of pioneer settlers, had but a very limited capital, 
and with the aid of liis sons did the entire work 
of the farm, clearing the land, cultivating the soil, 
and erecting as good buildings as he could .afford. 
i'lie parents, now both deceased, were blessed 
l>y llie birth of eleven children, six of whom are 
living. The eldest, NaiU'.y McCoy, is deceased, .as 
is also the first-born son. Dr. Berryman Kaston; 
Oliver is residing in Niles Township; Thomas is a 
citizen of Dowagiac; Henderson lives in Pipestone 
Township; Maliala, widow of David Riggin, is a 
resident of Berrien Township; ,Iane Williams is at 



home in Pokagon,Cass Count}''; Andrew .1., our sub- 
ject, is next in order of birth; William, fJeorge and 
Martha are deceased. The parents did the best 
the\- could to give their children an education, 
and, members of the United I>ietliren Church, 
brought them up to respect religion. The father, 
politically a Democrat, was an upright and in- 
dustrious (itizen, by hard work winning his up- 
ward way. Mr. Kaston spent the days of youth 
upon his father's farm, but w.as only four years of 
age when he accompanied his parents to Michigan, 
.and was obliged to walk three miles to the little 
log .schoolhouse where he received the primitive 
instruction offered in those early days. At twenty 
3ears of age beginning life for himself, he liought 
one hundred and twenty acres of land where he 
now lives. At the time of purchase twenty acres 
had been cultivated, and there was only one im- 
provenienl, a small house. 

In the fall of 18;j.'i, Andrew .1. Kaston and Miss 
iMninarillis P. Willis, a daughter oi \'M\ Willis, 
were unitcil in marriage. Mrs. Kaston was born in 
1H.'5(), in Ohio, but when young accompanied her 
parents to Michigan, where they were numbered 
among the leading jiioneer settlers. Our subject 
with his estimable wife settled on his farm, which 
he industriously cleared and improved. Prosper- 
ing, he has added to his original tract, now own- 
ing two hundred and thirty acres, of which 
one hundred acres are in a high state of pro- 
ductiveness. Aside from the culture of the soil 
and the raising of abundant harvests of grain, Mr. 
Kaston is a successful stock-raiser, handling only 
graded stock, cattle and horses. Seven children 
brightened the home, and four yet survive. Marion 
Alva married Miss Adaline Becker and lives 
on the farm. He and his wife are the parents 
of four children. James Willard, the second son, is 
single. Ida, the wife of Martin Becker, has two 
children, and resides in Cass County. Klla is the 
youngest surviving member of the family. Mrs. 
Kaston is connected with tlie Christian Chinch, 
and has been active in religious and benevolent 
work. 

Kraternallv our subject is a member of the 
Ancient Free A' Accepted Masons, alliliating 
with the lodge at Berrien .Springs, and is a 



724 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



member of tlie United Workmen at Eau Claire and 
lias also been Master of the Grange. OfHcially he 
has been a member of the School Hoard, and, 
appreciating the advantages of an education, has 
materialh' aided in the development of a high 
grade of scholarship and instruction in the schools 
of the home district. Politically Mv. East(m is a 
strong Democrat and has served as Constable, and 
tliis spring elected to the responsible ofiice of 
Supervisor, is now discharging the duties of his 
new position to the great satisfaction of his fellow- 
townsmen. The Easton family have been known 
as earnest and patriotic citizens, and the elder 
brother of tmr subject, Dr. lierryinan Easton, was a 
skillful surgeon upon the battlefields of the Civil 
War. 

V *^E*^* / 



^. ANIEL MOORE. The biographies of snc- 
I jjj eessful men who, without the influence of 
(i^J^'' wealth or influential friends, have attained 
to positions of usefulness and honor, serve 
the two-fold purpose of encouraging the young 
and [laying a well-merited tribute to the man him- 
self. While Mr. Moore has not gained great wealth, 
he lias secured a valuable property and is num- 
bered among the substantial men of Benton Har- 
bor. He is engaged in the business of fruit-rais- 
ing, which he carries on extensively and with suc- 
cess. 

Benjamin Moore, the grandfather of our subject, 
was born in New York and came to Michigan in 
1854, settling in Berrien County, where he died 
\\\ June, 1872. William Moore, the father of our 
subject, was a native of Pennsylvania and came to 
Berrien County in 1855, remaining here until his 
death, which occurred on the 31st of January, 
1890. His wife was Susan Gotham, a native of 
Pennsylvania. The subject of this biographical 
sketch was born in Erie County, Pa., Eehruary 1, 
1848, and in his childhood accompanied his par- 
ents to Obcrlin, Ohio, where he remained but a 
short time. 

Coming with his father to Berrien Count\- in 



1855, our subject settled on a farm in Pipestone 
Township, and in the intervals of attending school 
aided his father t)n the farm. At the age of sev- 
enteen he entered the employ of Swain ife Oiney, 
millers of Detroit, their mill being located at 
Watervliet, Berrien County. For twelve \ears he 
was with this firm, gaining the confidence not 
onl_v of his employers Init also of tlie general jiub- 
lic. In the spring of 1876 he emliarked in the 
business of fiuit-raising at Benton Harbor, having 
ten acres of land, where he raised peaches, pears, 
grajies and berries, shipping mostly to Chicago. 
In addition to that business he also engaged in 
sinking wells and putting up windmills. He has 
recently sold the fruit farm and li.as built a new 
home on Colfax Avenue, near the old [slace. 

On the lOth of October, 18(59. Mr. Mooie mar- 
ried Miss Emma Ilale, of Berrien County. 'I'liis 
estimable lad3' is the daughter of William H. and 
Caroline (Sweet) Hale, the fatiier a native of 
Hartfort, Conn., and the mother of Cortland, N. Y. 
The marriage of our subject and wife has liecn 
blessed by the birth of two children: Flora B., de- 
ceased; and Nora, who is now at home. The social 
position occupied by this family is one of promi- 
nence and they number their friends among the 
best people of the community. Mr. Moore is a 
member of the order of the Sons of A'eteraus. In 
his political sympathies he is a firm adherent of 
the principles of tiie Democratic party and gives 
it his hearty support. 



JOHN LANE, an influential citizen of Ber- 
rien County, residing upon section 2, St- 
Joseph Township, was born in Livingston 
County, Ivy., April 12, 1843. He is of 
Canadian descent, his paternal grandfather. Ashar 
Lane, Sr., having been born in that portion of tiie 
Queen's dominions. The father of our subject, 
Ashar Lane, Jr., was born in Steuben Ctuinty, 
N. Y., and removed when a young man to Ken- 
lucky, after having served for one term in the 
reujular army. 



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RESIDEINCL OF JOhlN LANE, SEC. 2. 5T. JOSEPH TP. BERRIEN CO., MICH. 







RESIDENCE OF DANIEL MOORE, COLFAX AVENUE, BENTON HARBOR, MICH. 



PORTRAIT AND lilOGRAPHlCAL Rl<:COHI). 



r27 



Ai-iiviiij;: in Kpiituc-ky, TMr. I^aiie settled in Liv- 
ingston County, nm\ vv:is there united in uiai- 
riage with Miss Nancy McKenney. After that 
iniportant event, the newly-wedded couple com- 
menced housekeeping uium a farm in the IJluc 
(irass State, hut later, disposing of the place, 
about 18.')(t, removed to Missouri, where they 
sojourned for oiw year. Thence removing to La 
Salle ( ounty. 111., they resided there for a brief 
period, and later established their home in Galena, 
the same .State, where Mrs. Lane died in 1853. 

From Galena Mr. Lane returned to La Salle 
County, and thence one year afterward went to 
Rockford, III. In 1856 he came to Michigan and 
settled in Berrien County, where for a time he 
worked in ditTerent places. As soon as possible lie 
purchased a tract of land in Lincoln Township, 
but later disposed of the property- and bought a 
farm in St. Joseph Township, where he remained 
until his death, in 187'2. During the late war he 
enlisted as a member of Company (4, Sixth Wis- 
consin Infantry, and lat(!r continued in tiie army 
as a member of the Nineteenth Michigan Infantrj', 
Company L At Thompson's Station, Tenn., he 
was taken priscmer, and after a short confinement 
in prison was paroled and discharged. 

■lohn Lane is the only survivor among the three 
children comprising the parental family. At the 
age of seven years Ik; accompanied his parents 
to Missouri, and later removed with them to Illi- 
nois, lie was about thirteen years of age when he 
came to Michigan, and upon a farm in IJerrien 
County he grew to manhood, meantime having 
meagre opportunities for acquiring an education. 
However, through experience and observation, he 
has more than made up for the lack of eaily ad- 
vantages, and now occupies a position among the 
intelligent men of the community. 

In April, 1861, when the nation was over- 
whelmed by the horrors of civil war, our subject 
enlisted in the defense of the Union, his name be- 
ing enrolled as a member of Company G, Sixth Wis- 
consin Infantry, and lie served for about twenty 
months as a member of the comiiany. At the bat- 
tle of Anticlain he was wounded by a bullet, which 
injured him to such an extent as to necessitate his 
discharge from the army. I'pon his recovery he 



enlisted as a memlier of Company I>. Sixth Michi- 
gan Infantry, and served until the cl(>se of the 
war, when he was discharged with the rank of 
Corporal. Among the engagements in which he 
paiticipated were the battles of Cedar Mountain, 
Gainesville, South Mountain and the second battle 
of liiill Run. He was also in the McDowell cam- 
paign in \irginia. 

After the close of the war Mr. Lane traveled 
through Kansas and Nebraska, spending about two 
years in the West. He then returneil to Michigan 
and settled in Benton Harbor, where he made his 
home for fourteen years. In 1884 he came to the 
farm where he has since made his home, and upon 
which he has placed a large numlier of improve- 
ments, making it one of the best estates in the 
vicinit}'. Upon the thirty-two acres comprising 
the property, he has set out fruit trees of every 
variety, and now conducts a large business as a 
fruit-grower. He has erected all the buildings on 
the place and it is largel}- due to his efforts that 
the farm is one of the finest on Lincoln Avenue. 

In March, 1863, Mr. Lane married Miss Mary E., 
the daughter of Joseph Whitaker, and a native of 
Elkhart County, Ind. At the age of nine years 
she came to Michigan with her mother and settled 
in Oronoko Township, Berrien County, where her 
mother is still living, making her home among her 
children. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Lane has 
been blessed bj- the birth of one child, Ella, who 
resides with her parents. In his political views 
Mr. Lane is a Republican and served as delegate 
to the last Republican State Convention. He has 
also been a delegate to Congressional Conventions. 
His interest in political matters has been deep and 
unchanging, and he has served as a member of the 
Republican Central Committee and has also been 
Chairman of the Township Committee for eight 
years. As might be supposed, he retains connec- 
tion with the Grand Army of the Republic, and is 
Junior Vice Commander of the post. He belongs 
to the Union \'eteran Union, of which be is the 
present Major and Lieutenant-Colonel. In his 
religious views he is liberal, hut though he does 
not hold membership in any church, he is generous 
in his conlriluitions to the various denominations, 
as well .'IS to all charitable prt)jects. 



728 



yORTEAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ylLLIAM M. FERRY, a prominent citizen 
and an extensive and prosperous agricul- 
^^ tiirist now located upon his valuable farm, 
on section 34, Pipestone Township, Berrien County, 
Mich., was born ui)on the old Ferr}' homestead 
September 18, 1848. His father, Robert Ferry, 
born in 1806, was a native of County Fermanagh, ' 
Ireland, and was the son of David Ferry. When 
a young man he emigrated to the United States 
and located in Michigan, marrying Miss .loanna 
Ridcnour, born in 1824 in Ohio, and the daughter 
of Jacob and Letitia (Brown) Ridenour, who came 
to Michigan in an early da^'. Tlie parents of our 
subject made their home upon section 27, Pipe- 
stone Township, in 18.37, being the third family 
of settlers in the township. The farm was Gov- 
ernment land, and all timber. Enterprising and 
energetic, Robert F^erry operated steamboats and 
ferry boats upon the river, and thus earned money 
to pay for his land and needed improvements. 
After his marriage in 1839, this self-made and 
ambitious man learned to read and write, studying 
in a private school. Prospered, he accumulated a 
large property and, continually adding to his es- 
tate, at the time of his death owned ten hundred 
and forty acres of valuable land. He cleared and 
improved two hundred and sixty acres, and lived 
at first in a small log cabin, butsoon built a larger 
log house. In 18r)7 he built a fine residence and 
had previously, in 18.50, erected a large and sub- 
stantial barn. 

When he came to America, Father Ferry landed 
at Quebec, and, taken sick there, was obliged to 
pawn his watch to pay the doctor's bill. On ar- 
riving in Michigan his sole capital remaining was 
fifty cents in cash, but with self-reliant determina- 
tion he made a name and fortune, and was mourned 
as a public loss when he passed to his rest in the 
spring of 1876. He was buried in the Ferry family 
cemetery, his grave being marked by a magnificent 
monument costing $700. His good wife is yet liv- 
ing upon the old homestead. The sons and daugh- 
ters who blessed the early Michigan home are: .John 
S., a resident of Charlotte, Mich.; Mary, deceased; 
Robert .1., William M., Joseph R. and Thomas P., 
the four latter all well-known citizens of Pipestone 
Township, and occup3ing positions of usefulness 



and influence. The only daughter was the wife of 
Eliphalet Adams, and both she and her husband 
are deceased. They were the parents of one child, 
Robert C, who resides in Great Falls, INIont. lie 
married Emma Hen wood, and is the father of two 
children. Father Ferry was in religious atHlia- 
tions a Catholic. He gave his children a good 
education and aided them on their way in life. 
Politically a Democrat, he was interested in local 
and national issues. Arriving in Pipestone Town- 
ship before its organization, he ably exerted him- 
self throughout his life in the promotion of public 
welfare, and, a hard-working man, won through 
his excellent judgment financial success. 

Our subject, the third son of the old pioneer, 
received his education mainly in the district schools 
of the neighborhood, and remained at home until 
twenty-two years of age, and in 1870 was united 
in marriage with Miss Rhoda A. Pegg, a daughter 
of Klisha and Amy (Calvin) Pegg. Mr. Pegg was 
a native of Virginia, and Mrs. Pegg was born in 
Ohio, and in the latter State the parents of Mrs. 
Ferry were married. In 1864 the}' came to Michi- 
gan, locating on section 24, Pipestone Township, 
which they made their permanent home. Mr. Pegg 
died in 1871, his good wife surviving until 187.'). 
They were the parents of five children, three o! 
whom are now living: Mrs. Ferry; .lolm W.; aii<l 
Ella R., wife of William Cushing, residing in Sil- 
ver Creek Township, Cass County. She has no 
children. 

Mrs. Ferr^' was born May 27, 1845, in Portage 
County, Ohio. She received an excellent ediica- 
ti(m in the home of her childhood, and taught 
school in Michigan. Immediately after his mar- 
riage Mr. Ferry settled where he now lives, upon 
partially improved land. He has one hundred and 
ninety acres, one hundred and sixty of which are 
under a high state of cultivation. Our subject is 
a general fai-mer, and profitably raises both grain 
anrl stock. He erected his handsome and com- 
modious residence in 1890 and 1891 without in- 
struction. Guided by his business ability and thor- 
ough comprehension of the desired architecture, he 
drafted the plans and completed the building — a 
most convenient and attractive house, costing 
$2,760, aside from the lumber and labor involved. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



729 



This dwelling is one of the finest in Pipestone 
Township and is universall}' adnilied. The basc- 
niont of the house h:i(l liceii Iniilt in 18H7. but was 
ivmodflod in 1890. Tlie barn, built in 188;5, cdst 
?i|.liK); It is 56x40 feet and has Iwcnly-foot posts. 
'I'lu'ic arc otlior siil)stanlial and nocossaiv iniprove- 
nicnt^s f)n tl>c homestead, one of the best i)ieees of 
fanning property in Pipestone Township, and 
which contains aside from its liarvest-fiebls a fine 
lawn, oinamental and shade trees and two acres of 
clioice fruit. .Mr. and Mrs. Ferry have no chil- 
dren, but liave reared one cliihl. Cora 15. Ferry, who 
became as their own when only four yeais of age. 
Our subject is fraternally connected with the 
lilue Lodge at lierrien Springs and Western Star 
Lodge Xo. 31), A. F. it A. M., and has been Senior 
Warden. lie is also a member of Keystone Chap- 
ter No. 3G, of Dowagiae, and is one of the twelve 
Knights of Niles Conimandery. Politically a Dem- 
ocrat, Mr. Ferry has represented his party at con- 
ventiotis, and has ably performed the duties of 
Ilighw.ay Commissioner of Pipestone Township 
for three years. Since then he has refused politi- 
cal otlice, but as a member of tiie School Hoard has 
done excellent service in liehalf of educational ad- 
vancement. His circle of acquaintance is large, 
and from his earliest youth he has been identified 
with the various enterprises of iiis locality, and is 
regarded .as a true and earnest citizen, liberal in 
sentiment and upriiiht in cliaractcr. 






!>^^<i 



iMILirs .1. WOOLCOIT, proprietor of the 
Woolcotl House, at Watorvliet, and the 
owner of three well-improved farms in 
Horrien County, was born in Cleveland, Ohio, No- 
vember 13, 1848, being the son of Samuel and 
Klizabeth (Blake) Woolcott. His paternal grand- 
father, Warren Woolcott, was born in Massachu- 
setts and followed farming pursuits in the old B.ay 
State. About fifty-tive years ago he removed to 
Cleveland, Ohio, and m 18,01 came to Watervlict, 
.Mich., where he soon became prominently identi- 
lied with the progress of the conimuuit\-. In his 



political views he was a Democrat and wielded no 

•small JMllucnce in the ranks of his chosen party. 
When he passed away, in 1877. his fellow-citizens 
united with the immediate members of the family 
in mourning the loss of this public-spirited man, 
devoted husband and alToctionate fiitlier. His first 
wife, whose maiden name was Nancy Lester, bore 
him one son and two daughters; there were no 
children of the second union. 

The father of our subject, Samuel Woolcott, 
was born in Massachusetts and accompanied the 
other members of the family to Ohio, where he 
resided for a numlier of ^ears in Cleveland. In 
18;)1 he came to Watervliet, where he purchased 
two hundred .and six acres of unimproved land, to 
the cultivation of which he has since given his 
attention, the result being that he h.as one of the 
best farms in the vicinity. He is also the owner 
of an hotel in Hartford. A Democrat in his pol- 
itical opinions, he has served with credit to him- 
self and to the satisfaction of his fellow-citizens 
in a number of local offices. He and his estima- 
ble wife reared four children: Kmilius J., Mrs. 
Margaret Huston (deceased), Elmer and Mario 
One child died at the age of five years. 

A child of three j'cars when he accompanied his 
parents to Berrien County, the subject of. this 
sketch received his education in the schools of 
the home district, and at the age of twenty-two 
commenced to operate as a farmer upon land 
rented on the old homestead. In 1872 he pur- 
ehiised forty acres on section 22. Watervliet Town- 
ship, and to this he gradually added until he is 
now the owner of three farms, one consisting of 
ninety-four acres, another of fort3- and the third 
of forty-six. From these he derives a good in- 
come and is well situated financially. In 1885 
he built the Woolcott House, in Watervliet, now 
one of the most popular hotels of the village. 

April 16, 1872, Mr. Woolcott was united in 
marriage with Miss Emma, daughter of Alonzo 
and Harriet (Ducolon) Hauer, natives respectively 
of Oakland County, Mich., and Canada. The 
father, who followed the trade of a carpenter and 
also engaged in farming |>ursuits, died in Berrien 
County' in 1862; his wife still survives. He was 
one of the earliest settlers of Oakland County and 



730 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



for many 3'ears contiibiited to its progress and 
was an interested witness of its development. In 
his religious views he was a member of tiie Rleth- 
odist Episcopal Church, with wiiieh his wife is also 
identified. They were the parents of four chil- 
dren, Mrs. Woolcott having three sisters. The 
paternal grandparents of Mrs. Woolcott were 
Henry and Wealthy (-loy) Hauer, who were of 
German descent. Her maternal grand|)arents were 
Stephen and Sallie (Baxter) Ducolon. Mr. and 
Mrs. Woolcott were the parents of three children: 
Mark A., Etta ( who died aged seven years ) and 
Nina. The family occupies a position of promin- 
ence in the community and is highly regarded in 
social circles. 



n=M| 



W^A 



n RA OVERACKER. It is in the fruit industry 
I that the prosperity of B( rrien County lindsits 
/is impetus. No location on the continent ex- 
cels that of southwestern Michigan for the encour- 
agement offered to fruit-growers in supplying the 
means for their success. With a constant increase 
of population, the incentives to industry and re- 
wards open to enterprise exist here to a degree 
not exceeded by any portion of the United States. 
It is not strange, therefore, that a large number of 
judicious and ambitious men have settled here for 
the purpose of developing fine fruit farms, and 
have met with flattering success. 

On section 9. St. Joseph Township, lies a fruit 
f;irni belonging to Mr. Overacker and consisting 
of twenty-six and one-half .acres, of which twenty- 
three acres are devoted to the cultivation of fruit. 
Here he raises apjjles, pears, grapes, pe.aches and 
every variety of berries, shipping his products to 
the principal markets, where they find a ready sale 
at fair prices. Our subject is a native of New 
York State and w.as born in Rensselaer County 
April 10, 181G. The fainilj- of which he is a 
member originated in Germany and was repre- 
sented in America during the early period ol the 
history of the United States. 

The paternal grandfather of our subject, .lohii 



Wendell Overacker, was born in Dutchess County, 
N. Y., and at the age of nineteen enlisted in the 
Revolutionary War, where he did valiant service 
in defense of the Colonies. He married Miss Anna 
Wethawax, and they became the parents of seven 
children. Of their four sons, Michael was the eld- 
est. He was born in Dutchess County, N. Y., and 
was reared to manhood in Rensselaer Count}', the 
same State. During the War of 1812 he enlisted 
in the ranks and served with valor and fidelity in 
the cause of the United States. He married Jliss 
Mary Hoffman, who was born in Uhiuebeck, 
Dutchess County, N. Y., being one in a family of 
seven children. 

After his marriage Michael Overacker located in 
Rensselaer County, N. Y'"., where his son, our sub- 
ject, was born April 10,1816. He afterward made 
his home in Otsego County, whence he removed 
to Tompkins Countjr, and there resided until his 
death in 1860. He and his wife were the parents 
of seven children, six of whom grew to maturity, 
and three arc now living, viz.: Albert W., a farmer 
residing in Tompkins County, N. Y.; Archibald ])., 
who resides on the old homestead in New York; 
and Ira, our subject. The deceased are: Alida, 
who died in girlhood; Angeline, who married 
Francis Van Pelt, and died in Tompkins County, 
where her husb.and was engaged in farming; .Jacob, 
who died in Tompkins County; and Eliza, who 
was called hence at the age of two years. The fa- 
ther of this family, through industry, and notwith- 
standing the f.act that he was handicapped by pov- 
erty and lack of education, succeeded in accumu- 
lating a large and valuable juoperty. lie was a 
Whig in his political relations and was a man of 
note in his community. 

An infant when taken by his parents to Otsego 
County, N. Y., our subject was six years of age 
when he accompanied the family to Tom|)kiiis 
County, the same State, and his education was re- 
ceived in the common schools. In 1847 he came 
West and, being [ileased with the soil and climate 
of northern Illinois, he purchased four hundred 
acres in Ogle County, buying the property of the 
Government, After he had spent two years alone 
upon the place, he ttiok unto himself a wife, being 
married (October 25, 184'J, to Miss Anna Maria 



POJiTRAlT AKD BIOGRAPHICAL RPXORD. 



731 



Diisciilici-ry. :i native of Tompkins County, N. Y. 
SIr" is :i l.ulv of unusual intelligence, and tauglit 
eighteen lei ins of scliool in Wa^-ne County', N. Y., 
and Kane and Ogle Counties, III. At the age of 
only sixteen she eoninieneed to teauli, and occu- 
lijcd a |iosition in the pnlilic schools of Elgin when 
j-evenleen. It was at that age thai she accompa- 
nied her hiiither, Cornelius, to Illinois and settled 
in Ogle. Counly, remaining there luitil her mar- 
riage. 

In this conni'clion a lirief mention of the ances- 
tors of .Mrs. Overacker will not he amiss. Ilcr fa- 
ther, David Dusenberry , was liorn in Sand Lake, 
I{cn>selaer County, N. V., Septen.her 18, 1791. 
Ilcr grandt'ather, .laeoli Diisenlierry, was likewisea 
native of that county, and married Anna Swell- 
land, by whom he had seven children. David, 
upon attaining to manhood, married Miss Ann 
Anilrus; her father, 15enjainin, was a native of 
Hartford County, Conn., and as a partial cuinpen- 
sation for his services lu llie Hevoluliou lie was a 
pensioner of the Government for a number of 
years. Mv. Dusenberrv ^vas a minister in the Bap- 
tist Church and also a teacher for many years 
|)rior to his death, vvhicli occurred July 27, 1842. 
His wife passed aw.ay ><ovember 20, 1875, after 
having become the mother of six children. 

l'"or eighteen years after his marriage, the sub- 
ject of this sketch resided in Ogle County, III. 
I'pon disposing of his landed interests there he 
caiue to Michigan, and in Berrien County purcha.sed 
a ten acre fruiffarm on the lake shore, where he 
made his home for nine years. In Mtiy of 1877 
he came to his present farm, where he has since 
engaged in the occupation of a fruit-growx-r. A 
Republican in his political views, while in Ogle 
County, 1 11., he held the otiices of Supervisor of 
the township. Trustee and County Commissioner, 
and h.as aided the progress of the community in 
every way possible. 

Childless themselves, Mr. Overacker and his es- 
timable wife have opened their hearts and home 
to four children, upon whom they have bestowed 
the most careful training and to whose welfare 
they are tenderly devoted. These adopted chil- 
dren are: (ieoige Crane, who now resides in Ar- 
kansas; Christine Fretts, a nurse residing in Chi- 



cago; I.illic Smith, who married Henry Kennedy 
and lives in South Dakota; and Fred II. Harbour, 
who was taken into Mr. Overacker's home when 
an infant of four wceks.and is now su|)erinlendenl 
of an orange grove in Arizona. 



l-^-!-^§ 



~^i 



^IPJIjOHKUT F. .MOOKK, a representative gen- 
eral agriculturist and inlluential citizen of 
--% Berrien County, Mich., lias for the past 
\:0) thirty-five years engaged mainly in tilling 
the soil of his homestead, and located on section 
24, Berrien Township, has passed over three-score 
years in his present locality and, widely known, 
commands the esteem of a host of friends. Mr. 
Moore was born March 21, 1831, in Pennsylvania. 
He is the son of the pioneer settlers, Burrowes and 
Elizabeth (Reed) Moore, and was oiilv an infant 
when he accompanied his parents to their new home 
in the wilderness of the Wolverine State. His fa- 
ther, born in 17S)(), and the mother in 1800, were 
courageous, resolute and energetic and well tilted 
to meet and overcome the difficulties and trials of 
pioneer life. Born in the (Quaker Slate, the\- had 
attained to adult age in their birthplace and were 
married in tin; lK)ine of their childhood. Some 
years later they decided to try their fortune in 
the farther West, and in 1832 journeyed to White 
Pigeon, Mich., spent a short lime in Kalamazoo 
County, and finally located in Three Rivers, where 
the father kept a hotel for the benefit of travelers 
befoie there was another habitation in the ])lace. 
The |)arents removed to .Summerville, Cass Coun- 
ty, in 1848, and there the father operated a grist- 
mill, which he afterward sold to Israel Hutlon, 
wlifi later became his son-in-law. 

Our subject received his early training and edu- 
cation in Three Rivers, and grew up a self-reliant 
and industrious youth amid the scenes of those. 
pioneer days. He began his business life as a 
clerk in the store of Moore tt Prutzman, at Three 
Rivers, and remained with this firm until 18.5(1, 
when he located in Summerville, .■in<l fcu' a few 
years engaged in business with 1. P. llutton. In 



732 



PORTRAIT AXD BI0(.UAPI1ICAL RP:CORD 



1858 Mr. Moore iiuide liis permanent liome on liis 
present valuat)le farm, and from that period of 
time devoted himself exclusively to the |>ursuit of 
agriculture with success. The two hundrcil acres 
upon which he then located were partially im- 
|)roved and were owned in common by himself 
and his brother-in-law, Lewis Edwards, Jr. Our 
subject afterward bought out the interest of Mr. 
E<Iwards, and lias brought one hundred and thiity 
acres of the farm under a high state of cultivation. 
In 1881 he erected an attractive and commodious 
country residence, costing over ^"2,0(10, and built 
substantial barns. He carried on mixed farming, 
raising excellent stock and giving his entire at- 
tention to the daily round of duties, until two 
years ago, when he rented his homestead and is 
now enjoying a well-earned rest. 

In 18.5.5, Mr. Moore was united in mairiage with 
Miss Clarissa Edwards, a daughter of Lewis and 
Patience (Garwood) Edwards, who came to Cass 
County in 1826, and, locating on Pokagon Prairie, 
were the very first settlers of their locality. They 
made their home in the near vicinity of Indians, 
and were surrounded by woods, in which wild 
game abounded. Both the parents of Mrs. Moore 
arc now deceased. The father was a native of New 
Jersey, and the mother was born in Ohio. Earnest 
and upright, the husband and wife passed to- 
gether many years of usefulness and were honored 
by all who knew them. Prominent in all matters 
of local interest, Mr. Edwards served many years 
as a Justice of the Peace, giving universal satis- 
faction to his friends and neighbors. He and his 
good wife were the parents of nine children, seven 
of whom yet survive. Mrs. Moore was born in 
August, 1829, on Pokagon Prairie. Our subject 
and his worth}' wife were the parents of five chil- 
dren, but two of whom now survive. Mary is 
the wife of B. F. Rice, and resides in Dowagiac; 
she is the mother of two children. Lewis B., liv- 
ing in Berrien Township, married Miss Maud Cam- 
eron and has one child. Mr. and Mrs. Moore are 
valued members of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
and have both been active in religious work. 
Fraternally, our subject is a member of Pokagon 
Lodge, A. F. & A. M. A member of the School 
Board, he has been a prominent factor in the ele- 



vation of scholarship and instruction in the dis- 
trict schools, and encouraged the children to avail 
themselves of every opportunitj' to improve them- 
selves and gain a good common education. Mr. 
Moore is politically a Republican, and has always 
been deeply interested in lioth local and National 
issues. He is a pul>lic-siiirited man, and during 
the troublous days of the Civil War sent a substi- 
tute to represent him upon the field. He and his 
worthy wife are yet residing upon the old farm, 
near which locality they have passed three-score 
years and witnessed the wonderful changes which 
have transformed the wilderness of Berrien Coun- 
ty into harvest fields and smiling villages. Se- 
cure in the high regard of their wide circle of old- 
time neighbors and ac(iuaintances, they are enter- 
ing the evening of a career whose record is full 
of stirring incidents and reminiscences intimately 
associated with the history of this part of the 
State. 



^^il-^-i^ll^^^ 



AVID A. BEST, an early settler and en- 
terprising citizen of Bertrand Township, 
Berrien County, Mich., has been a leading 
business man of this part of the State for 
a period of forty-six years. A native of Columbia 
County, Pa., and born twenty-five miles northeast 
of the Susquehanna River. January 13, 1822, he 
was a young man full of hoiieand energy when he 
came to the West. His father, John Best, a native 
of New Jersey and reared in the State, removed 
early in life to Pennsylvania, where he married 
and settled on a farm. The paternal grandfather, 
John Best, was supposed to be by birth a Hol- 
lander. Sarah (Allen) Best, the mother of D. A. 
Best, was born and reared in the same old house 
which sheltered our subject on the da}' of his birth. 
The maternal grandfather, Capt. John Allen, >was 
but five years of age wIilmi he emigrated to Amer- 
ica with his parents and was reared on a farm, 
afterward serving bravely in the War of the Rev- 
olution as a Ca|)tain. At the close of the struggle 
for independence he settled upon a piece of land 




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



/33 



in the woods of Colunihiii County, and, suiioundcd 
liy Indians, w:is employed by the (loverninenl as a 
Mdiit nnd was active and courai^eous in his 
|)ersistcnt efforts to protect tlie settlois from the 
depiedalioMs of the savages. 

All exifilciil mechanic, and by trade a wlieel- 
wriglit, CJrandfatlier Allen manufactured .s|iiniiing- 
whcels and made •juns of excellent workmanshi)), 
main of which may yet be found in Columbia 
(oiinly. lie lived to lie ninety years of age and 
drew a pension from the (iovernment. The 
father and iiiolher of Mr. Uest were married in 
their eaily home and remained for some time in 
Cohimbia Comity, removing thence to Michigan 
in isi.s. Ill IHol, they bought a farm in fSt. 
.kisepli Coiiiiiy, lud., wiiere they spent the re- 
mainder of their lives. The father siiivivcd to 
naeli seventy-si.\ years. The mother died when 
sixty years old. .lolni and S.ii ah (Allen ) Host were 
the parents of eleven children, two daughters and 
nine .sons. Two of the family died young, the 
others lived to mature age. Our subject was the 
second child and the second son and received his 
education in the little sub.scri|)tion schools of the 
iieighliorhood, and at the age of nineteen years 
learned the blacksmith trade. After a three-years 
apprenticeshii) he worked as journeyman for four 
years and helped to build the first railroad in 
Schuylkill County. He also assisted in the steel 
work of the Ooubre Locks, on the canals in the last- 
named county. Arriving in Niles, Mich., in 1816, 
he worked at his trade for six months and then 
started in business for himself in company with 
\Villi;iiii ('. .Vrmstrong, fitting out emigrants for 
their trip to California. They made shoes and 
nails by hand and in a comparatively brief time 
received *100 for the shoeing of the horses des- 
tined to go on the long journey. 

Mr. IJest has received employment fixnn the 
^Michigan Central Railroad an<l has done various 
kinds of work for the corporation, including an 
immense amount of lior.sc-sh(^eing. lie is an 
expert in steel work and has given valuable ser- 
vice to the railroad as well as to private individ- 
uals. Soon after the completion of the Michigan 
Central Kailinad. dui subject was taken ill and was 
unable to attend tu business for some iiionths. In 



about 18.50, he bought ten acres in .Milton Town- 
ship, Cass County, and on this land erected shoiis 
and some other buildings and again engaged in 
his tra<Ie in connection with his farming. In 1856 
he sold out and, removing to his present homestead, 
devoted himself entirely to the duties of agricul- 
ture. There was a log shanty on the farm and but 
few improvements when our subject settled tlieru. 
Mr. Lest was married in Klkhart County, Tnd., in 
1847, to Miss LImira I.emon, who became the 
mother of twelve children, eight of whom are now 
living. .lohn L., deceased, was the eldest born; 
James A. was the second son; Emma .1. is the 
wife of Levi Hutton; Jerome T. and Henry 
L. were twins; David B. is next; Afretta died 
in infancy; Orrin T. and Artlia are deceased; 
Wellington is next; Luzella is now Mrs. Piice; 
and Nettie May is the youngest child. The home- 
stead contains two hundred acres located in 
Lertraud Township, and fort3-one acres in Lu- 
chanan Townshii). The valuable farm long since 
brought up to high cultivation, is now rented, 
Mr. West, after many years of useful industry, 
having retired from active business. His first 
wife having passed away, our subject was wedded 
to Catherine Griner, the widow of Peter (^riner, 
an old resident of Pennsylvania. Mr. Best is a 
Democrat and has held various oflices of the 
township, having .served with ability as Highway 
Commissioner and Township Collector. He has 
for many years been associated with the busine-ss 
and social enterprises of Bertrand Township and 
enjoys the high regard of a host of friends. 



4^^ 



/p^lEURGE W. GRANT. Although this gen- 
'l[ I- — , tlenian is (luite a young man, he has become 
>^;JJl) well known in the town of Coloma, Berrien 
County, for his perseverance and honest and up- 
right business methods. He was born in Elgin 
County, Canada, Feiiruary 19, 1861, and is theson 
of {ieorge and .\niia ( I.evringlon) (Jrant. 

The grandfather of tuir subject liore the <;iven 
name of Robert, and, although of Scottish e.xtrac- 



734 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



tion, lie was born and reared in Upper Canada, 
and for some time engaged in the pursnits of a 
farmei-. He moved to lilgin County, tlience to 
Huron County-, Jlich., vvliere he and liis wortliy 
wife passed their declining years. He was twice 
married, his first wife being a Miss Wert, who lived 
about one year. His second wife was Miss Mary 
Toa|ist, who bore him the following chililren, six 
of whom are living: Daniel, Gilbert. Eliza Ann, 
Mary, Henry, Jane, George F., Alexander, Elsebct, 
John, Charles and Emma. The grandfather served 
in the War of 1812 as a British soldier. 

Our subject's father was also a native of Upper 
Canada, and went to Elgin County' with his 
parents, where he cleared and imprt)ved one hun- 
dred acres of land, after which he removed to Van 
Buren County. Here he settled on eighty acres 
of rough land, which he immediately set about 
clearing and cultivating, and it was not long be- 
fore he was enaliled to buy more Land, and now 
owns in all one hundred and twenty acres of good 
farm land. He is a man who takes an active part 
in iniblic affairs, and has served as .Supervisor for 
seven years. In politics he is a Republican, and is 
a worthy member of the Christian Church of tiiis 
l)lnce. He reared nine children, namely: Allen, 
Rob, James, William, George, Edwin; Alice, now 
Mrs. Todd, of Mecosta County, Mich.; Aletha, wife 
of W. S. Morgan; and Agnes, wife of Eli Hill, 
also of Mecosta County. 

When a lad, our subject helped on his father's 
farm and w.as afforded only moderate opportunities 
of educating himself. At the age of eighteen 
years he began clerking in his brother Rob's store, 
and remained there for three years, when he be- 
came a |)artiier with his brother James, in 1882, 
but, at the end of two years, he returned to his 
former place, and since the fall of 1885 he has 
been engaged in the business alone. In 1886, he 
built the room which he now occupies, and has 
prospered, so that his business runs from $25,000 to 
$35,000 per j'ear. Politically, he is a Rejjublican. 
and is also a member of the Ancient Free <fe 
Accepted Masons, in which he has very creditably 
filled many of the otlices. 

The marriage of Mr. Grant and Miss Helen A. 
PitcUei' occurred April U, 1884. Mrs. Grant was 



born in Cass County, ]Mich.,and is the daughter of 
John H. and Lydia (Witheral) Pitcher. The 
father was a native of New York, and died at St. 
Joseph in 1890. The mothei-, a native of Cass 
County, is still living. She has two children, 
Helen and Wallace. Our subject and his wife have 
had born to them two children: Homer and Harold. 
^Ir. Grant is a gentleman in every respect and a 
reliable citizen, and is liked by all with whom he 
comes in contact. 




RANK HARTSELL. 



Few of the rural 
abodes of Cass County |)resent an ajjpear- 
ance so inviting and attractive as the home 
of Mr. Hartsell, which is pleasantly situated on 
section 3, LaGrange Townsiiip. The farm consists 
of eighly acres, of which seventy have been placed 
under first-class improvement. The place has been 
embellished with all the accessories of a model 
farm, the most important of which is the elegant 
and beautiful residence. During the jiast few 
3ears Mr. Hartsell has made a specially of fruit- 
I'aising, and has fifteen acres planted to a peach 
orchard, from which he raises and ships about two 
thousand bushels annually. 

The father of our sul)ject, .Solomon Hartsell, was 
born in Pennsylvania in 1805, and during his boy- 
hood jears was employed in a distillery. At an 
early age he commenced to learn the trade of a 
brick-layer, and after becoming familiar with the 
work he followed that occupation throughout his 
entire active life. In 1845 he came to Pokagon 
Township, Cass County, removing hither from 
Stark County, Ohio, where he had made his home 
since 1840. He and his wife, whose maiden name 
was Barbara Oyler, became the parents of five 
children, two of whom died in infancy. The 
others are Lurina, Marshall and Frank. 

Socially, the father was a member of the United 
Brethren Church, with which his wife was also 
identified. Politically, he was a Whig in his earlier 
years, and upon the organization of the IJepub- 
lican party became an adherent of its principles, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



737 



and iTiniiiiii'd one of its most stanch advocates 
until liis dciitii, wliicli occuned on tiic Stli of 
January, 188,5; lii> wife liad passed away in 1882. 
Ik' iiad pui'cluised a farm of eighty acres in Poka- 
fion Township, but never engaged in agricultural 
pursuits, devoting his attention exclusively to his 
trade. 

IJorn in Canton, Starli County, Ohio, December 
5, 1816, the subject of this sketcli has spent almost 
his entire life in Cass County. Here he married 
Miss Adelaide, daughter of John and Jane Hra}'- 
mer, and their union has resulted in llie birth of 
three children: Ira, Cora and Emma. Cora is the 
wife of Charles Shuerte, and resides in La Grange 
Township. The farm which he now occupies Mr. 
Hartsell purch.ised in 1874, .and has continued from 
time to time to improve the place until it is now 
one of the finest homesteads in the township. 
.Socially, he is identified with the Order of M.acca- 
bees at Dowagiac, and politically he advocates the 
principles of the Republican party. He cultivates 
blackberries and strawberries to the amount of one 
hundred and .sevcntv-live bushels annually. 



=^OBKHT DICKINSON is remembered by 
*r many of the early residents as one of the 
energetic and successful pioneer agricultur- 
ists of Berrien County, Mich. He was of 
Knglish nativity, and was reared and educated in 
the home of his childhood, .\ttaining to matur- 
ity and appreciating the broader opportunities of 
America, he emigrated to the United States, and 
journeying to the then far West located in St. 
.Joseph, Mich. In his new home he soon obtained 
employment at his trade, and for some lime was 
engaged in sawing ship-timbers. Within a com- 
piuativcly brief period he purchased a fine home- 
stead of two hundred and lifly acres and devoted 
himself to its cultivation and'improvement. A 
man of good habits and excellent judgment, he 
made his way steadily upward and acquired a com- 
fortable competence, ( )ur subject was a consistent 



member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and 
was ever ready to aid in the support and enter- 
prises of that religious denomination. A kind 
friend and neighbor, he was mourned by the entire 
community of the township when, after many 
years of honored usefulness, he passed to his rest. 

Within the limits of Berrien County, Robert 
Dickinson was united in marriage with Mrs. Su- 
sannah Edinborough, widow of William Edin- 
borougli, an early citizen of the State. Five chil- 
dren blessed the hearts and home of the parents. 
Joseph, the eldest-born, died in his native county, 
leaving a family; Eliza became the wife of Charles 
H. Farnum; Susan died in youth; Sarah and Arthur 
complete the family circle. The latter, now an 
extensive and successful fruit-grower, was born in 
Berrien County in 1847, and received a good edu- 
cation in the schools of the district. He grew up 
to manhood self-reliant, and was well adapted to 
assume the cares of life when, in 1883, he was 
united in marriage with Miss May, daughter of S. 
R. Hughes, of Duluth, Minn. 

Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Dickinson are the parents 
of three children, two daughters and one son: 
Agnes Ruth, Olive Marjorie and Donald A., all 
promising and intelligent children. The son of 
our subject, like his father a tiller of the soil, owns 
sixty acres of well-cultivated land in Benton Town- 
ship and also has twenty' acres in Hagar Town- 
ship, about half of which is devoted to berries. 
Politically, Mr. Dickinson is a Republican, and, 
keeping himself well posted on the current events 
of the day, is numbered among the substantial and 
liberal-spirited citizens of his locality. He and his 
accomplished wife are pronjinent factors in the 
social life and benevolent work of their neighbor- 
hood and enjoy the regard of a large circle of ac- 
quaintances. 

Mrs. Dickinson was born near Detroit, and her 
father. S. R. Hughes, w.as a man of note in the 
early days of the State. By birth an Alsatian, he 
received a thorough education m Germanj', and 
emigrating while in the vigor of hope, health and 
stiength to .\merica, was foremost in the promotion 
of the needed improvements and rapid advance- 
ment of his new home. Mr. Hughes was one of 
the leaders in the project to secure a canal from 



738 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



St. Joseph to Benton Harbor, Mich., and later 
— identified with railroad interests — was for some 
years the etticient President of tlie Chicajjo il' West 
Michigan Railroad. A man of executive ability, 
he materially aided in the development of the 
Northwest, and through persistent effort assisted 
in opening to settlement large tracts of hitherto 
unimproved land. 



n-5"!"5"!-f 



HESTER S. PRATT. The simple record of the 
life of a man who has iiuietly pursued his 
'^liii^ calling is the best testimonial that can be 
given to his wortli of character. In general, the 
life of a farmer is an uneventful one, marked by no 
startling incidents, although its usefulness ma}' be 
felt throughout .an extended circle of acquaintances 
and exert great influence. The subject of this no- 
tice is one who has followed the even tenor of the 
farmer's life, taking an active part in matters 
pertaining to the interests of the development of 
the section in which he resides. He owns and oper- 
ates one hundred and sixty acres of laud, which is 
in a well-cultivated condition, and [larl of winch is 
given to the raising of Norman and Ilambletonian 
stock. 

Before entering upon the history of our subject, 
it will not be amiss to devote a paragraph to 
that of his respected ancestors. His grandfather, 
Aaron Pratt, was born in Massachusetts and was a 
farmer by occupation, but early in life he was a 
drover and a hotel-keeper. In 1806, he settled in 
Wayne Count}', N. Y., on one hundred and 
seventy acres of land along the sliore of Lake On- 
tario, where he lived the rest of liis life. His wife 
was a Miss .Jerusha Smith and the result of her 
marriage with Mr. Pratt w.as the birth of these 
children: Jonathan, Alva, Almond, Rachael, Eine- 
line and Mary. The father of our subject was 
born in Deertield, Mass., in .September, 1796. He, 
too, w.as a farmer, and moved to Webster, Monroe 
County, N. Y., where he died in 1873. Politically, 
he was a Democrat in his early life, then turned 
Al)olitionist, and finally cast his ballot for the 



Republican nominees. His widow still survives, 
and has reared a family of ten children, namely: 
Cornelia A., Jane A., Alva S., Eraeline J., Justine 
B., Chester S., Mary E., Almond J., Jerusha H. 
and Oscar. Almond and Oscar were soldiers, the 
former having served in the Ninth New York 
Ileav}- Artillery, and later in the colored regiment 
as Captain. The latter enlisted in the Eourlh 
IIeav\' Artillery, and also served as caiitain and 
lieutenant of the colored regiment. Our subject's 
father was a Eree-will Baptist, while the mother 
was of the Presbyterian faith. The latter was 
born in New Haven County, Conn., in Fcbruai'}', 
171)'.). Her father, Chester Peck, was a native of Con- 
necticut, and in his youthful days emigrated to 
Oneida County, thence to Wa^ne County, N. Y. 
He w.as a carpenter and joiner by trade, and died 
at the ripe old age of seventy years. He w.as a 
member of the Baptist Church, and worked 
zealously for the advancement of his religion. 
His wife was a Miss Spery in her single state, and 
was of English origin. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Wayne 
County. N. Y., <ni the shores of Lake Ontario, 
July 2o, 1832, to Alva and Ann Q'eck) Pratt. 
He was afforded the advantages of a good district 
education, and alterwards took an academic course 
which prepared liim for a teacher. He taught in 
the district school and then concluded to try 
the farm for a lime, so returned to his home and 
worked there till the fall of 1857. At this junc- 
ture he went to Dixon, Lee County, II!., where he 
farmed four years, and then again attended his 
father's farm, which he continued to do until 1878. 
Mr. Pratt was married to Mary Whitcorabe Dec- 
ember 13, 1854. Mrs. Pratt w.as born in (Tianvilh', 
Washington Count}', N. Y., and is the daughter of 
Dr. L. and Deborah (Wells) Whitcorabe, both na- 
tives of Vermont. After their marriage, Mr. and 
Mrs. Whitcombe moved to Washington County, 
thence to Stafford in 1831, and finally located in 
Wayne County in 1832, where Mr. Whitcombe 
died March 10, 1875, at the age of seven ty-.'-even 
3ears. His wife was born October 6, 1795, and 
after her union became the mother of nine chil- 
dren, live of whom reached their majority, viz,: 
Edson F., Laura, Mary, Caliierine and James D, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



739 



The parent.-s of these chihlieii were Iwith members 
of the I'leshyterian C'liureh. and the fathei was 
luominent in political alTairs, serviiiy: in the New- 
York Assembly one or two terms. 'I'lie Doctor 
was of Scotch origin, a mcnilier of the Methodist 
Kpiscopal Church, and in |)olitics was a warm su])- 
porter of the Whigs, until tiie organization of the 
!{epul)lican part3', when he cast his influence and 
ballot in the interests of that body. 

Five children blessed the union of Mr. and 
Mrs. Pratt, all of whom are living but one. 
Tliey are Frances, wife of William S. Holt, of 
I'drllaiid, Ore.; Bryan C, Ilattie M. and Alva L. 
Our subject's wife is a consistent member of the 
Congregational Church, in which she has worked 
since she was sixteen years old. Mr. Pratt has 
good judgment in conducting his affairs, and his 
success in life is attributed to his many fine 
(pialities of head and heart. 



i 8 « — tl h— t ^ t 



< DCJAU WALTFR, Postmaster of .Sunimer- 
ville, and a prominent business man of 
^ that village, was born in Otsego County, 



X. Y., in 1824, being the son of Peter and Nanc^' 
(Jordan) Walter. The paternal grandfather, 
Adam Walter, was born in Germany, whence, 
after his marriage, he emigrated to the United 
Stales and located in New Y'ork, where he p.assed 
the remaining years of his life. A farmer by oc- 
cupation, he was an industrious, persevering and 
honorable man, and was highly regarded through- 
out his community. In his native land he was 
actively identified with the Catholic Church, but 
after coming to the United States he did not con- 
nect himself with any church. His wife survived 
lum about twelve months, passing away at the 
advanced age of ninety-seven. Their children were 
.I.icob, Conrad, Peter, Abraham, Retsy and Lucinda. 
Horn of humble |>arentage. Peter Walter at an 
early age developed traits of self-reliance and per- 
gevcrance which in after years aided him in se- 
curing success. After his marriage in Herkimer 



County, N. Y., to Nancy .Jordan, he removed to 
Otsego County, and, purchasing land, developed a 
linclx-iniproved farm, which unfortunately he lost, 
together wiili the savings of years, thrt)Ugh sign- 
ing security notes for friends and being forced to 
meet them. Afterward, he w-as in the employ of 
Others for a time, and his later years were spent 
with the children. Politically, he was a stanch 
sui)porter of the principles adopted by the Whig 
party. 

In the |)arental family were six children, one of 
whom died in infancy'. The others were: Saiah, 
who first married David Moore, and after his de- 
mise became the wife of .1. V. McCumbert; David 
and .Joseph, deceased; Nancy, who died in child- 
hood; and Edgar, the subject of this sketch. The 
last-named began at the age of twelve to make his 
own way in the world. Orphaned at that age by 
the death of his mother, he afterward made his 
home with Davis Carroll, and remained with him 
until he reached manhood. His lime was i)rinci- 
pally spent on the farm, an(J he received a prac- 
tical education in the Cherry Valley High School, 
graduating from that institution in 1842. After- 
ward, he engaged in teaching school for six years. 

Coming to Michigan in 1846, Mr. Walter lo- 
cated in Cass County, and here resumed his pro- 
fessional work, engaging in leaching for six 
3'ears. Later he secured a clerical position in a 
store at Miles, where he remained for six ^ears. 
From Niles he came to Sunimerville, where for 
five j'ears he conducted a general merchandising 
business, and afterward sold that enterprise and 
bought ninety-six acres of land. He has added 
to his properly' until he has acquired the owner- 
ship of one hundred and twenty acres, the most 
of which is improved and pl.aced under cultiva- 
tion. 

At the age of thirtv-lhree Mr. Walter married 
Miss jNIary Durby, who was born in Niles, and re- 
sided there continuously until after her marriage. 
They are the i)arents of six sons, as foflows: 
Frederick, Walter J., Leroy, Arthur, Luean and 
Raymond. Lero}' is at present operating the 
home farm, and Raymond, who is a teacher by 
profession, is now teaching in Greenville, Mich. 
Ill his social connections Mr. Walter is identified 



r4() 



PORTRAIT ANT) BIOGRAPHICAL RFX'ORD. 



witb Pokagon Lodge No. 126, A. F. & A. M., of 

which he was Master at tlie time the cbai-tcr was 
given. A Republican in politics, lie has served as 
Justice of llie Peace, and is a Notary Public. 
Under the administration of President Hari-ison 
he was appointed Postmaster at Summery ille, and 
has since held that position. In connecti(m witb 
his official duties, he conducts a general mercantile 
business, and has a large trade among the people 
of the vicinity. 




ILTON PRESTON, a prosperous general 
agriculturist and breeder of thorough- 
bred fShorthorn cattle, is a leading resi- 
dent of Pipestone Townshii), Berrien 
County, Mich., and has made his home upon sec- 
tion 34 since his birth, April 22, 185-3, in a log 
house upon the old homestead. His fatliei', Nor- 
man C. Preston, born in 1811, was a native of 
Portage County, Ohio, and was a son of Amasa 
Preston, born in Connecticut. The paternal 
grandfather, a man of spirit and couiage, served 
bravely in the War of 1812. The immediate an- 
cestors of the grandfather emigrated from Scot- 
land to America, and seven of the Preston family' 
participated in the struggles and triumphs of the 
Revolutionary War. The mother of our subject, 
Sallie (Cook) Preston, was a native of Ohio, and 
a daughter of Asa Cook. The parents were mar- 
ried in the Buckeye State, and remained there 
until 1848, when the^' journeyed to Michigan 
and settled upon the farm, then all wild land, and 
heavily timbered. Tlie father located upon one 
hundred and sixty acres, built a log house, and 
entered with energy into clearing the land. He 
gave his entire attention to farming, and before 
bis death had l>rougbt up to a fine state of culti- 
vation sixty fertile acres. The parents were both 
long-time members of the Christian Church, and 
with conscientious effort assisted in religious work. 
In 1862 the father passed to his rest, beloved by 
all who knew him, and respected as a true and up- 



right citizen. The venerable mother still sur- 
vives, and makes her home in Pii)estone Town- 
ship. The home of the parents was blessed by 
the birth of six children, three of whom are now 
living. Zoetta is tlie wife of Henry R. Pegg, and 
resides in AVatervliet; she is the mother of three 
children. Our subject, Milton, is the only son sur- 
viving. Artelissa .1. is the wife of F. R. McKean, 
and is living in Newaygo County, IMicli; she has 
two children. The mother, after the death of her 
husband, married again, wedding Washington P. 
Wells, by whom she had two children. Asa W. 
lives on the home farm; Elsie married Jefferstm 
Porter, and makes her home in Eau Claire, Mich. 
Our subject, attaining to manhood upon the old 
homestead, attended the well-known Ferry school- 
house. At twenty-one years of age he began life 
for himself, still continuing upon the broad acres 
of the home of his childhood. Upon October 29, 
1879, he married Miss Alice I. Trowbridge, a na- 
tive of Pipestone Township, and born in 1857. 
Mrs. Preston is the daughter of Harry and Lydia 
E. (Lewis) Trowbridge, both natives of Ohio, Imt 
earl^' settlers upon the wild land of Pipestone 
Township. 

Mr. Trowliiiilgc died in 1862; Ins wife is still 
living. Of the four children born unto them, 
three are yet surviving: (jeorge E.. of Manistee 
C'ount\'; Mrs. Preston; and Harry, residing in Hen- 
ton Harbor. Unto our subject and his accomplished 
wife have been born six sons and daughters, but 
one of whom is deceased. The brothers and 
sisters are Norman T., Mabel L., Maud V., Harry 
M. and Mildred A. Mr. Preston owns one hun- 
dred and sixty acres of land, of which one hun- 
dred and fifteen acres are under a high state of 
cultivation. He devotes himself to the various 
branches of agriculture, and has been especially 
successful in handling stock. He has attractively 
remodeled the family residence, built substantial 
barns and sheds, and has one of the finest pieces 
of farming property in his part of the township. 
Mr. and Mrs. Preston are members of the Chris- 
tian Church at Eau Claire, and Mr. Preston, now 
an Elder, has also held the olHcial positions of 
Deacon and Trustee. Our subject aided in the 
organization of the Sunday-school, and was for 



PORTRAIT A^'D B10(i RAlTUCiVL RECORD. 



711 



some time tiie efflcieiit SiiperinU'iidont. He still 
Icnclios. and liis wife has Iiplii a teacher in tlie 
school. l-"ialerMaily, Mr. I'leston was a nienilier 
of the Oraiij^e. and is seivinj? his nintli year as 
Asse.s.sor of District 1. Politically, he is a Demo- 
crat, and has held with al)le lidelity the otlices of 
'I'leasurei- of the township four years, and was 
Supervisor during 18Si> aTid IH'.U). lie also served 
nu)St acceptably as Di-ainage Commissioner two 
years. Kdicieiitly discharging the various duties 
of home and i)nhlic life, our subject has secured 
the conlidence of a large circle of a((|U!iintance, 
and is estecTned a man of excellent business qual- 
ifications and extended experience. 



"^==5S)»'- 



[Q;^ 




LMON WRIGHT, a practical and repre- 
sentative general agriculturist, cultivates 
a highly productive farm of one hundred 
and twenty acres, located aliout two miles 
southeast of Three Oaks, Berrien County, Mich., 
and has been a highly respected citizen of the 
State for over twenty-five years. The Wrights 
are of English descent, the great-grandfather hav- 
ing emigrated to the Colonies before the War of 
Independence. The paternal grandfather. Smith 
Wright, took an active part in the Hctvolutionary 
War. He was a man of courage and i)ossessed un- 
usual physical endurance. Hi; was born .January 17, 
1758, and survived until November 23, 1843, pass- 
ing away at the advanced age of eighty-five years. 
Having lived to witness over four-lifths of a cen- 
tury of stirring incident, replete with events of 
historical importance, he dierl in Oswego County, 
N. Y., at the home of his son Lewis, the father of 
our subjeet,a native of New Jersey. Lewis Wright 
was only a lad when he removed to the Empire 
State, where he received his education, and having 
attained to m.Mnhood married Miss Ann Maria 
Ilubbel. The father was a farmer b^' occupation 
and late in life made his home in Michigan, dying 
in Berrien County in 1H!»2. Born in 1800, he, 
like his father, survived to a very old age. the 
family being noted for its longevity. 



The excellent wife and mother was born in New 
England and, a native of Connecticut, was reared 
in her birthplace. She passed away many years 
prior to the demise of her husband, in her home 
in New York. Unto the parents six children were 
born, all sons: Oscar, Elmer, Carlton, Almon, .Syl- 
vester and Chester. 0.scar, the eldest, is deceased; 
Sylvester resides in New York; Chester makes his 
home in Nebraska. Our subject, the fouith child 
of the family, was reared, educated in the common 
schools, and married in the Slate of New Y'ork. 

Almon Wright and Miss Melissa Bunn were 
joined in wedlock October ,5, 1866. Mrs. Wright, 
a native of the Emi)ire State, is the daughter 
of Richard and Margaret (Wright) Bniiu, highly 
esteemed residentsof New Yoik. Otir subject and 
his excellent wife after their marriage remained in 
the near locality of their earlv home for a period 
of two years, and then resolved to try the farther 
West. .lourneying to Michigan, they located in 
Berrien County, where they have since made their 
constant residence. Eight children, five st)ns and 
three daughters, blessed the hearts of Mr. and 
Mrs. Wright. George was the eldest-born, then 
follow in order of birth, Oscar, .lessie, Winfred, 
Ilettie and Lottie. One child, unnamed, and Imi- 
gene arc deceased . 

The parents of our subject being in restricted 
circumstances, Almon assisted his father until he 
was twenty-two years of age, when he began life 
for himself. Mr. Wright has always been engaged 
in the pursuit of agriculture and thoroughly un- 
derstands the tilling of the soil, and handles an 
excellent grade of stock. Our subject .settleil in 
his present locality in 181)8, and then purchased 
forty acres of fertile land, to which he has added 
until his homestead now contains one hundred 
and twenty acres, all brought up to a Hue state 
of cultivation and improved with attractive and 
substantial buildings. The farm is one of the 
most valuable in this part of the county and an- 
nually yields a bounteous harvest. Politically, 
f)ur subject is a stanch Repul)li(;an,and has always 
altiliated with the "Party of Reform," casting his 
first Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. He 
is deeply interested in both local and national is- 
sues, and is ever readv to assist in all matters of 



742 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



mutual advancement and public welfare. During 
bis period of residence here Mr. AVright has been 
associated with the prominent agricultural enter- 
prises of hisvieinitj' and commands the confidence 
of a wide circle of acquaintances. 



-^^-^il 



B' 



-S 



11^^ 



OHN KELLER, a prosperousgeneral agricul- 
turist and successful stock-raiser, lias for the 
past thirty years cultivated a fine home- 
' stead of three hundred and eighty acres, lo- 
cated upon section 16, Bertrand Township, Berrien 
County, Midi. Born in Lorain Count}', Ohio, near 
Cleveland, June 17, 1838, our subject is the son 
of Jacob and Rosina B. (Beyrer) Keller. The par- 
ents were both natives of Wurtemberg, Germany, 
and received their education and earlj- training in 
their birthplace. Jacob F. Keller emigrated to 
America when a young man and located in New 
York City, where he followed the trade of a butcher 
for five years. During this time he was married, 
and soon after, with his wife, removed to Lorain 
County, Ohio. Remaining there until 1851, he 
then made his home in Bertrand Township, Ber- 
rien Count)', Mich. He afterward resided in Niles, 
and later went to St. Joseph County, Ind. The 
father of our subject crossed the broad Atlantic 
nine times, making four trips back to the Fatiier- 
laud. lie was an energetic man, a prominent far- 
mer and extensive stock-raiser, well known and 
higlily respected in the county. He traveled ex- 
tensively, and, making a second trip to California, 
died in the Golden State January 16, 18i>2, at the 
age of eight3'-four. He was a devout member of 
the Evangelical Church, and liberally aided in the 
extension of its good work. 

The mother of our subject came alone from Ger- 
many to New York, where she received employ- 
ment in housework. Her parents, Jacob D. and 
Rosic B. (Frieben) Beyrer, were boriiiind married, 
and reared a family in the Old Country, and were 
honest, industrious and frugal people, respected by 
all who knew them. The father and nidHur of 
our subject were the parents of six sons and four 



daughters, four of whom survive. Catherine is 
the widow of Andrew Frascala. Rosina is the 
widow of Henry Schobach. Mary is the wife of 
Henry Ort. Jolin, our subject, is the third child 
and second son of the large family, and is the 
onlj' one of the brothers now surviving. Our sub- 
ject received his early training in the schools of 
Ohio, and was a boy of thirteen when he settled 
with his parents in Berrien County, Mich. After 
arriving in this latter State, he attended the dis- 
trict schools of Bertrand Township and .ac(iuired 
an excellent common-school education. He re- 
mained with his father, engaged in agricultural 
duties, until he had reached his majority. In 1861 
he made the long journey across the plains lo 
Pike's Peak and Mexico, and traveled all the way 
with a team and horses. He mined for a time in 
the far West, but in 1862 returned with his team 
to his Michigan home. 

In 1863 John Keller and Miss Louisa Hassig 
were united in marriage. The wife, a native of 
Indiana, did not long survive, but lived to become 
the mother of one son, David H. Keller, of Cass 
County, Mich. Our subject contracted a second 
marriage May 3, 1866, then wedding Miss Eliza 
Herring, who was born in Schu3ikill County. Pa., 
June 2, 1842. The father of JMrs. Keller, Peter 
Herring, was a native of the (Quaker State, and her 
mother, Barbara Bretcius, was born in Berks County, 
Pa. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Herring was blessed 
by the birth of ten children, of whom Mrs. Keller 
was the eldest. .Six of the family are yet living. 
The mother is deceased. The father, surviving, 
aged seventy-two, now resides in Orange County, 
Cal. Ten children, live daughters and five sons, 
gathered about the fireside of Mr. and Mrs. 
Keller. Emma M. is at home; Ida M. is the wife 
of Frank Korn; Frances S. is deceased; J. Harry 
is a stenographer in Chicago; Albert E. isat home; 
Lawrence is attending the home school; Nora R., 
Myron R. and Arthur G.are all with their parents; 
and Laura L. is deceased. 

Our subject located in the place where he now 
resides in 1863, and, profitably conducting general 
agriculture and stock-raising, has accumulated a 
comfortable competence. The homestead has been 
improved with excellent barns and a commodious 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



743 



residence, and with its cultivated fields presents 
an attractive appearance. Aside from liis valua- 
IpIc lioiiic friiin. .Mr. Keller owns forty acres of 
pasture on section 1(!. .\n industrious man of 
business ahility. he has, unaided, won his upward 
way, and coniinands the esteem of the entire com- 
muiiily of lierli'and Township. In political affili- 
ation our subject is a Democrat and an active lo- 
cal worker of the party. lie ellicientl^y discharged 
the duties of Highway Commissioner, and .as one 
of the suhstaiitial citizens of tlie county lias ably 
assisted in Hie rapid ;i(l\:iiic('ni('Ml of his pnrt of 
the State. 



^^m^^^^ 



_5) 



If AMKS M. MATTIIKWS. Although not 
actively idenlilied with any l)usiiiess, Mr. 
Matthews was for m.'iny years one of the 
intlucntial and successful men of I'crrien 
County and had an extended acipiaintance through- 
(jut this section of Michigan, lie was borti in 
Montgomery County, Ohio. April '2.5. IHUt, and 
w;is the third among ten children. He was reared 
in Montgomery County until twenty-one years of 
age, when he commenced to learn the trade of a 
carpenter at St. Mary 's. Ohio. 

At the expiration of his term of .'ipprenticeship, 
Mr. Matthews went to |)aytf)n, Ohio, and in 1838 
he went to Delaware County, Ind., and worked at 
his tr.Milc tliiM'e foi' aliout two years. Thence he 
removed to South liend, and aided in luiilding 
the dam at that placl^ The year 18411 witnessed 
his ai rival in I'.uchanan, where he embarked in 
business as a general merchant and continued in 
that occupation for seven years, his being the sec- 
ond store establishcil in this place. 

In IHTfi, accom|)anied by his wife, Mr. .Matthews 
removed to Kansas and located on a slock ranch, 
where he leni.'iined uiilil 1884. Asa ranchman he 
was (piite succcsslul and accumulated consideralile 
money, but he was not satislied to remain in the 
Suiillower SUUe and, accordingly, disposed of his 
interests there and returned to Michigan. He was 
the owner of four hundred acres in Kansas, in ad- 



dition to considerable real estate in Buchanan, 
lie was an honorable man, pleasant in his associ- 
ations with others and genial with all. He was 
reared with the famous statesman, Schuyler Col- 
fax, who was a stepson of our subject's brother. 

The lady who w.as the companion of Mr. Mat- 
thews, and his helpmate in the truest sense of the 
word, bore the maiden name of Mary E. Day, and 
was born in Delaware County, N. Y., May 9, 1829. 
Her father, Andrew C. Daj', was torn in Connect- 
icut, and at the age of nine years went with his 
parents to Del.aware County, N. Y., where he wa.s 
reared to manhood. After his marriage in Franklin, 
that county, on the Tith of June, 1827, he came to 
Herrien County, Mich., and located in what is now 
known as Huchanaii Township. Here he secured 
a claim on wlii('h there was a small log house, 
without roof or llooi'. 

Moving his family into tliat primitive abode. 
Mr. I)a\' commenced the work of clearing the |)lace 
and cultivating the land. Soon after locating 
there he purchased an interest in a mill from John 
Hatfield, one of the first settlers in the village of 
liuchaiiau. There were but two houses here when 
Mr. Daj' came to this i)lace, and he was one of the 
very first settlers of the now thriving village. 
Here his death occurred iii 18;">4, when he was sev- 
enty-eight years old. He is still remembered with 
affection, not onl\' by his descendants, liut by all 
those who a|)iircciate the efforts of the pioneers to 
clear the way for coming generations. Honest, 
upright and kind, he deserves to be held in re- 
membrance by all the citizens of I'.enien County. 

The mother of iNIrs. .Matthews bore the maiden 
name of I>et.sy Spoor, and was born at Franklin, 
Delaware County, N. Y., where she died at the age 
of seventy-nine. She was the mother of two daugh- 
ters: Julia, the wife of IJenjamin I<;. Ihirns, and 
Mary E. The latter was seven years old when she 
.accom])anied her [lareuts to Buchanan, or, as it 
was then called, McCoy's Creek, and here she at- 
tended the pioneer schools, held in log buildings 
of rude coiistiuction and meagre furnishings. .\1- 
though her educational advantages were limited, 
she has become an intelligent woman through 
reading and observati(Mi. She is a lady pos.sess- 
inu an unusual amount of executive abilitv as well 



744 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



as indusli-y and perseverance, and is widelj"- known 
for lier liospitalitj' and unvarying kindness of 
heart. Two children blessed her marriage, Susan 
C. and Andrew Craig. The former married Frank 
Hall, an historian and journalist of Denver, Colo.; 
and tlie latter resides in Buclianan Township, Ber- 
rien County. 






^^EORGE a. ROBERTS, a prominent citizen 
111 (^ °^ Weesaw Township, Berrien County, 
^^M4 J^iicl"-, lias long been identified with the 
leading social, benevolent and business interests 
of his present locality, and has held important 
public positions in the township with efficient 
ability, discharging the trusts reposed in him to 
the great satisfaction of his numerous friends and 
fellow-townsmen. Devoting the work of his life 
to farming, he has with success cultivated the fer- 
tile soil of one hundred and twenty- acres lo- 
cated three miles northwest of Galien, and owns 
one of the most valuable homesteads in this [lart 
of the county. 

Mr. Rolierts is a native of Ohio, and was born 
in Huron County, June 19, 1844. His paternal 
grandfather was one of the patriots of Revolu- 
tionary days, and fought courageously in the War 
of Independence. Surviving the perils and suf- 
ferings endured in tlie long campaign, lie liecame 
a leading man of the Empire State, and was widely 
known and respected for his sterling qualities of 
mind and heart. The parents of our subject, .Jona- 
than M. and liliza (Horton) Roberts, removed 
from New York to Ohio, where both the father and 
mother later died. Seven sons, four of whom are 
living, gathered around the old fireside many 
years ago. 

Our subject, the seventh child in order of birth, 
was reared and educated in liis native county, and 
when only eighteen years of age, answering to the 
call of the Government, in 1862 joined the Union 
army, enlisting in tlie company of Capt. Pray, but 
was afterward transferred to Company G, Eighty- 
eighth Ohio Infantry, in the three months' service. 



After remaining in active duty one month over 
time, Mr. Roberts returned to his home, remained 
during the winter, and the succeeding fall, upon 
September 22, 18G3, enlisted in Company I, 
Twelfth <)liio Cavalry, and was mustered out of 
service November 14, 186.5. Our subject was in 
the command of Gen. Burbridge during one of 
Morgan's raids, and was in the fight at Mt. Ster- 
ling and participated in the Saltville raids. He 
also took an active part in the Stoneman raid and 
was sixty-nine days in the saddle without regular 
Government rations. Arriving in Berrien County 
March 6, 1866, Mr. Roberts has, with the excep- 
tion of a few months, since made the Stile of 
Michigan his permanent home. Buying eighty 
acres of wild land, he built a log house and began 
to clear the fertile soil of its heavy timber. On 
account of an imperfect title, our subject after- 
ward lost forty acres, and, discouraged, filially 
traded off the balance of the land, and lived with 
his brother Lewis until the following year. 

.July 23, 1867, George G. Roberts and Miss Eliza- 
beth A. Mikesell were united in marriage. Mrs. 
Roberts, born in Fulton County, Ohio, July 28, 
1847, was the daughter of Thomas and Margaret 
(Pinkerton) Mikesell, both of German descent. 
The father was a member ol a Penns3ivania-Dutch 
family, and he and the good mother died in Ohio. 
A daughter, Josephine E., born to our subject 
and his estimable wife, is now deceased. She be- 
came the wife of Philip Shipman Losure, and, an 
accomplished young woman of native ability and 
bright intelligence, passed away in October, 1891, 
leaving one child, a son, George W., who lives 
with his maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. 
Roberts. In 1869 our sulijeet purchased an eight3'- 
acre tract in the heart of the woods, and resided 
there three years before a road was cut through 
from the highway. To this land he has added a 
forty-acre tract, cleared, cultivated and improved 
the farm with excellent buildings, until now the 
once unbroken wilderness has been transformed 
into fields of golden grain and fruit orchards, 
and yearly blossoms with an abundant harvest. 

Mr. and Mrs. Roberts, .as was their daughter, are 
active members of the Baptist Church. Frater- 
nally, our subject is a member of the George A. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Custer Post No. 208, G. A. R.. at Galien, and has 
witli great acceptahilily lilled the offices of Ser- 
geant-Major, Adjutant, Senior Vice-CoiiimanthM', 
Coiiiniandcr, (Jiiartermasler, and is now tiie Ollicer 
of the Day. Mr. Roberts is a member of tiie Farm- 
ei-s' Mutual Insurance Company of Berrien Coun- 
ty, and. [lolitically, is a Republican. Casting his 
first vote for Abraham Lincohi, lie lias fiom tliat 
time constantly sup|)orted the ticket of the"Paity 
of Reform." Our subject has ably performed the 
duties of Highway Commissioner, and was elected 
Drainage Commissioner, but refused to qualify. 
Taking an active interest in the vital questions of 
the day, he is a public-S|)irited citizen, as patriotic 
and true to his country as when, only a mere lad, 
lie gave himself to the service of tlie Government. 



J' OIIN T. WISXKR. Every man in the United 
States, by birth or its equivalent, shares in 
the glorious privileges of our Government 
to forge through the ranks of tiie many and 
become one of the few. A man who possesses the 
ability to do this, who by years of patient toil and 
unswerving loyalty to trutii and integrity forces his 
way Lhrough the multitudes of others e(iuall3' as am- 
bitious and determined, and wrests from the world 
a meed of victory, does not need a piece of academic 
parchment, learnedly inscribed, to make his life 
valuable to the community in which he lives, for 
by his sterling methods an<l his high moral pur- 
pose he has become a leading factor in the con- 
servatism of the good government of his commu- 
nity, and a valuable example to those whose efforts 
in human progress have just begun. Such a man 
is .John T. Wisner, a prominent farmer and fruit- 
grower of Ilagar Township, where he owns eightj' 
acres of excellent land. 

I-ike many of the citizens of the township, Mr. 
Wisner is a native of the Empire State, horn in 
Orange County in 1M24. lie was the second of 
four children born to Harry and Maria (Smith) 
Wisner, natives also af Orange County. All their 
children grew u> mature years. Clara, the eldest, 



married H. C. Spaulding, of Elmira, N. Y., and they 
have two children living; .lames S., the third in or- 
der of birth, died at Elmira, and left two chihh'en; 
Juliua married Hiram T. Smith, and died leaving 
one child, Mary. About 1 834, the parents of these 
children went to Elmira, and resided there until 
the death of the father. 

John T. Wisner grew to manhood in his native 
State and inherited all the sturdy characteristics of 
his Teutonic ancestors. He secured an ordinary 
education in the common schools and later mar- 
ried Miss Rebecca Rickey. Their nuptials were 
solemnized near Elmira, and there they made their 
home until 1857, when the fertile soil of the West 
tempted them to journey in that direction. They 
came to Berrien County, Mich., located in St. .Jo- 
seph, and purchased one hundred and sixty acres 
of land, eighty acres of which he still owns. 
Clearing it of the heavy timber with which it was 
covered, he has about twelve acres in orchard and 
several .acres in small fruit. He h'as ever been an 
industrious, hard-working man, and what he has 
accomplished has been the result of his own exer- 
tions. 

Mr. and Mrs. W^isner have reared one child, 
Annie, who is the wife of George C. Eldredge, a 
member of the Board of Trade in Chicago. Among 
the people of Ilagar Township none are better re- 
spected than Mr. and Mrs. Wisner, and few have 
done more for the progress and development of 
the township than this estimable couple. They 
are worthy- members of the Episcopal Church, to 
which they contribute liberally of their means, and 
Mr. Wisner h.as been a stanch Democrat all his life. 



|(_^ENRY R. HOLL.\NI). As early .as 184G, 
Mr. Holland located in Watervliet and al- 
though he has not resided here continuously 
j^ since that time, yet he has maintained an 
unceasing interest in the growth of th(^ village and 
has done everything in his power to enhance its i)ro- 
gress. He is a native of Canada, and was boi n near 
the New Hampshire line, in the village of Wickliam, 



748 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



near Diummonciville, October 18, 1821. liis parents 
being Christopher and Mary (Buriiart) Holland. 
Tlie paternal grandfather, Francis Holland, fol- 
lowed tiie occupation of a farmer throiighout iiis 
entire active life, and reared three children: Chris- 
topher, Mar}' and Rogers. 

The father of our subject was born in Norfolk. 
England, and for many 3'ears served in the Britisii 
array as Sergeant-Major of the Fourth Battalion. 
After retiring from service he emigrated to Amer- 
ica, prior to the War of 1812, and settled on one 
hundred and thirty-five acres on the disputed ter- 
ritory north of New Hampshire, which he afterward 
learned was set over to Canada. Upon that place 
he resided until his death, which occurred in 1826, 
at tiie .age of about fifty. He left a widow and 
three children: Francis, now residing in New York; 
Henry R.; and Rosana, Mrs. Lathrop, of Delta 
Count}', Mich. The father was a man of earnest 
Ciiristian character and was a member of the Epis- 
copal Church. 

Our subject's maternal grandfather, Henry Bur- 
hart, was born and reared in the State of New 
York, and was of German descent. He followed 
farming pursuits tiiroughout his entire life and w.as 
called hence while residing in Canada, near the 
New Y'ork line, at Norton Creek. He and liis wife, 
who was a Miss Margaret Titmore, reared the fol- 
lowing-named children: Phili|), John, Godfrey, 
Giles, Betsy, Mary, Katie, Hannah .and Peggie. 
The mother of our subject was born and reared in 
Pennsylvania, and after the death of Mr. Holland 
she married again, becoming the wife of Tunis 
Proper, a native of Vermont. Her second union 
resulted in the birth of three children: Margaret, 
Mrs. Sutten, of Connecticut; Eva and Catherine. 
.She came to Michigan in advanced years and re- 
sided with her children after the death of Mr. 
Proper. In 1891, at the ripe old age of ninety- 
nine, she i)assed awa}', having been active up to 
the time of her death. 

At the age of fourteen years the subject of this 
sketch removed to Clinton County, N. Y., and re- 
sided there and in Franklin and St. Lawrence 
Counties, N. Y'., for several years. When seventeen 
he commenced to learn the trade of a blacksmith 
at Canton, N. Y., and followed that occupation for 



some time. In St. Lawrence County, N. Y., he was 
united in marriage with Miss Betsy, the daughter 
of Joseph and Emily (Beaman) Stoughton, natives - 
of Franklin County, N. Y. The father of Mrs. 
Holland, who was a farmer, came to Berrien Count}' 
in 1844 and settled in Hartford, where he sojourned 
temporarily. Afterward he removed to South 
Haven and there died. His wife departed this life 
in Hartford. They reared three sons .and five 
daughters, all of whom became useful and honor- 
able members of society. In their religious con- 
victions tiiey were identified with the Metiiodist 
Episcopal Church. 

Upon removing West, Mr. and Mrs. Holland 
came to Chicago, via canal and lake, and spent two 
years in the Garden City of the West. In the 
spring of 1846 they came to Michigan and settled 
in Watervliet, where Mr. Holland followed his 
trade. In 1849, with an ox-team, he made tiie long 
and perilous journey to the golden shores of the 
Pacific, reaching California on September 5th of 
that year. He engaged in mining m that State 
and with success, returning home in July, 18r)0, 
via New York City, with 82,200, in his possession. 
In the fall of 1850 he purchased two hundred and 
twenty-three acres, where he now resides. This he 
cleared and improved, but has since disposed of 
some of the property, retaining one hundred and 
ninety-two acres. 

Mrs. Betsy Holland died May 1, 1874, after hav- 
ing become the mother of ten children. Seven of 
the family still survive, namely: Henry Edward, 
who is now engaged in miningin Arizona; Rosana, 
formerly the wife of Capt. Berridge and now de- 
ceased; Emma, who married G. W. Tyler, of Illi- 
nois; Rogers, a resident of South Dakota; Fred, 
who is engaged in mining in Nevada; Christian F., 
an attorney of San Diego, Cal.; and Charles E., of 
Nebraska. Two children died in infancy, and 
William passed away in Watervliet at the age of 
twenty months. 

After tlic death of his first wife, Mr. Holland re- 
moved to Clinton County, Mo., where lie had 
previously purchased a half-interest in a gristmill, 
and remained for eleven years. He then traded 
his interest in the mill for one hundred and sixty 
acres and made his home on the new purchase un- 



PORTRAIT AND HlOGRAPH'CAL RECORD. 



r40 



til 1881, when he returned to Michigan anH has 
since made iiis home on his properly in Watervliet 
Township. He was formerly one of the leading 
Democrats of tlie community, but now adheres to 
the principles of the Prohibition party, which he 
supports by his ballot. He has served in a num- 
ber of oftices, including that of Justice of the 
Peace. Sfwially, he is actively identified with the 
Masonic fraternity. 

The second union of Mr. Holland united him 
with Miss Maggie J., daughter of Thomas Bell, and 
two children have blessed the union: Irving T. 
and Ella May. In their religious convictions Mr. 
and Mrs. Holland are in sympathy with the doc- 
trines of the Congregational Church and are prom- 
inent members of that denomination. They are 
peoiile of genuine worth of character, endowed 
with high caiiabilities and earnest and benevolent 
natures thai endear them to all tiieir acfiu.'iintanees. 



^^> HARLES FREDERICK WILLIAM KROE- 
(|( ^ NIIs'G. The instances of men who have 
^^^ arisen from positions of poverty to the 
possession of ample means are too numerous to 
be considered exceptional. Such, in brief, is the 
liistorv of many of the most successfid citizens of 
Berrien County, and such is the biography. /umW7««i 
m paruo, of tlic man wliose name introduces this 
sketch, a |)rosperous fruit-grower, residing on sec- 
tion 23, Lincoln Township. 

A native of (iermany, our subject was born on 
the 15th of July, 1848, the son of Chrisl()pher and 
Eliza Kroening. His father, a man of probity and 
industry, served in the army while residing in the 
Fatherland. In 1857, accompanied by his family, 
he emigrated to the I'niled .States, where he lo- 
cated at Watertown, Wis., and for a time operated 
as a renter. Later he was enabled, througii a 
judicious investment of his earnings, to purcha.se 
a place adjoining the village of Watertown. There 
he remained until his death, which occurred in 
1886. His wife had passed away in 18(50. In his 



religious belief he was identified with the Evangel- 
ical Association, and died in the hope of immor- 
tality. Politically, after becoming a citizen of the 
United States, he was a Democrat and cast his bal- 
lot for the candidates of his chosen party. 

At the time the family emigrated to the United 
States, the subject of this sketch was a lad of nine 
years. As the family was large, consisting of 
eight children, six of whom are living, he early 
developed traits of self-reliance and in his bo}'- 
hood assisted in the maintenance of the other 
members of the household. His schooling had 
been commenced in German^', and after coming to 
America he learned to read and write in English 
with fluency. He remained beneath the parental 
roof until fourteen, after which he worked in the 
employ' of others. He was in Wisconsin for six 
years, and then, in 1867, came to Michigan and 
located in St. .loseph Township, Beriien County, 
where for ten years he was engaged in fishing on 
the lake. This business proved remunerative, but 
.after a decade thus spent, Mr. Kroening was not 
unwilling to change his occupation. 

The farm upon which our subject located in 
1877 consists of eighty acres, of which amount 
fifty-five have been pl.aced under excellent cultiva- 
tion. Of the tract, fort^- acres lie on section 22, 
and forty acres on section 23. A substantial set 
of first-class buildings is noticeable and all of these 
have been erected under the personal supervision 
of the owner, who has also set out fruit trees of 
the best varieties and added such improvements as 
materially increase the value of the property. He 
raises large quantities of the small fruits, which 
he ships to Chicago and other markets. 

In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Kroening there 
are eight children, whose names are: Henry, John, 
Frank, Mary, Fred, Ida, Ella and Minnie. The 
mother of these children bore the maiden name of 
Catherine Dennis, and was born and leared in St. 
Joseph, Mich., receiving common-school advan- 
tages in her girlhood. Her marriage, wiiich was 
celebrated in November, 1870, has proved a con- 
genial one, and she has been a cajjable hel|)mate 
and a devoted mother. Siie is identified witii the 
Lutheran Church at St. .loseph. of which her lius- 
liand and the children .'ire also members. 



750 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



No native-born citizen of the United States is 
more loyal and patriotic tlian the subject of our 
sketch, wiio takes an intelligent interest in local 
and national politics, being a strong advocate of 
the principles enunciated by the Democratic party. 
For a number of years he filled the position of 
Patli Master and has occupied otlier positions of 
trust and honor. He is higiih- regarded through- 
out tlie coramunity, both as a genial companion 
and as a successful business man. 



3^..{..}..5.l§ 






Wl OSHUA WHITTEN. Tlie success whicii has 
attended tlie efforts of Mr. Whitten as an 
agriculturist and fruit-grower is by no 
means a matter of chance, nor was he in any 
sense an especial favorite of Ftntune, for when he 
started out for himself lie liad little else than two 
strong arms and an unusual amount of good, 
sound sense to assist in making a living. In liis 
case Fortune smiled upon him because of bis un- 
tiring efforts, his close and intelligent application 
to the ordinary affairs of life, and liis thrift and 
enterprise, which were of a character to merit suc- 
cess under any circumstances and in any Held of 
lal)or. lie is a native of Rhode Island, born Ajiril 
28, 18:37, and the eldest of three children born to 
the marriage of David and Mary A. (Rhodes) 
Whitten, the father a native of Maine and the 
mother of Rhode Island. 

The Whitten family is one of the earliest ones 
of Maine, and .loshua Whitten, the grandfather of 
our subject, was one of thirteen sons whose de- 
scendants are prominent people of that State. 
David Whitten attained his majority in his native 
State, and then went South to ISIobile, Ala., where 
he was engaged in overseeing labor in the manu- 
facturing of brick. While down there he lost his 
health, and went to Montpelier. Vt.. where he re- 
ceived his final summons in 1843. He was the 
tmly son of .loshua Whitten. He liad married 
Miss Mary A. Rhodes, the daughter of Henry W. 
Rhodes, who was a Rhode Island sea-captain. The 
Rhodes are lineal descendants of Lord Rhode, of 



Rhode Island, who was the founder of tlie family 
in that State. The three children born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Wliitten were, in the order of their births, as 
follows: Joshua; Eliza A., wife of -laines Webster; 
and David .7., of Nebraska. After the death of 
her husband, in 1845, Mrs. Whitten removed to 
Michigan, and was there married to A. Hayes, 
b}' whom she had four children: T. A. S., of Chi- 
cago; A. F., of Van Buren County; Mary, wife of 
William Halstead; and M. E., wife of R. Vj. Doran, 
of Nebraska. Mrs. Hayes died .January 1, 1890. 

The original of this notice received a limited 
education in the common schools of Berrien Coun- 
ty, for his school days were over when he reached 
his twelfth year. He was reared amid rude sur- 
roundings, for the countrjf was a wilderness; In- 
dians roamed at will, and the forests abounded 
with game. At an early age he began learning 
the cabinet-maker's trade. It might be said that 
Mr. Whitten is one of the old landmarks of the 
county, for he has seen its growth from a wilder- 
ness to its present prosperous condition. Houses 
at that time were built of round and hewn logs, 
and the mills were all water-mills. After learn- 
ing his trade, 3'oung AVhitten settled in Kalama- 
zoo, Mich., and assisted in manufacturing the first 
[tiano ever made in the State. This was in 1852, 
a Mr. Garland, of Buffalo, N. Y., having started a 
factory. However, only four pianos were ever 
completed b_v this gentleman. 

In 1860 Mr. Whitten made a trij) to California, 
but returned the same year, and settled In Niles, 
this county, where he remained until 1867. He 
then came to this place and is counted one of the 
pioneer settlers. In 1866-67, Mr. Whitten was in 
the tanner}' business, but as this did not prove a 
financial success, he engaged in the carpenter busi- 
ness, and many monuments of his handiwork, 
in the shape of substantial and elegant resi- 
dences, are scattered over the countj^as well as in 
the villages. He is one of the most successful 
small fruit-growers in this portion of Lake Town- 
ship, liaving a farm of twenty acres devoted to 
that principally. His yearly income, clear of ex- 
|)eiiscs, is about $800. 

Ill the year 1857, Mr. Whitten married Misi Ly- 
dia A. Cook, of Canada, llioiiiih her iiareiits. Will- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGKAPHJCAL RECORD. 



751 



i:iiii .1. ;iii(l C.-itlu'iiiu' ( Duiihar) Cook, were unlives 
of llic Knipiii' State. To Mr. and Mis. Wliitlen 
were lidiii llin'c cliildriii: Charles K., of thiscoun- 
ty; I.illio K.. wil'i- of (). A. .Icffiies, of this county; 
Mild Ili'ilnTl W., who IS at home. The hitter is a 
tcichcr of iiiiigiKiges in the Benton I larhor schools, 
and one of the Stale's most successfiii and iiopiilar 
educators. Mr. and Mrs. Whitten hold ineiiiber- 
ship ill the Congregalioiial Church, anil, in poli- 
tics, the foiiner is a Kepiililicau. 






OSKl'IllS FISlIKi;. a prosperous general 
agriculturist and .lusticc of the Peace in 
.Sodus Township, lierrien County, Mich., 
li.is held with ctliciency various positions of 
trust in his present home, and, a citizen of ster- 
ling integrity of character and excellent judgment, 
discharging the duties of office willi fidelity, re- 
ceives the confidence and esteem of the wide circle 
of friends and acquaintances among whom he has 
dwelt for thirty-nine changing years. Our sub- 
ject was liorn in Palmyra Township, Portage 
County, Ohio, October 11, 1828. His father, 
(^leorge Fisher, was a native of Penns3'lvHiiia, but 
with his parents removed to Ohio when a boy, 
and ill liis new home followed the avocation of a 
farmer, lie remained in the Buckeye State, con- 
sUanti}- engaged in the pursuits of agriculture, un- 
til his death. Ilis wife w.as in maidenhood Miss 
Esther Simons, a daughter of Nicholas and Eliza- 
beth Simons, well-known and iiighly esteemed 
residents of Portage County, Ohio. Unto the fa- 
ther and mother were born ten children, six daugh- 
ters and four sons, of whom nine grew to matur- 
ity. Two of the sons and four of the daughters 
yet survive. 

Josephus, our subject, was tlie tifth child in 
order of birth, and, reared upon the farm of his 
father, .and attending the schools of Palmyra 
Township when he could be spared, grew up to 
vigorous manhood. At twenty-three years of .nge 
lie rented lanil and began' life for hin^self. For 



four years he devoted his entire attention to the 
pursuits of agriculture in his native county, and 
at the expiration of this time decided to try his 
fortunes in the farther West. In October, 1854, 
Mr. Fisher emigrated to Michigan, located in Sodus 
Township, and settled upon ninety-six acres of 
land, improved only with live apple trees, and a 
shanty, in which he lived for five years, his family- 
being somewhat cramped for room in the small 
habitation which sheltered them so long. In 1859, 
INIr. Fisher built a commodious and attractive house 
and a substantial barn and sheds, and also pur- 
chased thirteen additional acres of land. Some 
years after he bought a forty-five acre tr.act, 
and by the division of her father's farm among 
the children Mrs. Fisher received as her share 
forty-nine acres, adjoining the last acreage pur- 
chased by oursubject. Mr. Fisher hasno specialty, 
l)ut raises mixed crops and also handles a good 
quality of stock, and, a practical man of extended 
experience, has made fanning a |)rofitable and con- 
tinuous pursuit. 

.July 4, 1850, .losephus Fisher and Miss Pluebe 
A., daughter of .John and Jane Gano, were united 
in marriage. The parents of Mrs. Fisher were 
among the ver}- early settlers of Berrien County, 
and were numbered with the pioneers of tlie State, 
.John Gano being ninety years old when he died. 
Our subject and his estimable wife were the parents 
of six children, the eldest of whom died in in- 
fancy, and Edna passed away^ at two years of 
age; Alice survived to maturity and died when 
thirty-two years old. The sons and daughters yet 
living are: John G.; Urania, the wife of Leander 
McCain, residing in Sodus Station; and George. 
John married Mary Killen and has six children; 
George married Prudence Hart. Mr. and Mrs. 
Fisher are both faithful members of the Disciples 
Church, and have reared their family in accord 
with the GoS])el teachings of their religious de- 
nomination. Our subject, active in church work, 
has been an Elder for years, and is also Superin- 
tendent of the Sunday-school. 

Politically, Mr. Fisher is a Republican, and has 
occupied with ability the offices of Treasurer, 
Supervisor and Highway Commissioner, in every 
detail of public work being con.<cientious, earnest 



752 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and upright. He is a libei'al-spirited citizen and 
llu)i(iiii;lily devoted to liie promotion of real ad- 
vancement and educational progress. Altliougli 
now sixty-five years of age, lie has never taken a 
drop of intoxicating liquors nor tasted tobacco. 
Fair, and guided by law and evidence, liis decis- 
ions as .Justice of the Peace give tliorougli satis- 
faction to his fellow-townsmen, and but few cases 
wliich come within his jurisdiction are appealed to 
a higher court. 



<,w^^RED A. TICHP:N0R. a noble class of 
I— UTjl men has built up the agricultural inter- 
/1|) est of Niles Townshi]), and iiave made it a 

garden spot in the great commonwealth of Michi- 
gan. Among those who were active and efficient 
in the work was George E. Tichenor, the father of 
our subject. He was a native of the timpire 
State, born in Oswego County IMarch 1, 1828, 
and the son of Joseph M. Tichenor, who was a na- 
tive of New Jersey. The latter's mother was sup- 
posed to have been the first white woman who set 
foot on Jersey shores. She was of Einglish de- 
scent. 

Joseph M. Tichenor married Miss Mary H. Ack- 
erson, a native of New York, but who traced her 
ancestors back to sturdy German stock. This 
marriage resulted in the birth of seven children, 
George E. being fifth in order of birth. The latter 
came with his parents to Ohio at an early day, 
but later settled with them in Michigan. After 
growing up he became a school teacher and fol- 
lowed this in connection with farming for some 
time. On the 16th of October, 1861, he was mar- 
ried, and later moved onto an old farm in Berrien 
County, remaining on the same until 1872, when 
he moved where his son now lives, and there died 
in 1874. He was a Democrat in politics, was Supcr- 
vi^(.i- of the township and held other local offices. 
A member of the Presbyterian Church, he was Sujjcr- 
intendent of the Sunday-school at Huchaiian, and 
was Elder in the church for vears. He was an active 



worker in the same and contributed liberally of 
his means to its supi)()rt. He was well known and 
very popular in the community. His widow, 
whose maiden name was Anna Blake, was born in 
Indiana, February 24, 1839. 

Her father, John Blake, was a native of Vir- 
ginia, and a farmer by occupation. The grand- 
father, William Hlake, was also born in Virginia, 
but the great-grandfather, Thomas Blake, was a 
native of England, who came to America when a 
young man. Mrs. Tichenor 's mother, Araminta 
Hague, was born in Ohio and reared in that State. 
Her father, John Hague, was supposed to have 
been of Scotch-Irish descent. Mr. and Mrs. Blake 
were married near South Bend, Ind., and subse- 
quently located in St. Joseph County, on a farm. 
Later they moved to Wisconsin, but shortly after- 
wards returned to Michigan, where they passed the 
closing scenes of their lives. They were the pa- 
rents of six children, three sons and three daugh- 
ters, all of whom grew to mature years except 
one. Mrs. Tichenor was the third in order of birth 
of these children, and was reared and educated in 
Berrien County from the age of eight years. 
After reaching womanhood she taught school in 
Berrien County. 

By her marriage to Mr. Tichenor she became 
the mother of seven children, as follows: Ma}- 
the wife of Ellis Roe, who is engaged in the hard- 
ware business in Buchanan; Fredrick A., our sub- 
ject; John B., at home; Georgia, now in San Fran- 
cisco, Cal., engaged as a stenographer and t3pe- 
writer; Joseph M., at home; and Charles E., at 
home. William, the eldest child, died at the age 
of seventeen years. Since the death of JNlr. Tich- 
enor, Mrs. Tichenor has had charge of all her hus- 
band's interests, and displays excellent judgment 
and much sound sense in her management of the 
same. She has four hundred and seventy-one acres 
where she now lives and the fine residence on it 
makes it a very attractive place. This is one of 
the finest farms in the State and is kept in admir- 
able condition by Mrs. Tichenor, who sui)erintends 
everything. She is a worthy member of the Pres- 
byterian Church, and, like her husband, contrib- 
utes liberally to its support. 

Fredrick A. Tichenor, her son, and the present 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



753 



Suiiervisor of Nilos Township, is residin<^ on sec- 
lion .7, of tluit lownsliip, and is a wide-awai<e, 
ilHimngii-fioinj;; young agriculturist. He was born 
in rioiriiMi County, Nilcs Township. Midi., May 10, 
IMtiT, :\\\i\ was the second in order of birth of the 
ciiiidren born to iiis parents. He attended the 
district scliools of liis neighborhood, and later en- 
tered tiie High School at IJuchanan, from which 
lie was graduated some time later. He is one of 
the promising young farmers of the county, has a 
line farm of one hundred and sixty acres, and in 
the management of it lias displayed much good 
sense. Socially, he is a member of the Masonic 
fraternity, liuchanan I>odge No. 68, and is also a 
iiieniber of the Knights of Pythias, Niles l^odge 
No. IIH). In IS'.l.i. he was elected Supervisor of 
the township; in 188tt, when but twenty -one years 
of .age, was made Township Clerk. He takes a 
deep interest in all worthy cnteri)rises and is pub- 
lic-spirited and energetic. 



&^^<^ 



-■{•«- 



\ JOHN l>rCKM.\N, an extensive general agri- 
culturist and fruit-grower of Sodus Town- 
^^ ' ship, lierrien County, ,>Hch.. has occupied 
^5^// his line farm of two hundred and sixty 
acres for about two-score years, and, enjoying a 
wide ac<iuaintance throughout the county, is es- 
teemed a man of pr.actical experience and sound 
judgment. Our subject is a native of the Sunny 
South, and was born in Anne Arundel County, Md., 
October 10, ItciT. The paternal great-grandfather 
settled in America in the days of William Penn, 
and located in the (Quaker Slate ulien it was only 
a Territory or colony. His son Abner Buckman, 
was born, reared, married and died in the old 
Pennsylvania home. The father of our subject, 
William Buckman, born in l^ueks County, Pa., 
early left the scenes of childhood and settled in 
Anne Arundel County, Md., but after spending 
many years in the South, linally removed to Ohio, 
where he died at the good old age of seventy-two 
year:-. His excellent wife. .leanette (Brown) Buck- 
man, bore her iiusliand ten s<iiis and daughter.^, 



three of tlie children now surviving. Our subject 
is the seventh in order of birth, and was but a lit- 
tle lad five years old when with his parents, broth- 
ers and sisters he journeyed to Erie County, Ohio. 

In the new home John, as soon as he was old 
enough, attended the common schools and aided 
his father in the work of the farm. Day by da3' 
he increased his practical experience, and arrived 
at his majority a self-reliant and enterprising 
young man. Beginning life for himself, he worked 
out two years in Ohio .-is a farm laborer. In the 
meantime, three of his brothers had located in Ber- 
rien Count}', Mich., and were experiencing the 
various vicissitudes of those pioneer days. The 
elder brother borrowed from his mother before 
leaving home $10, which she had saved from the 
sale of turkeys, eggs and butter. With that 
amount the son had started out to seek his for- 
tune, and walked the entire distance to Michigan, 
accompanied by his next two brothers, and after 
a time all secured homes and land in the Western 
wilderness. John finally sent them money to 
make payments with, and came himself to Berrien 
County, settling permanently in Sodus Town- 
ship in 1853. Our subject brought a good team 
of horses with him, and resolutely took up land 
and entered ambitiously' upon its improvements. 
He was for a time very much dissatisfied with the 
country, but after a few weeks became well pleased, 
and later, revisiting his old home, expressed him- 
self to friends and neighbors as being unwilling to 
return again to live in Ohio, even if proffered a 
gift of forty acres of the best laud in the State to 
do so. 

Mr. Buckman has ahv.ays been a very energetic 
man, toiling early and late, and has well earned 
every dollar of the competence he now possesses. 
He received IfiOO at the death of his father, but 
^400 he deposited in a bank, which afterward as- 
signed, and the money w.as a total loss, with the 
exception of one year's interest, about %55. Forty 
.acres of the beautiful and valual)le home farm are 
devoted to an orchard of a choice variety of fruit. 
The attractive residence, the substantial bains and 
other buildings, and the well-kept lields, especially 
in the harvest season, present a picture of thrift 
and generous abundance long to be remembered. 



754 



PORTRAIT AND HIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



In 1854, John and Miss Juliet Rees weie united 
in maii'iage, the day of the wedding being April 
30. Tlie parents of Mrs. Buciiman were Martin 
and llannaii Rees. Tlie fatlier is deceased, but 
tlie mother is yet surviving, and is eighty-four 
years of age. Seven children were born unto our 
subject and his estimable wife, of. wliom four are 
still living: Charles W., Nellie. Jessie and Robert. 
One little one died in infancy; two otiiers passed 
away later in life. Alena, the eldest daughter^ 
married Cliarles Kendall, and died some years ago, 
leaving two children, residing in Pipestone Town- 
ship. Nellie is the wife of Jacob Husliaw. The 
other three cliildren are at home. 

Mr. Buckman has been a devout member of 
the United Brethren Church for tliirty-five years, 
and is an orHcial — an honored Trustee. He is also 
a member of the Old Settlers' Association of Ber- 
rien County, and is politically a Prohibitionist, 
but until late years was a pronounced Republican. 
Upright and conscientious in the daily discharge 
of dut}', our subject gives to the affairs of the day 
earnest consideration, and in local elections lends 
liis support to the best man for the place, regard- 
less of party considerations. Now, nearing the 
evening of his age, Mr. Buckman may with pleas- 
ure review his imblemished record .as a friend, 
neighbor and citizen, and rest content in the es- 
teem and high regard of his fellow-townsmen. 



1^ 




*^^^IH'@@![ 



OLOMON M. HOWSER. Cass County 
contains many fertile and liighly-cultiv.a- 
ted farms, and among the number passers- 
by invariably note with admiration the 
well-kept fields and air of thrift and prosperity 
characterizing Mr. Howser's farm. The place con- 
sists of two hundred and sixty-three acres on sec- 
tion 2, of Howard Township, and is devoted to 
general farming and stock-raising purposes. The 
buildings that embellish the place are neat, sub- 
stantial and adapted to their varied purposes, 
while the residence is a cozy abode, tastily furn- 
ished and conveniently arranged. 



The owner of this fine farm was born in Preble 
County, Ohio, June 28, 1828. It is probable that 
his paternal grandfather was a native of Mary- 
land, where also his father, Henry Howser, was 
born, and whence he removed in liis youth to Ohio. 
The mother of our subject was Mar^', daughter of 
Michael Brown, both being natives of North Car- 
olina and of German descent. After their mar- 
riage in Ohio, the parents of our subject located 
in Michigan, in 1836, where the father purchased 
a farm in Pokagon Township, Cass County. Here 
he devoted his energies to clearing and develop- 
ing a fine farm, and was so successful in his efforts 
that he became known throughout his community 
as one of its most persevering and ellicient agri- 
culturists, .as he was also one of its best citizens. 
After his wife's death, which occurred in 1861, he 
removed to the village of Dowagi.ac, where he 
closed his eyes upon the scenes of eartli in 1878. 

In the public affairs of the communit}', Mr. 
Howser, Sr., bore an active part and served with 
etHcienc3- as Supervisor of Pokagon Township and 
Road Commissioner. First a Whig, he later gave 
his allegiance to the Republican party. In his re- 
ligious belief, he was a Universalist, but contrib- 
uted generously to the various denominations. He 
and his good wife were the parents of two daugh- 
ters and five sons, and seven of the number grew 
to manhood and womanhood. These still survive 
with the exception of the third son, who died a 
few years ago. Solomon M. was the second child 
in order of birth and was about eight years old 
when he came to Cass County. His education was 
obtained in the district schools of Pokagon Town- 
ship and the common schools at Mishawaka, Ind., 
but his bioad range of knowledge and informa- 
tion has been obtained principally through self- 
culture. 

On Christmas Day uf 1861, Mr. Howser was 
united in marriage with Miss Minerva Knight, 
who was born in Berrien County, Mich., in 1811, 
her father, Jonathan Knight, having been an early 
settler of that county. After his marriage, Mr. 
Howser settled in Berrien County, where he re- 
mained for one year, and then, in 1863, located on 
his present farm. He and his wife had a family 
of three children: Mary J., deceased; Henry J., 



■^ 

1 




•f^-'^> > •■ 





/^<Z^f.^<^-^ 



<^>-<3 




Ck^^yx^ 



POKTRAIT AND BIlKiRAl'lUCAL KECORD. 



wlio resides on llie lionu'slcud; anfl Cora >!., who 
is stu(lyiii<jj slenogiapliy in C'liii-ago. In his po- 
litical ((pinions, Mr. Howser is a Kcpiililican, liiin 
in iiis advocacy of party measures and men. In 
his religious belief, he is a I iiiveisalist. He is a 
man who willingly aids every measure calculated 
to advance the interests ()f the community, and 
is one of the most capable farmers of Howard 
Township. 



=— =^^-« 



[=r 




|(j_^ON. THOMAS MARS li.as occupied with 
executive ability many of the important 
county and Stale ollices within the gift 
of his fellow-citizens and constituents, 
and, discharging the duties entrusted to his care 
with eftieieuc}', is one of the most popular and 
highly esteemed I'esidents of Berrien County, 
Mich. Our subject, an extensive and prosperous 
general agriculturist of Bei-rien Township, born 
May 4, 1829, in Giles County, Va., was but an in- 
fant when he removed with his parents to Berrien 
County, with whose growth and progress he has 
been intimately associated for more than three- 
score years. His father, Hugh Mars, a native Vir- 
ginian, remained in his early home until he at- 
tained his majority. He was a hardworking and 
enterprising man and combined the trade of a 
blacksmith with the occupation of a farmer. The 
Marses are of Scotch descent, but the paternal 
great-grandfather made his home in New Jersey, 
in which State the grandfather of the Hon. Thomas 
Mars, .Vrchibald Mars, was born, and later, mi- 
grating from his native State to Virginia when 
young, remained in the Old Dominion until his 
death. 

The mother of our subject, Elloner (Riggin) 
Mars, was the daughter of an old Virginian family 
aiifl a native of the Old Dominion, where her father 
pursued the peaceful avocation of a tiller of the 
soil. Marrying in Virginia, the parents journeyed 
later to Michigan, localiiig in IScrrien County, 
A|)ril 6. 1h;?(), the very day upon wliich the first 
election of the ((ninty was held, twenty-six voters 

37 



having cast their ballot. The father entered land 
on section 23. Berrien Townshiii, and the deed 
was signed by I'resident Andrew .Jackson. The 
mother, a devoted Christian woman, was obliged at 
first to go to .Summerville when she wished to attend 
church. At that jjcriod there were no settlers in 
the immediate neighborhood of the pioneer home. 
The Indians had huts on the land of the father, 
and were peaceable, quiet red men, and the first 
boys that our subject remembers playing with were 
Indian lads. The land was heavily timbered, and 
the country round about almost impassable at 
times. Air. Mars well recollects the surveying and 
laying out of Cassopolis and the Berrien Spring 
Road. The mother, born in February, 1805, died 
February 27, IS.TT, preceding her husband to the 
better land by forty years. The father lived to 
be married four limes, and removed from the old 
homestead in ltsr>;5 to the farm owned by his last 
companioii, pleasantly located in Berrien Springs. 

Hugh Mars, after a life of busy usefulness, passed 
awa}', mourned as a public loss, in 1877, at the 
good old age of eighty-one ^-ears. He was an en- 
terprising and self-reliant man, of strong and 
earnest purpose, and, possessing most admirable 
trails of character, was honored and beloved. He 
was, politically, in early life a Whig and later an 
ardent Republican, and was a leader in the coun- 
cils of the local party. He was for many years a 
popular Justice of the Peace, and was one of the 
first appointed in the county. By his first mar- 
riage he had six children, all surviving. A. W. 
resides in Berrien .Springs; Thomas was tiie second- 
born; Samuel lives in Lake Township; William is 
a citizen of California; Eliza J. is the wife of P. H. 
Webster, of section 11, Berrien Township; Melinda 
is the wife of T. B. Snow, of section 16, Berrien 
Townshi)). Of the three children born unto the 
third marri.age, the surviving are B. F., residing on 
section 18; and Elizabeth, wife of Burdette Mc- 
Gill, of Oronoko Township. 

Our subject, reared in the pioneer home, had 
barely attained his m.ajority, when, beginning 
life for himself, he served an apprenticeship to the 
trade of a carpenter and joiner. For seven jears 
he did business as a contractor and builder, and in 
18.")7 went to Kansas, settling in Lawrence. In the 



758 



POxtTRAlT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



following December he came home, and spent Jan- 
uai V, returning in February to Kansas, where he 
remained through the summer of 1858, and in the 
fail journeyed to Missouri. Me purchased a half- 
interest in a sawmill near Savannah, and engaged 
in l)usiness in that locality until the breaking out 
of the Civil War. At this time the mill was burned 
and our subject was warned to leave in lifteen 
days. 

In the fall of 1860, Thomas Mars and Miss 
Margaret A. Wood were united in marriage. The 
estimable wife of our subject is widely known and 
highly esteemed. She was the daughter of Chris- 
topher Wood, of Binghamton, N. Y.. in which 
part of the Knii)ire State she was born, reared and 
thoroughly educated. Immediately after his mar- 
riage, Mr. Mars rented for one year an old water- 
mill near Berrien Springs, and at the end of the 
twelve months bought a steam sawmill and tliirtj- 
tive acres of land where he now resides. The land 
was then wild (November 10, 1862), but now, with 
an added acreage, is one of the most valuable 
homesteads in the township. Tlie one hundred 
and twenty acres, eighty-five of which are. highly 
cultivated and improved with excellent and com- 
modious buildings, is a most desirable piece of 
farming pro|)erty. Ihitii a few years ago our sub- 
ject operated the null, as well as cultivated the 
fertile soil, but now devotes his time to agricultural 
pursuits. Of the four children who brightened 
the home, only one lived to adult age, Rosalia 
Imogene, wife of Dr. O. A. La Crone, a successful 
medical practitioner of Berrien Centre. Mrs. La 
Crone had three children: an infant daughter, 
who died unnamed; Thomas Mars and Frank AV. 
The accomplished daughter passed away March 
12, 1891, mourned by sorrowing friends and rela- 
tives. 

Fraternally, Mr. Mars is connected with the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Berrien 
Centre, and has passed all the chairs. He is now 
a member of the Standing Committee on By-laws 
for the State. He is also a member of the Patrons 
of Husbandry of Beirien Centre, has held all the 
offices in the same and is the present Master. He 
has been Master of the State Grange for five years, 
and has taken in three districts since 1873, giving 



his thorough and enthusiastic support to the ex- 
istence and prosperity of the Grange, and is, and 
has been, a member of the State Executive Com- 
mittee of the Grange for sixteen years. Our sub- 
ject is now a member of the State Board of Control 
of the State Puljlic Schools at Coldwater, Mich. 

Politically, Mr. Mars is a Republican, and has 
always been actively interested in local and na- 
tional issues. He has several times been Chair- 
man of the County Committee and is now Treas- 
urer of the same. As delegate to various State, 
county and Congressional conventions, he has 
given his constituents universal satisfaction by the 
faithful handling of the pulilic interests intrusted 
to his care. In 1880, elected to the State Senate, 
our subject served with lidelity his full term and 
was present at tiie extra sessions. As a member 
of important committees, he promoted the interests 
of the State, and was a prominent factor in se- 
curing the present law on highways. Mr. Mars 
has been identified with the leading agricultural 
societies and has been President of the Berrien 
County Agricultural Society many terms, and was 
President of the Berrien Springs Agricultural So- 
ciety last year. For four years he served as Oil 
Inspector of the district, has also been County 
Agent of the .State Board of Charities, and was 
likewise Inspector of the Poor of Berrien County 
for three years. Constantlj' engaged in public 
work for the greater part of his life, our subject 
has proven himself to be a man of intelligent 
ability, excellent judgment and sterling integrity 
ol character, and, tiie candidate of his party for 
most responsible positions, has ever justilied the 
confidence reposed in him by a host of friends. 



Iil-^"i^li^^i= 



C4l IVILLIAM II. BALL. This highly respected 
\/\j// and honored citizen of Coloma, Berrien 
W^ County, was born in Huntington, Mass., 
August 24, 1858, and is the son of Sawyer and 
Susan (Ilazen) Ball. His grandfather, Manassa 
Ball, was ill turn a son of Elijah Ball, also a 
native of Massachusetts, who served in the war 



PORTRAIT AM) mC(;RAriIlCAL RECORD. 



759 



for indo|H'iidi'nce. lie lived and died in liis 
native State, and reared a family of nine sons ami 
live daughters, all o( wlioni giew to mature years. 
He passed away in 18;i7, at the age of t'ighty-seven 
years. lilanassa IJall was born Deeeniher 28. 1800. 
In liis youthful days he followed the oecupation 
of a farmer, and afterward operale<l a carding-nia- 
chine for a few years, lie was the youngest of 
fourteen children l)orn to his (larents, and was mar- 
ried to Miss Clarissa, a daughter of Deaeon An- 
drews, whose wife was a Miss Holt. He was a 
Whig politically, and afterward joined the Repub- 
lican party, and was a believer in the Unitarian 
doctrines. lie died in his seventy-second year. 

The father of our subject is the fourth in order 
of birth of a faniilj- of six children, namely: Phin- 
eas, Caroline, Adeline, Sawyer, Albert and Alonzo. 
He followed surveying for a few years and then 
engaged HI the vvood-turniug business. In 1860 
he moved to Dowagiac, Mich., where witi; three 
others he established himself in the manufacture of 
wooden eave troughs, theirs being the first factory 
of the kind in the State. In 1862 he located in 
Niles, and there opened up a factory, which proved 
to be a very profitable business, and in 1864 he 
moved to Coloma, wheie he continued to follow 
his chosen occupation for a year. In 1865 he 
bought a gristmill here and has ever since oper- 
ated it, receiving a liberal patronage from the citi- 
zens of the town, as well as from the farmers in 
the surrounding country. He also owns a mill in 
Hartford, and in 1868 m.ade the first fruit-box 
ever constructed in Coloma. He is a prominent 
man in political affairs and has held some public 
ollices. The mother of our subject was born in St. 
Lawrence County, N. Y., to (ioodrich and Susan 
(Walker) Iliizen. The parents were natives of 
the State of Vermont and New Hampshire, re- 
spectively, the former being a merchant and lum- 
bciMiaii, who died in Ohio. His wife died at the 
home of her daughter, leaving three boys and two 
gills. Mr. Ilazen's father came from Scotland in 
an early day, while his wife's people were of Irish 
ancestry. 

.Sawyer liall and wife have four children: Klla 
,1., William II., Clara S. and .Mbert C. Willi;ini 
II., our subject, was educated in the c iiiori 



schools of Michigan, and subse(iuently took a bus- 
iness course in the schools of Valparaiso, Ind., 
from which he graduated in 1878. After leaving 
school he engaged in business with his father in 
the manufacture of fioiir and eave troughs. When 
his |)arents came to Coloma, William came with 
them and assisted his father in the work, and now 
owns an interest in the mills, both here and at 
Hartford. 

Our subject was married in October, 188:^, to 
Clara M. Miller, who was born in this State. This 
estimable lady's parents are Martin and Sarah 
(Hamilton) Miller, and since her inarri.age with 
our subject she has become the mother of one child, 
Charles O. Mrs. Ball has been identified with the 
Congregational Church for fifteen years and is an 
active worker. Mr. Ball takes an interest in poli- 
tics and has served as Town Clerk for three years. 
In the spring of 1893 he was elected Supervisor 
of his township. A leading and honored Mason, 
he IS now considered one of the best-jiosted Ma- 
sons in western Michigan. He is a ijromisingyoung 
man of more than aver.age ability, and it is scarcely 
necessary to add that he is hold in high repute by 
the citizens of Coloma and the adj.acent country 
on account of his good char.acter and pleasing 
qualities. 



4^ 



""°fe)> 



ff__^ IRAM SMITH is another one of the promi- 
ik; nent citizens of the county who claim New 
York as their native State, his birth occur- 
ring in (ienesee County, near Lockpori, 
•January 1.5, 1838, and he has all those characteris- 
tics of thrift, energy and industry so common to 
the average New Yorker. His parents, .Samuel 
and Frances (Fordora) Smith, were of English and 
AVelsh-Scotch extraction, respectively, but aside 
from that but little further is known of the early 
histoiy of the family. 

Our subject's parents had thirteen children. 
Emily married William Owens, and became the 
mother of two sons and two daughters. They re- 
side in Calvin Township. Esther, who first mar- 



760 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ried William Hickley, became the mother of tlirec 
childien, but only one child lived. Her second 
marriage was to Ransom J, Osboin, by whom she 
had one cliild. She is now residing in Calvin 
Township, tliis county. Chauncy married Miss 
Frankie A. Wayne, and served three years in the 
Civil War. He was captured at Murfreesboro. 
Mary F. married Jeremiah Chowgo, by whom she 
had three children, and after his death she mar- 
ried Madison Jlaston. Lovisa married Silas Bump, 
and subsequent!}' went to Kansas, where the^' now 
reside. The^- have four children. Alvira married 
Frank Hilton, and died leaving three children. Jo- 
sephus died when young. Russel married Aifaretta 
Allen, and to them were born two children. Af- 
ter his death his widow married our subject. 
Lewis married Louiin Carmichael, but after her 
deatli was married to MissOma Schuttle, who bore 
him two children. The^- reside in Calvin Town- 
ship. Harvey married Alta Osborn. Amos mar- 
ried Olive Niver, by whom he has three children. 
They reside in this township. 

The father of our subject left New York State 
for Michigan in 1838 with an ox-team, and settled 
in Calvin Township, this county, where he tilled 
t!ie soil for many years. His death occurred on 
this farm in July, 1888, when seventy-seven years 
of age, and his widow too passed away on the old 
homestead, in the spring of 1893. when seventy- 
two years of age. They were worthy and re- 
spected citizens. Our subject was but six months 
old when brought by his parents to Cass County, 
and of course all his recollections are of this State. 
He grew to sturd}- manhood in the wilderness of 
Michigan, but on account of being obliged to 
work hard in youth, his educational advantages 
were rather neglected. 

When eighteen years of age, our subject decided 
that it was not best for man to live alone, and he 
was married to Miss Hannah J. Haden. This 
union resulted in the birth of tliree children. 
Charles is a resident of Elkhart, Ind. Fred married 
Millie Day, and they have two children, Glennie 
and Jessie. He and his wife reside on a part 
of our subject's farm. Edward married Lorena 
Cope, and they have one child, and reside in Elk- 
hart. Ind. Mr. Smith lost his estimable companion 



December 18, 1885, and in 1886 he married his 
present wife, she being the widow of his brother 
Russel. The\' have two children, Stephen and 
Herman. 

()n the 2d of September, 1864, Mr. Smith en- 
listed in Company I, Twelfth Michigan Regiment, 
and served one year. Tiic battle of Bull Run was 
the only engagement of note in which he partici- 
pated, for he was on detached duty in Arkansas 
and Indian Territory most of the time. On the 
9th of September, 186.'), he was discharged at Cam- 
den, Ark., and returned to the peaceful pursuit of 
farming. Since the war he has resided on his 
present property, where he had settled shortl}' af- 
ter his tirst marri.age, and he is one of the foremost 
agriculturists of the county. He is a member of 
the Grand Army of the Republic, and in politics 
has ever been a Republican. He has never aspired 
to political honors, and has never held a township 
office, preferring to devote all his energies to the 
farm. 




<^, IklLLIAM 11. BEESON. Cass County num- 
' bers among its citizens none who occupy- 
a higher position in the regard of tiieir 
neighbors and friends than the subject of this 
notice, who is a practical and successful fanner 
residing on section 20, La Grange Township. Tlie 
family of which he is an honored representative 
was represented in America during the early 
Colonial days, and has, since that time, been 
closely connected with the progress of the coun- 
try. In an early day three brothers of this name 
emigrated from England to the United States, one 
of whom located in Virginia, while John settled in 
Pennsylvania, and Richard went to North Caro- 
lina. 

Of these three brothers the biographer is espe- 
cially interested in Richard. He married, reared 
his family and p.assed his entire life in North 
Carolina, where he followed farming pursuits. He 
was a (Quaker and a strong anti-slavery man, 
possessing the peaceful, lilieity-loviug and kind 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



rr.i 



characteristics of that society. Among his chil- I 
drcii was a son Isaac, who at the age of seventeen 
ri'iiioveil lo Kentucky, residing lliere for one year. 
Tiience. ahout 1795, lie went to Indiana and made 
setthMiiont in Wayne County. After liis marriage 
to Miss Mtuy I\ambo, lie located on a farm foui' 
miles from Richmond, in the midst of a heavily 
timbered section of country, wliere the princijjal 
inhabitants were Indians. He operated a dis- 
tillery for about twenty years, but became dis- 
gusted with the business and turned his attention 
exclusivel\' to stock-raising and farming, bcconiing 
one of the most extensive stock -raiseis in that 
part of Indiana. Politically, he was a Wiiig, and 
was strong in his opposition to slavery. A member 
of the Society of Friends until marri.age, and a 
man of great |)iety, he was highly esteemed 
throughout the camniunily where his .active life 
was passed. His death occuired in 1810, at the 
age of sixty-four years. 

The father of our subject, Jesse Beeson, was born 
December 10. 1.S07, and remained in the parental 
home until his marriage at the age of twenty 
3ears, his wife being .Vnu, the daughter of Henry 
Rcnesten. In his youth he worked in his father's 
distillery, but at the age of seventeen yeais his 
father abandoned the business and he afterward 
conducted farmmii pursuits. Upon establishing 
domestic ties, his father gave him sixty acres of 
uniminoved land, but he remained ui)on it only a 
short time, removing thence to Michigan in 1833. 
In Is.'JOlie had made an excursion to this State 
on horseback, with a vii'w to selecting a suitable 
location, and returned to I iidiMiia via Chicago, at 
that time a inilitary [xisl. In 183.S he located 
with his family near Niles, but about the same 
time purchased two liundred and forty acres in 
Cass County. In his journey to .Michigan he 
traveled with four ox-teams and two horses, his 
wife riding one of the horses and carrying her in- 
fant ill her arms. In February, 1831, he removed 
to his farm in LaCrange 'rowuship, but after five 
years spent there, he moved a few miles further 
south and purchased two hundred and live acres. 
This property he lived to see improved and mostly 
under eulti vat ion. 

Wliile devoting his attention principally to his 



farming pursuits, Jesse Heeson found time to 
inform himself upon all topics of general interest, 
and was a man of broad information upon all 
subjects. In religious belief he was non-sectarian, 
and to some extent believed in the teachings of 
spiritualism. His first wife died in 1869, at the 
age of sixty-six 3-ears. They h.ad been the (larents 
of nine children, one of whom died in infancy. 
The others are: William II., of this sketch; Isaac 
N.; Benjamin F.: Mary J., Mrs. David Huff, who 
died February 17, 1893; Luraiiy, Mrs. Austin 
Dixcm; Kliza A., the wife of Xathaniel Defoe; 
Laura, who married Robert Cameron; and Ander- 
son G. Mr. r.eescm married for his second wife 
Mrs. Mary I'Jue, daughter of Hugh Gardner and a 
half-sister of his former wife. A stanch Wiiig in 
his political belief, ho was prominently identified 
with political affairs in his section. In 18;)2 he 
w.as elected to the State Senate, and during his 
term o|)posed the railroad franchise bill, which de- 

' feated liiiu for a second nomination. He also 
held many local township and county ollices. in 
which he served with fidelity lo the interests of 
the people. His death oi'curred on the lOtli of 

j February, 1888. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Wa\ne 
County, I nd., March 2."), 1829. He received his 
education in the district schools of Niles and Al- 
bion, and in 18,51 made his first trip away from 
home. He had been in poor health for some time, 
and, tliiuking to benelit himself physically as well 
as to make a fortune in the F.l Dorado of the 
Argonauts, he wont lo California, making the 
trip via New York to Aspiiiwall aii(! tlieiice to 
San Francisco and Sacramento, For four years he 
worked in mines at various places, meeting with 
excellent success in his si)eculations. In addition 
to mining, he engaged to some extent in the 
stock business. He returned home via water, 
reaching Michigan in 1856, He remaineil at home 
for two years, then traveled through I lliiiois, Iowa 
and Missouri, 

The first marriage of Mr. Beeson occurred in 
1861, at which time he was united with .Margaret, 
daugliter of (Jeorge Finlev. of Kalamazoo. One 
child was born of this union. .lesse, now deceased. 
The second marriage of Mr, lieesoii united him with 



762 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Miss Maria, daughter of Fredrick CluircluU, and 
they became the parents of one son, Isaac. After 
the death of this lady, our subject married Mrs. 
Melissa Shingledicker, the daugiiter of Clayburn 
Shingledicker, and a native of Cass County. Tiiey 
have reared five children: George; Anna A., the 
wife of Rliett Gould; John; Charles; and Laura. 
r Delia died at tiie age of five years. In his politi- 
cal belief, Mr. Beeson is non-partisan in local 
affairs, and Democratic in his support of national 
issues. In former 3'ears he was first a Whig and 
later a Republican. lie is a man who is highly 
regarded and enjoys the esteem of his large circle 
of acquaintances. 



..=0. 



eHARLES E. SWEET, Prosecuting Attorney 
of Cass County, and a prominent resident 
of Dowagiac, was born in Keeler, Van 
Buren County, Mich., March 11, 1860. He traces 
his lineage to good old Revolutionary stock, his 
paternal great-grandfather having served in the 
defense of the Colonies during the war with Eng- 
land. His grandfather, Ezra Sweet, was a native 
of Vermont, and the father of our subject. Dr. J. 
ElliottSweet, was also born in the Green Mountain 
State. The latter was reared on a farm, and re- 
ceived his literary education at Townsliend (Vt.) 
Academy. Coming to Michigan in 1844, he studied 
medicine in the University of Michigan, at Ann 
Arbor, and also under the preccptorshij) of Dr. 
Andrews, of Paw Paw. 

Prior to beginning the practice of his profes- 
sion. Dr. Sweet engaged in teaching in Eaton and 
Van P.uren Counties and the cities of Rattle Creek 
and Kalamazoo. He opened an office for general 
practice at Mattawan, Van Buren County, in 1865, 
and remained there about four years, at wliich 
time he removed to Keeler, "\'an Buren County, 
and was a general practitioner at that place until 
1874. He has now retired from active profes- 
sional work, and devotes his attention to a gen- 
eral insurance business at Hartford, this State. 



For a number of years he served as Superintendent 
of Schools, and his interest in educational matters 
has resulted in great good to the community, as 
he has succeeded in elevating the standard of 
scholarship and instruction. At present he is fill- 
ing the position of Clerk of his township. 

In 1853 Dr. Sweet married Miss Mary A. 
Adsitt, who was born in New Yorl^. She died 
during the infancy of our subject, and Dr. Sweet 
afterward married Miss Rachel E. Pletcher, who is 
still living. Dr. Sweet had three cliildren by his 
first marriage: Elliott, deceased; Mary A., wife of 
Elmer Thayer, of Nebraska; and Charles E., of 
this sketch. Politically, the father was in former 
years a l^emocrat, but is now a Republican. He 
has held numerous official positions, including the 
offices of School Inspector, School Examiner and 
School Superintendent, having always taken a 
peculiar interest in educational matters. A man 
of strong religious convictions, he is at present a 
Deacon in the Congregational Church. The pa- 
ternal grandfather of our subject was a carpenter 
by trade, and for a time resided in Paw Paw, 
Mich., but removed later to a farm near Bangor, 
.and from that place to Benton, Eaton County, 
where his death occurred in 1876. 

At the age of fourteen ^ears our subject ac- 
companied his father from Keeler Township, Van 
Buren County, to Hartford, Mich., where he re- 
mained until 1884. Wlien nineteen years old he 
commenced to te.ach. and followed that profession 
in the schools of Keeler and Hartford Townships, 
^'an Buren Count}', also in Cass County. Alto- 
gether he taught fourteen terms, a period of about 
six years. He ceased teaching in order to give 
his entire attention to the study of law, which he 
conducted under the preceptorship of Spafford 
Tryon, of Dowagiac. He pursued his studies from 
.lanuary, 1884, until Api'il, 1886, when he was 
elected City .Tustice, after which he continued to 
read law in his own office until he was admitted 
to the Bar. October 4, 1886. Afterward he spent 
a year in the law department of the Univeisity of 
Michigan, graduating with the Class of '91, and 
taking the degree of LL. B. 

The lady who in 1887 became the wife of 
Charles E. Sweet was fornierlj' Miss Grace L. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL RECORD. 



763 



Rouse. I III fiitluT. Dr. I.yiiKin \'. h'oiisc, was a 
native of New York and a proiiiinent physician 
of Downjjiac. Mis. Sweet was liurn and reaied in 
Dowagiae, and is an accoint)iisiied lady. She 
takes irieat interest in painting, for which she has 
a natural talent, and at the Dowagiae Union Fair 
last antunui '1892) many of her pieces were on 
exhibilinii and received first iiremiunis, being uni- 
veisally admired. Mr. and Mrs. Sweet have one 
child, l-'.li/.nlieth. They have an elegant residence 
on the corner of Conrtland and (Treen Streets, 
which is enihellished with lovely furnishings and 
all the modern con vi-iiiences. 

Politically, .Mr. Sweet is a Republican. In 1892 
he was elected Prosecuting Attorney, and is still 
filling that position. From IHIST until 1H91 he 
served ,as Circuit Court Commissioner, and he is 
now City Attorney at Dowagiae, having filled 
thai otiicc for three terms, lie is a Koyal Arch 
Mason, and is High Priest <t( tlie Chapter. He is 
also identified with the Knights of Pythias, and 
is Prelate of the lodge. For two years he was 
Commander of the Maccabees, and is also a mem- 
ber of the Modern Woodmen of America. On 
numerous occasions he has lieen delegate to State 
and congressional conventions. His library is 
one of the finest m the .State, and he is continually 
addint; to it. lie has a larj^c .-ind lucrative prac- 
tice, and is a liaiil man to find at leisure. 



•{••S-S-S-ii 




RTON .1.\I{\'IS. Among the venerable 
residents of Niles 'rowuship there is not 
'if®)J|J ""^' "'"' '"i"* \varmer friends or is more 
truly honored by his neighbors than he 
whose name we have just given. His long life of 
industry and usefulness, and his record for integ- 
rity ami tiue-heai'ted faitlifuliu'ss in all the rela- 
tions of life, have given him a hold upon the 
cominnnily wliicli all might well dcsiie to share. 

Mr. .laivis claims North C.-irolina as his native 
State, and was born in Rowan County September 
t>. IHU;. His parents, Z.adoek and Lucy (Owings) 
Jarvis, were natives of North Carolina and Mary- 



land respectively. The paternal grandfather, Za- 
dock Jarvis, was of English origin, and it is sup- 
posed that he was a native of Maryland, although 
nothing definite is known. He was a soldier in 
the Revolutionary War, as was also our subject's 
maternal grandfather, Basil Owings. 

The parents .of our subject were married in 1812 
or 181.3, and later moved to Indiana, where they 
rented a farm in Wayne County. In 1835 they 
came to Michigan and located in La Orange Town- 
ship, Cass County, where they passed the remainder 
of their days, the father dying at the age of sixty- 
two, and the mother when ninety-two years of 
age. Of the .seven ciiildren born to their union, 
four were sons and the lemainder daugliters, and 
all lived to mature years. Sarah, wife of James 
Moore, is now deceased; Polly, decejused, w.as the 
wife of Joseph Sparkes; lulith, decea.sed, was the 
wife of .lonathan Roe; Burton is oursubject; Nor- 
man resides in Dowagiacr, Mich.; Henjamin is de- 
cease<l; and Zadock is now residing in Dowagiae. 

The subject of this notice w.as but eight years 
of age wlien he went to Wayne County, Ind., and 
he remained there for ten years. AVIien eighteen 
years of age he came to Cass County, Mich., and 
in 18.35 he found his way into lierrien ('(umty. 
where he worked for a Mr. (TrilHii, clearing land 
at $1(1 per acre. After working for two months, 
he went to boating on the St. Joseph River, from 
South 15iaid and Niles to the Lakes, and followed 
this until about IS 11). The same year he married 
Miss Kli/.abeth .Sparks, a native of Wayne County, 
Ind., and sul)se(iuently settled in Niles Townshii) 
on section 12. In 1 H 12 he lH)ught an eighty-.acre 
farm, unimproved, and on this erected a small log 
cabin, the logs of which he cut liim^clf from his 
land. He then began clearing the faim of the 
heavy timber witli which it was covered. and after 
years of hard work he was rewarded, for he had 
one of the best farms in the county. To theoriti:- 
inal tract he added from time to time until he 
owned three hundred aM<l thirty acies, and liesold 
trwo hundred acres of this land at lillO per acre. 
He h.as much of the latest improved m.achiiiery for 
expediting work, and although he is getting well 
nlong in years he still does much work himself. 
Mr. .larvis" accumulations have been the result 



764 



K)RTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of years of hard work on the part of himself and 
his most worth)- companion, for they commenced 
with little or nothing. When he first entered 
Michigan he had the large sum of twenty-five 
cents, and he first hired out to drive cattle, re- 
ceiving three shillings per day. Mauj' times he 
would be out at work by four o'clock in the morn- 
ing, and after going without dinner would have a 
late supper. He remained on the farm where he 
first settled until 1883, and then moved to Bu- 
chanan, where he remained for two years. This 
was while he was building his present fine resi- 
dence. In 188(5 he returned to the farm of one 
hundred and thirty acres, and on tins he has since 
resided, although he rents the land. Mr. Jaivis 
and wife have buried five children. Lucy was the 
wife of Frank H. Berrick, and died when about 
fort^'-four 3ears of age; John was in the hardware 
business in St. Joseph, Mich., and died when about 
twenty-four years of age; Zed died when about 
twenty-eight years of age; Matilda died in in- 
fancy; and Ezra died at the age of seven years. 
All were born on section 12, Niles Township. Mr. 
Jarvis was at one time a Democrat in politics, but 
after the war he became a Republican, and still 
later a Greenbacker, being the latter at the pres- 
ent time. 



E*^* 



FREDERICK SMITH. Among the many 
prominent, enterprising and successful citi- 
_\ " zens of Cass County is the worthy gentle- 
man whose name heads this sketch. His life of 
industry and usefulness, and his record for integ- 
rity and true-hearted faithfulness in all the rela- 
tions of life, have given him a hold upon the cotn- 
munit}' which all might well desire to share. A 
native of Hesse-Cassel, Germany, born January 
15, 1837, he lias inherited all the best character- 
istics of that nationality. 

Mr. Smith was the eldest of five children born 
to the marriage of David and (Tcrtrude Smitli, 
natives of Hesse-Cassel, and when but fifteen years 



of age. with his sister, took passage for America. 
After landing in the city of New York, they re- 
mained there for some time, but in 1852 our sub- 
ject decided to go West. He came as far West as 
Detroit, and, after working in a brickyard for a 
month, was taken sick with fever and ague, and 
was in the hospital all winter. The following 
sjjring he hired out to a farmer for ^7 per month, 
but during the following winter he received liut 
$3 per month. He remained with this farmer for 
two years. 

In the mean time, the parents of our subject de- 
cided to cross over to the "land of the free," and 
in the 3'ear 1853 the)' took passage to America. 
A few days after sailing the mother was taken 
sick and died, and when within one mile of the 
Jersey coast the vessel was wrecked and the fa- 
ther and the youngest son lost. One son, George 
W., was saved, and now resides in St. Louis, Mo. 

Our subject attended the schools of his native 
country until fourteen years of age, but, being 
the eldest son, he was obliged to assist his father 
to make a living. While residing in INIichigan, 
he worked for the farmers around Ypsilanti until 
1857, when he went to Constantine, that State. In 
the fall of 1861 he enlisted in the Chandler Home 
Guards, and after they disbanded he enlisted in 
the Sixth Michigan Light Artillery as a private 
under Capt. Andrews. He was sent to Kentucky 
on garrison duty, and was at West Point six 
months. He participated in the battle of Frank- 
fort, and then went back to Louisville, where his 
company was re-organized. From there he went 
to Knoxville, afterward joined Gen. Sherman's 
arm)', and was in the battle of Resaca, numerous 
skirmishes and the battle of Atlanta. He was 
under Gen. Thomas against Hood and partici- 
pated in the battle of Nashville. From there he 
was sent to Washington, D. C, tiience to Raleigh, 
and participated in the battle of Bridges' Cross 
Roads. Then, joining Sherman at Greenville, 
he was present at the surrender of Gen. Johnson's 
army, and remained there until sent home, re- 
ceiving his discharge in July, 1865, at Jackson, 
this State. He was a good soldier and was ever 
ready for diit)-. 

Relurnins; to Constantine, Mr. Smith remained 




RLSIDLNCl CF ANDREW ALDRICH , SLC.S. SILVER CREEK TP.^CASS CO .MICH 




rrLJiUEHCLur ri-?ED. S ivi i I n , oEC . o . vCLi N 1 A IF. CAoiCO.MICH. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPIUCAL RECORD. 



rfi: 



llierc for some time and then came to Cass Coun- 
ty, where lie purcliased seveiity-llnei' acres of 
wild timber-land. In the fall of 1865 he was mar- 
ried to Miss Sallie M. IMne, a native of Washte- 
naw Coiiiity, Mich., born in 1839, and the daugh- 
ter of A. Pine, one of the pioneer settlers of this 
State. After marriage they settled on the new 
farm in a log house, and, although they had lit- 
tle to start with, they went activel3' to work and 
soon gained a solid footing. From lime to lime, 
.IS his means allowed, Mr. Smith added to the orig- 
inal tract, until at the present time he is the owner 
of one liuiiili'ed and forty-six acres of land, with 
one hundred and twenty acres under cultivation, 
lie hnilt a good, substantial residence at a cost of 
^1. .■)()! I, and everything about his place indicates 
that the owner is a man of eneigy and persever- 
ance. All this is the result of his and his wife's 
untiring energy, for during the early part of their 
career they saw little rest. 

Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Smith, three of whom are living: George N., Nora 
V. and Fred U. All have had good educational 
advantages, and Nora has a certificate to teach. 
In politics Mr. Smith is a Democrat. He is a 
member of the (irand Army post at Decatur, and 
is recognized by one and all as one of the coun- 
ty's best citizens. 



-^ 




NDRKVV ALDRICH. Possessing those 
qualities of industry .and energy which are 
characteristic of the people of New York 
State birth, no worthy reference to the 
agricultural affairs of C.iss County would be com- 
plete without mention of Mr. Aldrich, among 
others engaged in tilling the soil. He is a self- 
made man iu every sense of that much-abused 
term, and is possessed of more than ordinary en- 
ergy and force of character, no agriculturist of 
this region deserving greater success in the con- 
duct and management of his farm than he. 

Mr. Aldrich was born in Oswego County, N. Y., 
November 3, 1855. and is a son of P.ert and Hetse^' 



A. (Lindsey) Aldrich, also natives of the Finpire 
State. The paternal grandfather's name w,as also 
Bert. Bert Aldrich, .Ir., was a sailor on the Lakes 
and followed that calling the principal part of his 
life. lie was married in Oswego Count\ , X. Y., 
to Miss Betsey Lindsey, who bore him four chil- 
dren: Stephen; Andrew, the subject of this sketch; 
Minnie, wife of .lames Hammond; and one who 
died in infancy. For many years the parents were 
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and 
during that time they were active workers in the 
same and liberal contributors to its support. In 
politics Mr. Aldrich sup|)orte(l the measures of the 
Republican party and took a deep interest in its 
welfare. He brought his family to Michigan in 
the '50s, and located in .Sanilac County, where he 
resided for some time. Hisdeath occurred in 18C2. 
His widow was married to James H. Moore and by 
this union became the mother of one child, a son, 
Charles. She is still living and makes her home 
in Missouri. 

From this brief and incomplete review of the 
life record of our subject it will be seen that his 
life from earliest youth up to the pre.sent time has 
not been uselessly or idly spent. He is well and 
favorably known to a host of acquaintances in this 
community, and is a fair example of what can be 
accomplished by industry and perseverance. At 
the early age of twelve years he was obliged to 
begin life for himself, and he first worked out by 
the month on a farm. He continued this for 
about twelve years in Michigan and having saved 
up some of his w.ages he bought his present fine 
farm of one hundred and forty-five acres. This 
he has improved in every way and as a farmer he 
ranks second to none in the township. Every 
thing about his place proclaims him one who thor- 
oughly understands his business, and tli.-it he has 
made a success of his chosen calling cannct be 
doubted for a moment when a glance is cast over 
his broad acres. 

When twenty-four years of age Andrew Aldrich 
was married to Miss Sarah I)ewe3-,a native of C.iss 
County, Mich., and the daughter of Aaron and 
Betsey (Simpson) Dewey. Mr. Dewey was an 
early pioneer of Cass County and Dewey Lake w.as 
named after his father, who was an early settler in 



768 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRATHICAL RECORD. 



tliis part of the count_y. In politics our subject is 
a Republican, but is not a strict party man, voting 
more for principle than for paity. Socially, he is 
a member of the Masonic fraternity of Dowagiac. 



eAPT. MIIRWIN C. BARNES. The Hrm of 
Clock & Barnes was established in 1888, at 
St. Joseph, and since the inception of the 
enterprise they have enjoyed a steadily increasing 
l)usiness as dealers in watches, clocks, jewelry, dia- 
monds, etc. Being thoroughly accurate and re- 
liable in all their transactions and representations, 
they possess the confidence of the people of tiiis 
section of Michigan, and to those desiring to pur- 
chase jewelry their establishment undoubtedly 
offers superior inducements. 

The junior member of this firm, Capt. Barnes, 
is a retired steamboat captain. He was born in 
Beverly, Canada, in 1831, and was a child of three 
years when his parents brought him to Michigan. 
His ancestors were of Scotch-Irish origin, and the 
family settled in an early day in New York State, 
where the father of our subject, Hiram Barnes, was 
born. The mother was known in maidenhood as 
Jane Lewis. This worthy couple are now de- 
ceased. 

Reared fnun infancy in Berrien County, Capt. 
Barnes recalls no other home than this. He was 
the recipient of common-school advantages in his 
3-outh, but his time was principall}' occupied in 
the various duties connected with rural life. At 
the age of twenty-two, during the days of the gold 
excitement, he was seized with the fever, and jour- 
neyed across the plains to California, reaching that 
State after a tedious and uneventful trip. His 
principal occupation in California was that of 
farming, in which he engaged successfully until 
1856. He then returned to his Michigan home and 
began steamboating. 

Having purchased three tugs, Capt. Barnes ran 
these in partnership with .lohn Wallace, under the 
linn name of Wallace & Barnes, which connection 
continued sixteen years. In 1883 he closed out 



his steamboat business and established a drug store 
in partnershii) with E. S. Curran, continuing thus 
engaged for eighteen months. In 1887, in com- 
pany with Warren Ballengee, of St. .Joseph, he 
built the St. .Joseph A Benton Harbor Street Rail- 
road, Mr. Barnes being President and General 
Manager, and Mr. Ballengee filling the position of 
Secretary and Treasurer. One year later the road 
was sold to Mr. Holmes, of Chicago. The next 
move of the Captain was to enter into the jewelry 
business, in which he is now engaged. 

With the varied enterprises of St. Joseph, Capt. 
Barnes is interested, either directly or indirectly, 
and is one of the principal stockholders in the St. 
Joseph Iron Works. While he is not an active par- 
tisan, yet he favors the Democratic party, and never 
fails to cast his ballot for its candidates. He owns 
a cozy and comfortably furnished house on State 
Street, where he makes his home. His wife, to 
whom he was married in 1873, was formerly Miss 
Liza Lightfoot, and their home is brightened by 
the presence of three children, Delia, KImer :inil 
Lillie. 



\|(AMES SMITH, a leading agriculturist and 
extensive land-holder of Berrien County, 
Mich., owns a magnificent homestead of 
three hundred and twenty acres, located 
upon section 24, Berrien Township, and has been 
a constant resident of his present locality and 
closely identified with the progressive interests of 
the State for more than three-score years. The 
father of our subject, Isaac Smith, born in Doyle 
Count}-, Ky., in 1800, journeyed with his parents 
to Ohio when only seven or eight years of age, 
and settled in Preble County. Later in life he 
became a farmer in Indiana. The paternal grand- 
father, .lames Smith, was a native of Pennsylvania, 
but in very early da3's made Kentucky his home. 
One of his sons, Robert, served with courage in 
the War of 1812. The mother, Martha (Burke) 
Smith, a native of (iiles County, Va., and born in 
17115, was the daughter of .lolm Huikc, a pioneer 



PORTRAIT AKD BlOGRAl'llICAL RECORD. 



7fi!> 



settk'r of Oliio. The parents niMirii'd in tlie rJiick- 
eye Stato and oiniirrated to Indiana, latoi icniuv- 
iiig witli two yoI<c of ox-teams fi-om Union Coun- I 
ty. Ind., to tlieii- lioineistead in IMicliiijan, upon 
wliieli tliey settled permanently in the fall of IS.'Jd. 
'I'lie land was covered with a dense growth of tiin- 
her, thi'ou<,'h wliicli the Indians roamed, and to 
wiiicli there was tlien no road from the higliway. 
The father assisted iu making the load to Berrien t 
Springs. Me had lint very little cai)it;il. and when 
he had purehased the one hundred and sixty acres 
of unbroken wilderness, years of hard work faced 
him. 

With energy and coinageous resolution, Isaac 
Smith set himself to work. He had, to assist him, 
an ox-team and a horse, and as companions of 
the solitude he had his faithful wife and three 
little children. His first care was to build a sub- 
stantial log house, which the family made tlieii- 
permanent home. In time he cleared, cultivated 
and improved the farm, one of the landmarks of 
pioneer days. The mother p.assed away in 1857, 
the father surviving her twenty-five years. They 
were the parents of five children, of whom our 
subject is the only one now living. In early life 
a Whig, Isaac Smith later became a stalwart Repub- 
lican, and was a prominent factor in the social, 
religious and political enterprises of his locality. 
In religious belief a Presbyterian, he was generous 
to the needy ar.d a kind neighbor in hours of 
suffering. Energetic, self-reliant and industrious, 
he was beloved and respected by all who knew 
him. 

Our sul)ject, .lames Smith, was born November 
2, 1827, in Preble County, Ohio, and came to 
Michigan when a little lad of three years. Reared 
to manhood on the old farm, he attended the log 
schoolhouse, and afterward enjoyed the benefit of 
instruction in a select school in Xiles. When 
twenty-one years of age, he began life for himself, 
and adopted the avocation of his father, and has 
continued the pursuit of agriculture his entire 
life. 

In October, IH.'iS, .lames Smith and INIalvina 
Habcock were united in marriage. Mrs. Smith was 
a daughter of ,lohn and Sarah (Kendall) Habcock, 
natives of Stephontown. Rensselaer Cuuntw X. Y. 



IMr. and Mi's. Babcock were both Ijorn in the >ear 
17!!/). .lohn liabcock studied law undei' .Judge 
Mann, of Troy, N. Y., and practiced there until his 
death in 1841. Mrs. I'.abcock survived until 1876. 
They were the parents of eleven children, eight 
of whom attained to adult age, six j'et surviving. 
Two sons served in the war. H. R. was with the 
Eir>t Michigan Cavalry from the beginning of the 
Civil War to its close. Allan K.. of the Seventh 
Iowa, was killed at the second battle of Corinth. 
Mrs. Smith was boiii November HI. 1H29, in 
Stephentowii, and attended school in that place 
until thirteen years of age, when she went to Che- 
mung County. In 1844, arriving in Michigan, 
she prepared to teach, and for several years pre- 
sided in vaiious schools of the State, and was so 
successful as an instrvictor that her services were in 
constant demand. The father was very active in 
])olitics and, although all his sons were Republicans, 
Mr. Habcock remained a strong Democrat and 
with honor held many town offices. In faith, he 
and his family were Episco|)alians. The mother 
joined her children in Michigan in 1853. 

Mr. and Mrs. Smith were blessed by the birth 
of four children, three of whom 3-et survive. 
Martha is the eldest-horn; Mary, deceased, w.as 
the wife of H. G. C'orell, and left one child, Anna 
Claudine; Dr. Ethan H. practices medicine in 
Santa Clara, Cal.; Charlie R. is the youngest-boin. 
The estimable wife of our subject is a valued mem- 
ber of the Free-Will Hai)tist Church, and has taken 
an active part in the .Sunday-school an<l is known 
as a woman of high principles and earnest charac- 
ter. Mr. Smith has also taught in the Sunday- 
school for fourteen 3'cars and has had a class av- 
erage of twenty scholars. He has likewise served 
as Treasurer. Miss Martha is a teacher in the 
Sunday-school and has also been Secretary of the 
Pokagon Township Sunday-school Association for 
eleven years. The parentsand their daughter and 
sons occupy social positions of usefulness and in- 
fluence and have a host of friends. The daughters, 
graduating from the Niles High School, were both 
proficient in music and enjoyed extended advan- 
tage for a thorough education and the study of 
art and music. The eldest son, Dr. Ethan II.. 
was a student in the classical course at the I ni- 



770 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



versity of Ann Arhor and also entered the med- 
ical department, and graduated from Bellevue 
Medical Hospital College in 1889. For fort^' 
years our subject has been fraternally connected 
with the lodge of Ancient Free & Accepted Masons 
of Berrien Springs. A Republican since the organ- 
ization of the party, he takes a deep interest in 
local and national issues and has frequently served 
his party with abilitj' as a delegate to conventions, 
but has never desired nomination for ofBce, al- 
though frequentlj' solicited to allow the use of his 
name as a candidate. Financially prospered, Mr. 
Smith owns eight hundred acres of valuable land, 
and upon his linely improved homestead profitably 
conducts general farming, and raises some of the 
best stock (principally horses) handled in the 
county. A man of sterling integrity and superior 
business attainments, our subject commands the 
high regard of all his fellow-townsmen and of his 
wide ac(iuaintance throughout the State. 










i;^^ ORRIS A. LIVP:NG00D. No State in the 
forty-four gives greater encouragement to 
a man who desires to devote himself to 
agricultural life than does Michigan. Its resources 
are almost inexhaustible and its climate adapted to 
the cultivation of various crops. As a fruit-grow- 
ing country it is unexcelled, and for raising grain 
and stock it is truly notable. Our subject is one 
who has found success in this line of agriculture, 
and although young in years he is one of the fore- 
most farmers in his locality. He was born near 
Sandusky, Ohio, in 1860, and was the onlj' child 
resulting from the marriage of Peter H. and Eliza- 
beth (Austin) Livengood, natives also of Ohio, 
and of German and English descent respectively. 
The father now resides in Stevensville, this count}', 
where he located in 1884, and is actively engaged 
in agricultural pursuits. 

Norris A. Livengood came to Michigan with his 
parents when about seventeen years of age, but 
l)revious to that had been a resident of Indiana, 
where he was reared and educated. For some linio 



he attended the State Normal School at Valparaiso, 
Ind., and there laid the foundation for his subse- 
quent prosperous career. After coming to Michi- 
gan he engaged in farming with his father, and as 
he inherited the progress and push of his English 
ancestors, as well as the indomitable energy and 
industry of the Teutonic element, his success was 
.assured from the first. In 1882 he was married 
to Miss Anna Louisa Mj^ers, a daughter ot Philip 
H. Myers, who was one of the oldest settlers of 
Berrien County. 

Mr. Myers was born in Germany, and came to 
America in 1858, landing in this country with lim- 
ited means. He came immediately to Berrien 
County, Mich., and being thrift^' and industrious, 
he began to accumulate property. At the time of 
his death, which occurred in IS'JO, he was one of 
the largest tax-payers, if not the largest. tax-p.ayer, 
in the county, all the result of his industry and 
perseverance. Being a gentleman of reserved 
habits, he mixed but little with the general public, 
although in early life be took quite a deep inter- 
est in all matters relating to the welfare of the 
county. Being almost too old for service, he did 
not participate in the Civil War. In 1890 he re- 
turned to visit the Fatherland, remaining tiiere for 
six months, but the love for his adopted country 
called him back. He was taken sick on his return 
trip and died in the city of New York. His re- 
mains were shipped to his sorrowing family and 
interred in Hinman Cemetery, in tiiis township. 

His wife, whose maiden name was Catherine 
Knoose, was also a native of Germany. Mr. and 
Mrs. M3'ers were the parents of nine children, fmir 
of whom died when small. Of those living, the 
eldest is Mary, who is now the wife of Albert Hen- 
drix; Margaret became the wife of Henr}' Schuler; 
Elizabeth, deceased, was the wife of Conrad Young; 
Philip .1. is next in order; and Anna Louisa is the 
wife of our subject. 

At the time of his death Mr. Myers was the owner 
of three hundred and sixty acres of land, with 
two hundred and fifty acres under cultivation, 
lie had a splendid residence, substantial outbuild- 
ings, etc., and a glance over his broad acres would 
tell one the kind of farmer that he was. In con- 
nection Willi farmiiii" he was also .actively enoaged 



PORTRAIT AND BIOC.RAI'IIICAL RECORD. 



771 



in j-tiK'k-niisiim. in wliii;li he w:is very successful. 
For many years lie was n prominent member of 
Lake l.odue No. 113. 1. O. O. F., of l>ridgn)an,and 
was buried willi proper ceremonies by that order, 
lie w:is a member of tlie Kvangelical C'luuch, or 
(Jermnn Methodist, and his wife holds membership 
in the same at the |)iesenl time. vShe is now in her 
sixlN-ninth year, and is a most worthy and es- 
teemed \n<]y. 

To Mr. and Airs. Livengood have been liorn four 
children: Philip M., Walter U. II., Millard M. A. 
and Kmma C. Mr. I.ivengood is a member of 
Lake Lodge No. U.i, I. (). O. F., and has lilled all 
the chairs of his lodge. He is guardian for his 
children, who are the heirs of the Myers' estate. 



^ 



^^^ 




\^l\\ll\Al' KKI'llAKT. Al. 1)., laic of Berrien 
I Springs, was born in Carroll County, Md., 
■^' on the .SOth of .lanuary, 1807. lie w.as 
the son of David Kcpharl. an early settler 
of Maiyland, of German descent, and a man of 
sterling virtues and indomitable energy, who lived 
and died on the old homestead of his father. The 
mother of our subject was Margaret, daughter of 
I'liilip Reister, of Reisterstown, Md.. and of direct 
(icrman extraction. The subject of this sketch 
enjoyed excellent opportunities for acquiring an 
education, advantages far su))erior to those of the 
majority of boys in that day. He studied for some 
time in a private school and later entered Oarrison 
Forest Academy, where he conducted his literary 
studies for some time. 

Having chosen the profession of a physician, 
our subject entered the IJaltimore Medical College 
and pursued his studies there until his graduation 
in 1833. After practicing in Baltimore forashort 
lime, he opened an ollice for the practice of his 
profession in Memphis, Tenn., and subsequently 
became a general |)ractitioner in Somerset County. 
Pa. While there he foi'raed the ac(iuaintance of 
a young lady named Susan Kimrael, who was 
atten<ling school in Somerset. .\s she became his 
wife on the 2d of September, 1840, some mention 



of her i)arentage and life will be of interest to our 
readers. 

Born in Somerset County, Pa., in 1822, Susan 
Kimmel was a child of eleven years when, in 1833, 
she accompanied her [tarents, George and .Marj' 
(Lobcngire) Kimmel, to the new home in Michi- 
gan. Mr. Kimmel had come to this Stal(! as early 
as 182!l, and jire-empled land, entering ten thou- 
sand acres in what is now Oronoko Township. 
Thither he brought his family and established a 
home in the unsettled part of the State, clearing 
the land and devoting his energies to the tilling 
of the soil. Desirous of giving his daughter lietter 
advantages than were afforded in that newly-set- 
tled country, he sent her b.ack to the old Pennsyl- 
vania home to attend the school there. 

After the Doctor's marri.age he carried on a gen- 
eral practice in Somerset County, Pa., for one year, 
and thence came to Berrien .Springs. Mich., where 
he remained until death terminated his career. 
He was actively identified with the progress of this 
village and contributed to its material advance- 
ment. His death occurred on the 23d of Septem- 
ber, 1880, at which time it was recognized that a 
public-spirited citizen, skillful physician and u|)- 
riglit man had been removed from the community, 
and his fellow-citizens joined with the immediate 
relatives in mourning his loss. He had been .ac- 
tively interested in the organization of the Re- 
publican party, and was one of its firm upholders 
to the da\- of his death. 



it— U(iH S. GARRETT. No better citizens 
J have come to Cass County. Mich., than 
those who emigrated from the green isle 
(^) of Erin, and who brought with them as 
their inheritance the traits of character and life 
which have ever distinguished the race. Among 
these, we find in .Silver Creek Township Mr. fiar- 
rett, who was born in Count}' Down, Ireland, in 
1825, and who is a son of James and Sarah 
(Stewart) (iarrett. His grandfather, .Joseph Gar- 
rett, was born in the same part of Ireland as our 



772 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



subject, and became the owner of an extensive 
farm. The latter [jassecl his entire life in his native 
country, was married there, and there reared his 
family of seven children, as follovvs: Hugh, John, 
William, James (father of our subject), Daniel, 
Mar}' and Jane. Ills wife's maiden name was 
Eleanor Orr. 

All the children mentioned above came to Amer- 
ica, except the father of our subject and two sis- 
ters. James Garrett was reared to manhood by an 
uncle, and was early taught the duties of faimlife. 
He also learned milling, and followed that in his 
native country up to the time of his death, which 
occurred in 1828. He was a member of the Pres- 
b^'terian Churcli and a worthy citizen. He married 
Miss Sarah Stewart, and three children were born 
to them: Jane, deceased, who was the wife of James 
Ellison; Mary, deceased; and Hugh S., our subject. 
After the death of her husband, Mrs. Garrett took 
for her second husband James Kinning, and re- 
mained in Ireland until her death. 

The original of our sketch was but twenty years 
of age when his mother died. At an eaily age he 
began working for himself, and, as he was reared 
on a farm, he became thoroughly familiar with 
all its duties at an early age. In 1848 he came to 
the United States and located in the Empire State, 
where he remained two years. He worked out by 
the month during this time, and then went to 
Montgomery County, Ohio, where for two years 
he worked out by the month and rented land. 
From there he went to Franklin County, Ind., and 
was married in 1858 to Miss Jane Ellison, a native 
of Ireland, as were also her parents, Michael and 
Mary Ellison. Two children have blessed their 
union: William J., who married Miss Ada Moore; 
and Michael S., the husband of Miss Edith Bed- 
ford. 

Mr. Garrett rented land in Indiana until 1851), 
when he decided that Michigan was a State of 
great promise, and removed within its borders. 
With some assistance from his father-in-law, he 
purchased his present farm, and this he has added 
to occasionally, until he now has two hundred 
acres of valuable land, most of which is inijiroved. 
Born on a farm, he necessarily grew up with a 
better knowledge of agricultural affairs than one 



who is not so reared, and, as a consequence, has 
made a success of his calling. He and his worthy 
companion are members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and in politics he supports the principles 
of the Rei)ublican party. His mother was fouitli 
in order of birth of the following children: Hugh, 
M. D., a surgeon on board a man-of-war in England; 
Alexander, who became a farmer; Andrew, who 
was a farmer and came to the United States with 
his family, where he died; Sarah, our subject's 
mother; Margaret; Mary; Jane; an<l Ann. 



iiC- 




iHOMAS DIGNAN. who departed this life 
mourned and resjiected by all who knew 
him, December 2i, 1872, was an early set- 
tler f)f Beirieji County, Mich. He was a native of 
Roscommon, Ireland, and was born in the year 
1811. The youth and childhood of our subject 
were i)assed on a farm, and he attained to man- 
hood in the land of his birth. Finallj', in com- 
pany with his brother, Frank Dignan, he emigrated 
to America and arrived safe and happ}' in the land 
of promise. Willing to woik at any honest em- 
ployment their hands could find to do, the brothers 
first labored in railroad construction work. Thomas 
Dignan had enjoyed the advantage of a good com- 
mon-school education and was well informed upon 
the topics of the day. Observing and intelligent, 
he steadily' made his way upward, and soon began 
to realize the comforts attainable liy habits of in- 
dustry and frugality. 

Our subject was married February 28, 1865, to 
Miss Anna Hastings, born in Count}' Limerick, 
Irelanil, February' 14, 1837. Mrs. Dignan was the 
daughter of James and Catherine (Murphy) Hast- 
ings, both natives of the Emerald Isle. In 1863, 
she came in company with her parents and other 
members of her family to the United States. The 
passage across the broad Atlantic was speedy. Em- 
barking at (^ueenstown upon a steamer, they 
were only eleven days reaching Castle (Tarden, 
N. Y. Remaining but a brief time in the metrop- 
olis of the Empire State, llie father, mother and 



PORTRAIT AND lilOGRAl'IIlCAL RJ-:CORD. 



773 



llii'ir cliiliiion wcro .soon on tlicir way to tho West. 
Tlu'ir iiiiiiH'dinte (io,siiii;iti<»ii w:i,s Niles, I'.eriien 
C'minly. Midi., and in this locality tlie i)arents 
afli'i- some Icriirlli of tinif passed peacefully away. 
Aftt'r their niaiiiaiie, Mr. and Mrs. Dii^nan settic^d 
on .-i f.-uiii in the villai;e of Ueitrand, and there our 
sulijeet sucee.ssfnll\ devoted himself to the pur- 
suits of agriculture. 

Six children brought joy and gladness into the 
eonifortahie home. Lizzie, the eldest, who received 
.superior educational training and thoroughly pre- 
pared herself fur a teacher, is now ft)llowing her 
(•ho'^en vocation; .lanie.s. Frank and Catherine are 
also spared to cheer their mother's home. Two 
children are decea,sed. Our suliject was a devout 
mendier of the Catholic Church, and, true to its 
religious precepts, was in the daily business of life 
Mjiright and t'arnest. IJelieving in the "Part}' of 
the I'eople," he was a stanch Democrat, inteiested 
in local and national issues. In his death IJcrrien 
County b>?t one of its honest and most substantial 
Irish-.Vnurican citizens. Ilis widow remains on 
the home farm and owns seventy acres of finely 
improved land. Like her husliaiid, she and the 
family are worthy mcndiers of the Uoman Cath- 
olic Church. Her life has licen an unvarying round 
of useful industry, and in the advancing evening 
of her days she can with [ileasure recall the mem- 
orits t>f the past. 



g^i^i^i 



/j^^\ANMNG E. U(X;ER.S. an enterprising 
business man and successful farmer of Cass 
K County, Mich., was born in Ontwa Town- 
ship, upon the old homestead where be 
now resides, April 27. l«r)7. His parents were 
(ieorgcand Elizabeth ( Manning)Rogers. The pa- 
ternal grandfather. John Rogers, named in honor 
of his fatlier, Jolin Rogers, was a man of resolute 
character and sterling integrity. He was a Ion"- 
time resident of the Empire SUite. where he was 
widely known and highly respected. The father 
of our subject, (Jeorge Rogers, was a native of 
ralmyra, Wayne County, N. Y. He was born 



June 7, lS2fl, and was reared and attained toman- 
hood in his early home. In 1852 he located in 
Michigan, and for one year clerked in Coldwater. 
He then spent one year in the post-otlice in Elk- 
hart, Ind. He purchased in 18;').'! a farm in Mason 
Tt)wnshi[), Cass County, upon section 12, the home- 
stead containing one hundred and lifty-livc acres, 
to which he removed in the succeeding year. He 
improved this land, and at the time of his death, 
I December 28, 187t», owned over two hundred acres 
of valuable farming property. He gave consider- 
able attention to insurance, and was one of the 
largest shippers of fruit in the State. He pur- 
ch.ased land in several States, and was an c.\lensive 
dealer in agricultural implements, and w.-is re- 
garded as a liberal man, of energy and public 
spirit. 

The mother of our subject w.as born in .Miami 
Count)', Ohio, and was the daughter of Elias and 
Sarah (Frost) Manning. The maternal great- 
grandfather, John Manning, was the son of James 
Manning, who came from F2ngland to America in 
early da^s. John Manning was born in iMigland, 
and with his brother Edwin made his home in the 
United States and settled in Cincinnati, Ohio. He 
was by trade a millwright and ran one of the first 
mills built in the Buckeye State. He removed 
later to Pi(iua, and laid out the city. He built the 
first mill erected there. In religious belief, this 
ancestor of our subject was a I'niversalisl. He 
passed away in Piqua after a long and useful life. 
He married four times. His first wife was Sarah, 
who bore him two sons and two daughters. H. Eliza- 
beth was the second wife. The third wife was the 
mother of eight sons and four daughters. The 
fourth wife became the mother of one daughter. 
Elias Manning, the maternal grandfather of ,Mr. 
Rogers, was the first white child born in Piqua, Ohio, 
the day of his nativity being May 22, 1800. He 
was one of twelve children, ten of whom survived 
to adult age. The sons were: John, Enos, Ed- 
ward, Amos, Nathaniel, Benjamin and Elias. The 
daughters: Sarah, Nancy and Margaret. Three of 
the sous were present at the surrender of Hull, 
having jjatriotically participated in the struggles 
of the Revolution. 

Elias Manning was a millwright, and in 1833 



774 



PORTRAIT AND BIOCiRAl'IIlCAL RECORD 



jounieyed to P^lkhart, Iiid., wliere lie built a mill 
and boated, floating down the Elkhart River and 
by lake to Buffalo. He lived in Elkhart until the 
time of his death, which occurred January 15, 
1847. He was a Whig in i)olilics, and in relig- 
ious belief a Universalist. His wife wasMiss Sarah, 
daughter of Dr. William Frost. Mrs. Manning 
passed away in November, 1872. She was born 
May 3, 1806, and spent a life of usefulness. She 
was the mother of twelve children, eight of whom 
survived to manhood and womanhood. These 
sons and daughters were: John, AVilliam, Oliver, 
Elizabeth, Mary (deceased at eleven years of age), 
Susan, Ebenezer, Nancy, Margaret, and three lit- 
tle ones who died in infancy. Dr. Frost came from 
North Carolina and was a soldier of 1812. He re- 
sided near Piqua and actively participated in pio- 
neer experiences. The maternal great-grand- 
mother, Mrs. William Frost, was Elizabeth Reed, 
a daughter of James Reed, who served bravely in 
the War of the Revolution. He removed from 
North Carolina to Ohio, between 179.5 and 1800. 
The pleasant home of the father and mother of our 
subject was blessed with the [)resence of two sons, 
Manning E. and Charles. The latter was born 
September 28, 1862. He was married in Milton 
Township, where he follows the occupation of 
farming. His vvife was formerly Miss Mary House- 
worth, of Mason Township, and they have three 
children, Minnie, George and John. 

Manning E. Rogers, born and reared where he 
now resides, was educated in the public schools of 
his home locality, and received a course of in- 
struction in the institutions of Aurora, 111., and 
Valparaiso, Ind. He now has charge of the in- 
surance business formerly managed by his fa- 
ther, and in 1887 bought the store building in 
Adamsville, and conducts a general business, hand- 
ling a variety of merchandise and buying pro- 
duce. Mr. Rogers and his wife were united in 
marriage October 1, 1854. Mrs. Rogers is a na- 
tive of Piqua, Ohio, and is a daughter of Elias 
and Sarah Manning. She is a most estimable lady, 
a n. ember of the Christian Church, and is widely 
known and esteemed. Mr. Rogers is in political 
atHliatiou a sturdy' Democrat and interested in 
local and national issues. He is a valued member 



of the Knights of Pythias, and has for many years 
been one of the important factors in the social and 
business enterprises of Cass County. Possessing 
excellent business attainments, he has achieved 
success and is numbered among the prosperous and 
substantial citizens of Ontwa Township. 



-{,— 



^^^ IMON S. BERG. The advancement of our 
^^^ country along the lines of commercial and 
IvL^U'y fiBi'icultural development is due to no 
small extent to the perseverance and en- 
terprise of emigrants from other lands, who 
have crossed the ocean and established homes in 
various parts of the United States. Germany has 
furnished her quota of enterprising and ambitious 
emigrants, who have become worthy citizens of 
this great Republic and aided in developing its 
interests. Among the number may be mentioned 
Mr. Berg, for many years a prominent resident of 
St. Joseph, but now deceased. 

A native of the kingdom ot Bavaria, Gernian3', 
Mr. Berg was born in 1823, and received his edu- 
cation in the common schools of the Fatherland. 
His parents. Christian and Margaret Berg, were also 
natives of Germany, where they spent their lives. 
In 1841 he emigrated to the United States and 
landed in New York, whence he went to Chicago, 
and there remained for some time, engaging at 
his trade of a carpenter, which he had learned in 
Germany. Later he commenced to work as a con- 
tractor and builder in Chicago, and conducted an 
extensive trade in that line until 1850, when he 
came to St. Joseph. Here, as in Chicago, he 
worked at carpentering. 

Some years after coming to St. Joseph, Mr. Berg 
embarked in business as a fruit-grower, and car- 
ried on a large trade until his death, December 28, 
1883. As a business man, he possessed decision of 
character and force of will. As a friend he was 
thoughtful, as a neighbor obliging, as a husband 
devoted, and as a father affectionate and sympa- 
thetic. In politics, he favored the principles of 




'1^;IUC^^ ,fDi-^^l^ 




POirrHAlT AMI lllOGRArillCAL liKCORD. 



the DeiiHicratif party, Jiiifi usually voted that 
lifkel. t'S|U'eially in the national eli-otions. Wis 
natiiii' was generous and conlidinij, and wliilo 
tlioso c|ualities doubtless caused liini to make some 
inistnkes, yet they always won for him the confi- 
dence of tlie community. Strength of will was 
one of his prominent traits, and it enaliled him to 
overcome ditllcultics in business that would have 
appalled other men. 

In IHTiO Mr. I'lOrg was united in marriage with 
Miss Anna M. .lohns, a native of Prussia. Ger- 
Miaiiy. and the daughtei' of Ludwig and Anna .M. 
(VVeckler) .lohns, of (iermany. This union rc- 
sulte<I in the birth of seven children, six of whom 
are living, .lohn being deceased. The surviving 
members of the family are as follows: .Mary, the 
wife of Charles .Miller, of St. .Joseph; Elizabeth M., 
who is at home; Katherine; Ellen, who married L. 
A. (i. Williams, and resides in Chicago; Anna M. 
and Marguerite. In their religious connections 
.Mrs. Berg and all the children are identified with 
the Catholic Church, of which Mr. Berg was also a 
member. In church life, from the time of his 
comng to St. .Joseph to the d.ay of his death, he 
was one of the most conspicuous members of the 
congregation, and his benefactions were unstinted. 



p5^ AMIEL INCLINC;. The United SUates 
^^^ owes a debt of gratitude that can never be 
V^O^ repaid to those valiant defenders of the 
Old Flag, who proudl3' enlisted under its 
lianner and, inarching into the thickest of the 
light, heroically- braved perils, seen and unseen. 
.Many of those valiant soldiers have passed from 
the scenes of earth and have entered upon their 
tinal rest. .Some, however, still survive, and among 
tnat number prominent mention belongs to the 
suliject f)f this sketch, who now resides in I)o- 
wagiac. 

Born in Stark County. Ohio, .luly 21, 1829. 
our subject is the son of William Ingling. one of 
the early settle's of Michigan, who came here in 
1K47. Grandfather Samuel lii^din<i: served in 



the Revolutionary War, and was taken i)risoner 
at the blockade of the Deiawaro River by the 
British. William Ingling was born in Burling- 
ton, N. .1., and was there married to Miss Rebecca 
Conroe. Soon after that important event he re- 
moved to Pliiladelphin. where he resided for about 
tvifelvc years. In 1821 he removed to .Stark Coun- 
ty, Ohio, where he bought land anri became iden- 
tified with the pioneer history of that county. In 
1888 he removed to Delaware County, the same 
Stale, where he resided for two years. Thence 
he removed to Logan County, and followed farm- 
ing pursuits there until 1817. 

During that year Mr. Ingling came to Michigan 
and settled in Calvin Township, Cass County, 
where he engaged in carpenter work. He died in 
that townshi)) in 18.58; his widow survived hini a 
few years, passing away in 1861. They were the 
parents of thirteen children, of whom nine grew 
to manhood and womanhood. Elias died August 
28, 1872. Those living are Letilia, Mrs. Gries- 
emer,a widow; William, a residentof Denver, Colo.; 
.Sarah, the widow of .John Parker and a resident 
of Dow.agiac; Keziah, the widow of .J. McComber; 
Elizabeth, the wife of David Parker, of Calhoun 
County, Iowa; and Samuel, of this sketch. 

In Stark County, (Jhio, our subject passed his 
early childhood years. When about eight years old 
he removed to Delaware Count\-, and later to Lo- 
gan County, Ohio, whence at the age of eighteen 
he came to Mic^higan. Here he served an appren- 
ticeship of two years to the trade of a miller, and 
at the expiration of his term of service he en- 
g.aged in farming. At the time the war broke 
out he was eng.aged in tilling the soil, but his 
patriotic impulses were so strong that he was in- 
duced to lay aside the pursuits of peace for the 
weapons of warfare. On the 1st of .September, 
18()2, he enlisted as a member of Company I, 
First United Slates Sharpshooters. The regiment 
being greatly reduced in numbers, he was trans- 
ferred on the 1st of Jamiary, 1 86."), to Company 
I, Fifth Michigan Infantry, with which he .served 
until the close of the war. 

April ;'), 1862, Mr. Ingling was awarded the sil- 
ver prize for making the best test sharpshooting 
in the regiment, and on the same dav he carried 



as 



778 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



off the gold prize, which he won for being the 
best sharpshooter in liis brigade. Far and wide 
throughout iiis regiment and brigade, as well as 
in the main army itself, he was known for his un- 
erring marksmanship, and he gained distinction 
even among his superior officers. At the battle 
of the Wilderness a ball struck the silver medal 
whith he carried in his fob, and, glancing aside, 
left him uninjured, so liiat the medal, in addition 
to being a great honor, was proljably the means of 
saving liis life. 

At the battle of the Wilderness Mr. Ingiiug was 
wounded, on tlie 5th of May, 1864, and was taken 
to tlie liospital, wiiere lie remanied until able to 
rejoin his regiment. Among the other [nomi- 
nent engagements in which lie participated ma}' 
be mentioned tliose of Spoltsylvania, Fredericks- 
Inirg. jS'ortli Anna River, Cold Harbor and the 
siege of Petersburg. At Strawberr}' Plain, August 
17, he was wounded by a ball, which struck the 
sciatic nerve. He participated in thirty-one bat- 
tles of the war and was always in the front. He 
was a member of Berdan's sharpshooters, and had 
many thrilling experiences in war times. 

Wliile detailed on picket duty at Cold Har- 
bor, Mr. Ingling suffered intensely from thirst and 
inquired of the Corporal, "Is there any water here 
that we can getr" The Corporal replied, "Yes, 
just outside of the lines there is a spring." Tak- 
ing his canteen and his gun, Mr. Ingling started 
down the incline. Ghincing over liis shoulder, 
he saw a rebel vedette standing at an "order arras." 
He put on a bold front, and, walking u]) to the 
man, said, "Hello, .Johnn}', who are you?" "I 
am a vedette," was the reply. "And who are 
you?" "I am a soldier of Berdan's sharpshooters." 
The}' then went to the spring, where they had a 
social chat and then took their departure. 

Upon returning from the war, Mr. Ingling lo- 
cated in Dowagiac and was first a clerk, and later 
engaged in the hardware business for about five 
years, .lunc 21, 1854, he married Miss Jane D. 
Stanard. who was the daughter of Ezra iStanard. 
She was born in Cattaraugus County, N. Y., and 
came to Micliigan about 1845. Politically, Mr. 
Ingling is a Republican, and has represented the 
'riiiiil Ward as Alderman of the city for a period 



of two years. .Socially, he is a member of the 
Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Grand 
Army of the Republic. He is a devoted member 
of the Christian Church and takes an active in- 
terest in religious matters. As a slight conniensa- 
tion for his services during the war, he is the re- 
cipient of a (lension froni the Government. For 
the past three years he has been confined to the 
house from the effects of injuries received in the 
service. 

The following incident, which occurred at the 
Soldiers' Reunion held at Kalamazoo, Mich., in 
1882, is from the i)en of Gen. Hiram Berdan: 
"At one time yesterday, when the fJeneial was 
talking in his animated fashion to clusters of 
farmer riflemen, who pressed about him and hem- 
med him in, a dark-(;omplexioned, mustaclied man, 
of average stature and with a pair of glasses astride 
his nose, was seen apiJioacliing the tent. The old 
General was on his feet in an instant, his fine 
figure siiowing u]) above the rest like that of an 
old tield-marshal of France. 'I am going to put 
you ill the giiaid liouse.' he shouted. F>ut it 
didn't seem to us as thongli he really meant it. 
He gras|)ed the spect.acled man's hand, shook it 
again and .again, and pulled him arouiui, while 
the moisture came into his eyes. 'You, rascal, 
I'll put you in the guard house and keep you 
there. IIow d.'ire your' 'This is old Sam Ingling,' 
explained the General to the re|)orter. wiping lils 
optics with his white handkerchief. 'Yes. sir, Old 
Sam Ingling, of Dowagia(% down here; he was the 
crack shot in ni}' whole brigade of crack shots. 
He tirst took the medal of his regiment as a 
marksman, and then tliat of the brigade. I'm 
going to put him in the guard house and keep 
him there all the rest of his natural life, the las- 
call I'll tell } on all aliout it. lie and Allen 
here, of Battle Creek, were out on duty together 
one morning looking for .Tohnny-rebs to pick 
off, when all of a sudden two confederates ap- 
peared in the distance coming towards them. 
Allen said he would take the right hand man 
and Ingling the left. Both fired, and only one 
rebel fell. Both claimed him. It came out that 
Ingling had understood perfectly that he was to 
take the left hand man, and, sure enough, when 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



779 



we advanced, they found llie body of the dead 
confedoialL' with two lioles in it. lint 1 sent 
liii;ling to llie irn;n-d honse foi' ini^;siiig liis man. 
Vou deserved it, too, you rascal. There, tiiat shows 
you the esprit de corps of our brigade and the dis- 
cipline that was preserved. To miss your man 
was an offense worthy of the guard house, but to 
have .Sam Ingling, the crack shot of the regiment! 
Oh, that was scandalousi lie uuglit to be clapped 
in again and kept there,' concluded the General, 
making a dip in the direction of Sam's ribs. 
I\lr. Ingling had the medals which he won, and, 
taking them out of the chamois bag in wliich 
lie keeps them, exhibited them to the reporter. 
The regimental medal is of silver, and is dented 
with a bullet, it having saved Mr. Ingling's life 
once, wlien carried in his pocket in the battle of 
the Wilderness. The brigade medal is of gold, a 
very handsome piece of jewelry, and is appropri- 
ately engraved." 



^ 




ARTIN .S. BEDINGEK. The philosophy 
of success in life is an interesting study, 
la and affords a lesson from which others 
can profit. In choosing a jnirsuit in life, 
taste, mental gifts, oppportunity and disposition to 
labor should be considered, as an}' young man who 
lias a di.sposititiii to become a respectable and use- 
ful citizen desires to succeed therein. On the till 
of .lanuary, 1848, a boy was born in Darke County, 
Ohio, who grew to sturdy manhood ambitious to 
excel, and possessing much energy and determina- 
tion, attributes which are essential to success in 
any calling. This l)oy was Martin .S. P>edinger, 
his i)areiits being Adam and Raclie! (Christopher) 
ISediiiger, who were natives of the Keystone State 
Mild of (ierinan parentage. 

The father was born in 1808 and the mother in 
18(10, and from their youth ui) they had l)ecn mem- 
bers of the German Church. In 18.")1 they left 
their native State for Michigan and settled in 
Berrien County, where the father followed farm- 
ing until his death in 1881. His wife followed 



hira to the grave in 1881*. In 1862 Mr. Bedinger 
was filled with a patriotic desire to assist his coun- 
try, and enlisted in Con.pnny I, Twelfth Michigan 
Infantry, and <vas attached to the Army of the 
Tennessee. lie participated in the battle of Pitts- 
burg Landing and ShiUih, and was crippled in the 
last-named engagement, lie served as a private, 
and no braver soldier fought for the Stars and 
Stripes. To his marriage were born eleven chil- 
dren, three sons and eight daughters, and all grew 
to mature years. They were as follows: Mary .1. 
IS the widow of J. L. Gorhara; .Sarah (deceased) 
was the wife of Cornelius (iorham; Rachel A. is 
the wife of Henry Stemm; Catherine (deceased) 
was the wife of S. P. Davidson; .lames C. resides in 
this State; Isabelle (deceased) was the wife of Ja- 
cob Neidlinger; Susan is the wife of tieorge Dun- 
gleberger; M. S. is our subject; Elizabeth is the 
wife of .lolin Eisher; Eliza is the wife of Charles 
Lochinaw; and Adam H. is deceased. 

Martin S. Bedinger secured only a common- 
school education, for when his father came to 
Michigan a poor man, young Bedinger passed the 
most of the time in helping to clear the farm, 
which was covered with a dense forest. Three 
months were the most he ever attended in a year, 
but when in the school room he applied himself 
with such energy that he was Jis far along in his 
studies as the m.ajority of boys. He remained un- 
der the parental roof until twenty-two years of 
age, and in the mean time learned the carpenter's 
trade, which he followed after leaving home. He 
commenced witliout any cajiital, but his trade 
brought him in considerable means, and in 1874 
he engaged in farming on the jilace where he now 
resides. He rented the farm, consisting of eighty 
acres, which was the old homestead where his fa- 
ther had located on coming to this counly. The 
original cost of this place was * I. ()()(), and our sub- 
ject paid *2,0()0 for it. He has seventy acres un- 
der a good state of cultivation, and a i)ortion of it 
is devoted to raising lierries of all kinds. He has 
five acres in orchard and several acres in vineyard. 
The remainder of the farm produces wheat, grass 
and corn. 

In the year 1871 .Air. Bedinger was married to 
Miss Allie .Murphy, a native of .Miehigjin and a 



780 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RPXORD. 



daughter of George and Mary (Madox) Murphy, 
early settlers of the Lake State. Mr. Murphy 
died in this State, hut his wife survives him and 
makes her home in tliis county. Their children, 
six in nunilier. are as follows: Ailie, wife of our 
subject; May, wife of William Page; Murry, of 
Micliigan; Frank, of Illinois; Lee. of ^Michigan; 
and Vedder. also of Michigan. Tiie marriage of 
Mr. and Mrs. Bedinger resulted in the hirtli of 
foui- children: Maggie, wife of Frank Horner; 
Paul, Claar and Frank. Botli our subject and 
wife are members of the Lutlieran Cluirch. He is 
a member of Western Star Lodge No. .39, A. V. & 
A. M., and of Oronoko Lodge No. 69, A. (). U. W. 
In 1891 Mr. Bedinger was elected Township Su- 
pervisor, re-elected in 1892 and served two years. 
In politics he is a Democrat. 



AMES C. HAL^GH, deceased, for about a 
score of years a resident of Berrien County, 
a successful agiiculturist and leading citi- 
zen, passed to his rest in 1888, deeply 
mourned by his family and a large circle of fiiends, 
to whom he was known as a man of firm principle 
and sterling integrity of character. Our subject 
was a native of the sunny .South and was born in 
Frederick County, Md., August -20, 1842. His 
parents, .Jacob and Lizzie (Harbaugh) Haugh, 
hard-working and industrious people, were the fa- 
ther and mother of seven children, whom the3' 
cared for tenderly and reared to years of useful- 
ness. Of the sons and daughteis who gathered in 
the Maryland home .lames was the second in order 
of birtli. He received primary instruction in the 
schools of his birthplace before he removed with 
his parents, when only eight years of age, to the 
State of Pennsylvania, which was the home of the 
family the ensuing nine years. In the meantime 
the honest and industrious father, Jacob Haugh, 
had died, and when our subject was about seven- 
teen \'ears old the widowed mother journeyed with 
her famil3' to Ohio. 

The mother was a woman of intelligence and a 



high order of ability and, appreciating the advan- 
tages of an excellent education, stimulated lier 
children and encouraged her sons and daughters 
to avail themselves of every possible advantage to 
secure a liberal education. .Tames Haugh was an 
excellent scholar. He attended school at (^uincy. 
Pa., about three years, and later entered the Heidel- 
burgh College, in Ohio. Having enjoyed the bene- 
fit of a course of instruction in the latter institu- 
tion, our subject successfully engaged in teaching, 
a vocation to which he devoted himself for some 
length of time in the Buckeye Stale. Realizing 
the broader opportunities of the West, Mr. Haugh 
linally decided to try his fortunes in .Alichigan, 
and 111 1869 came to Berrien County, for five years 
making his home in the city of Niles. He there 
engaged in business as an agriculturist and also 
profitably ran a sawmill. In the year 1874, 
still continuing in the same line of business, our 
subject removed to Pipestone Township, where he 
was located until 1883, at which date he settled 
permanently in Sodus Station, farmed and prosper 
ousl3' ran a sawmill until his demise, in 1888. 

Some score of years before, James C. Haugh and 
Miss Luciuda Ihinkman were united in marriage, 
in A|)ril, 1868, in the State of Ohio, the early 
home of Mrs. Haugh. Of the children who blessed 
the union four are now surviving: Willie Edson. 
Alma ('., M;uy and Arthur E. Mary and Arthur 
are now residing in TitHii.Ohio. In 1884 Mrs. Lu- 
cinda Haugh died, and Mr. Haugh again wedded, in 
1885. The second wife, Mrs. Patience (Puterbaugh) 
Hartsell, is the second daughter of Jacob and 
Sarah Puterbaugh, pioneer residents of Berrien 
County, widely known and highly esteemed. 
Lfnto the second union was born one child, a son, 
.Jesse L., now at home with his mother. Our sub- 
ject and his estimable wife were both regular 
attendants and worthy members of the United 
Brethren Church, as is also the eldest daughter o. 
Mr. Haugh. The husband and wife took an ac- 
tive part in the religious work and benevolent en- 
terprises of that denomination and also occupied 
a position of social influenee and usefulness. 

Politically, Mr. Haugh was for a long time a 
stanch Republican, but later joined the ranks of 
the Piohibition parly, to which he afterward 



PORTHAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



rni 



I'xteiidecl liis carnesl uiid unswurviiig support, 
'riiroiighout liis years of matuiiU- our suhjecl gave 
his close allontioii to the pul)lic issues of the day, 
and in all matters pertaining to local welfare was 
ever ready to lend a liberal and helping hand, and 
was intimately associated during his entire resi- 
dence in Michigan with the educational advance- 
ment and progressive interests of his Western 
h(inic. 

■-^ ^^ -i 



W^II.MAM 15. HIIMURY. N(f name is more 
prominently coniiecled with the history of 
, ^ Niles tlian tlial of nuiibiiry. One of the 
early settlers of the |)lace vvas a gentleman of that 
name, and since his demise the business in which 
he w.as for many years engaged has been conduc- 
ted by his son, William 15., while his other childri^n 
have attained to prominent positions in business 
and social circles. The subject of this sketch is 
the pro[)rictor of the finest livery, sales and board- 
ing stables in Niles. 1>3' the completeness of his 
facilities, and his close attention to all the details 
of business, he enjoys a proniinenl position in the 
line of industry in which he is engaged. 

The substantial frame structure used by .Mr. 
liunburv for his livery stalile is one of the best 
business blocks in the city, lie keeps on hand a 
great variety of handsome buggies, phaetons, 
coupes, coaches, etc., and is prepared on short 
notice to supply turnouts of unsurpassed elegance. 
lie keeps twenty head of lioises, and gives steady 
employment to a number of men. The superior 
qualil3- of hi,- vehicles and horses, as well as the 
propriety of his business conduct, has commended 
liim in an eminent degree to the favor of the 
citizens of Niles. 

.Mr. 15nnl)ury has p.asscd liis eiitiic life in Niles, 
where he was born on Christmas Day of 18.')7. 
His father. Kdward Uunbury, a native of Ireland, 
was one of the pioneers of Niles, having emigrated 
to America in early life. After landing at New 
York he i)rocec(led directly to Niles. He located 
here ill l.s.')l.and engaged in llic li\(>ry business, 
working his way u|) from a small lieginning until 



he was well and favorably known throughout the 
county. He died in 1876. At his demise his two 
sons. William U. and Robert P., succeeded to the 
business, forming a partnership, which continued 
until 1889. Our subject then purchased his 
brother's interest and has since conducted the 
business alone. 

The fourth in a family of ten childriMi, our 
subject had only ordinary advantages in his youth, 
but he availed himself to the utmost of every 
opj)ortunity offered for gaining knowledge, and 
is now a well-informed man. He was married 
on the 22d of April, 1890, to Miss Grace, daugh- 
ter of Thomas and Clara (Deniston) Barrett, of 
Xiles. They have establislied a pleasant home in 
the city, and in this cozy abode their triends are 
wont to gather and pass many a delightful hour. 
While not es|)ecially active in politics, Mr. Bun- 
bury is a pronounced Democrat, and never hesi- 
tates to champion the lause of his chosen party. 



1/ ON. LKVl ALDRICH, M. D., an .able gen- 
Jl eral medical practitioner and skillful sur- 
geon, whose genial presence was a welcome 

i^^J and familiar one in the homes of Edwards- 
burgh, Cass County, Mich., for thirty-two years, 
passed away December 16, 1892, mourned by the 
whole community' of his locality as a public and 
irreparable loss. Dr. Aldrich was a native of 
Evans, Erie County, N. Y. He was born .lanuary 
27, 1820, and was the son of .lames and llaiiiiah 
(Comstock) Aldrich. The [lalernal graiidfalhei, 
Nathan Aldrich, was of English origin and a Oii.a- 
ker in faith. He lived on a farm and engageil in 
the peaceful pursuit of agriculture until lii-^ death, 
in Rhode Island. His wife. Esther (Appleby) .Md- 
ricli, was the mother of five sons and one daiigii- 
ter: Simon, Nathan. .James, Sayles, Thomas anil 
Esther. .lames Aldrich, the father of our subject, 
was born and reared in Rhode Island. He was a 
pioneer of (ienesee County, N. Y., and was both 
a mechanic and farmer. He made hi> home later 

in Erie County, locating in Evans, and Maich 7, 



782 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1834, came to Cass County. He survived to an 
advanced age and passed away in Prtscott, Wis., 
in 18.59. In political affiliations he was a Whig, 
and occupied with ability many of liie township 
offices. His wife died in August, 1881, having 
lived to witness the remaikable changes of ninety- 
one years. 

The family fif the father and motlier were Sarah, 
PhcBbe, Henr}-, Nathan, Serepta, Levi, Addison, 
Milton and Newton, all of whom are married ex- 
cept Addison. Levi, our subject, was trained on 
his father's farm to habits of thrift and self-re- 
liance. He received a common-school education 
in the home district, and enjoyed a course of in- 
struction in the Salem (N. Y.) Academy. Hav- 
ing decided to adopt a profession, he began the 
study of medicine in the office of Dr. Sutphen, of 
Cass County, Mich., the latter State being the 
home of his parents since 1834. He concluded 
reading medicine with Dr. George Sweetland, of 
Evans. He attended the first course of lectures 
given by the Buffalo Medical College and also had 
the benefit of lectures at Albany, N. Y., and grad- 
uated from the Buffalo Medical College at the end 
of a three-years course, receiving his degree in 
1846. Locating soon after in Evans, Erie Count>', 
N. Y., he practiced there successfully until the 
spring of 1860. At this latter date he removed 
to the West and settled in Edwardsburgh, where 
he engaged in tlie duties of his profe-ssion up to 
the time of his death, in 1892. 

A man of sterling integrity of character and 
public spirit. Dr. Aldrich commanded the confi- 
dence of the community among whom his useful 
years were passed, and received from his neighbors 
and constituents various positions of trust. He 
served iiis county in the State Legislature and was 
also State Senator, making an enviable record of 
official work. In 1869, oursuliject was a delegate 
to the Constitutional Convention of Michigan. 
Like his father before him, he was a Whig in early 
life, and later espoused the principles and platform 
of the Republican parly. Loyal to the Union, he 
was very active during the war, and throughout 
his career gave Ins earnest efforts in behalf of a 
progressive National existence. He was a leading 
member of the Ancient Free lii Accepted Masons 



and was fraternally associated with the Indepen- 
dent Order of Odd Fellows. He was also promi- 
nently connected with both the State and County 
Medical Societ3', and kept abreast of the progress 
of the times. A liberal man. he generously aided 
in the sup[)ort of the church and lent a helping 
hand to benevolent enterprises. 

November 28, 1850, Dr. Levi Aldrich and Miss 
Evalinc A. Sweetland were united in marriage, 
receiving the hearty best wishes of a host of 
old-time friends. Mrs. Aldrich was a daughter of 
James and Fannie (Wakelee) Sweetland, of Dry- 
den, Tompkins County, N. Y., in which part of the 
Empire Stale the estimable widow of our subject was 
born September 18, 1822. The husband and wife 
spent two-score and two years together and, walk- 
ing side by side through the storms and sunshine 
of life. couiageou.sly overcame difficulties and won 
their upward way to an abiding success and high 
place in the memory of all with whom they came 
in contact. Mrs. Aldrich continues to reside 
among the scenes endeared to her by many years 
of pleasant association, and in her bereavement re- 
ceives the sympathy of a wide circle of aw|uaint- 
anccs. 




^RANCIS A. BURRUS. The high standing 
^l attained by Berrien, and its prominent po- 
sition among the counties of the State, are 
largely due to the indefatigable exertions of its 
energetic, capable and prosperous business men, 
who, while jn'omoting their individual interests, 
have also contributed their quota to the develop- 
ment of the resources of the county. The village 
of Galien contains a number of successful and ef- 
ficient business men, and among the number per- 
haps none is more deserving of mention in this 
connection than the subject of this sketch, who is 
a mcmbei- of the firni of Butler A Biinus, dealers 
in lumber. 

A native of Preble County, Ohio, Francis A. 
Burrus was born July .30, 1842. He is of Virgin- 
ian descent, his paternal grandfather, Edmund 



PORTRAIT AM) i;i( M ;k A I'l I ICA I, RKCOKD. 



rH3 



r.iirnis liaviiio heen hoiii in tlie Old Domininn, 
wliiinci' ho rcinovert to I'rehlp County, Ohio, niul 
riiim then', about 1837, came to lierricn County. 
Ik' wa.s one of the cailii'st cottiers of tliis part of 
the Stale, and, puri'liasing a tiact of hind, devoted 
Ids attention to its cultixation iind imiirovement 
until his career was terminated by deatli. .l.inies 
lUiiius, father of our subjeet, was born near A))- 
pomattox C. 11.. A'a.. and in his Ixnhood .accom- 
panied his paients to t)hio, where lie married Miss 
.leannette Holmes. Kor a time he enpiged in i>en- 
eral farnuuf;' and also foUowed his trade of a 
coopei' in I'leble, but in liS.'jTj icnioved tiience to 
Michiiian and located in Herlrand 'I'ownship, Her- 
rien County, where he spent the remainder of his 
life. In his religious convictions he was a sincere 
Christian and a devoted member of the I'nited 
I'.rethren Church. 

In the parental family there were seventeen 
children, of whom ten grew to manhood and 
womanhood, and seven are still living. Francis 
A. was about thirteen years of .age at the time the 
family came to Michigan, and he has since been a 
resident of this State. His education was acquired 
|)rincipallv in the common .schools of Dayton, and 
he was ill his youth trained to farming [nirsuits; 
>o that, upon choosing an occupation, he natur- 
ally decided upon that of agriculture. In 1869 
he married Miss Ksther, daughter of Alexander 
Campbell, a farmer residing in Trumbull County, 
<)hio. Mrs. liurrus was born and reared in the 
Uuckeye .State, and is the mother of two children: 
Certrude, now the wife of .loscph llariis; and 
(iuy, who resides with his parents. 

For a short time after his marriage, .Mr. Burrus 
resided in Dayton, whei<' he worked in a sawmill; 
he later engaged in farming for live years, and 
then followed the occupation of a miller for three 
years. Subsequently, he resided on the Reynolds 
place for one year, then spent one summer in Bu- 
chanan, and from that city came to Calien, where 
for a time he w.as in the employ of I'eck & Imlioof, 
millers. In 1890, together with Mr. lUitlcr, he 
bought out the business and has since been en- 
gaged ill the manufacture and sale f>f lumber. 

During the late war, Mr. I'.iinus enlisted in 
18()2 as a member of Company (;, Twentv-sixth 



Jlichigan Infantry, and as ('<irpor:d of his cftin- 
l)any took part in the battle of the Wilderness 
and the engagements of Spottsylvania, Cold Har- 
bor and I'etersburg. as well as in the camiiaign 
around Richmond. Altogether, he particiiiated in 
nineteen b.attles besides many minor engagements. 
In the battle of Cf)ld Harbor he was wounded by 
a shell, but otherwise passed unscathed through 
the lire of the enemy. In .lune. ISOo, at the close 
of the war, he was mustered out of the service 
and honorably discharged. As might be expected 
he takes an active inteiest in the Grand Army of 
the Republic, with which he is identilied. In his 
social connections he affiliates with the Ancient 
Order of (Inited Workmen. Politically, he is a 
Republican and has been elected upon the party 
ticket to numerous local offices, including those of 
Assessor of Galien and Constable of Hertrand 
Township. 



^^VA)n(iE S. IIOPPIN, for nearly a half-cen- 
11 (^»~ tury a prominent citizen and successful 
^^J farmer of IJerrien County, Mich., resides 
upon a well-improved homestead on section 2, 
Niles Township. Mr. Iloppin came to his [iresent 
locality in 184 1, and settled permanently in 1845 
on a farm south of and adjoining NilesCity. Our 
subject is a native of Madison County, X. Y., and 
w.as born in .lune, 1 826. His parents were Tliaddeus 
C. and Tamar Iloppin, both the father and mother 
being natives of Massachu.setts. .After a number 
of years spent within the Kmpire Stale they de- 
cided to avail themselves of the opportunities of- 
fered by a new country, and journeyed with their 
family to Michigan. Thc3- at once made their 
home in Berrien County, and located for a brief 
time in what is now known as Bertrand Town- 
ship. In 184.") they settled on the old homestead, 
where they resided until their death in 18.')9. Of 
their family of children, three survive. 

Mrs. .A. M. Kvarts, of California, is the tldest: 
Georges, w.as the next in order of birth of the liv- 
inu;; and Charles R. resides in California. Our sub- 



784 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ject, trained to agricultural duties from childhood, 
has been a life-long farmer. He received his early 
education in the public schools and later pursued 
his studies in an acaden)y of New York State. 
During the first three winters of his residence in 
Michigan he successfully taught school. Upon 
November 28, 1875, George S. Hoppin and Miss 
Dora King were united in marriage. Mrs. Hoppin 
was a daughter of Darius W. and Plirebe King, 
natives of New York, in which State they were 
reared, educated and married and made their home 
until 1860. At this time the\' removed to Michi- 
gan, settling with their family in Niles, wiiere the 
mother of Mrs. Hoppin yet lives. To our subject 
and his estimable wife have been born four chil- 
dren: Claire, George S., Jr., John S. and Rose. 

Mr. and Mrs. Hoppin are valued members of the 
Presbyterian Church at Niles, and have been faith- 
ful assistants in the extension of Christian work 
and influence. Politicall}', Mr. Hoppin is a stal- 
wart Repu))lican, taking an active interest in local 
progress and needed improvements. For several 
years he served most efficiently and acceptably as 
Supervisor of Niles Townshi|3, and during his long 
residence in the State has been intimatel}' asso- 
ciated with the various social, benevolent and bus- 
iness enterprises of his home locality. A practical 
agriculturist, he has brought his farm of out- hun- 
dred and thirty acres under fine cultivation, and 
is jearly rewarded bj- an abundant harvest. 
Through his energetic efforts and untiring indus- 
try he has accumulated a comfortable competence, 
and, aside from his interests in Jliehigan, owns a 
large tract of land in South Dakota. 



.^_5^S3). 



m>^<'^ 



SHERJ. SHAW. Among the native-born 
citizens of Cass County, few are as well, 
IS: and none more favorably, known than 
Squire Shaw, a successful farmer of How- 
ard Township, residing upon section 23. He was 
born in this township on the 28th of September, 
1847, and is the son of James and Maria P.( Wheeler) 
Shaw, both of whom were born in Rensselaer 




County, N. Y. The paternal grandfather, Samuel 
Shaw, was born and reared in that county, being 
the son of Col. Samuel Shaw, a native of Rhode 
Island and a participant in tlie War of the Revo- 
lution. The family traces its lineage to Scotland. 
The mother of our subject was the daughter of 
Asher J. Wheeler, a native of New York, who 
came to Cass County, Mich., at the age of seven- 
teen years. 

The parents of our subject were married in the 
Empire State in 1839, the bride being a girl of but 
sixteen years. During the following year the 
young couple came to Michigan, locating in Cass 
County, and purchasing land in Howard Town- 
ship. They resided on one farm for a period of 
about twenty years, after which they removed 
to the farm now occupied b3' our subject. About 
1888 the father retired from active agricultural 
operations, and, removing to Niles, now lives re- 
tired from the active business cares that filled his 
younger years. The wife and mother passed away 
in 1866. The only child of this worthy couple is 
the subject of our sketch, who was reared in the 
township where he still resides, receiving in his 
youth the advantages of a common-school educa- 
tion. 

March 3, 1867, occurred the marriage of Mr. 
Shaw to Miss Sarah J. Buiibury, vvho was born in 
Niles Township, Berrien County, in 1848. Her 
parents, John and Mary (Martin) Bunbury, were 
natives respectively of Ireland and Pennsylvania, 
and were early settlers of Cass County. They 
were the parents of nine children, of whom Mrs. 
Shaw is the fourth in order of birth. She is a lady 
of superior intelligence and attainments, and is a 
loving wife and a devoted mother to her children, 
of whom there are two, Maria A. and James J., both 
at home. The home farm is one of the good ones 
in the township, and consists of one hundred and 
sixty acres, of which one hundred are in excellent 
cultivation, while the remainder are timber and 
pasture land. To a considerable extent, also, Mr. 
Shaw engages in stock-raising, and is one of the 
most successful general farmers in the vicinity. 

In his social connections, Mr. Shaw affiliates 
with the Masonic fraternity, being a member of 
P^dwardsburgh Lodge No. 106, A. F. & A. M., and 






4 





^x,* 




lA^i 



^^^=^^^^ 




-yt- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



787 



IS a MasU'i- Mason, lie is also proinmciit in the 
Farmers' Alliance. Politically a Democrat, lie is 
MOW serving as Justice of the Peace. lie filled the 
position of .Supeivisoi- from Howard Townhliip for 
tliiee years, and for twenty ^ears lie has been an 
incumbent of one of the school otlices, and his in- 
terest in educational matters is unceasing. He is 
liberal in his views, a man of Inoad charity and 
great kindness of heart, and has won the regard of 
those amoni; wliom his entire life has been passed. 



^^^APT. HENRY GEPHAUT, a prominent 
[ll - farmei- and old settler of Niles Townshi]), 
^ii/ Herrien County, now residing on section 
2o, where he has a very pleasant rural home, is a 
native of the Buckeye State, born in Montgomery 
County, ten miles from Dayton, October 20, 1820. 
His father Daniel (iephart, was a native of the 
goofl old State of Pennsylvania, but moved to 
Montgomery County, Ohio, with his father when 
a boy. They located on the present site of the 
citv of Cincinnati, when but one other house was 
standing there. They were among the first in that 
region, and entered land from the tiovernmont. 
The grandfather inheiitcd the thrift and energy 
of his (lerinan ancestors and liecame quite well oft'. 
While a resident of Montgomery County, Daniel 
(iepliart liecamc acquainted with Miss Mary Eagle, 
a native of A'irginia and of German descent, and 
their nuptials were celebrated in that county. 
After marriage, they located on the Big Miami, 
and there kept .in hotel for twenty or twenty-five 
years. They also owned large tracts of land in 
that county, and gained it all through economy 
and industry, for they experienced all the priva- 
ti(>n> and hardships of pioneers. About 18;!.'5 tlie^' 
went to South Ueiid, hid., and after residing there 
for three years, crossed the line into Michigan, 
locating in Niles Township, Berrien County-. There 
they kept the old Digens Flotel for a few years, 
and there, in 18.!(), the father received his final 
summons, dying when sixty years of age. The 
mother survived him many years, and died in 
California when in her iiinets' -sixth year. 



The nine children born to this most estimable 
couple were in the order of their births as fol- 
lows: David and William, deceased; Robert, resid- 
ing in Niies 'I'ownship, who is now seventy -seven 
years of age; Henry, our subject; John, who when 
last heard of was in Mexico; Horace, deceased; 
Sarah Ann, the wife of John .lacobs, of California; 
Mary .lane, widow of William Robeits, and a large 
land-owner in California; and Harriet, widow of B. 
(iray, who resides in NilesTownsliip. ('apt. Henry 
Gepliait, the fourth son and fourth child of the 
above-mentioned family, w.as thirteen years of age 
when he went with his parents to South Bend, Ind., 
an(i sixteen years of age when he settled with 
them in Berrien County, Mich. 

When eighteen years of age our subject was 
bound out to learn the carpenter's trade to a man 
by the name of Childs, and he remained with him 
until twenty years of age. He tlien started out 
for himself, with a pair of overalls and a shirt, 
and made his way to Niles, where he began working 
at the carpenter's trade. Later he began working 
as a ship-carpenter, and followed this for about 
five years, helping to build several keel-boats. 
From there he went to Michigan C'it3', and worked 
on the big "Montezuma," a sailing-vessel, for some 
time. In 1848, he assisted in Iniilding the first 
railroad bridge over the St. Joseph River at Niles, 
but the following year he was seized with the gold 
fever, and went to California l)y way of .Salt Lake 
City with horse-teams. He spent the Fourth of 
July, 1819, in that city, and then |)ushed on to 
the West. 

After remaining in California for about two 
years, engaged in mining, Capt. (ie|)hart returned 
to the East, by w.ay of the Isthmus, and reached 
New York without any troulile. From there he 
ma<le his way by steamer to Michigan, and was 
enaaufed in the livery business in that .State for 
some time. Selling out, he began keeping hotel in 
Niles, and ran the li(Mid House for one year, then 
bought the Pavillion Hotel and ran it three years, 
then trading it for city property, after whuh he 
bought a farm in Niles Township, two miles south 
of Niles, where he tilled the soil for about three 
years. This farm he sold to an Englishman for 
¥111,0(1(1 in gold, and in 18(12 he raised a coni|iany 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



which bocaiiie a jjart of tlie Twelfth Michigan 
Infantiy. and entered the army to fight for the 
Stars and Stripes. Although ^^romoted to the rank 
of Major, for some reason he never served in that 
capacity-. He participated in the following battles: 
Shiloh, Pittsburg Landing, luka and Hatchie, and 
served his country faithfully and fearlessly. 

Just previous to entering the army, Mr. (iep- 
hart loaned the $10,000 he had received for his 
farm, and on his return received thirt3'-three and 
a-third per cent, of the amount. In 1866 he 
bought his present farm, and has eighty acres of 
excellent land, all improved and well cultivated. 
Miss Mary Baird. who became the wife of our 
subject, is a native of the Empire State, born in 
Ripley, August 7, 1831, and remained a resident 
of her native State until 18.51, when she came 
to Michigan. Seven children were born to Mr. 
and Mrs. Gephart, six daughters and one son, viz: 
Emma, wife of Charles Harris, of Chicago; Fannie, 
wife of Frank Langston, of Niles Township; 
Annabell, who died when four years of age; Hattie, 
wife of Robert Probasco, of Chicago; May, a grad- 
uate of the Niles school; Harr}', who is at home 
attending school; and Maude, who graduated from 
the Xiles school in the Class of '84, wiien in her 
seventeenth year. In polities, Mr. Gephart has 
always been a Democrat, but is rather conservative 
in his views. He is a member of the Grand Army 
of the Rei)uhlic, and is a man worthy the esteem 
of all. 



^^iLOMZO P. BEEM AN, a representative 
(@/lJ1 farmcir of Newburg Township, Cass Coun- 
ty, Mich., is a native of the Quaker State 
and was born in Crawford County, Pa., in 
1841. When buta little child our subject removed 
with his parents to Ei'ie County, where he re- 
mained until March, 1856, at which time he came 
to his present locality, and has since been a perma- 
nent resident or Cass County, Mich. Mr. Beenian 
was one of a large family of sons and daughters 
born unto Myrum and Lucina (Libharl) Beenian, 
who were both natives of New York. The pater- 




nal great-grandfather of our subject, Gideon Bee- 
man, emigrated to America from England before the 
Revolution and bravely served throughout the 
entre conflict. His son, named for his father, Gid- 
eon Beeinan, was the grandfather of Alonzo P. Bee- 
man. Gr.andfatlier Beeinan, together with his fa- 
ther and brothers, took an active part in the War 
of 1812, and as citizens were useful men, law- 
abiding and courageous. In 1861 our subject 
was united in marriage with Miss Nanc3' Bogert, 
daughter of Thomas Bogert, a pioneer settler of 
Cass County. Answering to the call of the Govern- 
ment, Mr. Beeman the same year enlisted, but was 
soon after taken very ill and was not able to join 
his regiment. 

In 1863, having recovered his health, he again 
enlisted, this time entering the service in Com- 
pany G, Nineteenth Michigan Infantry, and re- 
mained in active military service until the close 
of the war. Our subject participated in the battle 
of Resaca, Ga., and, severely wounded, was unable 
to rejoin his regiment until the fight of Bent<m- 
ville. In August, 1865, the Civil War having 
ended, he returned to his home and again entered 
into the pursuit of agriculture. Mr. Beeman now 
owns one hundred and sixty acres of tijely-im- 
proved land, and through his own efforts has 
achieved a comfortable competence. 

Politically, our subject is a stanch Republican 
and a ))rominent member of the (Jrand Ariny 
Ijost at Jones. Although not desirous of polit- 
ical promotion he is deeply interested in both lo- 
cal and National affairs. For eight consecutive 
years he has efficiently performed the duties of 
Supervisor of Newburg Township and given uni- 
versal satisfaction to his friends and neighbors. 
Through his efforts the best interests of the town- 
ship have been materially advanced and many lo- 
cal improvements completed. 

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Beeman has been 
blessed with the presence of the following chil- 
dren: Anna, the eldest of the family, who is the 
wife of Wyley Russer; Louie, the second child; 
Stella, Mrs. .Sherman Poe; Guy and Ned, who 
are the two youngest and reside with their |)a- 
lents. Thirty-seven years have passed since our 
subiect made liis home in the then Far West, and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



789 



ill ilio c'Imiiging- seasons he has sleadily won his 
wav iipward. He is an excellent and puhlic-spirited 
eitizen. a kind friend and neis-hhor, and jiossesses 
the esteem of the entire coniniiinity witli wlioni he 
has so lonii heen associated. 



■^§^^s^^^^^- 



Z5d~ 



^OlIN IlKNKKL. For more than ten years 
the firm of .Idhn Ilenktl it Son has con- 
ducted an extensive iiicicaiitiU' liiisiness in 
Niles and has enjoyed tlie patronage of 
hotli the city and the surround iii<!: country. Tlie 
iiiiiforiiily rcliahle and .•iccuiate methods upon 
wliicli the business has heen conducted tlirougiiout 
tlie history of tlic liouse iiave given it s|)ecial dis- 
tinction among tlie leading establishments of Ber- 
rien County, and made its name a synonym for 
propriety of business conduct. 

A native of Darmstadt, (Germany, Mr. Henkel 
w.'is born on the .Mrd of October, 183H, and is the 
fourth in a family of five children, three sons and 
two daughters, all of whom arc living. lie re- 
ceived a coinnK)n-scliof)l education in his native 
land, and in his young inaiihood emigrated to 
America, settling in Canada, where he clerked in a 
store for a short time. Prior to this he had clerked 
in a store in Darmstadt. Having spent four years 
ill Canada, ill l^i()2 he emigrated to the United 
Stales, and after landing in New York Cit\' pro- 
ceeded direct to Michigan and located in Niles. 

For twelve years Mr. Henkel was in the emploj' 
of William 1!. Becson. and after the death of that 
gentleman he was retained by Messrs. Harter it 
Walker, his successors in business, for a period of 
three years. Later he went to Mishawaka. Ind., 
where he remained in a clerical position for three 
years. lie then engaged in business, forming a 
p.'iriiicisliip with his son, under the firm name of 
.loliii Henkel A- Son, and the newly-organized 
firm embarked in business in 1883. From that 
dale until the ])resent the establishment has en- 
joyed a large trade among the people of the com- 
iminily, who tind there a complete stock of dry- 
goods, carpels, curt.iins, oilcloth, and. in fact. 



everything to be found in a lirst-class store. The 
location of the establishment on Main Street is 
convenient for customers and an admirable site for 
a mercantile concern. 

The marriage f)f Mr. Henkel occurred in 18()() 
and united him with Miss Christina, daughter of 
Philip Lean hart, of Canada. They are the par- 
ents of the following children: Henry, the junior 
member of the firm of Henkel & Son ; Maggie, who is 
the wife of Sanford Soule, residing in N'iles; Cather- 
ine, Mrs. Fred Stevens, a resident of Bluffton, Ind; 
George, a clerk in his father's store; and Anna, who 
is at home. In politics a Republican, Mr. Henkel 
has never been solicitous of public offices, prefer- 
ring to devote his attention entirely to his business. 
However, he takes an intelligent and warm inter- 
est in local affairs and is in favor of every measure 
which has for its object the advancement of the 
community, materially, morally or religiously. In 
his fraternal relations he is identified with St. .Jo- 
seph Valley Lodge No. 4, A. F. & A. M. 




f:^ 



AVID A. CUTHBERT has for many years 
profitably cultivatc<l his fine homestead 
located upon section 10. ( iaiicn Township, 
Berrien County, Mich. Born in Yorkshire, 
England, in 1819, he came to this country with 
only \er\ limited capital, but was rich in hope, 
energy and industrious thrift, which soon aided 
him in the accumulation of this world's goods. 
Our subject was the son of David and Hannah 
Cutliberl, natives of England. The paternal grand- 
parents, natives of Scotland, married against the 
wishes of their families. The grandfather was an 
officer in the English army, and was accompanied 
by his wife to the battlefield in France where he 
was killed. The widow returned to England, and 
there her only child, the father of our subject, was 
born. The grandmother, having received .an ex- 
(!ellent education, maintained herself and young 
son by teaching. The parents of David A. Cutli- 
berl married early in life and reared a family of 
twelve children. The father iicmm' liciaiiic wealtin-. 



J 'JO 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



but gave his sons and daughters all the advantages 
his means afforded. He and his wife were sincere 
Christian people and worthy members of the Jleth- 
odist Episcopal Church. 

While yet a babe, our subject was taken by his 
paternal grandmother and cared for tenderly un- 
til he was six years of age. She began his educa- 
tion and instructed him in his primary studies, 
and, although he attended school but a short time, 
he acquired valuable book knowledge. At the age 
of six years he returned to his parents, and soon 
after began the work of life, assisting in agricul- 
tural labor, his father being a small farmer. Mr. 
Cutbbert married in early manhood and was ready- 
to emigrate to tiie New World when the illness of 
his wife detained them, and it was some \eais later 
wlien he final ly crossed the ocean to America. His 
parents came to the [Inited States in IHitl and set- 
tled in Monroe County, N. Y. Afterward they 
located in Michigan, where the father died at the 
advanced age of four-score years. In 185(1, Mr. 
Cuthbert was united in marriage with Miss Eliza- 
beth, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Arling- 
ton. Four years after, in 1854, he with his vvife and 
two children safely landed in the United States. 
Our subject found his stock of money so low he 
was unable to proceed farther than New York, 
and remained two 3'ears in the Empire State, work- 
ing out by the month on a farm. 

At the expiration of the second year Mr. and 
Mrs. Cuthbert with their little ones journeyed to 
Cass County, Mich., and for seven years our sub- 
ject tilled the ground of a rented farm. Toiling 
early and late to i)rovide the necessities of life, 
the husband and father managed by incessant ap- 
plication' and self-sacrifice to lay aside each year a 
few dollars for future investment. Removing 
finally to Ijcrrien County, Mr. Cuthbert purchased 
forty acres of land, which, with the one hundred 
acres since added, contains some of the best and 
most fertile soil in the State. Our subject pros- 
pered in Berrien County, and at one time had ac- 
cumulated considerable property, but sickness in 
the family made a large drain on his resources. 
Mr. Cuthbert has himself been a victim to rheu- 
matism, which first attacked him in 1856, and lias 
grown worse with advancing age, until for several 



years he has been unable to walk without the aid 
of crutches. His estimable wife bore him eleven 
children, of whom but one survives, David. The 
sou resides in Colorado, where he has lived 
many years, and is in the employ of the railroad 
there. Threatened with consumption, he and his 
brother were obliged to settle in Colorado to pro 
long their lives. .lohn met his untimely death in a 
wreck on the Denver ifc Rio Grande Railroad, Au- 
gust 12. 1893. He left a wife and six children to 
mourn his loss. Our subject buried his first wife 
and faithful companion of early days, and some 
time after was married to Mrs. Eliza Renbarger, a 
daughter of John and Martha Martin. In 187G, 
Mr. Cuthbert attended the Centennial in Phila- 
delphia, and from there went to England, intend- 
ing to pass the remainder of his life in the home 
of his youth. The serious illness of his son com- 
pelled him to return to Michigan to look after his 
interests. In local affairs our subject is politically 
non-partisan, but in national elections he votes 
with the Democratic party. The life of Mr. Cuth- 
bert h.as been one of busy usefulness. Facing pri- 
vations and difficulties with courage and resolu- 
tion, he has overcome obstacles, and, a self-made 
man of sterling integrity of character, has worth- 
ily won the esteem of liis co-laborers and fcik>w- 
townsmen. 



\T(0SEPI1 J:VERT, a representative general 
I I agriculturist and stock-raiser of New Buffalo 
' Township. Berrien County, Mich., is a poii- 
ular man and highly respected citizen, and 
is at present an etlicient Highway Commissioner, 
discharging the duties of the position to the great 
acceptability of the community by whom he is 
surrounded. Mr. Evert is a native of Germany, 
and a descendant of a long line of frugal and in- 
dustrious ancestry. Born in the dominions of the 
Emperor .January 11, 1854, our subject passed the 
first eight years of his life in his birth|)lace, and 
for two years attended the common schools of his 
native land. While he was oiilv a little lail his 



PORTRAIT AM) lUOGRAni'CAL RECORD. 



791 



piupnts, William and Caroline (Wanpclineider) 

lAcii. (Iccidi'ii to emisjrale with tlicir family to 
Anicrii'a, llie land of pioiiiisi'. The father and 
mollicr wcro liolh natives of (iermaiiy and found 
it li;iiil to >a\ faicwell to the surroundings and 
friends of their lifetime, but in 18()2, emharking 
upon a steamer, they crossed the Atlantic and after 
a eornparativeiy brief voyage were safely landed 
In the United States. 

The family were not louii; in reaching their des- 
tiiialiori in Slichigan, hut proceeding directly to 
Hciiicn County settled in Ihe township of New 
lUitT.ilo. The father. Iiaving but very limited 
means and :i family to support, was obliged to 
udik out liy the day for a peritid of three years, 
when he was linally enabled to buy the farm 
where oui subject now resides. The homestead, 
then heavily timbered and in the dense woods, has 
lieen by patient and unwearying toil transformed 
into productive fields, which annually yield a 
bounteous harvest and arc improveii with a good 
residence, substantial barns and other buildings. 
The farm, pleasantly located, crosses the dividing 
line of Michigan and Indi;ni:i and is two miles 
south of Xcw Buffalo. Of the one hundred and 
forty-nine acres, ninety-live acres are in Michigan, 
and (ift\-four are in Indiana. The parents of our 
s\il)jecl were devoted mcniliers of the Lutheran 
Church and active in religious work. Polilieally, 
the father was a strong Democrat and look a deep 
interest in the affairs of the day. lie died Octo- 
lier 17, 1802. regretted by all who knew him. 

The mother yet sur\ives and resides in LaPorte 
County. Ind. William Evert was her .second hus- 
band, and by him she had two sons and one 
d.'iughler. .b)seph Evert was (he eblest child and, 
remaining in (lermany throughout his early child- 
hood, beeame at six years of age a schf)lar in the 
free (ierman schools. After his arrival in lierrien 
County he comijleted his studies in the sehools of 
New P)Ulfalo Township. Our subject, having at- 
tained to self-reliant manhood, w.as upon .March 
:!(). 1M7H, united in marriage with Miss Christina 
Frank, a native (;f (iermany, and a daughter of 
Cluist and Hannah Frank, who emigrated to the 
I'nited States in IHol, and located in Michigan 
City, Ind. The home of our subject and his ex- 



cellent wife has been blessed bj' the birth of live 
children, Edward, Ilattie, John, Clara and Lillie. 
Like his father, our subject is a pronounced Demo- 
crat and cast his first Presidential vote forTilden. 
lie has been prominent in the councils of the party, 
has been for three years Constable of New Buffalo 
and was elected Highway Commissioner by a hand- 
some majority. Energetic and enterprising, he is 
a man of influence, and in every sense of the word 
a true American citizen, upright and intelligent, 
liberal in ideas and progressive in business and 
official methods. 



Vf^RANKDEQUINCY TOMPKIX.S. a prom- 
|-^(g; inent resident of Watervlict Township, 
Ji was bom in the townshi)) of Weymouth, 

Medina County, Ohio, February 13. 1853, being 
the son of Charles L. and Mary F;. (Bosworth) 
Tompkins. His paternal grandfather, Marshall 
Tompkins, was a native of Connecticut, and was 
one of the brave soldiers in the War of 1812. He 
walked the entire distance from the Nutmeg State 
to Medina County, Ohio, reaching the State at a 
[jeriod so early in its development that there was 
only one house, and that a log cabin, on the site 
of the now populous city of Cleveland. In those 
early days he engaged frequentl\- in trapping and 
hunting, and not the least valued of our subject's 
possessions is a steel tr.Tp used by his grandlallier 
in years gone by. His occupation was that of a 
cooper, and ho followed that trade until his 
death, which occurred in .lanuary. I.S71, at the 
ripe old age of four-scoi'o years. Politicallw he 
was a Whig, and afterwai'd a Republie;in. 

( irandfather Tompkins and his wife, whose 
maiden name was Mary A. Orton. had a famih- of 
five children: (Jeorge W.; Charles L.; Warren, 
who died in boyhood; Oliver, deceased; and Mr.-. 
Mary Stevens, deceased. The f.-ilher of our sub- 
ject, Charles L. Tompkins, was born in Medina 
County. Ohio. M.ay 3, 1834, and was leared on a 
farm, learning the cooper's trade in his youth. He 
improved a farm of tifty-two acres, and there 



792 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



made his home until liis deatli, which occun-ed 
January 30, 1860. Politically a Republican, he 
'always took an active part in matters of local 
interest, as well as those of general importance. 
Socially, he was identified with the Masonic fra- 
ternity and the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows. 

The first marriage of C'hailes L. Tomi)kins 
united him with Jliss Mary E. Hosworth, who was 
born in Edinburgh, Lorain jC'ounty, Ohio. Her 
father was of English descent, and was a farmer 
by occupation. He was twice married, our sub- 
ject's mother being a daughtei- of the second wife. 
The following-named children were born to 
Charles Tompkins and Mary, his wife: Irene, 
who died at the age of six years; John, who was 
removed from the family circle at the age of one 
year; Alice and Frank De(juincy. The second 
marriage of Mr. Tompkins was to Abigail Sey- 
mour, a daughter of John Se^'mour, and they be- 
came the parents of these children: Mrs. Lavilla 
Blakesley, Charles, Edith and Mrs. Edna Loomis. 

After having received a common-school educa- 
tion, the subject of this sketch commenced to earn 
his own livelihood; in fact, he has been ])racti- 
cally self-supporting since he was eight years old. 
He was employed b3' the da}' or month until he 
was nineteen. In the fall of 1872 he lame to 
Michigan, and arrived in Covert Township, Van 
Buren County, with fifty cents in his possession. 
However, he was not in the least dismayed by the 
want of money, but energetically set to work, and 
economically saved his earnings. For three yeai's 
he worked by the month, after which he located 
on his present farm, consisting of one hundred 
and twenty acres. He has eight acres set out in 
peach trees, and also cultivates other small fruits 
with considerable success. 

November 19, 1876, Mr. Tompkins w.as united 
in marriage with Miss Mary E. Kay, who was 
born in Paw Paw, Mich., May 14, 185.5. This 
estimable lady is the daughter of George and 
Ann Mary (Whalen) Ray, who removed from 
Livingston Count}', N. Y., to Paw Paw, Mich., 
becoming early settlers of that village. In 1855 
they located u|)on oui' subject's present farm, 
where they purchased one hundred and twenty 



acres, and afterward devoted their attention to 
clearing and improving the property. Mr. Hay 
passed away April 14, 1875; his wife died Febru- 
ary 28, of the same year. They had been the 
parents of two children, Mary E., and Fannie M., 
Mrs. Doolittle, who died at the age of twenty-one, 
leaving two children, one of whom, Blanche, now 
survives. In his (lolitical sentiments Mr. Ray was 
a Republican. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. 
Tompkins were Abel and Betsy (Brown) Ray, 
natives of New York. Our subject and his wife 
are the parents of one child, Alice E. Politically, 
Mr. Tompkins is a Republican, and takes an in- 
telligent interest in all the public affairs of the 
community and nation. However, he has never 
been solicitous of office, preferring to devote his 
attention exclusively to his farm, and when he 
was elected Justice of the Peace he refused to 
qualify for the office. He is a man of industrious 
habits and excellent judgment, and has made a 
success of agriculture through painstaking perse- 
verance and good management. 



•{•^♦^* 



ENKY M. BRODKJCK, M. 1). A volume 
dedicated to the public-spirited citizens of 
Berrien County would be incomplete were 
no mention made of the popular and suc- 
cessful physician whose name intro<hices this brief 
article. The Doctor is a native of New Bruns- 
wick and was born in St. John July 12, 1840. 
He is of direct Irish descent, his grandfather, John 
Brodrick, having been born in the Emerald Isle, 
wheiiCe he went alone to Nova Scotia at the age of 
fifteen. His occupation was that of farming, and 
he spent his closing years in the province to which 
he went in youtli. 

James H. Brodrick, father of our subject, was 
boi-n in Nova Scotia and in liis 3'outh learned the 
trade of a blacksmith and machinist, serving an 
apprenticeship of seven years in St. John, New 
Brunswick. Subsequently he became captain on 
a steamer sailing from St. .lohn to all the ports of 



PORTRAIT AND RIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



79!^ 



Knuliiiifl, Sfotlaiicl, Irc'liiiid and the Continent. 
At the |>iesoiit writiui;- ( 181)3), he resides in New 
l')i luiswick, ;iiiil at tiie iiije uf four-score and three 
vears enjoys fairly good liealtli. His wife was 
Mll/.a Mc.\dani.a native of St. .Toiin, New IJruns- 
wiclc, an<i 11. e daugiilei- of Henry iMcAdani, her 
grandf.ather, William McAdani, having emigrated 
lliither frum Kent, Kngland.and thus foui.ded the 
r;iniil\in .\inei'ic!i. The nnitheruf our subject is 
still living, altliougli at an advaneecl agt;, having 
been born in IJSl."). 

'I'he Doctor is the only survivor of three sons, 
llie others having died in infancy. He was reared 
in St..Iohnand was the recipient of splendid edu- 
cational ad vant.'iges, h.Mving for a time attended 
the liaptist Seminary .at Predericklon, New Bruns- 
wick. With his parents he went to Ingersoll, ()n- 
t;irio. al the age of sixteen, and there worked at 
the iron business for seven years. Later he com- 
menced the stuHy of medicine under the tuition of 
I )i'. Spi-iii:^er, of Ingersoll, and continued in that 
way for four years, when, having completed his 
reading, he located in I'xbridge, Ontario, and 
opened au olllce. While pursuing his studies un- 
der Dr. Springer, he was graduated from the St. 
I.ouis Honieoijathic College in 1867. During the 
following yetir he was graduated at Toronto from 
the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons. 

(ioing to Decatur, Alich.. in 18()',l, Dr. Brodrick 
conducted a practice there both extensive and lu- 
crative. However, he was so pleased with the 
opening which Huchanan offered, that he resolved 
upon locating here, and in 1 8!H) transferred his of- 
lice to this place. His skill as a physician h.as 
gained for him the contideiice of the people and 
his success in the treatment of difficult cases is 
universally recognized. For several years he has 
held the position of Health Olficer for both the 
village and township. Polilically, he is a Repub- 
lican and has served as a member of the Countv 
Kepublican Committee, Townshii) Clerk, \illage 
Clerk and in other positions of trust. Socially, he 
atliliates with the Modern Woodmen of .\inerica. 

In November, 18G8, the Doctor married Miss 
Anna Swayze, a native of Inger.soll, Ontario, and 
the daughter of Nelson and Mary Swavze. Her 
education was received in the schools of Ingersoll 



and she is a lady of intelligence, occupying a high 
place in the regard of her friends. Her marriage 
resulted in the birth of three children. .lames A. 
and Harry .S. are deceased, the latter having died 
at the age of thirteen years, William N. is the 
onlv surviving child. 



^f? AWSON A. DUNCAN. The public-spir- 
11 (^ '''^''^' citizens of Berrien County have con- 
/I ^Vi tributed largely to the i)romotioii of its 
interests and the extension of its influence. 
Among the number, [irobably few have become 
more widely and favorabl\- known than the sub- 
ject of this biographical sketch, who is (jne of the 
most popular citizens of Niles. As an official, lie 
has dischai'ged the duties imcuinbent upon him 
with energy and straightforward lidelitx-, which 
have won the commendation of his fellow-citizens. 

Jlr. Duncan is a native of Indiana. His grand- 
father and father were editors, and he early look 
to journalism. Drifting to Iowa in 18o(j, he soon 
became associated with the late Hon. George II. 
.lerome in the editorial control of the Iowa City 
liepublican. This pursuit was followed until .Mr. 
Duncan enlisted in (he late war. He became a 
member of the Fortieth Iowa Infantry in I8I32, 
resigning a position as one of the Commissioners 
of Iowa to settle the swamp-land claims of the 
State with the general (iovernment. He w.as ap- 
pointed Adjutant of the regiment, and was subse- 
quently commissioned ]Major. He was witii his 
regiment in all its engagements until the close of 
the war, serving in Kentucky, at N'icksburg and in 
the Trans-Mississippi Department. 

At the close of the war, our subject located in 
Niles, Mich., where in 186() he purchased and 
consolidated the Niles Inquirer and the Berrien 
Count;/ Freeman. From that time to the present, 
lie has had editorial control of the Niles Times, 
the name soon being changed to the Niles Repuh- 
lican. Mr. Duncan has served on the Republican 
Slate Ctiitral Conimiltce, and for many ^ears was 



794 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



!i member of the County Committee, six years of 
wliieli time he was its Chairman. He was a visitor 
to the State Normal School one 3ear, a Presiden- 
tial elector in 1872, and cast a jiersonal vole for 
Grant and Wilson. 

Mr. Duncan has been Deputy t'f)llectur of Inter- 
nal He venue and was a member of the State Sen- 
ate in 1883. He has held the office of Postmaster 
at Niles for four jears. He has been a firm, un- 
faltering and consistent Republican from the day 
of the organization of the party, never bitter, but 
prudent and unwavering. 



Ml ^^ ON. .JOHN R. SWEETLAND, IM. D.,a suc- 
J) cessful medical practitioner of Edwards- 
burgh, Cass County, Mich., is also the able 
VV2* editor of the Argus. Engaged in the com- 
plex duties of professional life, he has likewise di,-^- 
charged with efficiency the obligations of public 
office. Our subject was born in Di-j'den 'rownship, 
Tompkins County, N. Y., July 4. 1834, his par- 
ents being .Tames and Frances (Wakely) Sweetland. 
The i)aternal grandfather, .Tohn Swcetiand, whose 
ancestors emigrated from England to the Cnited 
States in the Colonial days, was a Kevohition;iry 
sf)ldier and fought in tlie battle of Hunker Hill. 
His home was in the State of Vermont, and amid 
the Green Mountains he reared five sturdy sons: 
.John, William, Bowen, James and George. He also 
liad one daughter. The father of our subject, born 
in Rutland, Vt., early located in New York, where 
he cleared and improved a farm of over two hun- 
dred acres. He died upon his homestead in 1862, 
aged seventy -three years. His wife passed away 
in 1863 in Michigan. James Sweetland served as 
a Lieutenant in the War of 1812. He was in poli- 
tics a Democrat and in eai-ly life was a strong Ab- 
olitionist. Six sons and two daughters who blessed 
his home survive. Jervis, of Anthony, Kan., was 
the eldest-born; Lafayette lives in Dryden; Angiii 
is next; George .1. is in New York; William W. 
served as Adjutant in Scott's Nine Hundred; .(oliii 



B., the youngest, is our subject. The daughters are 
Evaline A. and Sarah G. The parents were active 
and inrtueutial members of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church, and Father Sweetland was a counselor, 
a true friend and a peace-maker among his neigh- 
bors. 

Dr. Sweetland received a good common-school 
education in central New York. He taught school 
three terms during the winter months, and being 
an ambitious and enterprising young man, he re- 
solved to fit himself for a profession, and began 
the study of medicine. In 1859 he entered upon 
a course of lectures in the University of Buffalo, 
and also studied under Dr. Aldrich. During the 
spring of 1861 he graduated with honor and re- 
ceived his degree of M. D. In 1862 he enlisted in 
Company M, Fourth Michigan Infantry, as private, 
and after the battle of Perryville was detailed as 
surgeon. He remained at Lebanon until the 
s])riiig of 1863, when he was sent to Louisville, 
where he had charge of a ward until the close of 
the war. Dr. Sweetland had charge of the surgical 
cases nine months. While employed in this ca- 
pacity he received from his patients a case of fine 
surgical implements — a precious souvenir of those 
troublous days. The attendants of the branch of 
Clay IIos|)ital were also among the donors who 
thus exhibited their a|)preciation of the valuable 
services of our subject. After an examination at 
Cincinnati, the Doctor on reaching Louisville re- 
ceived a commission as Assistant Surgeon, and in 
the fall of 1864 was given his honorable discharge 
from the service of the Government. 

In 1861. our subject drove from his native 
State to Coldwater, Mich., and at the close of the 
war made his permanent home in Eldvvardsburgh, 
where he has been actively and constantly engaged 
in professional duties ever since. Dr. .Sweetland 
takes a high place in the social and professional 
life and is a valued member of the Count}' Med- 
ical Society. In the spring of 1879, he bought 
the Edwardsburgh Argus and has since prospei- 
ously conducted this spicy and readable paper, 
which enjoys an extended circulation in Cass 
C'ounty, having over six hundred regular subscri- 
bers. The paper, at first neutral in politics, has for 
the iiastten years been a strong temperance organ. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



707 



111 the full of 1.S74, l)i-. Swcutlaml was elected | 
upon tlie H('|)iil)lie:in ticket to the Legislature of 
Micliijtan. He gave cxcellont service as a member 
of important committees and materially advanced 
the interests of his constituents. In 1880, he was 
a delegate to the Temperance convention which 
nominated St. John, and has pluckily made the 
race for the Legislature, Senate and Congress on 
the Temperance ticket. Dr. Sweetland enjoys the 
comforts anri luxuries of a pleasant home on the 
banks of Pleasant Lake. 

The accomplished wife of our subject was Miss 
I'" ranees Bacon, daughter of William and Elizabeth 
(\'an Arny) Bacon. The lovely home has been . 
blessed by the birth of four children: .Jennie, Le- 
Roy B.. Eva and .John. Tiie latter was killed by a 
fall at the age of eight years. Sirs. .Sweetland is 
a member of the Presbyterian Church and is act- 
ive in the social and religious work of that de- , 

I 
nomination. Dr. Sweetland is a member of the j 

•Vncient Free & Accepted Masons and affiliates also 
with the Independ.ent Order of Odd P'ellows. ' 
Actively engaged in tlie practical duties of his 
medical profession and devoting much time to the , 
-irgus. he is a busy man, but is never too hurried to < 
lend his personal presence and influence to further 
all enterprises tending to local advancement and 
the promotion of the public welfare. 



^>^^<m=-- 



i-i^^IIOMAS OTIARA was born March 1). IS.'ie, 
l((^^ in Lc Roy, Genesee County, X. Y., and is 
\.^ the eldest child of .Tohn and Catherine 
(McKonna) O'Hara. His jiarents are of Irish 
birth, and are Roman Cattiolics. The mother was 
born in 1837, and came to this country in 1846. 
.lolm O'llaia was born in 1831. removed to New 
Yiirk in 18 IS. and was married to Miss McKenna 
in IJatavia, X. Y., in 18y4. Nine children were 
born to them, ciglit of whom are now living, 
.lohii ()'llni:i it'inoved to Wisconsin in 18(;2. Dur- 
ing' tlie next eiglit years lie resided successively in 
Sheboygan. Waiibeka, UoltonviUe and Xewburg. 
Jn 1870 lie was elected I'riiicipal of the Third 



Ward .Sclioiil in M.aiiitowoc, and has resided in tliat 
city ever since. 

Thomas lived wilh liis parents until the spring 
of 1M71. In Alay of that year he shipped as a 
cabin-boy on the propeller "Gen. II. E. Paine." 
He sailed on passenger steamers on the Lower and 
Upper Lakes until 1882, serving as cabin-boy, por- 
ter, steward and clerk. He was married to Miss 
Mar.v Barratt May ."i, 1877, and established his 
residence in St. .Joseph. Miss Barratt was born in 
Leicester, England, March 23, 18.')6. They have 
three children: Miss Isabel, aged fifteen years, and 
Masters Barratt and Frank Herbert, aged eleven 
and five, respectively. 

After his marriage, Mr. (J'llara read law three 
winters in the office of Hon. X. A. Hamilton, and 
was admitted to the Bar in IMarch, 1880. During 
that year he was one of the Democratic candidates 
for Circuit Court Commissioner, but was defeated 
by one hundred and forty-two majority. The 
Republican candidates for Presidential electors 
carried the county by nine hundred and ninety- 
nine plurality and four hundred and thirty-nine 
majority. In Xovember, 1880, he formed a law 
partnership with Clarence A. Webster, under the 
lirm name of O'Hara S; Webster, and opened an 
office in St. .loscph. The firm dissolved in April, 
1881. In 1882 he defeated Walter I. Himes, the 
Republican candidate for County Clerk, by five 
hundred and seventy-five majority, and was re- 
elected in 1884 by a majority of eight hundred 
and eighty-nine over the Republican nominee, 
Henry L. Hess, running each time about eight 
hundred and fifty ahead of his ticket. In 1886 he 
was defeated by the "boy from Weesaw," Herbert 
L. Potter, whose majority was four hundred and 
seventy-six. Mr. Potter was indorsed by the 
Knights of Labor, and the feeling against a third 
term was decidedly strong in the county, but Mr. 
O'Hara received twenty-six more votes than the 
Democratic candidate for (Jovernor. In April, 
1887, he was elected Circuit Judge of the Second 
.ludicial Circuit, defeating Hon. George S. Clapp 
by eleven hundred and forty-one votes in Berrien 
County, and over eight hundred in the district. 

Ill February, 1 K8,s, an election was held in Ber- 
rien Cuiiiily uiiiler the "Incal ()|)iion" act of 



798 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1887. Judge O'Hara published a letter urging the 
Dciaocrats of the county to vote in f;ivor of local 
option. At the spring election in 1887, the count}- 
lind given a majority of Init sixty in favor of tlie 
constitutional amendment relative to the proliibi- 
tion of tlie li(iuor trafllc. Prior to the publica- 
tion of Judge O'llara's letter several counti(!s in 
the State had voted to accept local option, but in 
each case by a much smaller majority than had 
been given for the amendment in 1887, and a cor- 
responding decrease in lierricn County would 
have defeated local option by a large majority. 
The result of the election was the adoption of lo- 
cal option by a majority of seven hundred and 
twenty-three. He called a grand jury in 1888, and 
another in 18itO, to inquire into violations of the 
li(|u()r laws, a measure that had not been resorted 
to for twenty years in the county. 

Judge O'Hara was re-nominated in 1893, but 
was defeated by Hon. O. W. Coolidge. The cam- 
paign was the most acrimonious one in the history 
of Berrien County. The kical Democracy was 
split into factions in Niles and different parts of 
the county, the Republicans gaining thereby in 
many of the townships and electing their candi- 
date for Mayor in Xiles by over two hundred ma- 
jority, although the city usually went Democratic 
by one hundred .and fifty. Judge O'Hara was 
bitterly opposed by many of his former snp|)orters, 
and the Catholic issue was raised against him by 
his enemies and by the American I'rotective Asso- 
ciation and its sympathizers. He was defeated by 
six hundred and fifteen in Berrien County, run- 
ning one hundred and eleven behind the Demo- 
cratic candidate for School Commissioner. Mr. 
Coolidge's majority in the district was over nine 
hundred. 

Although the Judge had never tried a case in the 
Circuit Court before his election to the Bench, it 
was evident from his first term of court that he was 
better qualified than even his most ardent admirers 
had ever claimed. His perceptions were keen, his 
mind was discriminating, and he presided with 
dignity, firmness, impartiality and courtesy. He 
had a remarkable faculty for dispatching business, 
and there was no limit to his industry. During 
his term he disposed of more than thirteen hun- 



dred cases, six hundred of which were contested 

cases. With a warm heart and generous impulses, 
an expressive face and popular manners, no man 
in the county has ever had more friends or a 
larger personal following. He removed to Berrien 
Springs in December. 1882, where he still resides. 









likM\ H-'l'ON J. (iARD. A plain, unvarnished 
statement of the facts embraced in the life 
of Ml', (iard, a man well and favorably 
known to the people of Cass County, is all 
hat we profess to be able to give in this history 
of the county, and yet, upon examination of those 
f.acts, there will be found the career of one whose 
entire course through the world has been marked 
by great honesty and fidelity of purpose. 

He is a native of the Hoosier State, born in Un- 
ion County. March 11, 1824, and as he was but six 
years of age wiien iirought by his parents to 
A'olinia Township. Cass County, Mich., all his 
memory is of this State. His fatliei-, Jonathan 
Gard, was a native of New .lersey, born in 1799. 
The latter went from his native State to Cincinnati, 
Ohio, with his father, Josei)hus Gard, in 1807, and 
in 183(1 came to Michigan. His wife, whose maiden 
name was Elizabeth Bislioj), was a native of South 
Carolina and a descendant of Quaker ancestors. 
They were married in Union County, Ind., and 
made their home there until 1829, when they came 
to Cass County, this State. He was one of the first 
settlers in this section, and assisted in organizing 
the township of \'olinia. Indians were plentiful 
at the time, and the timber was full of wild animals. 
He built a primitive log cabin, and with the rude 
implements in vogue at that time he branched out 
as an agriculturist. As the years passed by tliey 
gathered around them many comforts, and there, 
where the principal i*irt of their lives had been 
spent, this worthy couple received their final sum- 
mons. Of the nine children born to them, seven 
are living at the [uesent time and are named as 
follows: Milton J., H. F., I. X., B. F.; Eliza, now 
Mrs. Wliitam; Esther, Mrs. Green; and Ahnira.Mrs, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



rito 



Welcher. Those deceased wore Mtiiv. Mis. (ireen, 
and Kinily. Mr.";. Huff. 

The youthful day.^ of our .'iubjeil wcic passed in 
assisting iiis father to clear the farm, and his edu- 
cational advantajjes were limited. Fie was fortu- 
nate in having parents who were interested in 
havini; him well educated, and tliey assisted him 
very materially in that respect, for they often iioard 
him recite at home. Later he took up the study 
of grammar and arithmetic liim.self, and made such 
headway with these that when twenty years of age 
he started out as an educator. After teaciiing two 
terms he branched out as a farmer, but in addi- 
tion was also engaged in the sawmill business for 
six years. In the year 1847 he was married 
to Miss Olive Green, daughter of Jesse Green, 
one of the ))ioneers here. After marriage he 
followed the sawmill business where Volinia now 
stands, and continued this for some time. In 
1851 he had the misfortune to lose by death the 
sharer of his joys and sorrows. They were the 
parents of four children, one only now living, 
George W. (See sketch.) 

Mr. Card's second marriage occurred in 18.54 to 
Miss Susan Fox, daughter of Samuel Fox, one of 
the early .settlers. Seven children were born to 
the second union, four now living. Ida, wife of 
George Hall, is the mother of two children; Ezra 
C. married Ida (ioodspeed, and has two children; 
Lincoln P. married .Jennie Ilutton; -lemima is the 
wife of Owen Scliutt. Bertha, who w.as the wife of 
Owen Schutt, is deceased, as are also Nellie and 
Josephine. Mr. Gard is a member of the Masonic 
frateniily,a charter member of Volinia Lodge, and 
has been Senior and Junior Warden, Worshipful 
Master and is now Treasurer. He is also a member 
of the Anti-Horse Thief Association, of which he is 
President. As one of the original members of llic 
N'olinia Farmers' Club, he has been Secretary and 
President. For six years he has been a member of 
the executive committee of the State Agricultural 
Society, and for the same length of time has been 
a member of the State Board of Agriculture. lie 
has taken a deep interest in educational matters, 
and for some time conducted a private grammar 
and aritliinetic .school for grown persons. For 
many ye.Hrs he was Director of the school district, 



and was Township School Inspector for some time. 
In politics he afliliales with the Republican parly, 
but wasa Whig in carl\ life. Freriuenlly he has been 
a delegate to conventions. He has held the follow- 
ing ollices: Constable. Township Clerk, School In- 
spector, Suiiervisor, Justice of tlie Peace and Com- 
missioner of Highways. 

Mr. Gard is the owner of one hundred and sixtv 
acres of land, one hundred and twenty acres under 
culi.ivation, and all his buildings are in first-class 
order. He raises a tine giade of Shorthorns, 
Poland-C'liina hogs and Shropshire and Spanish 
Merino sheep. He h.as lived on his present farm 
for sixty-four years and is well known as one of 
the lirst pioneers. He has always been an active 
worker in the cause of temperance, has given much 
of his attention to questions of public Import, and 
is a man of broad intelligence. 



s^ AMIKL MARKS. In lecounting the forces 
sj^ that have combined to make Lake Town- 
ship what it is, more than a passing refer- 
ence must be made to the labors of Samuel 
Marrs, of whom it may be truthfully said that no 
one has done more to la}' the foundations of the 
township's prosperity deep, and to build upon 
them surely and well. He is now one of the lead- 
ing farmers and fruit-grovvers in his section, and 
the second oldest man now living in the county 
who was born here. His birth occurred April 24, 
1831. and he was the third of six children born to 
Hugh and Ellen (Riggin) Marrs, natives of that 
grand old State, N'irginia. 

In tlie year 1828 Hugh Marrs went to Ohio and 
remained there until the following year, when he 
made his advent in this county. He came here 
with verj' little means, and took up eighty acres 
three miles below the present town of Berrien, re- 
maining there a few j-ears. P'rom there he moved 
to another part of the county and took up one 
hundred and sixty .acres, which he improved and 
resided upon for some time, \ftev the death of 
his wife III- sohl out aii<l iiKUiiecl the widow Ford, 



800 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGEATHICAL RECORD. 



on win)f;o place he lived until his deatli. He was 
a pi'udent, industrious man and one whose career 
was without a flaw. Of (he six children born to 
his first union all are now living, as follows: 
Andrew, of Berrien Springs; lion. Thomas Marrs, 
of Berrien Centre; Samuel; William, of California; 
Eliza J., wife of P. 11. Webster, of Berrien Centre; 
and jMalinda, wife of Trobiidge Snow, of Berrien 
Springs. Mr. Marrs was four times married, and 
his third union resulted in the birth of two children: 
Frank, of Berrien Springs; and Elizabeth, wife of 
Burdett Mc(iill, who resides close to Berrien 
Springs. Mr. Marrs was one of the early Justices 
of the Peace of Berrien Township, and a man who 
was popular with all classes. 

Samuel Marrs was one of the tirst children born 
in Berrien County. His early education was re- 
ceived in the old log sclioolhouse with slab 
benches, desks fastened to the wall, etc., and he was 
obliged to go some distance through the woods. 
The second school he attended was but little 
better in the waj' of furniture than the other one, 
but he applied himself and received a fairly good 
education. Mr. Marrs says the finest penman he 
ever saw was a Pottawatomie Indian, and he, with 
several of the other young folks of the neighbor- 
hood, attended writing-school taught by that 
Indian. On commencing life for himself, young 
Marrs engaged in the carpenter trade for six years, 
and assisted in building some of the first frame 
residences ever erected around Berrien Springs. 

After this he went to the Ford Farm and took 
care of his father for two years. There, in 18.J5,he 
was married to Miss Mary J. Galena, a native of 
this countj', born in 1836, and a daughter of 
David and Betsey Galena, natives of Ohio, but who 
came to this county about 183."?. F'or a few years 
after his marriage he resided on the farm of his 
mother-in-law, after which he purchased the farm 
on which he now resides, but did not move on it 
for seven years after purchasing. His farm con- 
sisted of one hundred and twenty acres in woods, 
and for this he paid 1900. There was no I'oad 
leading to the place, and it was covered with heavy 
timber, but ISIr. Marrs cleared a portion of it 
before the War. He now has one hundred and 
twenty acres under cultivation, and to his original 



purchase he has since added twenty acres. Four- 
teen children were born to this marriage, seven of 
whom survive: Martha, wife of .James Galigar; 
Arthur; Andrew; Maiy, wifeof William Ray buck; 
Hugh; Sarah, wife of John Flasher; and Jessie. 
Mrs. Marrs died in November, 1873, and in Decem- 
ber of the following year Mr. Marrs married Miss 
Maggie Westfall, of New York, and the daughter 
of Jacob and Mary Jane Westfall, who came to 
this county previous to the Civil War. 

To this second union six children were born, 
four of whom are now living: Jennie, Thomas, 
Ada and Ma}\ In connection with farming Mr. 
Marrs is actively engaged in fruit-growing and 
has twenty-five acres of orchard on his place, six 
acres being devoted to small fruit. His home is 
one of the pleasantest in the township and every 
thing about it denotes peace, prosperity and 
thrift. He has held a number of local ollices, 
Township Treasurer, Justice of the Peace, etc., and 
discharged the duties of the same in a creditable 
and satisfactory mannei'. I'olitically, he is a 
prominent Republican. 



MMM-^^im^ 




!ILLIA:M B. KIDSON. This inomineiit 
citizen of the county was born in North 
Carolina, and was second in order of 
birth of six children born to John and Sarah 
(Eidson) Eidson, natives of the grand old State of 
Virginia. The Eidson family is of English and 
Scotch lineage and was prominently identified 
with the early history of Virginia, the memijers 
being leading planters of that State. John Eidson, 
the paternal great-grandfather of our subject, 
served in the War for Independence, and ()ccii|jied 
an official position in the Colonial army. 

John Eidson and wife moved to North Carolina 
at an early date, and there resided for seven or 
eight years, the father engaged as a planter. 
Later they moved to Ohio and there the father re- 
ceived his Miinl summons in 1835. His wife 
survived him until 1870. The six children born 
to them lived to mature ye.ir^ with the exception 



PORTRAIT AM) l;HK;RAPIIirAI> RECORD. 



S(ll 



of tnK' who (liftl in iiil'.-iinv. The others were: 
15;iriu'\'. (Ici'o.'iscd, wIhi \v;i,< twice mniiicil iiiul 
left Iwd iliildien; W. !>., our .subject; Fl•alK•c■^. 
wife of Williiuii Boiitu', of Iowa; Kli/abetli, de- 
ceased; and .Iiilm K.. wlm ri'sidesat Herrien Springs, 
tliis coiinU'. 

Tlie lir.st few years (if mir sulijcct's life were 
passed in his native State and cm his father's 
plantation. lie was edneated in the eonmion 
seiiools of Oiiio and in tiiose of Michigan, having 
attended sciiool aftfr he was grown and married. 
He attonde(i one term witii liis first-l)orn son. In 
184i lie made liis lirst a|jpeaiaiiee in Michigan, 
landing here on his tweiity-lirst liirtiiday. and 
witli $10 in cash. He came witli his cousin, and 
for some time worked liy the month, receiving !5>12 
per month. Being frugal and industrious, lie 
aecumulated some means, and when twenty-seven 
years of age was married to Miss Harriet Weaver, 
a native of Ohio, and tlur daughter of David and 
Ann Weaver. 

At the time of his marriage, ili'. Kidson was 
the owner of sixty-one acres of land (not all [laid 
for) and had hut little money. He continued as he 
had started, to woii< very hard, and by economy 
and hard worlc has acciiniulated a comfortable 
fortune. He |)urcha.scd and improved a farm, 
which lie recently sold to his son Edward for 137 
per acre. This consists of two liundred and forty 
acres, wliicli cost liim at the time of purcliase $10 
per acre. Mr. Eidsoii im|)roved this farm hand- 
somely; lie cleared up one liundred acres, erected 
a house at a cost of >! 1,500. a barn at a cost of 
^1,200, and made numerous other improvements. 

In 1888 our subject sold his farm and purchiised 
a handsome home adjoining the town of Berrien 
.Spring.s. This phice consists of over eleven acres, 
with a fine orchard of apple trees, and lately Mr. 
Eidson has been transplanting pear and [tlum trees, 
making an orchard of one acre for this place. He 
l)aid * 1.500 for the property, and spent at least 
i'JOO in making iiiiproveinents. For some time 
after his marriage iMr. Eidson was eng.aged in the 
livery business in Berrien .Springs, owning the 
lirst barn in that village, and. a~ his custom was 
small at first, his friends thought it a bad invest- 
ment. At first he started in partnership with 



John Weaver, with only six horses, but the trade 
soon demanded more horses and tliey carried on a 
thriving business. (Jur subject then sold out his 
interest and engaged in farming. While in the 
livery business he was also engaged in the manu- 
facture of brooms, being a partner of .lames 
Andrews, the pioneer broom-maker of Berrien 
Springs. 

When Mr. Eidson lirst came to this country it 
was si)arsely settled, churches ami schoolhouses 
were few and far between, and the whole country 
w.is covered w-ith a dense growth of trees. There 
was no church in Berrien Springs, but there w.as 
one scliofilhouse, and in that meetings were held, 
all denominations attending. Mr. Eidson has 
been very successful in all the occupations he has 
followed, and with the assistance of his noble wife, 
who has ever been at his right hand, has accumu- 
lated sufficient means to enable them to pass the 
remainder of their days in ease and plenty. Ten 
children have been given this most estimable 
cou|ile, but two died in infancy. The others are: 
Gilbert, of this county ; Haltie; Frances; .lohn.of 
Minnesota; Edward, on the home place; William, 
a traveling man; and Herbert B. The last two :iie 
in the hardware business at Hudson, Iik)., and are 
live, energetic business men. 



4-^ 



SRAEL P. HITTON, a successful agriculturist, 
who has held with distinguished ability many 
/ll important positions of public trust in Berrien 
Township, Berrien County, Mich., is a native of 
Napier Township, Bedford County, Pa., and was 
born July 10, 1831. His father, Benjamin Wright 
Ilutton, born in Adams County, Pa., October 23, 
1800, combined the occupations of a farmer and 
teacher until he came to Michigan. The paternal 
grandfather, Levi Ilutton, was also a native of the 
Quaker State, but the family were of direct English 
descent. The mother, Bculali (Harris) Ilutton. 
born November 22, 1796, in Chester County, 
Pa., was a daughter of Benjamin Harris, likewise 
a Pennsvlvanian, and a soldier of the Revolu- 



802 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



tionary War. Tlie parents of our subject were 
wedded in their native State October 2^>, 1820, 
and settled first near tlieir early home, but later 
emigrated to Miami County, Ohio. In a brief 
time, however, tliey returned to the (Quaker State 
and located in Bedford County. In September, 
1846, the father and mother started for Michigan 
and landed at White Pigeon October 28. Settling 
at Three Rivers, the father ran a sawmill a few 
years, and also farmed upon rented land for a 
time, but soon gave up the tilling of the soil. 

Later the parents with their family made their 
home in Van Buren County, where the mother 
died November 22, 18(54. The father passed away 
.lune 20. 188.5, on the old homestead where our 
subject resides. Benjamin and Beulah Hutton had 
welcomed to their humble home nine cliildren. 
seven of whom are yet living: Caroline M., Will- 
iam Wesley, Hiram W., Israel P., .John H., David 
F. and Ruth A. In early life the parents were 
(Quakers, but the father became a Methodist and 
was active in church work. He was, when young, a 
Whig and afterward a strong Republican. He was 
a local leader, frequently a delegate to conven- 
tions, and w.as Sheriff of St. Joseph County, serving 
with abilitj' and discharging his duties with un- 
varying tidelity. lie was an ardent advocate of 
temperance and, a public-spirited citizen, encour- 
aged the cause of the Union during the Civil War. 
(ienerons to a fault, and a sincere friend, kind 
and obliging, he was, if wi-onged, a bitter enemy, 
and, a man of strong character, was beloved and 
respected. Our subject was sixteen years of age 
when he came to Michigan, and had received his 
education in the little subscription schools of his 
native State. He worked out by the d.ay and 
month two years and then was, at eighteen years 
of age, bound out to learn the milling business with 
Bowman & Hoffman, of Three Rivers. Remain- 
ing two years .as an apprentice, he afterwards 
worked a twelvemonth as a journeyman and tiien, 
the mill having been burned, was obliged to seek 
employment elsewhere, locating on October 21. 
18ol, in Summerville, Cass County, whore he w.as 
engaged in the mill of Burris Moore. 

December G, 185;'), our subject bought tlie mill, 
and in 18.J7, prosi)ering, erected a new sawmill, 



and in 1838 built a gristmill with three run of 
stone, at a cost of $12,000. Mr. Hutton oper- 
ated the mill until 187.3, when he sohl out and 
moved to his present farm, and the next year 
built his handsome residence, costing -l!4, 000. The 
farm which he had previously purchased in 1864 
had sixty acres of cleared land. In 1876, Mr. 
Hutton bought back his old mill and operated it 
u'.itil it was burned, in 1884. He now owns three 
hundred and thirteen finely cultivated acres, one 
of the most valuable pieces of farming property 
in this part of Berrien County. On .January 1.3. 
1853, Israel P. Hutton and Mrs. Anna M. (Moore) 
Millard were united in marriage. Mrs. Hutton 
is a daughter of Burro wes and Elizabeth (Reed) 
Moore, both natives of Pennsylvania, the father 
having been born in 1796, and the mother in 
1800. They were married in Pennsylvania and 
moved to White Pigeon, Mich., in 1832, after- 
ward living in Kalamazoo County and linally 
locating in Three Rivers, where they kept a hotel 
before there was a house in the place. In 1848 
they made their home in Class Count)', settling in 
Summerville, where Mr. Moore ran a gristmill 
until oui' subject bought him out. Unto the union 
of Anna M. Moore and her first husband were 
born three children: .Joseph B.; Edward F.; and 
Nancy M., a graduate of St. Mary, and a success- 
ful teacher. The eldest son, .Joseph B.. is a farmer 
and dairyman in Pleasant Hill, Mo. Edw-.-ird F. 
is a patentee of wood-pulp. The daughter is the 
wife of Freeman Hell, and lives in Colorado. The 
mother of Mrs. Hutton was born April 21, 1820, 
in Pennsylvania. The father, Bnrrowes Moore, 
died in June, 1872. The mother survived until 
October, 1888. Tlun' were the parents of six cliil- 
dren, five of whom are now living: Mrs. Hutton, 
Alfred B., Ambrose Y., Edward M. and Robert F. 
Mrs. Moore was in religious belief a Presbyterian; 
the father was a Free-Will Baptist. Mr. Moore 
was an anti-slavery man, honest and conscientious. 
The home of our subject and his estimaljle wife 
was blessed by the birth of six children. Arthur 
D., born June 19, 18.54, died September 29, 1856. 
Robert F., born September 15, 1855, married 
Ella Mcndcnhall and has two children, L. Arthur 
and Nina. Robert F.travels for the Davis ik Ran- 



PORTRAIT AND lUOGRAPIlICAL RECORD. 



803 



kin Mannfactiuiiiir ninl I'.iiililini; ('iiiii|i:uiy. of Chi- 
cago, lie is likfil liy tlic lirm and is siicceedino- in 
this line of w<)ri<. Wilfred Al., tlio next son of 
our subject, is the .\ssistnnt C'asliier of tlie Citizens" 
National liank of Xiles. lie was hoiii .lune 26, 
IHfiT, and nianied Miss Saiali Keedy, and lesiijes 
ill Niles. lie is llie fallier of two cliildien, (TOilic 
and i.c.ina. Kli/aliclli i... horn March ."iO. IS.'iS, 
i.- the wife f)f Adclbeit D. Connine, and makes 
lier home in Dowagiac; she has one child. Hen- 
Inh II. P.euhili A., horn Aiigusl 29, 1859. is the 
wife of Kred (1. Lewis, and with her two children, 
Anna Mary and Marguerite, is at home on tlie 
farm, r.-irlhenia, horn .Inly I'.l, 18(!l.is the young- 
est and completes the family list. Mr. and Mrs. 
Ilutton are valued memher.s of the Free-Will Bap- 
tist church at Sumnicr\ille,aiid both take an active 
part in religious work. Mr. Hultoii was urged to 
accept the Dcaconsliip, but refused. He is Trustee 
of tliechuicli and Treasurer and has been .Super- 
intendent of the Sabhath-scliool for nine years. 
The daughters have also been teachers in the Sab- 
bath-school. Fraternally, our subject is a member 
of the ,\ncient Free A- .Vccepted Masons at I'oka- 
gon, having united with this lodge thirty' years 
ago. lie was Treasurer of the lc)dge for a num- 
ber of terms. For twelve years he has also 
been a member of the Ancient Order of I'nited 
Workmen at Niles. The children enjoyed excel- 
lent educational advantages, and most of them 
attended school at Niles. Robert, Elizabeth and 
Heulah have been teachers. For years our subject 
was a School Director at Summcrville aiid.a fiiend 
to educational advancement, aided in the progress 
of the schools of the h(mie district. In early times 
a Whig, later a Heiniblic'an, he cast his first Presi 
dential vote for Cen. ^V. Scott in 18.")2, and has 
been prominent all the years since his majority in 
the local councils of his party, representing his 
constituents at various Slate and county conven- 
tions, lie w.as .Justii'c of the Peace in Pokagon 
Township for sixteen years and .served ably in 
the same judicial capacity for three years in Her- 
rien Township, and was aLso, in I 87.5, elected Super- 
visor of Herrieii Township. .\ man of executive 
.ability, our subject stimulated aiici eiiconr.iged 
enterprise, and in 1.S72 was one of the organizers 



of the Citizens' National P.ank of Niles. estab- 
lished with a capital of *50,0(»(l and a surplus of 
^'l.'i.OOO. For twenty years he has been a Director 
of that well-known financial institution, and is at 
present its valued Vice-President. He is also a 
Director of the First .State Savings Hank of Niles, 
which was organized in 1891, with a capital of 
$2.').llO(). Financiallv prospered and oceup3-ing a 
high social position. Mr. Hutlon and the varionis 
members of his family are leading lives of busy 
industry, and command the high regard of a num- 
erous acquaintance and old-time friends, the .asso- 
ciates of manv vears. 



|» > l t ' t'P W ii ! ■ 



ON. AMOS SMITH. For many years, or 
j] since his location in this county, the repu- 
tation which Mr. .Smith has enjoyed has 
^ been notonly that of a substantial and pro- 
! gressive farmer, but that of an intelligent and thor- 
oughly posted man in all (luhlic affairs. Agricul- 
ture has formed the principal occu[)ation of this 
gentlenian, and the wide-awake manner in which 
he has taken advantage of all methods and ideas 
tending to the enhanced value of his property h.as 
had a great deal to do with obtaining the compe- 
tence which he now enjoys. 

He is a native of the grand old Keystone .St;ile, 

born in Springlield Township, iM'ie County, .\ugust 

7, 1829, and his father, Charles F. .Smith, was borii 

in the same township. The elder .Mr. .Smith was a 

farmer and always resided at his birthplace, dying 

there February 17, 188.'), at the advanced age of 

eighty-two. His wife, whose maiden name was 

Emily Leech, was a native of \'ermont. horn in 

1808. .She was married in F-rie County, Pa., and 

died there in 1889. Our subject's paleriiMl grand- 

I father, Oliver Smith, was born in .\shlaiid. Conn., in 

17(iO, and emigrated lo Pennsylvani.a about 1800. 

t Of the eleven children horn to his parents our 

subject was s-econd in order of birth. His boyhood 

and youth were passed in his native county-, and, 

like the average farmer boy, his early education 

was received in the conntr\ schools. In 18.02 he 



804. 



PORTRAIT AKD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



took :i course in the commercial college at Pitts- 
burgh. Previous to this, in 1848, he came to Cass 
Count}, Mich., with his uncle, Joshua Leech, and 
remained in this State one .year, after which he 
returned to his native soil. In the fall of the 
same year he went to Yazoo, Miss., and taught a 
live-months term of .school there. Returning to 
his home in Pennsylvania in 1850 he resided 
there for tvvo years, and taught two terms of writ- 
ing-school. He also tauglit book-keeping, and i 
subsequently finislied his education at Clinton, 
N. Y. He began teaching when nineteen ^ears of 
age and followed this profession for some time. 

In the fall of 18i)2 he returned to Cass County, 
Mich., and was engaged in teaching and survey- 
ing, as he had made the latter a study, and was 
soon assisting the County Surveyor. Later he was 
made Deputy Count}- Surveyor, and in 185-t he 
was elected to that office, holding that position 
and discharging the duties incumbent upon it in a 
ver}' satisfactory manner until January, 1861. 
During this time, in the winter he ^vas engaged in 
teaching the Spencerian system of writing. After 
being out of office one term he was re-elected 
Surveyor, served one term, and then refused the 
nomination for the next term, preferring to teach. 
In 1855 he jnucliased forty acres of land and 
farmed the same in addition to his other duties 
during the years spoken of above. In 1875 the 
County Surveyor was killed and Mr. Smith was i 
appointed to fill the v.acancy until the next elec- 
tion. At the next regular convention he was 
again nominated, and later was elected, serving 
until 1883. In October of that year he was elected 
County Drain Commissioner, which office he held . 
two years. So abl}- and well did he discharge the 
duties of llie different offices entiusted to him, j 
and so well were bis services appreciated by the ' 
public, tliat he was elected State Senator in 1868, 
serving one term, as was customary at that time. 

Mr. Smith has also been Supervisor of liis town- 
ship and has led a very busy life. He has had ji 
great deal of guaidian and administrator work to 
perform, besides his oHicial business. Alive to 
matters of public importance, and deeply inter- 
ested in the success of tlic Republican party, with 
which he has always been identified, he is one of 



the most influential men of the county. His first 
Presidential vote was cast for Oen. Scott. Mi'. 
Smith is a |)rominent member of the Masonic fra- 
ternity, and has been Worshipful Master several 
terms. He is a member also of the Royal Arch 
Chapter at Cassopolis. The first AVoishipful Mas- 
ter of his lodge, Mr. Smith has been chosen to 
represent said lodge in the Grand Lodge many 
times. 

On the 22d of November, 1855, Mr. .Smith was 
married to Miss Martha Jane East, who was born 
in Wa^ne County, Iiid., and wiio died in Cass 
County, Mich., in 1882. Three children were the 
fruits of this union: Charles F., Fred E. and 
George D. IMis. .Smith was a devoted member of 
the Friends' Church and for many years was an 
.active worker in the same. October 4, 188:5, he 
married Jliss Sue Boguc, also an active member of 
the F'riends' Church. The forty acres of land first 
owned by Mr. Smith have since lieen increased to 
three hundred and fourteen acres, in tluee differ- 
ent farms. Mr. Smith has taken an active interest, 
in educational matters, having had much to do in 
building up the \'andalia graded school, now one 
of the best schools in the county. 



=*5E 



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11^ 



M 
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F. BERTRAIL The fruit farm belonging 
to Mr. Bertram is one of the best in Berrien 
County, and is located on section 86, St. 
Joseph Township. The property consists of twenty 
acres, all of which are planted to fruit, ten acres 
being devoted to blackberries, three and one-half 
acres to grapes, two acres to r.aspberries, and there 
are also two iiundred and sixty peach trees, one 
hundred apple and three hundred pear trees. The 
purchase price of the farm was $2,5()0, Imt tlie 
many improvements since added thereto have 
greatly increased its value and it is now worth 
about *7,0()0. 

Germany has contributed many of her most 
enterprising sons t(3 the United States, and among 
the number who have sought fortune and friends 
in the New World may be mentioned the name of 




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RE51DENCL,0r J. T. VAN D ER VEE R , SEC . 5. WATERVLl ET TR, BERRIEN CO. MICH. 



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RESIDENCE OF C. F. BERTRAM , 5EC.3G.,ST. JOSEPH TP.,BERRIEN CO., MICH. 



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RESIDENCE OF CARL H ERM AN , S EC.15. BERTRAND TP., BERRIEN CO. MICH 



PORTRAIT AN!) niOGRAPlIICAL UKCORD. 



807 



C. F. Hcrtram. who was born in Hanover. His fa- 
ther. I'lcderiok, was likewise a native of Hanover, 
;iii(l fdi a tiiiic followed the occupation of a 
waiion-niaker, l)iil latei' secured a ijosition as gar- 
dener for a nunnery. In his n.itivc land he mar- 
ried Miss Louisa Queston, who died in (iermany 
after having become tlie mother of seven children, 
Ave of whom are now (1893) living. They are 
Louie, who is engaged in farming in South [Da- 
kota; C. v., of this sketch; Minnie, who is married 
and resides in Chicago- Ernest, a successful agri- 
culturist of South Dakota; and Christina, who is 
tlic wife of Conrad Heine, a resident of Chicago. 
Ill I.s7'2 the father of the family emigrated to 
the I nited Stales and remaine(i with his children 
until his death, which occuried in 1890. C. F., 
the subject of this sketch, was the recipient of ex- 
cellent advantages in his native country, and has a 
thorough knowledge of the (lerman language. 
Since coming to America he has leariuid to read 
and write the Knglish language. He emigrated to 
this country in 1861, and for a time worked on a 
farm in Cook County, HI., later sijenl six months 
in Chicago, .and afterward resided for a short time 
in St. Louis and Nashville. During the late war 
he was in the Commissary Department of the 
United States army. 

After a short sojourn in Chicago Mr. Rertram 
went to California, making the journey via the 
IsthiiHis of I'aiKuiia. and upon reaching the Golden 
State followed fanning for nine years. During 
the most of the time he raised hops, meeting with 
varying success in that business. From California 
he returned to Chicago, where he resided for six 
years, and thence, in 1881. he came to Berrien 
County and located upon the place where he now 
resi(ies. His marriage took place in 1873 and 
united him with Miss Doia Keyniers, who was born 
in (ieimany and came to this country when about 
twenty years old. They are the parents of four 
children. l'>ernharl, Berthel. Hild.-i and Hruno, all 
of whom are with their parents. 

In his religious convictions, Mr. Bertram is an 
active memliei of the Lutlieian Church and is a 
liberal contributor to its various enterprises. So- 
cially, he is identified with the Order of Foresters 
of Chicago. He is a man who deli";lils in witness- 



ing the advancement of his township and county, 
and who may always l)e relied upon to contribute 
his (piota to the attainment of the desired result. 
In his political belief, he adheres to the prin- 
ciples of the Kepublican party and is pidiiiineiit 
ill local politics. 



r' 



*^*= 



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AHL IIFRMAN, a highly-respected and suc- 
cessful general agriculturist located upon 
section 15, Bertrand Township, Berrien 
County, is a native of Wurtcnilierg, Germany, and 
was born September 24, 18211. The father, John 
Herman, and the mother, whose maiden name was 
.Scheu, were both born in Germany, and received 
a limited education- in the Government schools. 
They were of honest but humble parentage, and 
the father worked as a day-laborer. He and his 
good wife were the parents of seven sons, of whom 
Carl is the third in oider of birth. The mother 
died in the land of her birth, and in 18G8 the fa- 
ther came to America to make his home with his 
son Carl, and here died. 

Our subject attained to manhood in the Old 
Counti'}', and was twenty-six years of age when, 
shortly before emigrating, he was, in 18;j7, united 
in marriage with Miss Elizabeth N'etter, a native 
of (lermany, who, in com|)any with her husband, 
almost immediately sailed for America. They did 
not tarry long in the P^ast, but were in a brief time 
located in lierrien County, their first home being 
iii Niles Township. Five years later, in 18(52, 
they removed to a farm iiurch.ased by iMr. Herman 
in Bertrand Township. Three years afterward 
our subject protitalily disposed of this farm, and 
in 186.T bought the valuable homestead of one 
hundred acres, where with his family he has since 
resided. The improvements then on the place 
consisted mainly of an old house with a dilapi- 
dated roof and no floor. During the i)ast twenty- 
eight years the acreage has been brought u]) to a 
high state of cultivation, .•ind a comfortable and 
attractive residence, commodious barns and out- 



808 



POxtTRAlT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



huildiiigs liave made tlio old farm one o( tlio pleas- 
ant homesteads of Beitrand Townslii)). , 
Mr. and Mrs. Herman have had six eliildren, ' 
three daughters and three sons. Cliarles resides in ( 
Nebraska; David also makes liis liome in that 
State; Minnie is the wife of Henry Ehniuger, a 
prosperous farmer of Bertraud Township; Luc3' is 
the wife of Washington (logley, and lives in Indi- 
ana; (Teorge and Ida are at home. Our subject 
arrived in the United States with little or no cap- 
ital, and has with sturdy self-reliance and persist- ^ 
ent industry steadily won his way upward to a 
position of comparative ease and comfort. Prac- 
tical, and possessing excellent judgment, lie has 
made a success of general farming, and also raises 
some fine stock. Mr. Herman is a Democrat, and 
in all matters pertaining to local progress and 
mutual welfare is a true and liberal American citi- 
zen. He is in no sense of the word a politician, 
bill IS well posted in national and local affairs. 



;OHMT. VAlS'nERVEER i.s numbeiod among 
tlie representative farmers and fruit-grow- 
ers of Watervliet Township. Berrien Coun- 
ty', and is a highly respected gentleman, both 
for his good business qualifications and his upright 
character. His birth occurred in Emmet Town- 
ship, Calhoun County, Mich.. Decemlier 3, 1851, 
he lieing a son of .lames and Nancy (Young) 
A'anderveer. 

The grandfather of our subject, John \'andor- 
veer, was born in New Jersey, where he was trained 
to be a sailor. He was a ])ioneer of Glenn Town- 
ship, Montgomery County, N. Y., and there died in 
18()U, on the farm which he had cleared and im- 
proved. He served in the New York Assembh', 
and proved himself worthy of that responsible 
position. His wife was Miss Ann Vorliees, and tr) 
them were born the following children : John. 
William, Lewis, James, Newton, Hutli and Arthur. 
All of these children have become the heads of 
families, with the e.xception of .lolin and Arthur. 



The mother was a niemlier of the Dutch Hef<unu'(l 
Church, and died in I860. The father was a Whig 
and a Republican in politics. 

James Vanderveer was born in the town nf 
Glenn, N. Y.. February 14, 1828, and worked on 
the farm until he was twenty years old. when he 
moved to Calhoun County, Mich., and settled on 
a quarter-section of land on the banks of the 
lake, near Battle Creek. He improved this tract 
and lived on it until 1855, at which' time he moved 
into the town of Battle Creek, and embarked in 
the mercantile business. Soon afterward he had 
the misfortune to lose everything that he had by 
fire, but amid all these discouragements Mr. \':in- 
derveer kept up courage, and again moved to the 
country to try his fortune. This time he came to 
Berrien County and settled in Benton Township, 
where he purchased a farm of two hundred and 
sixty acres, which he has since given to his chil- 
dren. He has served in six different township 
ottices and gives his influence to the Democratic 
party, although he was at one time a stanch sup- 
porter of the Whig and Republican platforms. 
His faithful wife, who still survives, is the daughter 
of Joseph and Elizabeth (Van Wert) Young, w ho 
were the parents of four sons and four daughters. 
Joseph Young vvas a pioneer of Calhoun County, 
going there about the jear 183(;. In his religiinis 
attiliations he was a Presbyterian, and in politics a 
Republican. 

John T. A'anderveer is one of the four siiiviv- 
ing children born to his [larents, the others being 
William N., Anna and Ernest. John was kept on 
the farm until he was nine 3ears old, and on 
reaching his eighteenth year began life on his own 
account by working at ^K! a month for two years. 
At the age of twenty, he bought a farm of forty 
acres in Benton Township, and in 1878 was en- 
abled to buy one hundred and sixty acres of 
timber-land in Watervliet Township, which he at 
once began clearing and improving, lie now 
makes fruit a specially, and his farm is one of the 
finest looking and best kept in the county. 

Our subject is valuable to this vicinity in politi- 
cal affairs, and has held some [jromineiit and 
accredited positions, among which is that of Town- 
ship Treasurer and Supervisor. He is a warm 



PviKTRAIT AND lilOGRAPIIIC'AL RI-X'ORD. 



809 



iiillierciil (if tin' Doiiiucialit' |iarty. :iiul jilsoii iiu'iii- 
ber of llie Independent Oidei' of Odd Fellows. 

Mr. ^■.•lnde^vee^ w;is iiiai'i'ied to IMar.v U. S])encer 
Feliiuaiv 1, 1H7T. This lady was lioni in 15ain- 
bridfje, this county, to Charles A. and Elizabeth 
(l)ix) Spencer, of Benton Township. She became 
the niotlier of five cliildren: Hoy, I'ercv, Bertha, 
Bessie and Nancv. 



.' ri.irs KRIKGKR. One of the distinguish- 
ing; ciiaractenstics of the men who claim Po- 
land as the land of their birth or the home 
of their forefalliers is a strong individual- 
ism, that gives an imi)ctus to their lives and nobil- 
ity- to tlioir characters. In whatever land they 
may establish homes, they display a certain energy 
.and lo\alty that endear them to their fellow-citi- 
zens. Among the men of this class some mention 
may properly be made of the subject of this 
sketch, who is a well-known resident of Berrien 
County, and a successful fruit-grower of Lincoln 
Township, residing on section 15. 

A native of Poland, Prussia, our subject was 
born on the 1st of .lune. 1842, being the son of 
Martin and Polina Krieger. It was his misfortune 
to be orphaned in childhood, his father having 
(lied when he was a lad of six jears, and his mother 
passing away five years afterward. His education 
was limited to a brief attendance at the schools of 
his native land, but he has gained an education 
which is not to be learned from books or ac- 
ipiired by literary training. His is the more prac- 
tical education daily given to each of us in our 
homes or at our otiices, and which can be secured 
(inly as the result of exiierience. 

In his youth, Mr. Krieger learned the trade of a 
tailor, at which he was employed prior to his emi- 
gration to the New World. He was married in 
.Mankerudt, Poland, to Rosalia, the daughter of 
.lohn Hiidnich. and they were the parents of two 
i-hildren at the time they cro.ssed the Atlantic and 
established their hiime in the land (if the free. 



Jt WHS about the year IKiiT that they came to 
Chicago, immediately after landing in this coun- 
try, and Mr. Krieger found employment in that 
city, working at his trade, for eight years. From 
Chicago he came to Lincoln Township and, pur- 
chasing ten acres, commenced its improvement 
and cultivation. At the present time (lH<):5)lie 
owns fifty acres, of which about thirty-four are 
well improved. He devotes his attention to fruit- 
raising and gardening and makes a specialty of 
berries, which he raises with success. All the 
farm buildings have been erected under his per- 
sonal supervision and are adajjted to their various 
uses. 

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Krieger has re- 
sulted in the birth of nine children, as follows: 
Katie, who married .John Kaloorkins, a farmer re- 
siding in Lincoln Townshii): Theodore. Wallaria. 
Annie, John, Paulina. Rosalia, .hiliiis and .-Vlex- 
ander. A Democrat politically. Mr. Krieger has 
served for two jears as Drain Commissioner of 
the township, and was elected .hislicc of the Peace, 
but refused to (|ualif\' for the otlice. He takes an 
active interest in social aftairs an<l uses his inthi- 
ence to secure the progress of the commuuitv 
along the lines of material and commercial devel- 
opment. What he has and what he is may be at- 
tributed to his own efforts, seconded by the co- 
operation of his etticient heipmate, for when he 
arrived in Chicago he had only $12 in his posses- 
sion. Now he occupies a position among the sub- 
stantial moil of the township. He is a stockholder 
in tlie Commercial State Bank of St. .toseph. In 
his religious belief, he is a Roman Catholic, and is 
identified with the church at St. .Joseph. 



■— !&T 



M>^^<B 



fl>~ 



FRANK STEWART is a man of more than 
Ij ^ — ordinary intelligence. energ\- and force of 
%^JA character, and for the upright and honor- 
able career he has led he is held in universal re- 
spect and esteem. His life has been rather an un- 
eventful fine, but while he has continued to pursue 
the even tenor of his way. he has been a deep 



810 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



reader and thinker, and every important question 
of the day is given his earnest attention. As a 
farmer he has attained an enviable reputation, for 
in conducting his operations he lias brought his 
good sense and his practical views to bear, and as 
a result has accumulated a fair share of this world's 
goods. 

Mr. Stewart is a native of Van Buren County, 
Mich., born in Paw Paw in the year 1843, and was 
one of the first children born in the county. His 
parents, Archibald and Eliza A. (Tanner) Stewart, 
were natives respectively of Pennsylvania and 
New York, and their nuptials were celebrated in 
the latter State. The father was a practical me- 
chanic and followed his trade in the Empire State 
until about 1838, when he decided that lie could 
improve his chances in the far West. lie brought 
his family to Michigan, located in Paw Paw and 
there worked at his trade with nuicii success for 
some time. Later he removed to Watervliet, and 
there continued his former occupation until about 
1861, when he went to C'oloma, where he resided 
until his death. He was a man possessed of an 
unusual amount of energy and determination, and 
in everj' walk of life he acquitted himself witii 
honor and renown. 

The marriage of Mr. Stewart was blessed by the 
birth of eight children, as follows: Helen M., wife 
of Dr. Marvin, of Covert, Mich.; William E., who 
is proprietor and editor of the Sentinel, at South 
Haven; G. Frank, our subject; Archibald, of Co- 
loma, Mich.; Eliza, wife of Edwin R. Havens, of 
Lansing, this State; Charles IL, who died about 
1885; and Lucy D., wile of Charles Merrifield, of 
Chicago. These children all grew to manhood and 
womanhood and became law-abiding and much— 
esteemed citizens. The second child died in in- 
faiuy. The original of this sketch was the fourth 
child in order of birth and grew to manhood 
in Paw Paw Township. In the year 18G2 he 
enlisted in Company'!, Nineteenth Alichigan In- 
fantry. He was mustered in as Corponil Septem- 
ber ;■), 1862; appointed Sergeant Januaiy 15, 1864; 
ai)pointed First Sergeant .liily 2, 1864, and was 
promoted to be First Lieutenant .January 11, 1865. 
He commanded Company F from March 30, 1865, 
until mustered out of service. He joined llie 



Army of the Cumlierland, and was with (Jens. 
Rosecrans and Sherman in the march to the sea. 
participating in the engagements at .Spring Hill, 
Resaca, Carsville, New Hope Church, Ciilp's Farm, 
Golgotha, Peach Tree Creek, siege of .Atlanta, 
Avreysboro, Bentonville, up through the Caroli- 
nas, and was present at the Grand Review at Wash- 
ing ton. He was fearless in the discharge of duty 
and fought bravely for the Old Flag. 

After cessation of hostilities Mr. Stewart re- 
turned to Bainbridge, Berrien County, Mich., and 
in the year 1866 was married to Miss Ileniietta 
L. Beyers, daughter of Martin Beyers, one of Ber- 
rien County's oldest and most respected citizens. 
Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Stewart: Stella A., A. N., Mabel G., Henry M. and 
Charles E. A. Mr. Stewart served two terms, as 
Clerk of Bainbridge, and in the spring of 1885 he 
was elected Supervisor of Bainbridge Township, 
an office he has held successively since. He is a 
Republican in politics and an active worker for 
his party. To all enterprises that tend to the de- 
velopment and growth of the country Mr. Stewart 
extends a helping hand, and he is very social, 
friendly and accommodating. He was Postmaster 
at Bainbridge from October 12, 1868, until Au- 
gust 26, 1874. He is a member of the (irand 
Army Post at Coloma, and the Independent Order 
of Odd Fellows at Bainbridge. Mr. Stewart has 
passed all the chairs in the Keeler, Covert and 
Bainbridge lodges, and represented each lodge in 
the (irand Lodge of the State. 






r .5..J..J..5.P 



^1 AIMES KFLSKY, formerly a prominent citi- 
zen of La Grange Township, Cass County, 
but now deceased, was born in Middlesex, 
Conn., in 1810, and was the son of James 
and Jerusha (Brainard) Kelsey. I'lie family was 
one of considerable prominence in Connecticut 
during the Colonial days and was active in the 
work of the Presbyterian Church. During the 
War of the Revolution, the grandfather of our 
subject served as a meiiilier of the Army of the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



811 



St. Lawrence; and one f)f liis broUiers, also a sol- 
dier in tin' war. was taktMi prisoner and died on a 
man-of-war, a piison slii|i. 

Till' niaU'inal urandfaliier of oiir Miliji'cl, Ezra 
liiaiii.iid. was for nian\- years a memlier of the 
Coniii'i'ticnl Lejiislaliire, wliile liis son was for a 
iuunl)ei- of years I'niled States Senator from \^er- 
niont. Tlie Hrainard family was connected with 
llio i-arly history of the State of Connecticut. 
Alioiit tlic year 1824 James Kelscy, father of our 
sulijcct, migrated to Rochester, N. Y., and thence 
to Niagara County, the same Slate, where he died 
at a ripe old :\gc. The ediic;ition of our subject 
was actjuired principally in llu' Lima and Henri- 
etta .Vcademies of New York, and after his school- 
ing was completed he returned to his old home in 
Connecticut, where he lauglil school for several 
years. Going again to New York, he resumed 
his professional labors, and for some time taught 
school in the winter seasons and engaged in farm- 
ing during the summer. 

Tlie marriage of .Mr. lvelse>- occurred in 183(!, 
and united him with Miss Mary, daughter of Will- 
iam and Mary (l)epew) Compton. Mr.s. KelscN- 
was born in Ontario County, N. Y., in 1817, and 
is a descendant of a Huguenot family. Her mother 
rode on the tirst train of cars in thcUnited States. 
The Compton family waslirst represented in .Vmer- 
ica by three lirotliers, one of whom died soon after 
tlieir arrival. The Iwt) survivors settled in New 
•lersey and Connecticut respectively. Mrs. Kelsey 
being a descendant of the former. 

.\fter his marriage, Mr. Kelsey settled on a farm 
in Niagara County. N. Y., and in 1839 came to 
Mii-higan. proceeding directly to his father-in-law's 
home in Cass County. .Vt that early day no roads 
had been opened nor had any clearings liecii made. 
For siiinier on the day of their arrival they had 
lish. caught out of the lake on the farm, which to- 
day abounds with various specimens of tlie finny 
tribe. Four children were born to Mr. Kelsey and 
his estimable wife, namely: Dr. W..I.. of whom see 
sketch elsewhere in this volume; Hampden, an at- 
torney residing in Chicago, who has a son, James; 
Edith, the widow of Eugene Crane; and Alice J. 
The daughters are both artists, [losscssiiig unusual 
talent, and the younger daughter, ivlitli, occuiiies 



' a prominent place in professional circles in Clii- 
cago, where she makes her hoaie. Rolitically, Mr. 
Kelsey was a Whig in early days, and afterward a 
Republican. He accumulated three hundred acres 
of good land, which at his death, in October, 1883, 
was bequeathed to his wife. .She, assisted by her 
j daughter .Mice, now man.-iges the entire homestead, 
I attending to the work in a manner highly credit- 
able to herself, and securing bountiful harv<jsts 
each 3ear as a result of the systematic way in 
which she supervises the place. 



-^^+^[ 



LIVER P. MILLER. The petty difliculties 
of the township in which our subject re- 
^^fe/'' sides find their way to his office, and lie 
sends the parties away in better humor with them- 
selves and with the world in general than they 
were on coming to him, for he is a gentleman 
who, although having an extended knowledge of 
the prosaic aspects of life, is prone to .see the 
humorous side, and gild the baser metal with the 
brightness of wit. 

Mr. Miller is one of the old settlers of Lake 
Township, but was born in Ohio, Preble County. 
August 19, 1832. He w.is the fourth in order of 
birth of nine children born to Jacob F. and Docia 
(Weaver) Miller, natives of Tennessee and \'ir- 
ginia. respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Miller were 
married in Ohio, whitlier tiicii' parents had moved 
at an early date, and tliere they resided on a farm 
for many years. JMr. Miller was a popular man and 
held various olliccs, the most prominent being 
those of Assessoi' and Commissioner. He served in 
the War of 1812, and was under (ien. Harrison in 
the battle of Tippecanoe. His death occurred in 
the State of his adoption February 1 I, 181',). The 
Miller family came originally from Germany and 
settled in Tennessee, in Hawkins (duntv. The 
Weaver family came from England and its mem- 
bers were among the first settlers of Virginia. 

or the nine children bom to the above men- 
tioned couple, eight lived to mature years: George, 
who resides in IJenton Harbor; .V. K.. who resides 



812 



rORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



in West Manchester, Ohio; O. P., our subject; Mar- 
garet, wife of Robert Giiflllin. of Oliio; Robert D., 
who lives in Colorado; Cyrus, who resides in West 
^lanchester, Oliio; Abigail, deceased, the wife of 
lA'wis Howe, of Oliio; and James, deceased, who 
left a family in Dayton, Ohio. r>oth Mr. and Mrs. 
.sillier had been married previously, and the former 
was the father of two children by liis fii'St union: 
Frederick, deceased, and Sarah, deceased. Mrs. 
Mdler's lirst husband was .lolin Price, by whom 
she had four children, one dying in infancy. Elar- 
idge. deceased, left a family in Illinois; Ellen, de- 
ceased, was the wife of Dan Ritz, of West Man- 
cliester, Ohio; and .lohn. of Greenville. Ohio. 

C)liver P. ;\Iiller passed his boyhood and youth 
in Ohio, and attended the common schools of his 
neighborhood. lie commenced life for himself as 
a carpenter and continued this for ten years, meet- 
ing with fair success. On the 1st of May, 1864, 
he joined Company C, One Hundred and Fifty- 
sixth Ohio Infantry, and was attached to the Arm}' 
of the Cumberland, although in 1861 it was called 
the Army of Ohio, lie served in Maryland and 
A'lrgiiiia, and participated in but one eng.agement, 
being mustered out at Camp Dennison, Ohio, in 
September, 1864. After reaching home he re- 
mained there until 1867, when he came to tliis 
State, and resided on rented land for eiglit years. 
In 1873 he purch.ased one hundred and twenty 
acres of unimproved land, for wliicli he paid $12 
per acre, and in 1875 he moved on this farm. He 
now has fifty acres under cultivation and is one 
of the foremost men of his neigliborhood. Nearly 
the entire time he has resided on his farm he has 
held the ottice of Justice of tlie Peace and h.as dis- 
charged the duties of thatottice in a very creditable 
manner. He has also held tiie ottice of Township 
Clerk and Road Commissioner. 

In the year 18.53 Mr. Miller married Miss Ann 
M. Vyf, a native of Ohio, and the daughter of 
Benjamin and Elizalieth (iSlaloy) Imc. natives of 
the Old Dominion and Ohio, resjiecti vely. Mr. 
and Mrs. Eye were the parents (jf fifteen children, 
nine of whom lived to years of maturit}'. Mary 
Iv, wife of H. Young, resides in Marion, Ind., 
Margaret, who is the wife of Frank Meadows, re- 
sides in De Lisle, Ohio; Elizabeth, who is the wife 



of T. Ross, makes her home at Dawn, Ohio; Ann JI. 
was the wife of our subject; Benjamin resides in 
Richmond, Ind.; Charley is in Kans!is; Henry is 
in Indiana; Hester is the wife of Daniel Clin- 
german. of Niles, Mich; and .lasper lives in Ben- 
ton Harbor. Jlrs. Vye died in 1864, and her 
husband in 1880. To Mr. and Mrs. Miller were 
born live children, as follows: Orvin W., of this 
county; Cleon ; Margaret C, wife of William Ar- 
and, of Berrien County; Malissa. who died at the 
age of two years; and Emma, who died at the age 
of eight years. Mrs. Miller died in 1884. Mr. 
Miller is a member of the County Grange and 
Lake Grange No. 84, of which he is Secretaiy. In 
politics lie is a Reiniblican. 



^^ HARLES T. GLEASON, an influential cit- 
(l( ,, izen of Sodus Township, Berrien Count}', 
^^^ owns one of the most finely cultivated and 
highly im|iroved homesteads in this part of Mich- 
igan. He has been a resident of his present local- 
ity for about thirty years and is numbered among 
the leading general agriculturists and [jrominent 
men of his home locality. Mr. Gleason is a native 
of the t^)neen's dominions, and was Ijorn in Canada, 
about one hundred and sixty miles from ("Quebec, in 
1836. His father, Patrick (Jleason, w.as a sailor, 
who made his home in Ireland, and died soon after 
the birth of his son diaries. (Jur subject spent 
the days of early boyhood in different parts of 
Canada, and had l)ul very limited advantages for 
an education, never attending school after he was 
eleven ^■ears of age. Charles was only a boy, not 
yet twelve years old. when he came to the States 
and received his first employment in Lewiston, 
Niagara County, N. Y. The lad obtained woik 
upon a farm and for four years faithfully sowed, 
planted and reaped, lalxning with steady and un- 
varying industry, and enjoying few. if any, of the 
pleasures incidental to \()Uth. 

Having now arii\'ed at fifteen years of age. our 
subject went to lUiffalo. and, a bright, intelligent 
lad, readily procured work and was for the sue- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



813 



t't'cdiiii; two \i-:ii> eiiira2;ed in a. sliip-ynrd. In 
18o."t, Air. Oleasoii ioiinicyed to llie f.-irther West 
!iiul louatofl ill Hfirriiigton. 111. For two years lio 
followed the trade of a carpenter in that vicinity, 
and then resolved to try his fortunes in INIichigan. 
and coniiiiu' hither settled in Berrien County, in 
the imniediatc neighborhood of his present home. 
Having hut very little ready capital, at first he 
farmed on shares, hut in \SCu^ lionght fifty acres 
of land, to which he has since added fifty other 
acres, the one hundred acres being among the most 
fertile and productive land in the township. The 
farm with its cultivated fields and attractive im- 
]>roveinents is especially noted by all passers-by. 
The residence, l)arns and other buildings are mod- 
ern in construction, well-planned and tastefully 
finished. Aside from the tilling of the soil, Mr. 
Gleason profitably handles some excellent stock, 
and is in every department of .igriculture thor- 
oughly i)ractical. 

In 1<S')7. Charles Gleason and Miss Harriet Hem- 
ingway were united in marriage. Mrs. Gleason is 
the daughter of .lesse and Lois Hemingway, old- 
time lesidents of Berrien County, Mich. The 
home of Mr. and Mrs. (Ueason has been blessed by 
the birth of nine children, three sons and six daugh- 
ters. .Icssic is the wife of Henry Feather and re- 
sides in Beriien County. Nellie married Frank 
Smith and lives in Sodus Township. (Tcorge mar- 
ried .\iiiiie Clark and makes his home in the neigh- 
borhood of his parents and is a pros|)croiis farmer. 
Haltie and Mary are at home and are among the 
most successful teachers of the county. Grace, the 
youngest child, Fred and Fd arc all still with 
their fatlier and mother. Pearl is clerking in the 
store of Cal .lilleson, at Stevensville. Always re- 
gretting his lack of education, our suliject earlv 
determined to fit his children well for the battle 
of life, and to that end stimulated and encouraged 
them to study, and gave them every possible ad- 
vant.age he could for higher instruction. Six of 
the family have been teaeliers ami three are yet 
engaged in that vocation. 

Mr.(;ieason is not personally identified with any 
church, but his entire family belong to the Meth- 
odist Kpiseo|)al denomination, and are workers in 
the clnuch and pioiniinnl in its social uMtheiinas 



and benevolent enterprises. Poiitically, om- sub- 
ject is n stalwart Republican, and lias ever been 
true to the principles of the "Party of Reform,"' 
casting his vote for .Tohn C. F'remont in 185fi. As 
Road Commissioner IMr. Gleason has given faithful 
service to his fellow-townsmen, and in all the du- 
ties of the day has with sincere jiurpo-se fulfilled 
the obligations devolving upon him. Having self- 
reliantly won his way in life, he has the great 
pleasure of seeing his children attain tousefuland 
self-respecting manhood and womanhood, possessed 
of education and natural ability to worthily -fill 
any place of influence or honor to which they may 
be called. 

A. BECKER, a retired agriculturist and 
leading citizen of Berrien Township. Ber- 
rien County, Mich., h.as for many years ac- 
tively participated in the public work and 
social and religious life of liis home iieiglibor- 
hood. Mr. Becker isa native of Pennsylvania, and 
was born in Swatara Township, Dauphin County, 
.lulv 27, 1824. The parents. .lacob and Anna 
(Becker) Becker, also born in Iho (Quaker State, 
in Lancaster County, were both of (Icrman descent. 
The paternal great-grandfather emigrated when a 
young man to America and settled in Pennsvlva- 
nia, in which State his son, tirandfatlier Henry 
Becker, was born. The father of our subject served 
bravely in the War of 1M12. He was an industri- 
ous, hard-working man, of earnest purpose, and 
comliined the trade of a carpenter with the occu- 
pation of a farmer. The p.areiits were married in 
their birthplace and afterward made their home in 
Dauphin County, on a farm which the father 
cleared and improved. Of the six cliildrcii. three 
sons and three daughters, who blessed the fireside 
of the old homestead, our subject is the sole sur- 
vivor. The fatlier was a [irominent man in his 
locality. He was a friend to educational advance- 
ment and was an excellent (ierinan scholar. Up- 
right and intelligeiil. lu' was universally respected, 
and was teiider<'d various olliccs of the cniuity, 
which he refused to accept. 



814 



PORTRAIT AND BIOfiRVPHICAL RECORD 



Fiillier Becker, liowever, served witli able fidelity 
as Assessor of the towiiship for several terras, and 
also efficiently performed the duties of Collector. 
Tlic parents were both valued members of tlie 
Lutheran Churcli and liberally assisted in the pro- 
motion of religious work. I'nited in life, the 
father and mother were not long divided by death, 
l)otli passing to their rest in 1851. (Growing up 
to uiauhood upon a farm, our subject has always 
given his time and attention to the pursuit of ag- 
riculture. Obliged to assist his father in his early 
years, his education was limited, but habits of keen 
observation increased his stock of practical knowl- 
edge. In 1845, Mr. Becker was united in marriage 
with JNIiss Klizabeth Peck, a native of Dauphin 
County. Pa., and a daughter of Conrad Peck. 
Mrs. Becker was born in 1826, and received a good 
common education in the schools of her home dis- 
trict. After his marriage our subject carried on 
his father's farm uutil he came to Michigan in 
18(55. At this latter date INIr. and INIrs. Becker 
settled on their present homestead, then all wild 
land. 

In a comparatively short time ^Ir. Becker had 
cleared twenty-five of the two hundred and ten 
acres, one hundred and sixty acres of the farm now 
being under high cultivation. The oldstiimpsare 
removed from the land and the modest frame 
house in which the family at first resided was re- 
placed in 1869 with a handsome brick residence. 
28x30 feet in dimensions, and two stories in height; 
beneath the ground floor is a fine cellar. The at- 
tractive dwelling was erected at a cost of -$3,600. 
The substantial barn, built four years later at 
ail expense of ^<M)0, is commodions, being 36x46 
feet in size. Mr. Becker has also other barns on the 
valuable farm and has built a iiumbei of sheds. The 
largest barn is of goodly dimensions, 36x70 feet. 
Aside from general agriculture Mr. Becker profita- 
bly engaged in stock-raising and planted an orchard 
of five acres. The sons, novv in charge, are thor- 
oughly practical and are representative fanners, en- 
ergetic and successful. They jiros]ierously handle 
a high grade of stock and profitabl}' conduct mixed 
farming, harvesting annually large crops. 

The sons and daughters of our subject, all 
living, are; .lacob, married; Kliza, Mr.?. Murphy, 



residing in Silver Creek Township, Cass County, 
and the mother of three children: ,lolin, married; 
Mary, ISIrs. Fisher, living on the home farm, the 
mother of eight children; Henry, united in mar- 
riage with Elizabeth Baker, living in Berrien Cen- 
tre, the father of three children; Martin, married 
to Miss Easton, his home in Silver Creek Township, 
and the father of two children; Oliver, single; 
Anna, the wife of Washington Harmon, Berrien 
Springs, and the mother of one child; Lillie. wife 
of Charles Vaughan, residing in Nebraska, mother 
of four children; Mary, wife of Cyrus Linewever, 
at home in Benton Harbor, the mother of two chil- 
dren; Adaline, wife of Alvah Easton, living in 
Berrien Township, the mother of five children; 
Sarah, wife of .lerrv Nederer, living in tlie State of 
Washington, the mother of two children; and 
Ona, single. This household of sons and daugh- 
ters, who have all worthily attained to manhood 
and womanhood, occupy positions of hontued nse- 
.fulness in their various localities and are known 
•as upright and enterprising citizens, receiving the 
esteem of a host of friends. 

Our subject is a member of the Lutheran Church 
in Beirien Centre and isactively connected with the 
religious work of the organization, occupying an 
important official positifni. Mr. Becker was Sui)er- 
intendent of a Sunday-school in his native State, 
and has long taught in the school of Berrien Cen- 
tre. His son John is the present Superintendent 
of the l>errien Centre Sund.a3--school of the Luth- 
eran Church. His youngest daughter is also a 
teacher in the Sunday-school. Realizing the value 
of an education, our subject gave his children 
ever.y possible opportunity to improve themselves. 
Oliver is now a student at Wittenberg College, 
Springfield, Ohio. Mi-. Becker has been a member 
of the School Board for many years, and to his 
efforts the excellence of the district schools of his 
locality is mainly due. Fraternally, our subject is 
an active member of the lodge of Ancient Free it 
Accepted >Lasons at Berrien Springs. He also af- 
filiates with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows 
of Berrien Centre; he is a Clansman of the Grange 
at l>eriien Centre and has been Master. Formerly 
a Good Templar, he was atone time Worthy Chief 
of the lodge at Berrien Centre. Mr. Meeker has 



PORTRAIT AND KIOORAPHICAL RECORD. 



817 



alsfi l)Cen pioMiincntly idontilicd with various ag- 
riciilUiral societies. Politically intorested in local 
and National affairs, he is not a latJical ]iartisan, 
l)iit casts his vote inii)artially fur the best man. 
lie was elected to the oftice of llit(liway Commi.s- 
sioner and by his faithful discharm' of duty gave 
sjrcat satisfaction to his fcllow-lownsnu'ti. Mis 
father, having signed notes for others and thus be- 
coming surety, lost almost all of his [iropcrty. Our 
subject began life for himself with a capital of 
twelve cents, and with his self-reliant energy and 
genuine business ability has. unaided won his way 
upward to a position of ease and now enjoys a well- 
earned competence and the sincere regard of a wide 
ac(]uaintauce. 



■^OIIN W. SNYDKH, the efficient Supervisor 
of Mason Township, is one of the iirominent 
farmers of the township, and with such care 
and perseverance has lie attended to his 
adopted avocation that at the present time he is 
classed among the substantial men of the county. 
lie was born near New Berlin, Union Conntj'(now 
Snyder), Pa., February 5, 1835, and his father, 
.lolin K. Snyder, was born in the same county, 
.Vpril 9, 1800. The paternal grandfather, .Tohn 
Snyder, was also a native of the Keystone Slate, 
and was born in York County, not far from the 
town of York, February 22, 1776. His father, also 
.lohn, was born in Germany and came to America 
early in 1700. He settled in Y'ork County, Pa., 
following the trade of weaver, and died at the .age 
of eighty-eight years. He was a brother of Simeon 
Snyder, who raised a regiment of old men to de- 
fend the capital, Harrisburg, from the attacks of 
the Fnglish during the Revolutionary War. The 
l.-itter was three times Governor of the .State of 
Pennsylvania, and in the last convention that 
nominated him there was but one vote cast against 
him. He w.as one f)f the foremost men of his day, 
and was honored by all for his integrity and ster- 
ling worth. Snyder County was named in his 
honor. A number of years ago the Legislature 

40 



made an appropriation to erect a monument to his 
memory, and it now stands in Silard's Grove, a 
just tribute to a great and gf)od man. 

The grandfather of our subject was a man of 
intire than ordinary prominence. In his early life 
he was a successful tiller of the sf)il, and was also 
eng.aged as a teamster, hauling goods from Phila- 
delphia to the interior of the State, where he dis- 
tributed them among the merchants. He was a 
soldier in the War of 1812, and subsequently be- 
came a proniinent business man, owning and oper- 
ating an oil and grist mill. His death occurred in 
his native State in 1872. at the advanced age of 
ninety-six years. He was the father of ten chil- 
dren, nine daughters and one .son, .lohn K. This 
son, the fatherof our subject, was a self-educated 
mail, and for more than thirty-Hve years was a 
preacher in the Initcd Hrethren Church. It is 
said that he preached more funeral sermons than 
any other pre.achor in the .State, numbering not 
far from a thousand, and principally in I'nifni and 
Snyder Counties, over which his circuit extended. 
He also took a deep interest in other matters, was 
County Commissioner for some time, also Colonel 
of Volunteers in Union County, and accumulated 
a fortune of not far from $30,000. He owned 
nearly eight hundred acres of land. On the farm 
where he had lived for more than half a century, 
in the year 1882, when eighty-two years of age, 
occurred the death of this exem])lary and worthy 
man. 

The mother of our subject, whose maiden name 
was Phiebe Womer, was a native of Union County, 
Pa., born in 1801, and was the daughter of Daniel 
Womer, who was born in Lehigh Count\-, that 
State, and who married Miss Mary Berkstrater, both 
being of German descent. Mr. Womer was a black- 
smith by trade, but was also engaged as an agri- 
culturist, clearing up and carrying on a large farm. 
He and his wife died in Union County, the mother 
in 18 10, when seventy years of age. and the father 
seven years later. Aside from these brief facts 
little further is know-n of them. The mother of 
our subject had four brothers; two were shoema- 
kers, one was a carpenter, and the other a farmer. 
All were good, honorable, hard-working men. 
Mrs, Snyder died m her native State in 18(i7. 



818 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



John W. Snyder was one of a faniil\" of seven 
children, and was fifth in order of birth. The 
eldest child died young; IMary, who married John 
McConnell. is deceased; Elizabeth died when but 
thirteen years of age; Susan is tiie wife of George 
Hockenbrough; Daniel married ^Iiss Elizabeth 
Whipkee; and IIenr\- W. married MissG. Graybell. 
The latter lesides on his father's old homestead in 
Pennsylvania. This has been in the jjossession of 
the Snyder family for more than a century, and 
the barn now standing on it was built in 1777 by 
George Snyder, who was the brother of the grand- 
fatlu'i- of our subject. He was killed by being 
thrown from his horse. Henry Snyder's eldest son 
is editor of the local paper in his native county. 

Our subject attained his growth on his father's 
farm, and like most country boys attended school 
in the winter and assisted with the farm work 
during the summer seasons. He secured a very 
fair education and remained with his father until 
twenty-one years of age, when he began teaching 
school. In the spring of 1857 he left the store 
where he had l)een clerking and came West to 
Micliigan,locating in Mt. Clemens, where he worked 
in a sawmill for some time. The following Sep- 
tember he married Miss Cidelia Moser, daughter 
of Charles IMoser, who was born in France and was 
of Jewish extr.action. Mrs. Snyder was born in Penn- 
sylvania, whither her father had moved, Febru- 
ary 2.5, 183.5. 

After his marriage Mr. Snyder with his bride 
returned to Pennsylvania and remained on his 
father's place until 186.5. In jNIay of that year he 
returned to Michigan and remained in Mt. Clem- 
ens until 186(i, when he came to Mason Township, 
in Cass County. He purchased the farm where he 
now lives, and on this his wife died in 1883, leav- 
ing two sons: Charles .V., now in Chicago, and 
William H., a grain merchant at (ieltysburg. Potter 
County, S. Dak., where he owns a large elevator. 
November 2.S, 1886, Mr. Snyder married his pres- 
ent wife, whose maiden name was Emma Cramer. 
She was born in ISnyder County, Pa., and is a most 
worthy and accomplished lady. Mr. and Mrs. 
Snyder are members of the United Brethren Church 
and are both great workers in the same. He has 
hel[)ed build two churches since he came to Mason 



Township, and was one of the building committee 
of Ihe Adamsville church, in which he has been 
.Superintendent of the Sunday-school and Steward. 
Socially, he is a prominent Mason, being a mem- 
ber of St. Peter's Lodge of Edwardsburgh, and he 
is also a strong temperance man. In politics, he 
comes from old-line Democratic stock and has al- 
ways adhered to that party, casting his first Presi- 
dential vote for Buchanan, and his last for Cleve- 
land. i\lr. Snyder has held the office of Justice of 
the Peace, and in 1883 he was. elected Sui)ervisor 
of his township, holding the latter office three 
terras, and was again elected to that position in 
1893. He is a Director in the schools and oiu' of 
the leading citizens of his townshi(). 



<Vl I^ILLlAxM !■:. NORTON, a practical and en- 
\rj// teriirising farmer of the State of Michigan, 
V^^ was born upon section 13, Jefferson Town- 
ship, Cass County, January 25, 1856. and was 
reared on the homestead of his parents, Richard 
and Ann (McClar^') Norton. His paternal grand- 
father, Nathan Noilon. w.as a native of North 
Carolina, but was one of the early pioneers of 
Michigan, settling in Cass County in 1828. Rich- 
aid B. Norton, the father of our subject, was born 
in Logan County, Ohio, and came with his father 
and mother to Michigan when the State was yet 
almost a wilderness. He located in Jefferson 
Township, and, arrived at man's estate, settled 
down to the life of a farmer. He improved one 
hundred and sixty .acres upon section 13, but in 
1884 removed to Porter Township, where he owns 
one hundred and thirty acres of excellent l.uid. 
Father Norton is sixty-seven }'ears of age. He is 
a Democrat, and fraternally associates with the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Richard 
Norton has been twice married. His lirst wife^was 
Miss Hess, who bore him one son, Nathan H., of 
Arkansas, His second wife was the mother of 
three children, William E,, Henry M.,aiid Mary A.. 
who died in infancj-. The mother of our subject 
was born ill Koseiu-ik ). Iiid. Her father was a 
fanner, 



POUTKAir AND UK m;HA IM IICAL KKCORD. 



819 



In common witli all rniiiier boys Mr. Norton 
was cai'ly traiiivd t(i agricultui'al duties, lie 
alteiiik'd the wiiilui- scliotils of the district, and 
when twenty-une years old began lliiesliing as an 
oOL-upation. following the same eni|iloymeiit for 
six seasons, lie worked with his father on the 
home farm in the early spring and summer and 
knew but few leisure Lours. In March, 1882, our 
subiect located where he now resides, on section 
1(). lie was married in February, 1880, to Miss 
.lennie George, a native of Monroe County, N. Y., 
born April 28. 18.')!), and the daughter of Luke 
and Maria (London) (ieorge. The paternal grand- 
father of Mrs, Norton, Edmund (ieorge, emigrated 
to the I'nited States from Norfolk, Englan<l. He 
was a farmer all his life, and survived to a good 
old age. His wife and the mother of his seven 
children was Mary Baldwin, a most estimable 
Christian woman. The sons and daughters were: 
Edmund, INLirk, .lames, William, Luke, Maria, 
(;ra|iel, and Mary, who died single. The sons 
and daughters spent tlieii- lives in their native 
land with the exception of Luke, who came to the 
United .States in 18.50. He settled in Henrietta, 
N, Y., but in 1866 located in Cass County, Mich., 
and bought eighty acres in Penn Township. ,Six 
years later he sold his farm and made his home in 
Casso polls. 

Finally Luke George bought a smal'i farm in 
■lefferson Township, where he died .June 16, 1892, 
aged seventy-eight years. He had been a consis- 
tent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
for the past lifty-three years. Twice married, his 
first wife died young and left no family. The 
second wife, \-et surviving, bore her husband nine 
children. .\nn was the eldest; AVilliam died in 
England; Maria, Mrs, Abraham Shaffer, resides in 
Colorado; Mary is the wife of .Samuel Van .Matre; 
Fred died at twenty-eight years of age; Robert 
died when thirty years old and left a wife; Emma 
is ihc wife of .lohn Norton; Lizzie is the wife of 
A. .1. Tallcrday; .lennie Xorton w.is the youngest 
and is the wife of our subject. Mrs. Maria (London) 
(ieorge was born in Norfolk County, England, and 
was the daughter of .Joseph .•iiid Mary (Tuck) 
).on<lon, the father beiiiir by occupation a farmer. 
Four sons aiid four duughteis gathered in the 



English home and the sons, one and all, emigrated 

to the riiite<l States. Fi'ederick died in Decatur, 
Mich. Robert is a resident of Nebraska. William 
lives in Iowa, .loseph isa residentof CassCounty. 
Mrs. (ieorge was the only daughter who came to 
America, the others remaining in London, England, 
The [larents were devout members of the English 
Church, but Mrs, (Jcorge is connected with the 
Methodist Episcopal denomination. 

Mr. and Mrs. William E. Norton have one child, 
Mary E., who, with her |)arents, enjoys the sincere 
friendship of a large acquaintance in the home lo- 
cality and throughout Cass County. Mr. Noi'ton 
is deeply interested in local and national politics, 
and is an active Democrat. He has held with 
faithful aliility various official positions. 



m>^^<^^^ 




ATTHIAS FARNl'M, deceased. Every 
i community is bound to have among it-s 
IL citizens a few men of recognized influence 
and ability, who by their systematic and 
careful, thorough manner of work attain to success 
which is justly deserved. Among this class was 
Matthias Farnum, who was one of the first set- 
tlers of .St. .Joseph, Mich., having located there 
as early as 1836. He was a ()rominent and sub- 
stantial, as well as a progressive, citizen of the 
county, and is justly conceded a place among 
the enteiprising, influential men of worth in this 
community. For a number of years after locating 
in this county he followed his trade of a carpenter 
and builder, but in 1840 he located in Hagar 
Township, wliere he engaged in farming, which 
occupation he followed the remainder of his life. 
In connection he carried on his trade, however. 

Ill 18,t6, Mr. Farnum purch.ased three hundred 
and sixty acres of land in \'an Uurcn County, 
erected a watermill and operated this for three 
years. .Vboul 1866 he located in Benton Harbor, 
but later he returned to Hagar Township, where 
his death occurred in .lanuary, 1884. This sad 
event was the occasion of universal sorrow, for 
all felt Ihe loss which would lie sustained by the 
departure of such a man. He gave to Berrien 



820 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RFXORD. 



County the best energies of his life, and to the 
comiminity and all among whom lie lived the ex- 
ample of a life well and usefully siient. He was a 
good man in the fullest sense of that word, a kind 
father, loving husband, and true friend. While 
a resident of St. .loseph. he met and married Miss 
Dimee Fincli, whose parents were among the early 
settlers of tlie count}'. Eleven children were born 
to this marriage, who all lived to mature years, 
and four of wliom are still living. They are as 
follows: C. Henry; Isaac, now a resident of Hagar 
Township; Kvennont, of Benton Harbor; and Fre- 
mont. 

C. II. Farnum, son of the above, and a native 
of the county in which he now resides, was born 
in 18.'^8, and was identified with the State in eai'- 
lier and simpler days of living. He grew to man- 
hood while engaged in the arduous duties on his 
father's farm and in the workshop, and received a 
common-school education in the district where his 
parents resided. The breaking out of the Civil 
War filled him with a desire to fight for his coun- 
try, and in 1861 he enlisted in Company D, 
Twelfth Michigan Infantry, joining Gen. Logan's 
division under (ien. Grant. After serving eleven 
months he returned to Michigan, and was married 
in that State in 1864 to Miss Eliza P. Dickinson, 
daughter of Robert Dickinson. 

Our subject has made farming his principal oc- 
cupation in life, but for the past twenty-eight 
years has been engaged actively in the fruit-grow- 
ing industry-. His lionif farm of forty acres has 
been nearly all devoted to fruit culture, and as he 
thoroughly understands his business he has met 
witli substantial returns. In the year 1890 he 
purchased an interest in the docks at P>enton Har- 
bor. Mr. Farnum evinced his liking for secret or- 
ganizations by becoming a member of the Indepen- 
dent Order of Odd Fellows some years ago. He 
is also a member of the (irand Army of the Re- 
public, and in politics is a stanch Republican 
advocating the principles of that party at an}- and 
all times. He is also a member of the Grange, and 
served five years as Master of tlie Subordinate 
Grange of Benton Harbor, and one year as Master 
f>f Pomona Grange No. 1. of Berrien County, the 
first ill tlie State. 



•^^DWARD K. WARREN, 

Ir^ Warren Featherhone Cc 

III 

!}_ ' — --^ of Vermont, havinfj bee 



I^DWARD K. WARREN, President of the 

'ompaiiy, is a native 
been born in the vil- 
lage of Ludlow, Windsor County, April 7, 184 7. 
His paternal grandfather, Jolin Warren, was horn 
in Goffstown, N. II., and removed thence to l^id- 
low, Vt., where Water Warren, the father of our 
subject, was born In 18U0' The latter was mar- 
ried ill Massachusetts to Miss Caroline, daughter 
of Frederick Parsons, a farmer of Sandisfield, Mass. 
He was a minister in the Congregational Church, 
holding pastorates principally in Vermont, New 
York and other Eastern States. 

In llie |iarenlal family there were four children, 
two of whom are now living, Albert L. and Ed- 
ward K. The two that died were Charles II., an 
artist, and Frederick P., who engaged in the 
Jewell}' business and was a young man of excep- 
tional aliilities. A natural inventor, he invenled 
a calculating engine, which is a wonderful piece of 
mechanism. 

The subject of this skclch was reared in \'ei- 
niont, whence lie accompanied his jiarents to Michi- 
gan in 1858, his father becoming a home mission- 
ary in this State. His education is that which is 
gained by ex[)erieiicc, his schooling having been 
limited. In 1864 he secured a positit)n as clerk in 
the empio}' of Henry Chambeilain in the general 
mercantile business, and after remaining with that 
gentleman for five \-ears, he formed a partnership 
with J. L. McKie in the dry-goods business. Nine 
years were thus spent, after which Mr. Warren 
again engaged in mercliandising, and soon after- 
ward bought out the stock of Ilenr}- Chamberlnm 
and continued thus engaged for five years. He 
then embarked in the manufacturing business, be- 
coming the head of tlie Featherhone Jlanufactur- 
ing Company. 

As a retail dr\-goods merchant, Mr. Warren nat- 
urally handled large (juantities of whalebone, and, 
realizing that the suijpl}' of this commodit}' was 
constantly decreasing, he often wondered what 
would be used when the whalebone could no 
longer be obtained. Noticing in the manufacture 
of feather dusters that a gieat many quills were 
thrown away, he conceived the idea that from this 
COul<] be iiiade a substiliiti^ for whalelione. He be- 



FORTRAir AM) 'UOGRAPIIICAL RECORD. 



821 



gan experimentinir in 1882. with wli.at results the 
world knows. Tlif Imsiiiess li;is iiuTP;ls(>(l so 
rapidly tlial it now j>ivos steady work lo a force 
of two liuiidrcd and IwentA-fi vc employes. Tlie 
Kurope.in lieadipiarters are at Paris, France. From 
this Itrief description of the business sonie idea 
may he i;ained of tlie position n(iw occu|iied by 
Mr. W'airen. 

Tlie rapi<l development of the industry since its 
inception has not exceeded, indeed cannot keep 
pace wilii, the steadily increasinjr demand for fea- 
tlicrlione for use in dress stays and corsets, and 
there is no doubt that it will eventually be em- 
ployed in scores of widely diverse articles reqnir- 
in<i; a reliable, elastic material. 

Politically a Republican, Mr. Warren has served 
as Supervisor of his township, but in the main has 
preferred to devote his attention exclusively to 
the details of his business. A member of the Con- 
gregational Church, he has been especially inter- 
ested in Sunday-school woik. 



^^=^K()I«;K a. ()UR1.> 
((( c— teniber 6, 1830, is 
^\i^l tnrist and an inl 



!!S;K()Rt;K A. ORRl.S, born in (Germany Sep- 
is a re|jresentative agricul- 
itelligent and industrious 
citizen, for the past twenty-live years numbered 
among the substantial farmers winning their up- 
ward way in IJerrien Count\', Mich. Since 18(jt) 
our subject has been a constant resident of Weesaw 
Townsiiip, enterin-isingly identifying himself with 
all matters of mutual welfare and progressive in- 
terests. Ilis father. Orris Orris, a native of Russia, 
emigrated from the land of his birth to (Jermany 
during the invasion of Bonaparte, and in his new 
home married -Miss Mary Rhinel)arger, Ijorn in the 
Fatlierland. Tlie parents wore in humble circum- 
stances ill life, but gavi^ their children what ad- 
vantages of education they could afford. Tiie 
motiier died and later the father with hi- family 
emigrated to the Cnited States and, having made 
a safe passage, landed in Baltimore in 1831, and 
from Maryland after a time journeyed to Pennsyl- 



vania. Ill the Quaker State the father entered 

into a second marriage, and for twelve years made 
his home in Little York County, where the second 
wife ])assed away after ten years of married life. 

In 1812 Orris Orris, with his son. Oeorge A., 
journeyed to the farther West and located in 
Michigan, .settling in Chikaming Township, Ber- 
rien County. Tiie father was among the pioneer 
settlers of tiiis part of the .State and in the course 
of ilis work was obliged to cut a road through the 
woods. He purchased one hundred and sixty 
acres of heavy tiiiiberland and, together with our 
subject, (bleared, cultivated and improved a farm. 
I n this locality he married his third wife, and, 
having lived some time upon this homestead, sold 
the pro|jerty and bought another farm. The 
wife .soon after dying. Father Orris went back 
to Ohio and spent the last two years of his life 
with a married daughter. Mr. Orris and his sister 
Catherine were the oiilj' children of the lirst wife. 
George, the youngest of the two, remained with 
his father until twenty years of age, when he mar- 
ried and began life for himself. His education 
was very limited and confined to three numths' 
instruction in the common schools. Although he 
left his native land when only a babe, he could 
not speak F^nglish well when he came a lad of 
twelve years to Berrien County. His father 
started him in life by giving him eigiity acres of 
woodland, which, with energetic industry, he soon 
cleared. 

Later Mr. Orris sold his lirst farm, and in ISiLJ 
invested in the fine homestead he now owns, and 
where he has since resided. His purchase of one 
iiundred and twenty acres, eighteen of which were 
cleared land, was further improved by a log house 
and barn. To the original acres twenty more have 
been added and the farm of one iiundred and forty 
acres, brought up to a high state of cultivation 
and improved with excellent buildings, is one of 
the best in its loealit}'. seven miles northwest of 
the thriving town of Buchanan and two miles 
southeast of (ilendora. Oursubject was united in 
marriage with Miss .lulianna F. Cool, a native of 
Germany, whose parents emigrated to the I'nited 
Stales in about 184(i. The pleasant home has been 
blessed Ijy tiie birth of two daughters and two 



822 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



sons: George; John; Caroline, wife of William 
Hoose; and Letta, wife of F'erdinanrl Smith. The 
fatiier of Mr. Orris was in religious afHliation a 
Roman Catholic, but our subject and his estimable 
wife are both faithful members of tiie Ciiristian 
Church. Mr. Orris cast his first Presidential vote 
for James Buclianan and lias ever since remained 
a strong Democrat. He served with ability as 
Constable for one year, and for fourteen years 
efficiently discharged the duties of Overseer of the 
Highway. Our subject is a member of the Farm- 
ers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Berrien 
County and, actively associating himself vvitli the 
public enterprises of his locality, is esteemed as a 
liberal-spirited citizen and possesses the high re- 
gard of an extended acquaintance. 



^r^'.^IDEON HEBRON. England numbers many 
III (—- representatives among the best class of 

y^^\ citizens of Michigan. There is a sterling 
quality about the nationality that particularly fits 
them for pioneer life, and we, as Americans, are 
greatly indebted to settlers of English birth for 
the rapid advancement made in our civilization. 
He whose name is at the head of this sketch, and 
who is a representative citizen of Cass Count}', 
w.'is born in Westerdale, Yorkshire, England, June 
7, 1831. His parents, William and Sarah (Bulmer) 
Hebron, were natives of England, the father hav- 
ing been born in the same house where Gideon 
first saw the light of day. His birth occurred in 
1790, and he was the son of William, Sr.,and Ann 
(Dawson) Hebron. William, Sr., was the son of 
George Hebron, who was born in the same part of 
England in 1709, and who died there January- 
15, 1798, at eighty-nine years of age. He married 
Alice Nicholson, who died January "2, 17()6, when 
fifty-two years of age. 

The Hebron family was a noted one in the his- 
tory of England and was descended from one of the 
royal families. William Hebron. Sr., was a man 
of striking persoTial ap|iearance, standing six feet 



two inches in height and well proportioned. He 
had good educational advantages in 3'outh and 
had more than an ordinary amount of business 
acumen. He followed the occupation of a farmer 
and stockman, became quite wealthy, and gave 
liberally of his means to assist the needy and dis- 
tressed. It is said that every vear he killed one 
of the finest oxen of his herd and distributed it 
to the poor of his parish. Tiiis made him many 
friends among the poor, but enemies among the 
wealthier classes, the latter not being so disposed. 
Mr. Hebron did not do this for political purposes, 
for he never asi)ired to office, and, so far as known, 
never held a position. 

Mr. Hebron was a man of great strength and 
endurance, and at one time, while riding on his 
horse through the parish was attacked by three 
desperate characters. Although alone and un- 
armed, he struggled witii these ruffians and finally 
put them to flight. Once, while visiting York 
Castle, he asked to see the irons once worn by the 
noted deperado, Dick Turpin. The warden asked 
him if he would like to put them on, and he an- 
swered in the affirmative, adding that he wished 
the key so that he could unlock them at will. 
They were of enormous weight, and he was asked 
if he could jump upon tlie window sill of the cell 
with them on. He answered that he thought so. 
and with one powerful leap landed with the irons 
on the sill. This was a feat often attempted by 
strong men, liut only one other man had ever 
made a success of the attempt. Every member of 
the family was noted for his size and strength. 

Mr. Hebron was a fine classical scholar and was 
well versed in astronomy, etc. He was three times 
married and was the fathei of fifteen children. In 
September, 1831, he and his wife and ten chil- 
dren crossed the briny deep to America, and with 
an ample fortune landed in the city of New York 
on the 1st of November. They went up the Hud- 
son River to Albany, thence by the Erie Canal lo 
Buffalo, where they remained during tlie winter, 
and llien went by boat to Detroit, where Mr. 
Heliron got an ox-team to take them to Cass 
County. Arriving at the St. Joseph River in July. 
1832, they located on Government land on sec- 
tion 2G, range 13 west, now in Poiter Township. 



rORTR All' AND niOORAPHICAL RECORD. 



823 



'riieie Uii- niollier dii-d >e|iU'niluT I."., I.sHm. (die 
(if the jidiis, l)eiii)isiiii. who was hoiii Scptoniher 
l.i. ISUl, lomaiiKMl in KiialaiKl ami made a for- 
timo as a leather ineichaiit. He rlied in liis native 
country. Tlic other children were [irineipally 
farmers or farmers" wives, l.ydia. tlie youngest 
ehild hy the tliird marriage and a lialf-sister of 
our siihject, had good educational advantages, was 
.•I graduate of the State Noi-mal School at Ypsi- 
lauti. and of the Jlichigan State University, where 
she was ff>r some time a teacher. At present she 
is princi|ial of Mt. Pleasant High School. 

(Jideon Hebron was but a few months old when 
lironght to America by his parents, and he grew 
to manhood in Michigan, where he had good 
scholastic advantages. He has lieen a student all 
his life, and when not at work invariably has a 
book lieforehim. As might naturally be supposed, 
he is a well-informed man, and is progressive and 
advanced in his ideas. He has been one of the 
most successful faiiners an<l stockmen in his lo- 
cality and accumulated a comfortable fortune, the 
most of which he lost by going on the bond of a 
friend, whom he trusted. He was obliged to mort- 
gage his farm to save it, but went e.agerly and 
determinedly to work with a will to retrieve his 
fallen fortune. He knows no such woid as -'fail," 
and is proof against misfortune. For many years 
he has been a member of the 15aptist Church, and 
has been Deacon of the same. In politic* he is a 
Prohibitionist and has served in various townsliij) 
ollices. Ml'. Hebron has been administiator for 
several estates, and has bail inueh to c\i> witli set- 
tling estates. 

t)n the •2;id of Xnvembcr, is,");i, our subject 
married Miss Kli/.abeth Trattles, the daughter of 
William and .lane (Hebron) Trattles, natives of 
Knglaud, in which country the Trattles were luited 
people. They were seafaring men, lishcrmen, and 
manv of them became wealthy. Her maternal 
grandfather was a soldier, and was in the battle 
of Waterloo. Mr. Trattles came to America in 
IHI4, and settled in Cass County, Mich., where he 
died a year later. Mrs. Hebron was born in Kng- 
land, .'ind had seven sisters and six brothers. Her 
brother Daniel was a soldier in the late Civil War, 
was shot through the lungs and taken prisoner. 



being in Aiidersoiiv ille I'lison for some lime. 
He is yet living. To Mr. and Mrs. Hebron were 
born five children. Hlanche died when a cliild; 
Georgiana married Thomas Orr, a druggist; Net- 
tie died when three years of age; Frank is an 
.attorney in Nebraska; and Mark married Miss 
Edith Raker and lives with his parents on tlie 
farm. 



0^- (K)L Rl'NKLE. The development of the 
resources of Cass County has been very 
/' materially enhanced by the labors of its in- 
dustrious, energetic and ambitious farmers. Among 
the prominent and prosperous .agriculturists of 
the county, no one is better or more favoralily 
known than the subject of this brief biographical 
notice, who cviltivates a line farm in Milton Town- 
ship. IJorn in Hunterdon County, N. .1.. on the 
2d of March, 1818, he is the son of Adam and 
Ellen (Cool) Runkle, and traces his ancestry on 
both sides of the house to (Germany, whence reji- 
resentatives of these two families emigrated t(, 
America in an early day. 

After their marriage, which took i>lace in New 
Jersey, the parents of our subject located on a 
farm in that State, and ten children were born to 
them while residing there. Thc,\ then removed 
to New York and resided on a farm for three 
years, after which they went to Cortland County. 
N. Y. Thence they removed to Madison County, 
N. Y., and located in Morrisville, where the father 
died at the age of ninety-four years. The mother 
also passed away at about the same age, and they 
now lie buried side by side in the old cemetery 
near their home. They were the parents of ten 
children, as li.as been already stated, an<l all of the 
family grew to manhood and womanhotid. Mr. 
Runkle was the eighth in order of birth and is the 
only one now living. 

At the age of .seven years our suliject accom- 
panied his parents to New York, and remained 
beneath the parental roof until he became of age. 
meantime assisting his father on the home farm 



824 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and attending school whenever the opportunitj' 
was offered. His first employment was upon u 
farm, where he worlied by the month, at first re- 
ceiving a salary' of $13 per month, and later get- 
ting 110. He was economical and frugal, and it 
was not long ix'fore he had saved a sufflcient 
amount of money to enable him to establish a 
home. In 1843 he married Miss Susannah Bent- 
ley, but this lad}' died after a brief wedded life; 
her only child passed away at the age of seven 
years. 

In 1845 Mr. Kunkle came to Michigan and for 
one year resided upon a farm in OntwaTownsliip, 
Cass County. In the spring of 1847 he engaged 
as teamster on the Michigan Central Railroad, 
which was then building. He continued thus em- 
plo3'ed from the 1st of March to the 1st of July, 
but was cheated out of 180 of his earnings, wliich 
left him with an indebtedness to meet. At tlie 
time, he rented thirty acres of land in Milton 
Township and this having been planted to wheat, 
he returned thither and engaged in cutting and 
garnering the grain. Afterward he worked for a 
time as teamster in the employ of Judge Coolidge. 

In the fall of 1847 Mr. Runkle purchased eighty 
acres, where he now resides, and from time to time 
he has added to his place until it now consists of 
two hundred acres. The old house formerly 
standing on the place has given way to a neat, 
commodious structure, with all the modern con- 
veniences, and the entire farm is kept in splendid 
condition. In addition to this place Mr. Runkle 
is the owner of fort3-five acres of timberland in 
Milton Township, eighteen acres in the village of 
Kdwardsburgh and other valuable property in that 
place. At one time he owned one thousand acres 
of land, but has disposed of much of his property 
during late j'ears. With the exception of two 
3'ears when he was engaged in the mercantile busi- 
ness at Edwardsburgh, he has made his home on his 
present farm ever since tlie date of his arrival in 
Michigan. 

The second marriage of Mr. Runkle united him 
with Miss Margaret Biddle, who was born in Penn- 
sylvania, and died after having become the mother 
of five ciiildien: Margaret E., William A., Henry 
A., Ida andone that died in infancy. Politically, 



Mr. Runkle believes in the principles of the Demo- 
cratic party and is one of the most zealous and 
faithful advocates of that political organization. 
He is a member of the Presbyterian Church and 
has served as Trustee in that denominaiion. Kind 
and considerate in his intercourse with his ac- 
quaintances, a genial man, pleasant neighbor and 
energetic farmer, he well deserves the high regard 
in which he is held throughout the cominunit\-. 




II. HARRINGTON. The life narrative 
of the head of a family is interesting, not 
ii onl}' to his posterity, but also to the citi- 
zens of the section in which he has resided, 
and this truth is doubly true when such a man has 
established for himself and his children a reputa- 
tion for integrity, character and ability, and has 
been of value in the development of that portion 
of the country which was his home. Such a nar- 
rative do we have in this sketch of A. H. Ilarring- 
tou, who was born in Oswego County, N. Y., .Inly 
1, 1847. 

His father. Aimer S. Harrington, was also a na- 
tive of the Empire State and was three times mar- 
ried, his first wife being Miss Sarah Hopkins, the 
mother of our subject. Of the four children born 
to this union. A. II. Ilanington was thu youngest, 
and he was reared and educated in his native 
county. When about twenty-one years of age 
young Harrington decided that he could better his 
conditions in the West, and about 1868 he came 
to Michigan, locating in Niles Township, Berrien 
Count}'. He became much esteemed for his many 
estimable qualities, was public-spirited .and enter- 
prising, and became one of the best-known men in 
the county. For many years he held membership 
in the Methodist Episcopal Church at Buchanan 
and contributed liberally of his means to its sup- 
port. Farming was his principal occupation in 
life, and in this he met with the success that fol- 
lows industry and economy. In his political 
views he was a stanch Republican, and so popular 
that he held many of the township offices, dis- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAl'lIICAL RECORD. 



821 



tliargiiig the iluties uf tlic sanit- in a competent 
and efficient manner. Warm in liis ti'iiiporamcnt 
anil firm in liis convictions, iiis dealli, which oc- 
curred February 12. 1H8<I. was tlic occasion of 
universal sorrow. 

I Lis widow, formerly Miss Mary Cain, is a na- 
tive of Michigan, born in Niics Township, Berrien 
County, April 22, 185(1. Her parents, Oeorge and 
Voutliey ^Comer) Cain, were natives of Ireland 
and Indiana, respectively. Mr. Cain crossed the 
ocean to America when a young man, and came 
direct tt) Hcrrien County, Mich., where he married 
Miss Comer. She died when I\Irs. Harrington was 
about six years old. To her and her husband 
were born seven children, two sons and five 
daughters. John served in the Civil War and 
died from exposure; Is'oah died while fighting for 
tlie Old Flag; Susan, wife of P. R. Hooker, resides 
in Iowa; Mary is Mrs. Harrington; Lizzie is the 
wife of K. Lemon, of Missouri; IMattie is the 
wife of .1. M. Rogers; and Fannie is the wife of 
F. C. F>gbert, of Big Rapids, Mich. 

Jlrs. Harrington was fourth in order of birtli of 
these children. .She was reared near Buchanan, 
and supplemented a common-school education by 
attending the Bui'hanan schools. She married Mr. 
Harrington on the 22d of September, 1868, and 
two sons were born to this union: Floyd B., at 
liome. and Frank A. Mrs. Harrington has a fine 
farm of tmc hundred and sixty-two acres, and this 
she carries on with the help of her sons. She is a 
lady of excellent judgment and sound sense and 
is very pfi|iiilai' in her neighborhood. 



i^H^ 



i~ri~ 



'^^^ACHARIAH KINNE, a prosperous agiicul- 
^ turist and extensive land-owner, has long 
(^^^ cultivated his present homestead located on 
section 18, Galien Township, Berrien County. He 
wiis born in Onond.aga County, N. Y., May l;j. 
1818, and is a member of the Kinne family who 
trace their descent from Henry Kinne, born in i 
Norfolk, England, in 1621. and who in ir,r>3 became 
one of the colonists of Salem, .Mass. Henrv Kinne 



had eight children, thiee sons and five daughters. 
His second son, Thomas, from whom sprang the 
family of our subject, was born in 16,58, and was 
married to Flllizabeth Knight, by whom he had 
four sons, of whom Thomas is a direct ancestor of 
Z.acliariali Kinne. When this second Tliomas sold 
out he signed his name Kinne. and thus the name 
was ever afterward si)elled. 

'J'homas, the second, had ten sons and six daugli- 
ters. C'yi'us, one of the sons, w.as the internal 
grandfather of our subject. Grandfather Cyrus 
Kinne was born in Windham County, Mass., Au- 
gust 11, 1748. He married Comfort Palmer, of 
Voluntown, Windham County. Mass. In 1791, 
while in business in Troy, X. Y.. firandfather 
Kinne bought land in Onondaga County, Manlius 
Township. In March, 1792, accompanied by two 
sons, he journeyed with an o.x-team from Massa- 
chusetts to the new home in the Empire .State and 
began the improvement of his property by the 
erection of a log house. The following July 
Grandfather Kinne returned to Alassachusetts for 
the rest of his family, and in the mean lime his two 
sons, of whom the father of our subject was one, 
remained to work the New York State farm. There 
was an al)undance of fish and game in their near 
vicinity, and they did not lack for sport or pro- 
visions. Grandfather Kinne w.-is a remarkable man, 
of strong physiciue, uncommon endurance and 
possessed of unusual ability. He was a mechanic as 
well as a successful farmer, and was equal to the 
needs of those pioneer days. He was a devout 
man and one of the organizers of the Baptist 
Church of Fayetteville, N. Y. He died in 18()«, 
at three-score years of age. His twelve children 
were Ezra, Zachariah, Prentice, Ethel, /ebulon, 
Moses, Joshua, Cyrus, Japeth, Palmer. Rachel and 
Comfort. The second son, the father of our sub- 
ject, was born February 24, 1772. at Preston. New 
London County. Conn. When twenty-two vears 
of .age he married Diadama Barnes, of Onondaga 
County, N. Y., and the daughter of Piiineas Barnes. 

During the winter, while kec|)ing"bach" on the 
new farm before the airivalof the niothcr and 
family, the father of our subject and Ins brother 
lived iiioslly on partridges and other game they 
shot. The only roads then in the country 



828 



PORTRAIT AND BJOGRARHICAL RECORD. 



were the ''blazed" trees on tlie Indian trails. The 
grandfather finally gave his son Zacliariah a tract 
of land in Onondaga County, which he afterward 
traded for a smaller tract near Fayetteville, but 
later bought the old farm and again became its 
possessor. Father Kinne devoted himself to farm- 
ing and accumulated in all several hundred acres 
of valuable land. He was a prominent citizen and 
represented his countv in official positions, and 
was a Justice of the Peace for several years. Po- 
litically, he was a Whig, and at the time of Mor- 
gan's death was a strong Anti-Mason. He was a 
resident of New York until his death, July 1, 
1850. The children of Zachariah and Diadama 
(Barnes) Kinne were: Diana; Rite; Phineas; Ira, 
who died young; Marj'Adah; P^sop; Cyrus; Rachel; 
Barnes, who died in childhood; Lydia; Zachaiiali; 
and Benjamin. 

Until he attained his majority our subject re- 
mained with his parents. He received his educa- 
tion in the district schools of New York, and when" 
twenty-one years of age his father started him in 
life !«• giving him an ox-team and thirty acres of 
land in his native county, near Syracuse, town- 
ship of Selina. After remaining thirteen years 
uiKjn his first farm Mr. Kinne sold that propertj' 
and bought a tract of two hundred acres in the 
same county', and there made his home for the 
succeeding thirteen years. In 1865, he emigrated 
to iNlichigan and located in Berrien County, where 
he now resides. 

When Mr. Kinne was but twenty-one years of 
age he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth 
Keller, daughter of Peter and Mary (Fink) Keller. 
Mrs. Kinne was born in .Sullivan Township, Madi- 
son County, N. Y. Her parents were of immedi- 
ate German descent, but were themselves natives 
of the Plmpire State. She was the mother of six 
children, three of whom died young, and three sur- 
vived her. Ellen became the wife of Eugene Russ; 
Elizabetli married Oscar 'N'osburgh; and Martha is 
Mrs. White. Mrs. Kinne died in New York. 

The first purchase of land in Michigan made bj' 
our subject comprised one hundred and sixty acres, 
to which have since been added various tracts, until 
now Mr. Kinne owns live hundred and ninety 
acres of land, mostly im|)roved,and a part of which 



is within the boundaries of Indiana. WhUe de- 
voting his time principally to general agriculture, 
our subject is also engaged in fruit culture, and 
raises some excellent live stock. After having re- 
mained a widower for eighteen years our subject 
was married in Alichigan to Miss Sophia Zimmer, 
who was born in Portage County, Ohio, in 1844. 
Mrs. Kinne was the daughter of Adam and Marga- 
ret (Follhawber) Zimmer, natives of Germany, who 
emigrated to this countrj' before their marriage. 
They were members of the Lutheran Church, but 
their daughter, Mrs. Kinne, is connected with the 
Christian Church. To our subject and his second 
wife were born four children, three of whom died 
in childhood. One son, Zachariah, survives. Our 
subject was ordained a minister of the Free-Will 
Baptist Church, but never occupied a regular pul- 
pit, preaching only at funerals and similar occa- 
sions, and never allowed "Rev." to be i)ielixed to 
his name. Politically, Mr. Kinne is a stalwart Re- 
publican, and has held with efliciency for eleven 
jears the office of Justice of the Peace. Mr. Kinne 
and his family occupy positions of usefulness and 
influence, and command the respect and high re- 
gard of the various communities in which they re- 
side. They are active in good works and are 
associated with the progressive enterprises of their 
home localities. 



i->xi^20_ 







Sir 



OBERT M. HOGUE, a practicil farmer 
and prominent citizen of Berrien County, 
Mich., residing upon section 10, Soiius 
township, has held willi efficient service 
the offices of Clerk and Supervisor, and now dis- 
charges with able fidelity the duties of Justice of 
the Peace and Treasurer of the township, and as 
Inspectoi- of the School Board has materiallv aided 
in the ra|)id advancement of the scholarshiti :inil 
instruction of the district schools of his home lo- 
cality. Mr. Hogue was born July 5, 1846, in Mer- 
cer County, Pa. His paternal grandfather, a na- 
tive of the North of Ireland, was a niuii of worth 
and broad intelligence, and early in liCe delLT- 



PORTRAIT AND fJIOCRAlMIIC A I. RKCORI). 



«2!l 



iiiiiif(l tci seek Ins t'urliini' in Amii i(:i. dossing 
ihc (Hcan. Iio landed safoly on (uir sliores. :ind was 
one of the vi'iv few I'rott'slaiils who cnine at that 
pciiod from tlie Kinerald Isle, (iiandfatlier llogue j 
was a taUor \>y trade, and. Iindini>: iiis way to Ohio, 
located in Yotingstowii. then Tnunluill County, 
now Mahoning, Here the grandfather honght 
land, and, still plying his trade, also cultivated the 
soil of his adopted country. .lames \V. Ilogiie, the 
fourth son and father of our subject, was horn in 
VcMingslown October .), 1H12. 

Tlie father remained with his parents until he 
was twenty-five years of age, and assisted them, 
working mainly upon the (Jhio homestead. Fin- 
ally beginning life for himself, he went to iMercer 
County, Pa,, and two years later returned to his 
native State, married Miss Hannah Moore, of 
Vt>ungstown, Ohio, and, with his wife, jfiurneyed to 
Pennsylvania, and resumed farming, in which 
occupation he continued until his death, in .March 
1H82. Kight children blessed with their cheerful 
presence the home, four sons and four dauglitcrs. 
Robert M.. the third child of the family, resided in 
his birthplace until eight years of age, when he emi- 
grated with his parents to Pipestone Township, 
Mich, At tliis time the advantages for an education 
were limited, liut our subject attended the public 
schools and aciiuired a good common education 
which, when sixteen years of age, he supplemented 
with a course of private instruction. At the age 
of seventeen Mr, Hogue taught school, and later 
entered the college at Adrian, completing his 
studies afteiwards in the -State University of Ann 
Arbor. 

Returning home, our subject resumed teaching 
and successfully continued the avocation of an 
instructor during the winter terms of school in 
Herrien County until within the p;ist tiiree years. 
Mr. llogue has extensively improved the land he 
bought on section U) many years ago. His hand- 
some residence is of modern design and attrac- 
tive architecture, and, with its surroundings full\ 
in keeping, is a beautiful country home. The 
farm to which our subject now' devotes liis entire 
attention is under a high state of cultivation and 
yields excellent annual returns. I'pon May 7, 
1S74, Robert .M. Hogue and .Miss Mary Rector, 



daiighleiiif David Rector, were united in marriage. 
David Rector was a pioneer citizen and leading 
man of Rerrien County, widely known and uni- 
ver.saliy respected. Four bright and intelligent 
children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Hogue: 
Mabel E., Roy S.. Arthur L. and Alice May. .Mabel 
is teaching; Roy is attending school at Benton 
Harbor; ami Alice May and Arthur are pupils of 
the home school. Our subject is fraternally con- 
nected with the Patrons of Husbandry, and has 
been one (jf the active workers of the order, and a 
member of Sodus Lodge since its organization. 
Politically a Repiililican, and an earnest supporter 
of the party, he has l)een a local leader in the 
councils of his constituents, and h.as for a great 
number of years continuously engaged in the cares 
of public work, giving universal satisfaction to 
the entire community of friends and neighbors of 
the township. 



•?^- 




YRFS B, (iRO.'VT, an energetic iicneral .au-ri- 
cultiirist located on section 3fi, Berrien 
Township, Berrien County, Mich., now de- 
voting himself exclusively to farming, was for 
twenty-four years an able teacher of the county, 
and, a man of executive ability, has for eleven 
consecutive years discharged with efficiency the 
duties of Supervisor, and has been Chairman of the 
important committees of the Board. Our subject 
is a life-time resident of his present locality, and 
was born in ISerrien Township April 6, 1844. 
His father, a well-known citizen of Pokagon Town- 
ship, is a native of Canada. The mother, Mrs. 
Lucinda (Pinnell) Oroat, is by birth a Virginian. 
Married in .Michigan, the parents settled upon 
section 24, Berrien Township, and brought up from 
a wild condition into a high state of cultivatii'n a 
farm, upon which they lived a number of years. 
They subsequently removed to Berrien Springs, 
again improved iiitherto uncultivated acreage,and 
two years later made their home in Berrien Town- 
ship, later moving to Niles Township. From that 
locality after eight \ears' residence they went to 



830 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Pokagon, where, iii»iii a homestead situated upun 
section 31, tliey are enjoying the comforts of life, 
and the father, retired from active duties, is talc- 
ing a well-earned rest. The parents are valued 
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with 
wliich they have been connected ten years, ever 
active in good work. Prior to joining the Method- 
ist Episcopal Church, they belonged to the Tnited 
I'.rethren Churcli a number of years. The father 
is the oldest settler in the locality, and is a life- 
time farmer. 

Tlie eldest child living of the famil3', our sub- 
ject was reared upon a farm and educated in the 
graded schools of Berrien Countj-, since adding to 
his early stock of knowledge b}' close observation 
and reading. During his extended term as instruc- 
tor, he taught successfull3' two winteis at the 
Normal School at Berrien Centre. I'ntil he was 
twenty-two years of age he remained with his 
parents, but from that time was away from home. 
Mr. Groat traveled eighteen months for Harper 
Bros., handling their school-bt)oks, throughout 
Michigan and Indiana. In 1868 our subject was 
united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Stutsman, 
of Elkhart Ind., and with his estimable wife set- 
tled upon his [iresent farm. Mr. and Mrs. Groat 
were the parents of two children, of. whom one son 
survives, Max, now attending school. The home- 
stead contains one hundred and forty-five acres 
of valuable land, one hundred and twenty acres of 
wliich are under a high state of productiveness. 
The farm is devoted mainly to the cultivation of 
grain and the raising of a superior grade of stock. 
In 1873, an attractive residence was erected at a 
cost of ll.yl'O, and the other improvements are 
substantial and commodious. 

Aside from the care of his farm, Mr. Groat is 
President of the Pokagon Butter and Cheese Com- 
[jany, and much of his time and attention is nec- 
essarily given to this enter|)rise. Fraternally, he 
is a member of the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows, Crystal Springs Lodge, Summerville. and 
has been through all the chairs. He also attili- 
ates with the Ancient Order of United AVorkmen, 
at Niles, and has been a member of the Grange, 
and was Secretary of the old (Iraiige. Especially 
interested in educational advancement, our subject 



has, as Township Superintendent of Schools for five 
years, and as a member of the Board of School 
Examiners of Berrien County foi' eight years, 
materially assisted in the promotion of a high grade 
of scholarship and instruction. He was Secretary 
of the Board for four years, and during that time, 
served as County Secretary of Schools. lie re- 
tained his membership until 1892, and while 
Secretary held Teacheis" Institutes. In the fall of 
1892, he was re-elected a member of the Board of 
School Examiners. Mr. Groat is a member of the 
Board of Visitors of the college at Benton Har- 
bor. Politically', our subject is a stalwart Repub- 
lican, and has represented his constituents as 
delegate to various county and State conven- 
tions. In 1881, elected Supervisor, he continued 
an incumbent of that position until 18!)3, to the 
great satisfaction of his friends and fellow-towns- 
men. Mr. and Mrs. (Jroat are members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church at Morris Chapel, 
and as Trustee and Superintendent of the Sunday- 
school for the past ten years, Mr. (iroat has been 
especially faithful in religious work. ISIrs. (iroat 
has also taught in the Sunda3'-school, and both our 
subject and his wife enjo}" the esteem and confi- 
dence of the entire community, among whom they 
occu])}' positions of usefulness and intluence. Mi'- 
Groat has now rented his farm, and bought a home 
in Niles, where he contemjilates moving this fall 
in order to give his son the advantage of the 
High School. 



EDWIN A. P.I.AKESLEE. There is no name 
more iirominently connected with the his- 
tory of the prosperous village of Galien 
than that of Blakeslee, and this volume would be 
incomplete were no mention made of their life 
and works. It is therefore with pleasure that the 
biographer invites the attention of the reader to 
the following outline of the career of our subject, 
as well as his immediate ancestors. The paternal 
grandfather of the suliject of this sketch was 
.lames lilakeslee, win.) was born and reared in the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAI> RECORD. 



831 



Stntf of New York ami tlicio rnanied Miss Louisi- 
:in:> Kflmtinds, a cousin of tlic illiisliiou.s states- 
man. .Indite !■',(! Ill und.s, and a dangliter of one of 
llic Ucvolntionaiy lieroo;-, wlio wa.s 1al<('n pi-isonor 
li\ ilic i!rili>li and reni.ainod in captivity for some 
linic. 

While ii'-ldinji in New ^Oik, .lames Hlake.slee 
liei;:ui lu pie.-ieli in llie clinicli of the Latter-Da}' 
Saint.-i. and continued lii.s ministerial labors after 
remii\ inir li> I'crtli, Canada, in 18."ii(i. Tiience lie 
urul 1" M. Lawrence County. X. V., and from 
Ihcic 1<i W.Mlervilh', Oneida County, the same 
•Stale, later locatinj; in Utica. where, as in other 
jilaces. he devoted the most of his time to preaeli- 
ini;. ( )n the ."ilh of .luly. IHL'i. he arrived in 
.•-ontliern Iowa, where he engaged in ministerial 
woik for live years. In l.s 18 he located in Hata- 
\ ia. Kane Cnunly. 111., aiifl there resided until his 
death, which occurred December 18, 18()(), A man 
of great abililj' and an interesting speaker, he was 
very iironunent in the Church of the Latter-Day 
.Saints and was one of the twelve apostles in whose 
hands reposed the authority of the church. His 
wife also passed away in I>at;ivi;i. Kane County, 
111. 

'I'lie palcrnal grandparents of our subject had a 
large family of children, (ieorge A. being the eld- 
est, lie received liis schooling in the various 
places of which his father was a resident, and w.as 
also the recipient of excellent, advantages under 
the training and preceptorslii|) of his father. 
When a mere boy he commenced to work for him- 
self and early developed traits c)f self-reliance and 
industry, lie frefiuently made overland trips to 
Chicago in order to haul wheat to the market 
there. His lirst business \'enture was as oper.ator 
of a sawmill in ilatavia. HI., and in IH4!) he em- 
barked ill the lumbering business, which he con- 
tinued for seven years. 

Coining to the present site of (iaiieii in 18.t(j, 
.Mr. I')lakeslee became the founder of this now 
lirosperous \illage. and in the midst of the woods 
erected and operated a sawmill. Soon afterward 
he pmcliascd a stock of goods and opened a 
general mercantile store, which he conducted in 
connection with the lumber business. He owned 
several thousand acres of laml in IJerrien Coiiii- 



ty, from which he cut the lumber and disposed 
of it ill the market. Under the administration 
of President Buchanan he was appointed Post- 
m.aster at Galien and retained that position un- 
interrupted through the various administrations 
until the election of Grover Cleveland to the 
Presidency, when he resigned. He also owned a 
sawmill here and engaged extensively in the man- 
ufacture of handles. In 1880 he o|)ened a bank- 
ing establishment. I'pon his farm, which con- 
sisted of one thousand acres or more, he raised 
stock and grain and slii|»|)ed largely to other 
places. In his mill he manufactured over one 
million live hundred thousand handles annually. 

The marriage of George A. Blakeslee occurred 
on the LUh of February, 1848, and united him 
with Miss Lydia Alcott, who was born in England, 
being the daughter of a manufacturer of queens- 
ware in that country. She came to America in her 
girlhood and with her father settled in Mclleiiry 
County, ni., where she resided until her mariage. 
In his youth Mr. Blakeslee united with the Latter- 
Diiy Saints and became a jirominent member of 
the church, being its Bishop for the world, in 
which position he had charge of the finances and 
their properly throughout the entire world. For 
ten years he filled that honored position to the 
universal satisfaction of the people and with credit 
to himself. Aside from the oftice of Bishop he 
also preached occasionally, and was a member of 
the High Priest Coriims, which was one of the 
most important positions in the gift of tliechurch. 
He aided in the oiganization of the (Jalien branch 
of the church and was its most inlluential member. 

A member of the Whig party during its exist- 
ence, Mr. P.lakeslee united with th(! Republican 
party in 18.")fi and w'as one of iUs most devoted 
adherents until his death. He served as .lustice 
of the Pe.ace from I8.')7 until l«82. a period of 
twenty-live years. He was one of the organizers 
of the ])ul)lic schools at Galien and was a member 
of the School Hoard for many years. .\s I'resi- 
dent of the village for a Unig period, he was in- 
strumental in securing many improvenienls and 
ill piiimotiiig the welfare of llie citizens. .Socially, 
he was identilied with the Royal .Vrch Masons. 
His death (x.'curied at his home in (Jalien on the 



832 



POETEAIT AND BIOGRAPmCAL RECORD. 



20tli of September, 1890, and was deeply' deplored 
by liisac(iuaintances througliout tlie United States. 
A man of splendid pliysique and tine appearance, 
lie won friends wherever he went and retained the 
admiration and respect of all his associates. To 
liim more tlian to anj' otlier man is due tlie rapid 
growth of Berrien County' and its high position 
among the counties of Michigan 

In the parental family there were nine children, 
of whom Ella and George A., .Jr., are deceased. Of 
the seven survivors we note the following: Eliza 
is the wife of Alexander Emery, an attorney of 
Buchanan, Mich.; Sarah married W. W. Fry, who 
is in the emplo}- of the Michigan Central Railroad 
at Joliet, III.; fteorgiana is the wife of J. W. Wright, 
a traveling salesman; Lydia is the wife Charles A. 
Clark, wlio devotes his entire time to our subject's 
store; "N'iola married AV. A. Blair, a merciiant re- 
siding in Lamoni, Iowa; Belle is the wife of S. 
15. Smitli, a music dealer of .lacltson. !Mich.; and 
Edwin A. is the youngest. 

Our subject, who has succeeded his honored fa- 
ther in business, was born .July 18, 1865, in Galien, 
Mich., and received his education in the Normal 
School at Y[)silanti, graduating from that institu- 
tion in 1887. Later he entered the literary depart- 
ment of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, 
where he remained for two years. He also toolc a 
course of lectures in the law department and is a 
member of the Phi Gamma Delta and the Phi Delta 
Phi. At the time of his father's death he returned 
to Galien and settled the large estate and assumed 
charge of the business, with which he has since 
been connected. 

A Republican in his political opinions, Mr. 
Blakeslee has served as a member of the Village 
Council and is the present Clerk of Galien Town- 
ship. He takes a deep interest in educational 
matters and is a Director of the Galien schools. 
He is proprietor of the firm of G. A. Blakeslee it 
Co., which conducts a general banking business, 
also engages in a general mercantile business, and 
in buying and selling grain. In the store may be 
found a large and complete assortment of goods, 
including everything from the size of a needle to 
a threshing-machine. As has been heretofore 
ijientioiied, tjie store is managed by Mr, Clark. 



while our subject devotes bis entire attention to 
looking after the large estate inherited from his 
father. He and his mother reside on the old 
homestead, where they are surrounded by all the 
comforts of life. In addition to his other inter- 
ests he is a stockholder in the Kust State Savings 
Bank of Xiles. 

The honored son of an honored father, Mr. 
Blakeslee is justly held in high esteem by the 
people of Berrien County. While he is largely 
indebted to his father, 3et he personally possesses 
the attributes of a noble character. Like his fa- 
ther, he is a man of firm convictions, and when he 
once decides upon the right course of action, 
nothing swerves him from his course. In dispo- 
sition generous, in resources fruitful, in character 
rounded, and in business dealings honorable, he 
has gained a name and a reputation as one of 
Michigan's most prosperous and noble sons. 



^1 



\m 



H 



!M= 



'; SAAC M08ER. Mr. Moser, one of the very 
I wealthy men of Mason Township, and foi-many 
J \ ears a large money-loaner, was liorn at Rich- 
field, Pa., February 24. 1837. His parents, 
Charles and Elizabeth (Fall) Moser, were natives 
respectivelv of Frauenburg, France, and Pennsyl- 
vania. The father was a descendant of one of the 
old .Jewish families and came to America when he 
was about eighteen years of age. He had two 
brothers, one of whom, Nathan, became a wealthy 
man. went to California and there died. The other 
brother was a man of culture and learning, and was 
a prominent .lewish Rabbi. One of his sisters 
married a Mr. Heyman and the other sister married 
a man by the name of Levi. The far-famed cor- 
net plaj'er, Levi, is her son. 

Ui>on reaching the American coast the father of 
our subject had liut eighteen cents in money, but, 
like most of his race when first reaching this 
country, he became a peddler. He soon had a store 
of his own, and later he traded in live stock, thus 
making a fortune. In l!S.j.J he came to Michigan, 
Ideating at Mt. Clemens, mid was one of the iiro.. 



PORTRAIT AND BTOGRAPinCAl. RECORD. 



833 



|ii iii.ii> mI :i iniiuM-al well in that place wlien it first 
stMitfd. ;ni(l :U the tuiu' cf Ins (iealii was one of 
the sloekliolders and Duectois in the Ml. Clemens 
Savini^s Hank. Slioitiy alter coining to thiscoun- 
tiy lie Miaiiied the. widow Middelswortli, her maiden 
HMUie li:i\ iui; liccn l-"all. Her first husband's father 
was (Hie <if tlie iiiiist proniinent men of his day in 
till' SiMie (if reiiii-^\ Ivania. serving; twent3'-one 
\fais ill llie State Legislature, and one term in 
(diiLiress. She became the mother of one child by 
her lir.-l miiriiagc, and this child was named after 
his father, .lolin Middelsworlh. Mrs. Moser is now 
living at Ml. Clemens. 

lie of wlidiii we write was .-econd in o'tler of 
hiitli of eight children, four sons and fourdaugh- 
ters, and his educational advantages were not of 
the best, for he began assisting his father in the 
store when twelve years of age. He also worked 
on the farm his father owned, and when but 
eighteen years of age he began working at the 
butcher business at Mt. Clemens, whither he had 
iiiov('(l with his father in IS.jT). Later he became 
I lie |ii(iiirielor of a general store in that place. 

For some time during the late Civil War he was 
in the employ of the Government in the railroad 
(k'liarlment, and was located at Bridgeport, Ala., 
and Deckaid, Tenn. At the former place he met 
with an accident. A lire broke out in the depot 
while he was sleeping in it, and in assisting to get 
out blankets and other Government supplies he 
slipped and sprained his ankle. He has never fully 
lecovered from this. Soon after he came to Cass 
County, Mich., and bought a piece of land in Ma- 
son Township. Six months later he sold this at a 
profit of *2,5()0, and bought the place where he 
now lives, and which adjoins tlic lirst trad he 
bought. 

In 186!) Mr. Moser was married to Miss Susan 
Conley, the eldest daughter of William Coiiley, of 
JIason Township, and a native of the lluckeye 
State. She went with her father to Indiana when 
quite young, and finally to Cass County, Mich., 
where they settled in ALason Township. Were 
Mr. Moser became ac()uainted with her. Five sons 
were born to this marriage: Theodore, Charles 
A.. Clarence. Leland and Willard. .\fter his mar- 
riage Mr. .^I<).1er located on his present farm and 



became an extensive fr'uit-grower. As Michigan 
has for a number of years enjoyed a wide-spread 
reputation for being one of the most prolific fruit- 
growing Stales in the central cluster, Mr. Moser 
h.as taken advantage of this fact to inaugurate an 
industry that has lieen a great success. lie is an 
exi)ert in the business and has made considerable 
money at it. Of late years he has done but little 
work aside from looking after his various inter- 
ests, for he is counted one of the largest money- 
loaners in his section. 

Mr. Moser has always been a Democrat in poli- 
tics and has held many of the local offices in his 
township. For twenty years he was School Treas- 
urer, also .Tustice of the Peace, and at the present 
time is one of the Hoard of Review of the town- 
ship. He was made a Mason at Mt. Clemens, and 
has been a life-long temperance worker. He never 
drank a drop of liquor in his life, never uses tea 
or coffee, and dislikes tobacco in any form. In 
fact, he is temperate in all things. 



E-J-SS* 



*^5+S 



RNEST TAliOR.an enterprising agricultur- 
ist and well-known citizen of Sodus Town- 
is ship, Berrien County, Mich., was born in 
the near township of Bainbridge, in February, 1845, 
and has pas.sed his entire life within the .State of 
his nativity, with the exception of brief intervals 
occupied in journeys and visits elsewhere. His 
father, Wallace Tabor, a native of .Jeffei'son County, 
N. Y., and born .\piil 2(1. 1811, remained in the 
home of his biitli until he had arrived at the age 
of seventeen, spending the days of childhood and 
youth in assisting his father and attending the 
school of the neighborhood. In 1881, the ener- 
getic and ambitious boy left the parental roof de- 
termined to try his fortunes in the broader AVest. 
He came to Michigan and remained a short time in 
Berrien County, from there proceeding to Chi- 
cago, whcie he found iiiiiiiediate einploymenl as a 
l:iboier in a brickyard, lie helped to make the 
biii-k used in the erection of the first brick hotel 



834 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



l>uilt in Chicago. After woiking two years stead- 
ilv in the brickyard, the father returned to Bain- 
l)ridge Townsliip, Mich., and buying land entered 
into the i)ursuit of agriculture with success, clear- 
ing the land and cultivating the fertile soil of his 
homestead for sixteen years without change of oc- 
cupation. 

In 1849, when the rei)orts from California 
aroused a fever of excitement all over the country, 
Talioi' determined to seek the gold fields of the 
Pacific Coast. After an absence of two years, he 
afain resumed farming upon the old homestead, 
from that time his constant abiding-place. Jn 18.39, 
he was united in marriage with Miss Julia McKies, 
a daughter of Samuel and Harriet McKies, 
formerl3- resiiients of Connecticut, the McKies be- 
ing a well-known and highly esteemed family of 
Jvew p]no-land. Unto the worthy parents of our 
subject were born eight children, one of whom died 
in infancy. Bert, the youngest of the family, 
y)assed away in his twent3--fourth year, beloved by 
all who knew him. He was a young man of prom- 
ise, and died in 1887. The surviving sons and 
daughters are Euphemia, Sarah Elizabeth, Ernest, 
Horace, Ida, Carlton. All are married and reside in 
Berrien County, except the two eldest daughters, 
who make their home in the far State of Kansas. 
Ernest, the eldest son of the large family, assisted 
from boyhood in the daily labor of the farm, and 
also attended the district schools and gained an 
excellent and practical education. He afterward 
enjoyed the benefit of six months' instruction in 
the Slate University at Ann Arbor, and grew up 
to manhood self-reliant and industrious. 

At twenty-one years of age, beginning life for 
liimself, Mr. Tabor at first obtained employment in 
a sawmill, where he received fair wages, but after a 
time he concluded to return to farming, being thor- 
oughly posted in all the details of agriculture, and 
already having an extended and [u-actical experi- 
ence in handling the soil and products of Michigan. 
For two years our subject worked Uie farm of his 
father on shares, and then devoted his capital to 
the purchase of lands in Van Buren County, from 
which lie removed the timber, afterward selling 
the iiioperty. He next bought the one hundred 
and two acres where he now resides, and whicli ho 



has brought up to a high state of cultivation, con- 
ducting general farming and also raising some line 
stock. The improvements ujjon the broad acres 
are unusually valuable. Mi-. Tabor having erected 
a number of well-built cottages, which he rents 
mostly to prominent Chicago families, who enjoy 
their summer outing u])on the banks of the St. Jo- 
seph River. It was in 1891 that the cottages were 
completed and occupied, and in 1893 they are in- 
adequate in size and number to accommodate the 
guests who desire to avail themselves of the pleas- 
ant retreat. Mr. Tabor has already enlarged one 
house, and is now contemplating the erection of 
others. In 1872 our subject entered the bonds of 
marriage with Miss Lizzie Stump, daughter of John 
and Magdalena .Stump. The marriage has been 
blessed by the birth of three children. One died 
in infancy; Myrtie and May survive and are with 
their parents. Politically, JMr. Tabor is a stanch 
Republican. He has voted that ticket ever since 
he attained his majority and is a firm believer in the 
principles and platform of the "Party of Reform." 
An intelligent and observing man, our subject has 
a store of pleasing reminiscences of the earl}' da3-s 
of the State, and has himself been a leading factor 
in the progressive interests of his home township 
and count}-. 



?iE()RGE A. CORELL, and energetic and 
prosperous farmer located upon section 4, 
Bertrand Township, Berrien County, Mich., 
is a native of Erie County, Pa., and was born near 
(lirard, March 2, 1846. His paternal grandfather, 
Abraham Corell, Sr., was a native of New Jersey, 
of Scotch-Irish parentage. He removed to Albany 
County. N. Y., and there, in 1795, married Miss 
Mary Miller, who w.as of Knickerbocker descent. 
In the year IS 19 they removed to Livingston 
County, and tlicuce, in 1837, to Erie County, Pa. 
In 1853 Mr. Corell removed to Iowa, and there 
died in 1857. at the age of eighty-six and <>nv, 
half years, 









AT^ 



PORTRAIT AND IWOCRAPH'CAL RFXORD. 



837 



Abraham Corell, Jr., the fatlier of our subject, 
was born in Albany County, N. Y., August 10, 
IKlo, and removed with his [larenls to Livingston 
County. In 1837 he went to Erie County, Pa., 
and at the age of twenty-four years. February 10, 
IH.'V.l. married Ann Klizahelh Brownell, who was 
Iporn in Washington County, N. Y., November 1, 
IHlfi. When seven years old she removed with 
liL'r parents to Chautauqua County, and later to 
Erie Count}', Pa. Iler i)arents were from Rhode 
Island, and the father, Benjamin Brownell, was a 
descendant of Ethan .VUen, noted in the Revolu- 
tion .as the commander of the Green Mountain 
boys. 

In March , 1850, the father of our subject came 
witli his family to Berrien County, Mich. A kind 
Iriend and upright citizen, he wiis deeply moui'ned 
when, December 2;?, 1883, he passed to his rest, 
aged si.xty-eight years, three months and thirteen 
diiys; the mother survived her husband and is now 
living in Niles Township. 

Oeorge A. Corell was one of eleven children, live 
sons and six daughters, born unto his parents, sev- 
en of whom lived to adult age, and six 3'et survive. 
Our subject was the fourth child and eldest son in 
order of birth, and was only four \ears of age 
when he arrived in Berrien County. He enjoyed 
instruction in the public schools of Niles and re- 
sided with his parents until twenty-two years of 
age. December 23, 1873, Mr. Corell was united 
in niarri.age with Miss Morna Alice (iragg, a 
(laughter of Mortimer David Oragg. a native of 
.Icffeison Coimty, N. Y. Her mother, Hester Ann 
(Cronkhite) Gragg, was born in New York and 
was of (German descent. Mr. and Mrs. Gragg 
were the parents of seven children, of whom Mrs. 
Curell was the third child and the third daughter. 
She was born in Niles Sei>tember 13, 18.51, and 
was educated in the public scliools of her home 
locality. Mr. and Mrs. Corell have spent their 
ijiarried life ui)on their present homestead, which 
li.'is been brightened by the birth of live intelligent 
chihlren, two sons and three daughters: George 
E.. Horace B., F. (ienevu've, Delia L. and Mary 
Alice. 

Mr. Corell has devoted the greater part of his 
lime to the pursuit of agriculture, and is a practical 

11 



tiller of the soil and a successful stock-raiser. He 
is a carpenter by trade, and, commencing in that 
business at the age of twenty-three years, continued 
in the same profitably for seven years. He owns 
a highly improved farm of eighty acres and has 
also worked his mother's homestead of ninety-six 
acres. Our subject is activel}' connected with the 
Republican party and was elected Highway Com- 
missioner in 1893. He has from Ids earliest man- 
hood been deeply interested in both local and Na- 
tional affairs, and during the past twenty years 
has been identified with the progressive move- 
ments and business enterprises of this township, 
and is regarded as a man of worth, liberal ideas 
and public spirit. Frateinallj', Mr. Corell is a 
member of the Royal Arcanum at Niles and has 
many warm friends within this well-known order. 



eAPT. SAMUEL G. LANGLEY. Pleasantly 
located on Langley Avenue and command- 
ing a fine view of the St. Joseph River 
stands an elegant and commodious residence, 
which is considered one of the loveliest of St. Jo- 
seph's many attractive homes. This was the resi- 
dence of the late Capt. Langley and is now occu- 
pied by his widow. The family name is a very 
familiar one to the people of Berrien County, not 
only through Capt. Langley 's close association 
witli its progress, but also through Langley Ave- 
nue, which was laid out by him and donated to the 
city, and is now one of its principal thorough- 
fares. 

Our subject was descended from a long line of 
patriotic forefathers, who traced their ancestr\- to 
Scotland and England. His maternal grandfather. 
Gov. Hilton, is remembered as the first Governor 
of the State of Massachusetts and was a man of 
great ability. Our subject was born in Lee 
County, N. Y., August 11, 1813, and was the son 
of Samuel (;. and Sallie (Hilton) Langlej', natives 
respectively of New York and M.assachusetts. 
When a mere child he shipped as cabin boy on an 



838 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ocean steamer and was on tlie sea until 1832, 
when he came to St. Joseph and sailed the brig 
"Napoleon," which was the first steara brig used 
on Lake Michigan. He sailed the "Eail of Catii- 
cai't" from Kingston to Detroit, when she was 
bought by C. B. Backus, of Detroit, and took his 
name, being afterwards called the propeller "C B. 
Backus." She was tlie first jMOpeller on the Lakes. 
Afterward he built and partly owned several 
steam brigs which he sailed on the lake. At tiie 
same time, in partnership with Capt. Hilton, he 
was engaged in the elevator business at St. .Joseph. 

At the time of his death our subject was the 
oldest Captain on Lake Michigan. During the 
years in which he was engaged on the lake he re- 
ceived several medals, presented to him as a token 
t>f appreciation for brave and etticieut service on 
the lake at various times. He received a fine sil- 
ver service for saving and rescuing the crew of tlie 
steamer "E. H. Collins," burned in Detroit River Oc- 
tober 8, 1854. He also saved the lives of the crews 
of four vessels on Lake Erie the same year. Mrs. 
Langle}' has in her possession a gold-headed cane 
presented to the Captain in 1861 by Prince 
Kapoleon for service rendered him while on the 
Captain's vessel. His death occurred on the pro- 
pellor "Favorite" in the Chicago harbor from 
heart disease, .Tune 4, 187(1. 

On February 2, 1843, Capt. J>angley w.as united 
in marriage with Miss Sara M. Fitzgerald, of Al- 
bany, N. Y., the ceremony being performed by 
Bishop McCloskey, of Detroit. The bride was the 
daughter of Edinond A. and Sarah A. (Hilton) 
Fitzgerald, natives of Ireland, who emigrated 
early in life to the United States when they were 
both single. The marriage of Capt. and Mrs. 
Langley was blessed by the birth of four children: 
Capt. John IL; Samuel G., Jr.; Frank F.. who is at 
home; and Emma A., wife of J. J. McLeod, of De- 
troit, Mich. Mrs. Langley is a member of the 
Universalist Church, with which her husband was 
identified for many jears. In addition to her res- 
idence in St. Joseph, she is the owner of ninety- 
seven acres in the suburbs of the city, the value of 
which is rapidly increasing. Capt. Langley was a 
charter member of Occidental Lodge No. 56, A. F. 
& A. M., and was one of its active workers until 
the time of his death. In politics he was a stanch 
Republican. 



OSEPH R. EDWARD.S. A prominent busi- 
ness enterprise of Dowagiae is the boot and 
shoe store owned and managed by the sub- 
ject of this sketch, who is also agent for 
the American Express Couipany at this place. Mr. 
Edwards was born in lladdonlieid, Camden Coun- 
ty, N. J., June 28, lUSil. His paternal grandfather. 
Joseph Edwards, was born in Maryland on the 
10th of May. 17.54, and was the son of Joseph and 
P^leanor Edwards. Throughout his entire business 
life he engaged in merchandising, and followed 
that occupation in Luinberton, N. J., where he 
.settled about the lime i>f the Revolutionary War. 
His famil}' numbered twelve children, six of whom 
survived to the advanced age of eighty years. 

The father of our subject, Joseph Edwards, w.as 
born at Liiuiberton, N. J., August 15, 18(16, and 
in his youth served an apprenticeship to the trade 
of a w.agon and carriage maker, at ^'incontown, 
jV. J. In 1856 he came lo Michigan and .settled 
in Pokagon Township, Cass County, where he 
jiurcliased a farm, remaining there until liis ca- 
reer was terminated by death on the 11th of .Ian- 
nary, 1889. His wife, whose maiden name was 
Rebecca Zanes, was born in Haddonfield. N. J., in 
1810. They were the parents of nine children 
seven sons and two daughters, and seven of 
that numlicr are still living. One of the sons, 
Isaac Z., served in the late war as Lieutenant of 
the Nineteenth Michigan Infantry', and died from 
wounds received in the army. 

In his political belief, the father of our subject 
was first a Whig, and upon the organization of 
the Republican party became identified with it 
and remained a devoted adherent of its princiiilcs 
until his death. He was a conservative man, hon- 
orable and upriglit in all his dealings, and his 
word was in every instance as good as his bond. 
He was a firm believer in Christianity and pos- 
sessed deep religious convictions. In his farming 
enterprises he met with success and accumulated 
a large and valualile (iroperty. 

■ When seventeen years of age, our subject came 
to Michigan, and three years later he commenced 
to teach in Berrien County. On the 20tli of Sep- 
tember. \X(U. he enlisted in Company A, Twelfth 
Michigan lufuntry. and served us Sergeant of 



PORTRAIT AND BIDCRAIMIICA [. RF.C'ORD. 



839 



liis coiiiiiaiiy, paiticipatinj; in tlie haltles of ShiUili 
and IlaU'liii' River Hiidge, and llie various skii- 
inislies of llio cniniiaign tlirouiili West Tennessee. 
In 18(i;? the regiment was ordered to Vieksburg 
and tlienee went to Arkansas, wiiere Mr. Edwards 
took part in tlie engagement at Little Rock. 
June 8, 186.5, he was mustered out of the service 
and resumed the duties of private citizenship. 
Kor a time lie carried on a restaurant in Little 
Rock, hut in November. 186;"), returned to Mich- 
igan and settled in La(irange. Tvto years after- 
ward lie went to Cassopolis and secured a clerical 
position in the general mercantile establishment of 
Joseph K. Ritter. 

On the 4th of November, 1871, Mr. Edwards 
leased the Cassopolis House and was its proprietor 
for three years, after wliicii he came to Dowagiac 
and clerked for Hirsch & Phillipson until Decem- 
ber, 1878. On the 1st of .January, 1879, he as- 
sumed the position of County Clerk, to which he 
had been elected and which lie held for two suc- 
cessive terms. In 1882 he was again nominated 
for the oflice, but was defeated by seven votes. 
During his clerkship lie studied law, and at the 
close of his term of oflice was admitted to the I5ar. 
.Subsequently he engaged in the real-estate business 
in Chicago and while there wasadmittedat Ottawa 
to practice in all the courts of Illinois. Leaving 
Chicago, he came to Dowagiac and embarked in 
business as a dealer in boots and shoes and gents* 
and ladies' furnishing goods, which he still con- 
tinues. In March, 1888, he was appointed Amer- 
ican Express Agent at Dowagiac, and still holds 
that position. 

November 28, 1866, Mr. Edwards married Miss 
Matilda Van Riper, daughter of Joiin Van Riper. 
Siie was born June 10, 1848, at Ilaverstraw, N. Y., 
about forty-two miles from New York City, and 
was there reared until eight years old, when she 
came to Michigan, residing in La Orange until 
her marriage. Possessing a voice of unusual sweet- 
ness and volume, she has given considerable atten- 
tion to voice culture, and has sung in the church 
choir at Dowagiac for a number of years. Polit- 
ically. Mr. Edwards has always been an advocate 
of a protective tariff, believing that protection 
nugmenf* the wages of workmen ami enriches tlic 



common jieople. lie was influential in the incor- 
poration of Dowagiac, and is now Circuit Court 
Commissioner of Cass County. Socially, he is a 
member of the Ancient Order of I'niled Workmen 
and of the Orand Army of the Rejiublic. 



■^•g;.- 



i>'^^<^^ 




^^ETER CRITCHET, the subject of this 
ifj biograpiiical notice, enjoys the distinction 
of being the oldest surviving settler of 
Galien Township, IJerrien County, where 
for many years he was activel3'^ engaged in general 
farming and stock-raising. Now retired from the 
arduous labors that occupied former years, he is 
spending the twilight of his life tranquilly and 
ha|)pily in his [jleasant home in Galien. He has 
witnessed the m(wt of the improvements that have 
been made during the present century, and has 
himself contributed to no small extent to the 
present high standing of the township and county. 
During his useful life of almost four-score years, 
lie has gained and retained the esteem of the peo- 
ple of this community, and is highly regarded as 
one of the honorable and energetic citizens of 
Ualien. 

The son of William and Catherine (Schlcigh) 
Critcliet, our subject was born in Northumberland 
County, Pa., April 18, 1815. At the age of six- 
teen years he removed from his native place to 
Ohio, locating with his motiier in Miami County, 
and there attending the district schools. Later 
he secured employment on the canal, where he was 
"boss" of the men and superintended the work. 
Associated with this position is the memory of the 
night when the men were aroused to view the fall- 
ing of the stars, lighting the heavens with a 
beauty unequaled by any modern p3'rotechnic 
display. To tiiis day Mr. Critcliet recalls the scene 
as one of the most wonderful he has ever wit- 
nessed. 

After sojoiiiniiig in the Huckeye .Stale for about 
ten months, our subject went to Indiana and set- 
tled in La Porte County, at .-i period so early in 
the liistorv of tiie .Stale that Indians still if)amed 



840 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



over the prairies and wild animals had not yet 
retreated before the wave of the oncoming civil- 
ization. While residing in Indiana, on Xew Year's 
Day of 1835, Mr. Critcliet married Miss Margaret, 
daughter of Oljadiali Rittenhouse, formerly of 
Pennsylvania and later a prominent farmer of 
La Porte County, Ind. Remaining in La Porte 
County for a short time after his marriage, he 
removed tlience to Michigan and settled in Ber- 
rien County in 1836. Upon the site of tiie pres- 
ent flourishing town of Buclianan, he rented land 
and remained for about four years. Coming 
thenee to Galien Township, he located on section 
4. where he resided from 1849 until July of 1883. 
He always took great pride in his farm, which con- 
sisted of fifty-four acres, and which he devoted to 
general farming and stock-raising. 

Mrs. Margaret Critchet died on the 5th of Feb- 
ruary, 1890, and our subject was afterward married 
to Catharine, the sister of his first wife. Mrs. 
Critchet was born in ISIiami County, Ohio, where 
she was reared to womanhood, receiving an excel- 
lent education in the public schools. Fourteen 
children have been born of Mr. Critchet's first 
marriage, seven of whom reached mature years 
and four are now living, namely: Ava, who is the 
wife of Jacob Klasner, a farmer residing in Gahen 
Township; Jennie, the wife of Henry Ritzier, who 
owns and conducts a restaurant at South Bend, 
Ind.; Katie, Mrs. Charles Artus, of Galien; and 
Alzina, who married David Wright, a business 
man of Galien. Harriet, who married Oliver San- 
ford, a farmer by occupation, died in Iowa, wiierc 
her husband's demise also occurred; Almeda mar- 
ried Jed Clawson, and both died in Kansas; So- 
phia married David Cornell, a blacksmith residing 
in Galien, where she died. 

In July of 1883 Mr. Critchet moved into the 
pleasant residence in Galien which he had erected 
and in which he still makes his home. While liv- 
ing retired from business cares, he still retains an 
active interest in public affairs .and gives his influ- 
ence to the candidates and princi|iles advocated 
by the Democratic party. Since the election of 
Andrew Jackson to the Presidency, and, indeed, 
throughout his entire life, he has been a warm 
advocate of the principles of his chosen party. 



His popularity is evinced by the fact that he liaS 
held the office of Highway Commissioner of Galien 
Township for the past twenty-five years, although 
the township usually gives a large Republican 
majorit3'. He has served as Treasurer of the town- 
ship and Justice of the Peace for one term. 

Upon locating in Berrien County, Mr. Critchet 
found himself surrounded by every evidence of 
frontier life and primitive environments. His 
land was in its original primeval condition, upon 
which not a furrow had been made, but, undaunted 
by hardships and obstacles, he labored with dili- 
gence and unwearied perseverance, and succeeded 
in clearing the land and placing the soil under 
splendid cultivaiion. He also maintained a deep 
interest in opening and improving roads, and con- 
tributed his quota to the development of the 
count}'. A few years ago he united with the Larger 
Hope Church, of which he is the present Treasurer, 
and to the support of which he contributes vviiii 
liberality. He is also generous in his contributions 
to other denominations, as well as all benevolent 
projects. 



|*5**l»*5"?'i 



^,♦•^•^•^t- 



'•l-***'^!^ ^••}"f-*I= 



^j^^EORGK W. LETT, a successful general 
(II J— -^ agriculturist of Sodus Township, Berrien 
^^^ County, Mich., has with etticiency dis- 
charged the duties of office, and as Deputy Sheriff 
of the county for two years gained a wide 
•acquaintance and the high respect of all with whom 
he came in contact. Mr. Lett was born in Mus- 
kingum County, Ohio, November 5, 1837. His 
parents, James and INIargaret Lett, were thrifty and 
industrious people, and trained their family to 
habits of sturdy self-reliance. Our subject, the 
eldest child, early began the struggle of life, and 
enjoyed but little opportunity for regular school- 
ing, his education being gained mostly from the 
private instruction of his father. Remaining at 
home until he had attained his majority, George 
Lett then decided to try the farther West, and 
journeyed to Michigan, remaining a, short time in 
Berrien Comity, but.soc>n leturuing to Ohici, vv;here 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



841 



he then engaged in farming upon his own account. 
Aliout five years aftor. lie Mgaiii oiiiiio to Michigan, , 
and iiere enlisted in tlie service of tlie (iovorn- 
inent, in 18(i4 joining Company I, One Iluiidied 
and Second Micliigan Infantry, under the com- 
mand of Col. Chipman, 

The regiment went from Detroit to Beaufort, 
S. C.,and from there afterward proceeded to Gray's 
Island, relieving another regiment placed in cliaige. 
At the end of eight months the One Hundred 
and Second Michigan Infantry was ordered to 
march, and made their way to Savannah, (ia., 
guarding that point until the regiment took 
part in tlie Georgetown raid. Their next move- 
ment was to Charleston, S. C, then to Orange- ' 
burgh, S. C., and from this latter point to Columbia. ' 
Finally the regiment went into camp in North 
Carolina, but was again ordered to Charleston, 
where th8 troops disbanded, and the soldiers of 
each regiment were honorably discharged. Our 
subject had passed through many perilous scenes 
without suffering a wound or imprisonment, but on i 
his way to New York encountered an unexpected • 
danger, which, however, terminated without serious 
disaster to him. Upon tiie way to New York the 
vessel became disabled, and the troops were cast 
adrift in Delaware Ba^-, but by keeping close to 
the shore Mr. Lett and a number of others were 
saved from imminent death. 

As soon as mustered out, our subject returned to 
Sodus Townsiiip and entered upon the land pur- 
chased for him by his father when he was twenty- 
one years old. The acres were all in a wild state, 
and without loss of time Mr. Lett began clearing 
and cultivating tiie fertile soil, which has since 
yielded so abundantly. Sixty .acres, finely im- 
proved and containing a comfortable house, barns 
and otlu'r buildings, attest the industry and energy 
of their owner. In the month of March, l.SGl. 
George W. Lett and Miss Dilcy Ann West, daugh- 
ter of Henry West, of Kentucky, were united in 
marriage. Five children have blessed the union. 
.lames W. is at home; Martha Ann married Isaac 
Reed, and lives in Berrien Centre; Franklin is with 
Ills father on the home farm; Cora married Her- 
man Holiday and resides in Sodus Township; 
and Letha married .)ohn (ioansand lives on the old 



homestead. Our subject is a member of the Chris- 
tian Cliurch. and also holds the official position of 
Deacon, and lias ever been a liberal supporter of 
the cause of religion and especially interested in the 
extension and influence of its good work. Politi- 
cally a Republican, Mv. Lett is well posted on the 
issues of the da\', local and national, and is as loyal 
and true a citizen as when, so many years ago, ho 
gave himself to the service of his country. He 
has for many j-ears been a prominent f.aetor in the 
progressive enterprises of his locality, and is ever 
ready to do his part in all matters pertaining to 
the pulilic good. 



=^^+^e 



j(_^ IRAM ROGERS. For a period of more 
|i than sixty 3'ears this pioneer settler of Cass 
County has resided on section 1, Milton 
Township, where he has a fiiiely-improved 
farm, embellished with suitable buildings and con- 
taining modern conveniences. He enjoys the dis- 
tinction of being one of the oldest citizens of the 
county, being now (1893) ninety-one years of age, 
and is hale and hearty, notwithstanding his great 
age. The citizens of the community iiold him in 
the higliest regard, and he enjoj-s the esteem of all 
who know him. He has been a witne.ss of the 
many improvements in the county, and has him- 
self been a valuable factor in bringing about these 
changes. It h.as been his privilege to see villages 
spring up where once the savage Indian roamed, 
and fertile farms take the place of dense, impene- 
trable foiests; and to him and such as he telongs 
the honor of makinji the wilderness to bloom and 
blossom as the rose. 

Born in Morris County, N. .1., .lannary 16, 1802, 
our subject is the son of .labez and Elizabeth 
(Rogers) Rogers, natives of New .lersey. The pa- 
ternal grandfather, Nathaniel Rogers, was born in 
New .lersey, of English-Welsh descent, and served 
in the War of the Revolution. The maternal 
Urandfalhcr, .lolm Rogers, was also born in New 
•lersey and was descended from English and Welsh 
ancestry. The father of our subject served with 



842 



POR TRAIT AND BI0GR.VPH1CAL RECORD. 



valor in tlio ranks durinjf Ihe War of 18 li'. lie was 
a farmer l>y oivnpation and a weaver bv Irade. and 
followed tliese eallinsrs nntil his death, which oc- 
ciirreil at the age of sevent\--six. IIis wife died 
when about sixty. 

Hii-ani was the eldest of a family of thirteen chil- 
dren, and was between fourand five years old when 
he accompanied his father to New York, locating 
iu SttnilHMi County on a farm in the woods. After 
residing there seven years he accompanied the 
family to Gorham Townsliip. Ontario County, 
N. Y.. where he worked land on shares and re- 
mained about four years. After the close of the 
■War of 1812 he accompanied his father to Xi.sgiira 
County and loi-itted twelve miles east of l.ewistou, 
N. Y., residing there about thirteen years. In 
18S1 he came to Michig:in. wheiv his parents died, 
his father in tienesee County and his mother in 
Kalamazoo County. 

At the age of twenty-<.->uc. while residing in Ni- 
agara County, N. Y., Mr. Rogei-s left home and 
worked on a farm in the town of Cambria for 
seven months, receiving ^10 for two months, and 
#12 {ler month for the if maiiider of the time. By 
carefully saving his money he was enabled to buy 
one hundred acres on the Holland Puivhase, and 
during the six mouths he resided thereon he 
cleai-ed lietween thirty and forty !»cresof heav\ tim- 
ber land. Leaving that place, he c;>me to Michigan 
lu 1831 and entered land where he !l!»^ since re- 
sided. It was then unbroken, raw prairie, and his 
fii-st work was to erect a small log cabin for the 
reception of his family, tii-adnally he made other 
impit>vemeut-s. and at last had the satisfaction of 
seeing the farm take rank among the l^est in the 
county. 

In 1820 Mr. Rogers married Miss Lora \"iua 
Worden. who w.as born in New York m 18lli* and 
dietl after having Ivivme the mother of a large 
family of children. In the order of birth they wei-e: 
Kosetta T., Jabez, Sarah, Margaret. Ruby. Martha. 
Mary. Caroline, Hiram. .Kvsephine and Francis. All 
are now deceased with the exception of Martha, 
the wife of Prv^f. R. II. Tripp, who i-esides in Kal- 
amazo*.^; .and .Kvsephiue. who is the wife of ^V. 
1. Grittith. On Octol^r t>, 1868. Mr. Rogers was 
united in marriage with Mrs. Marv Ann Smith. 



who was liorn .\ugnst 24. 18;>1. seven miles below 
Kingiston. on the Knnks of the St. Lawrence River. 
Her father. Al>el Gates, was a native of the same 
place as hei-self, while her mother, Polly (iates. was 
lK>rn in Connecticut. Mi's. Rogei-s is the eldest 
surviving memlK'r of her father's family. Of her 
union with Mr. Ki>gei-s two sons wei-e born: 
Schuyler C.. who was lK>ru Sejiteinber 8. 18H;': and 
Carl F.. whose birth i.>ccurred t)ctol>er iiK 1872. 

In the days of the Whigj^iarty Mr. Rogers cast his 
Ivillot in its l>ehalf. and after the organization of 
the Republican party he lH.'came one of its most 
ardent supportei-s, but for some years past he has 
atliliated with the Prohibitionists. He is a strong 
adheivnt of the tem(.>ei-ance cause and is a very 
abstemioiu- man. never using liquor or tobacco in 
any form. A memlvr of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, he has served as Class-leader. Steward and 
Trustee, and has for many years filled the position 
of Stn>erintendent of the Sunday-school, being an 
active worker in the i-ause of religion. 



A. E. BALD^VIN is one of the sulistantial 
fruit-growers of Herrien County. Mich., and 
^^^/ belongs to that army of intelligent, perse- 
vering, couragetuis i>eople who have gone forth 
fixnn the State v>f their birth to build up new in- 
dustrial empires in various portions of the West. 
He is a pixiducl of the Old liay State, Inn-n in New 
Marlborough, Berkshire County. April 21. 1849. 
and the only child resulting from the union of 
George W. and Exene P. (Hugins) Baldwin, na- 
tives also of Massachusetts. 

Gev>rge W. Baldwin was by profession a photog- 
rapher, and followed thit in his native State until 
1852, when he came West to Wisconsin. Here he 
followed mining, but his health failed and he died 
in 1854. He was a man jK^ssessed of more than 
the average amount of industry and perseverance, 
and was well liked wherever he made his home. 
Shortly after his death his wife returned to M.as- 
sachusetts and in 185i? married William L. Wheel- 
oek. They remained in that StJite until 1865. 
when thev came to Michigan and settled iu Ber- 



POHTHAIT AND IJIOC.HAIMIK Al. KKCORn. 



Hi:i 



lifii ('(iiiiilv. Tlif iiiotluT is still liviiiii uml is .'i 
rosidoiit of 15n(lii:ni:in. She is ;i iiiosl worlliy l:iily 
and is jicUvo iii her suppoil i>f all laudable ontoi- 
prisos. To luT lasl union, as to lior lirst, Imt one 
C'liiiii was l)orn, a son, ChaiU's II.. (Icccascd. 'I'iiis 
son nianiod Miss I.illio Wliittoii. daujjiili'r of 
.losliiia Whitlcn, wluisi' slcotcli appoais m tliis woik. 

The original of this notice w;is leaicd princi- 
jtally in Micliiirrtn. and was luit a few years old 
when his parents moved to the wilds of Wiseonsin. 
.Vftera short residenue there he returned with his 
mother to Massaelmsetts, and there made his home 
until 18(>."), when he came with his mother and 
step-father to Micliiijan. When twenty-one Ncars 
of age lie hegan working for himself, (irst as a clerk 
in a dr> -goods store, Init previous to this, on 
lirst coming to the Lake State, he was engaged in 
lumbering and grubbing on a farm of twenty acres 
he had purchased. When in his twenty-lifth year 
he niariieil Miss Lucy V,. Weston, a native of the 
Kinpire State, as wore also her parents, Franklin L. 
.■in<l kosamoiul (liurdii'k) Weston. Mr. Weston 
came to this State in l.SilT, settled in lierrien 
County, and was one of the leading men of Lake 
'rowiishii>, having held most of the important town- 
ship ollices. His death occurred in 1H,S8, but his 
widow survives him and makes liei' home in Hu- 
elianan. To Mr. and Mrs. Weslon wfre born live 
children, who were, I'lora, wife of Harrison Mor- 
gan, of South Dakota; Lucy K., wife of our sub- 
ject; George W.. who resides in 15iichaiiaii; Delia, 
deceased, the wife of Orlando Smith; and Nathan 
W.. of Katon County, Mich. 

.hist prior to his marriage, as before staled, our 
subject purchased a farm, and on this lie began his 
career as a fruit-grower. In IS77 he purchased 
and moved on his present home place, consisting 
of twenty acres, nearly all unimproved at that time. 
This cost him $1") per acre. Of the twenty acres, 
sixteen acies are under cultivation, fourteen of it 
l>eing in small fruit, |)riii(ipally ditTerent varieties 
of strawberries, blackberries and raspberries. His 
place is now worth ^100 per acre, and on it he has 
a beautiful rural home of modern style and with 
all the necessary improvements. For several years 
Mr. Baldwin Inis been Drain Commissioner and has 
also been .School Inspector. 



Six childreii haxe liceii born to Mr. and Mis. 
Haldwin. and .-ire luuiied in the order of their 
births as follows: Myrtle K., Ozro I-)., .lessamine L, 
Fern ('..Omar .\. and Hazel. Mr. Baldwin is a 
member of Lake Lodge No. 1 i;!, I. O. O. I''., and 
has filled all the chairs of his lodge. In IHIIl he 
represented his lodge in the (iraiid Lodge of the 
State. He is an active member of the Republican 
party, and lias freiiiiently rei)resentcd his (•omiiiu- 
nity in the county conventions, and had the pleas- 
ure of nominating the present sheriff. For the 
past seven years Mr. Baldwin lias been interested 
in the fruit plant trade, and the business has grown 
to large proportions, he having customeis all over 
the I'liited .States and Canada, having in ISIl.'i 
eight acres of strawberries planted for that trade. 
In the shipping season he employs from lifteen to 
tweiitv hands. 



■ f 1- J. 



= ••• 






]^i OlIN DA\TS. In narrating the lives of many 
prominent citizens and old settlers of the 
couiily we find no one more worthy of men- 
tion, or w'ho.se long life of usefulness is more 
\v(nlliy to be chronicled, than .lohn Davis, lie 
is one of the county's most worthy citizens as well 
.as one of its oldest settlers and wealthiest farmers, 
and his honesty and integrity are proverbial in 
thecomniunity. He was born in Cambria County, 
Pa., .lanuary 14, 1820, and although he has 
passed the allotted age of man, three-score years 
and ten, time has dealt leniently with him, and he 
is still in the enjoyment of comparatively good 
health. 

Benjamin Davis, his father, wasa native of Wales, 
but when a small boy he came with an uncle to the 
United States. His father had died in the Old 
Country. The father of oui- subject grow to man- 
hood in this country, and was married to Miss 
Catherine Williams, a native of I'eniisyl vania, 
where she was reared. Her father, Robert Will- 
iams, was a nalixe of Wales and came to .\merica 
when a voung man. .Mr. and Mrs. Davis were 



844 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



njan-ied in Pennsylvania, and in 1848 oame to 
Michigan, locating in Beriien County, where they 
erected a log house. Mrs. Davis, the mother of 
our subject, died in this liouse a week after coming 
to Michigan. The father was eigiity-three years of 
age at the time of his death. Tlieir union gave 
tliem nine children, our suliject l)eing the third 
child in order of birth, and the second son. 

The latter was reared and educated in his native 
State, and was twenty-eight j^ears of age when he 
came to Michigan. Previous to that, when but 
eighteen years of age, he began learning the car- 
penter trade, and in 1844 was married in his na- 
tive State to Miss Nancy Mills, who was born in 
Pittsburg, Pa., July 15, 1818. Her father, Robert 
Mills, was a native of Delaware, but died in Pitts- 
burg, Pa. Her mother was also a native of Dela- 
ware, but died in Pennsylvania. They were the 
parents of six children, Mrs. Davis being the fourth 
daughter. After his marriage Mr. Davis located in 
Ebensburgh, Pa., and there resided until 1848, 
when, as before stated, he came to Michigan. 

About 1861 i\Ir. Davis moved witii his family to 
Berrien County and settled on his present farm. 
In 1862 he enlisted in Coinpanj- F, Twenty-liftli 
Michigan Infantry, as a private, and served until 
the close of the war. He was promoted to the rank 
of Corporal, was in seventeen prominent engage- 
ments, and was with Sherman on his march to the 
sea, but never received a wound. He was honor- 
ably discharged at Salisbury, N.C, and subsequent- 
ly returned to his farm. To Mr. and Mrs. Davis were 
born seven children. William E. died while serv- 
ing his country; Charles L. is a prominent farmer 
of Niles Township; Francis A. is a traveling man; 
Alwilda A. is now in Nebraska; Frederica died when 
three years of age; Marshall H. died at the age of 
three months; and May E., wife of B. W. Tooley, 
resides in Kalamazoo, Mich. 

Socially,Mr. Davis is a member of Frank Graves 
Post No. 64, G. A. R.,at Niles. In politics he is a 
Democrat, but he voted for Abraham Lincoln in 
1864. He has held a number of township otHces, 
the most prominent being Township Ti'easurer and 
Justice of the Peace. Mrs. Davis has a Bible two 
hundred and forty-five years old, and a vest that 
her father wore when married. 



,' SRAEL M. ALLEN, a prominent general agri- 
culturist and fruit-grower of Sodus Township, 
Berrien County, was horn in Onondaga County, 
N.Y., March 25, 18.34. His father was of New 
England birth, and a man of enterprise and intel- 
ligence, and was born in Connecticut in 179;). 
John Allen was of an adventurous and determined 
nature, and had left his birthpLace when voung and 
settled in the Stale of New York in a very early 
day. When the tide of emigration toward the 
new Western Slates and Territories began to take 
its way he became dissatisfied with liie Empire 
State, and finally decided to try his fortunes in 
Michigan. While his son Israel was but an infant, 
John Allen, with his family, journeyed to Ypsi- 
lanti, wlicre he bought one hundred acres of land, 
but, his health soon after failing, he was obliged to 
sell out, and removed to Portage County, Ohio. 

Our subject received only very limited advant- 
ages for an education, tiie schools of early days 
being primitive in their mode of instruction, but 
he patiently gathered all the knowledge attainable, 
and later improved himself by reading and obser- 
vation. Long before reaching his majority our 
subject was obliged to become self-sustaining, and 
obtained work on a canal when only a mere boy. 
He was engaged eight seasons in this occupation, 
and in 1854 journe3'ed to the West and settled in 
Pipestone Townshiis, Berrien County, Midi. Here 
he purchased forty acres of land, and all alone 
began clearing it of the heavy timber. He en- 
tered with zeal into farming, raising the ordinary 
products, then the crops of Michigan. 

In 1861, not long after the breaking out of the 
Civil War, Mr. Allen enlisted in C^ompany I, 
Twelfth Michigan Infantry, and was mustered in 
at Niles. Owing to the sudden death of his father, 
in 1862, he employed a substitute, and returned to 
his home to look after his father's family-. Novem- 
ber 6, 1864, he again enlisted in the same regiment 
for one year, during which time he participated in 
the battles and skirmishes at Clarendon Hills, Pine 
Bluff, Little Rock, Ark., and at the ex| iration of 
the twelve months was mustered out of service at 
Camden, Ark., and again returned home. He next 
engaged in the carpenter trade, and continued in 
that employment until 1867, when lie made his 




RESmmCE OF ISRACL M, ALLEN ,5EC.26. SODUS TP„ BERRILN CO. MICH 




RESIDENCL 



or HENRY 5CHAUB.5EC.ir..R0YALT0U TP. BERRIEN CO. MICH 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



847 



ln'iinanciit liome in Sodus Townsliip, wlicri- lie is 
devoting his time to llic cullivaUoii of sixty-five 
jicres of tlie bosl land in liio State, and lie is now 
giving a large siiaie of his attention to the; profit- 
able pursuit of fruit-growing. 

M.ay 19, 1802, I.srael Allen and Miss Sarah J. 
Rector were united in marri.-ige. The union was 
blessed by the birth of two children, liiit during 
the absence of the liiisliaiid and father in the army 
the wife and one child both |)assedaway. The one 
surviving child, Anson Allen, is a musician, and is 
now playing in the orchestra of the Grand Opera 
Mouse in Chicago. December 'ih. 1!S67, our sub- 
ject again entered the bonds of matrimony and 
wedded iMiss Kmily Sharar, unto whom has been 
born two children: Chillie B., at home; and Luke 
M., who is an engineer. Fraternally. Mr. Allen is 
a member of (ieorgc II. Thomas Post No. 14, 
G. A. R., and, politically, he is a strong Democrat, 
having voted the ticket continuouslj- since the 
election of Buchanan. Interested in local and 
national issues, our subject is a loyal citizen, ever 
ready to assist in all matters of public welfare and 
improvements. 



-H- 



yi^_ KNRY SCMAITB. For many years, or since 
y boyhood, WW subject has given the occupa- 
tion of farming his principal time and 
*^J. attention, and that a life-time spent in pur- 
suing one calling will result in substantial success 
especially it energy and perseverance are applied, 
is particularly true in his case. Like m.iny other 
of the representative citizens of the county, Mr. 
Scliaub is a native of (Jermany, his birth having 
occurred there on the 18th of February, 1823. 
His i)arents, Andrew and Julia Scliaub, were also 
b(.rn in (;ermany,the father having been a soldier 
in the regular aimy prior to his marriage. He 
followed the occupation of farming and also gave 
some attention to the mining of lead. He died 
in 1833, and his wife in 1837. 

There were live children in the parental family, 
all of whom are now residents (ff (lermanv with 



the exception of Henry Scliaub, who remained in 

his native land until attaining his twentieth year. 
Tp to that time he had heard much of the induce- 
ments offered to young men in America, and, this 
country becoming the Mecca of his ambition, 
hither he repaired as soon as circumstances permit- 
ted, lie first secured employment in the coal and 
iron mines of Clarion County, I'a., but at the end of 
two years went from there to (ialena, 1 11., where he 
worked several mines on his own responsibility, 
but made little or no inone\- until the last half of 
the fourth year, when he was very successful. He 
then decided to give up that business, and from 
there he came to St. .Joseph, Mich., the two subse- 
(juent years being spent in a sawmill. This busi- 
ness he also gave up, and soon after rented a 
farm in Koyalton Township, making sufficient 
money to enable him five years later to purchase 
the farm where he now lives. This tract of land 
consists of forty acres and is located six and !i- 
half miles south of St. Joseph and, when this was 
cleared of incumbrances he bought thirty-eight 
acres one mile west of where he is now residing. 
During the long term of years that Mr. .Scliaub has 
resided in Berrien County, the people liave had 
every opportunity to judge of his character, and 
no whisper has ever been breathed against his fair 
name. As we know, he started out with limited 
means in a strange country, and what he has accu- 
mulated is tlie result of great industry and i)erse- 
verance. He says that he could never have accu- 
mulated so much in any other countrj-, and that 
the United States is the country for a struggling 
young man to amount to something in. 

Mr. Scliaub was married in Galena, 111., about 
1858, to Miss Elizabeth Scheurer, who was born in 
(Germany and is now enjoying a serene old age. 
To them a family of nine children was born, but 
only seven are living: William; Fred; Mary, wife 
of Charles Padgie; Louisa, Mrs. John Biicher; .Ju- 
lia, wife of William Ariit; John and lleiirv. Mr. 
Scliaub has resided on the farm on which he is 
now living since 1862, and for a number of years 
after locating on this land he toiied early and late 
to clear it of timber, paying for it by cutting cord- 
wood on the land and selling it. He is a believer 
in the church uf which his parents were members, 



848 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 




the Evangelical C'hureli. He is a policN-liolder in 
the Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company of Ber- 
rien County and is a man of much [lulilie spirit, 
always ready to assist in any movement tending 
to benefit the section in which he resides. Me 
thoroughly understands the details of his calling, 
is a man of strong character, sound judgment, and 
has always set an example of honor and industry 
that all will do well to emulate. 



!l^^ 



'^^EZE;KIAH S. CONE, book-keeper and trav- 
eling salesman for R. W. IMontross, at 
(ialien, was born in New Maven, Conn., 
jj; August 17, 1835. His ancestors were for 
seveial generations identified with the history of 
the State of Connecticut, where they were well 
and favorably known. The first representative of 
the family in America was Daniel Cone, who emi- 
grated hither from Scotland as earl}' as 1626 and 
made settlement in East Haddara, Conn. The pa- 
ternal grandfather of our subject was Horatio 
Cone, a native of East Haddam, who was reared 
to maturity in the city of his birth. His wife 
bore the maiden name of Polly .Selden, and was 
born in the Nutmeg State. 

Grandfather Cone's family consisted of seven 
children, all of whom reached mature 3'ears. as 
follows: Peleg, father of our subject; Hezekiah. 
whose death occurred in Connecticut; Daniel, a 
resident of jMoodus, Conn.; Zachariah, who resides 
on the old homestead at East Haddam, Conn., the 
birthplace of so man\' of his name; Elizabeth, who 
lives in Connecticut; and .leannelte and Henrietta, 
Ijotli of whom are married and reside in New York 
State. Peleg Cone was leared in East Haddam 
and married Miss Ann, daughter of William Brace, 
of Connecticut. After his mairiage he engaged 
in the silver-plating business at New Haven for a 
number of years, but later removed to Oxford, 
Ohio, in January, 1851, where he purchased an 
hotel and for a time superintended its manage- 
ment. Subsequently he disposed of the hotel and, 
embarking in the real-estate business, continued 



thus engaged for many years. His death occurred 
in 1882. 

Of the family of seven children, fi^e survived 
to maturity, as follows; Adeline, wife of .lames 
Smith, a retired capitalist of Liberty, Mo.; Eliza- 
beth, who married Dr. A. A. Barnett, a prominent 
physician of .lersevville. 111.; Cornelia, .widow of 
Dr. George W. Keely, of Oxford, Ohio; our sub- 
ject; and Franklin, wlio is a well-known banker 
and real-estate dealer at Oxford, Ohio. The two 
deceased are William, who died at Benton, Ark.; 
and George, who w.is a prominent and successful 
grocer, residing in Oxford, Ohio. The fatlier of 
this family was an active worker in the Methodist 
P^piscopal Church, and a liberal contributor to its 
various enterprises. He was especially inteiested 
in educational matters and served for some time 
as a member of the School Board. His wife is 
still living and makes her home in Oxford, Ohio. 

In the public and High Schools of New Haven, 
the subject of this sketch received an excellent 
education and laid the foundation of the practical 
knowledge he now possesses. Al the age of eigh- 
teen, he accompanied his father to Oxford, Ohio, 
and soon 'afterward went to Si)ringfield, 111., 
where for three years he was engaged as a clerk in 
a general mercantile establishment of that cit\'. 
Returning thence to Oxford, he succeeded his 
father in the hotel business and was thus engaged 
until the War of the Rebellion commenced, after 
which he was employed in the (Quartermaster's 
department until the close of the war. Later he 
spent one year in Oxford, and thence removed to. 
Buchanan, ]Mich., where, in partnership with .1. W. 
II. Smith, he engaged in the handle business, tlie 
connection being maintained for thirteen years. 

Mr. Cone was similarly engaged at Charlotte. 
' Mich., for three years, at Yandalia, Mich., for 
seven years, and at Bradner, Ohio, for one year. 
Returning to (iaiien, he entered the employ of 
R. W. Montross in 1881, and has since filled the 
position of tiaveling salesman and book-keeper 
for the establishment. A stanch Democrat, he has 
served in various official positions, to which he 
has been elected on the party ticket. He h.as held 
the otlice of Treasurer of Gallon Townshi|), Town- 
shij) Clerk (while residing in C.ass County) and has 



PORTRAIT AXD TUOflRAPITTCAL RECORD. 



Kl!» 



liocii ;i iiU'ii,l>L'r of tilt; l$(i;ii(l of 'rriislcc.-i of llio 
village, also of the Hoard of Kclueatioii. lie was a 
delegate to the Denioeratie State Coi'.veiilioii at 
the time Gegole was noininated for (loveriior. and 
has freqiu'iitly served as delegate to county con- 
ventions. 

May 9, 1859, occurred the marriage of Mr. 
Cone to Miss Ciiarlotte A., the daughter of John 
Still, and a native of lielfast, Ireland, who emi- 
grated to America at the age of about fifteen years. 
Four children complete the family, namely: Mary, 
widow of (ieorge A. HIakeslee; (ieorge, who is 
railroad agent for the Michigan Central at Mat- 
tison. III., also express .agent at that place; and 
Jennie and John, who are with their parents. The 
position occupied by this family in the social cir- 
cles of Galien is one of much prominence and 
(wpularity, and they are highly regarded through- 
out the community where they have resided for 
so many years. 



'^OBKRT S. GKIFFIX. M. D., a [irominent 
and successful medical practitioner of Cass 
County, Mich., h.as been permanentl3' located 
in Ed wardsburgh since 187;j, and aside from 
the demands of his professional cares hasetficientlj- 
discharged the duties of Postmaster since 1889. 
Oursubject isanative of Griflinsville, Erie County, 
N. Y., and was born September 25, 1828. He is 
the son of James W. and Sallie (Abbott) Griffin. 
His paternal grandfather, Obadiah Griffin, was a 
direct descendant of three brothers Griffin, who 
emigrated from Wales to England and thence to 
America in Colonial times. Grandfather Griffin 
was one of the hardy and enterprising |)ioneers of 
Erie County, N. Y., and late in life journeyed to 
the then far West and with his son, Robert S., lo- 
cated in Niles, Mich., where he died some six years 
later, passing away in about 1832. He had reached 
four-score years of Christian usefulness, and was, in 
religious persuasion a (Quaker. He twice entered 
into till' lionds of wedlock. Ills lirst wife bore him 



one child. I'cter. His second wife became the 
iiiother of three sons and two daughters. Isaac died 
aged nine years; Robert S, who died in Iowa, was 
buried in Niles; James W. was the tlurl in order 
of birth. Obadiah (irillin went to Canada and took 
up lands after the War of 1812. but finally re- 
turned to New York. 

James W. (Milliii. the father of our subject, re- 
sided for a lime in Canada with his parents, but 
after the War of 1«12 came back to the I'nited 
States and settled in Griltinville. where he and his 
brother Robert engaged in business and operated 
farms. The village, then named Griffin's Mill, is 
now called (iriffinsville. The father was a Colonel 
of Militia ill New York, and was a leading man in 
his part of the State. In the spring of 18.32, he 
decided to try the broader fields of the West, and 
journeyed to Detroit b\- water, thence traveled by 
team, and settled one mile east of Niles, Mich. He 
entered one hundred acres of land from the 
Government and immediately began the cultiva- 
tion of the homestead. In 1838, he again made a 
change of residence, locating at Racine, Wis., where 
he took up another one hundred and sixty acres, 
and as before industriouslj- planted wheat in the 
fall. In the si)ring the crop proved a failure. There 
was sickness in the familj-, and, discouraged, they 
returned to their old locality in Michigan. Father 
Griffin bought a farm in Ontwa Township, and 
yearly tilled its fertile soil until 1850, at which 
date he sold this property and went to Wisconsin, 
where he died. 

During his long career of usefulness as a citizen 
he occupied many resjionsible positions of trust, 
and was intimatel3' associated with the develop- 
ment and progress of Cass Counl_v. He served with 
ability as Supervisor, was an excellent Justice of 
the Peace, and, placed upon the Hench as Associate 
Judge of the county, was equal to all the require- 
ments of his honored office, and also a member of 
the State Legislature for one term gave great satis- 
faction to Ins constituents. In political atfiliation 
he was a Democrat. Fraternally, he was a valued 
member of the Ancient F'ree & Accepted Masons. 
The father of our subject was twice married. Miss 
Catherine Abbott became his lirst wife. Of their 
children. Rachel McOmber is deceased; George 



850 



i-ORTRAlT AND BIOGKAPHICAL RECORD. 



died in California; Obadiali died in Chicago, 
tiie victim of a terrible accident, being crushed 
while starting the machinery of a boat; Jona- 
than A. was killed in California while asleep in 
a mine, supposed to have been murdered for liis 
gold; Ira is a resident of Missouri; and Hiram of 
Wisconsin. The second wife was the mother of six 
children: Catherine, deceased; Robert S., onr sub- 
ject; Mariette Buou3', of Nebraska; Charlotte Conk- 
lin, deceased; Eli. deceased; and Albert, a citizen 
of Wisconsin. 

The mother of our subject was a native of Penn- 
sylvania, and late in life, making her home in 
Nebraska with a daughter, died in the West. The 
niatenial grr.nd father, .Jonathan Abbott, a prosper- 
ous farmer, lost his wife in New York, and later 
came with his son to Michigan and, constantly re- 
siding within the State from 1832, passed away 
mourned as a public loss. Dr. Griffin was educated 
in the practical routine of study pursued in the 
district schools, and, having decided to embark in 
profesHonal life, at nineteen began to read medi- 
cine with Dr. Lockwood. of E^dwardsburgh. In 
1848-49, he enjoyed the benefit of a course of lec- 
tures at Indiana Medical College, located at I'nion, 
Cass Count}', and after two years coinjileted his 
studies. He spent the three succeeding years at 
Kdwardsburgh, and in 1855 made his home in 
Lainton, in 1873 removing to .South Bend. He 
finally returned in 1875 to Edwardshurgii, where 
he has since devoted himself mainl>- to the [uac- 
tice of his profession. Politically, our subject was 
until 1854 a sturdy Democrat, l)ut since that date 
has been an active Republican. He has held with 
faithful ability- various official positions, and as 
Postmaster of Edwardsburgh, appointed in 1881), 
has given universal satisf.action to his fellow-towns- 
men. 

Dr. Ciriffin was united in marriage with Miss 
Amanda M. Hewitt, a native of Pennsylvania and 
tlie daughter of Detliic and JjOuisa (Ainsley) 
Hewitt. The parents of Mrs. Griffin came from 
the (Quaker State to Calhoun County, Mich., and 
thence removed to Cass County, where they spent 
their lemaining da3s. Mr. Hewitt was a black- 
smith by trade, an uprightand industrious man and, 
esteemed bv his friends and neighbors, served f(}r 



years as a .Justice of the Peace in Calhoun and 
Ontwa. His wife, a devoted Christian, was a mem- 
ber of the Presbyterian Church. Our subject and 
his estimable wife have been blessed by the birth 
of four children, two sons and two daughters: l>;g- 
bert H., of San Francisco, Cal., .an able optician ; 
Ida E., Carrie M., and Fred, who died at twenty -six 
years of age. Dr. GrifHn is an Elder of the Presby- 
terian Church and has been a member of the de- 
nomination since he was eighteen years old. Mrs. 
GrifHn united with the church at sixteen and has 
ably .assisted in the work and social enterprises of 
that religious bod}'. Dr. and Mrs. Griffin are 
prominent factors in all matters of mutual welfare 
in their home locality and possess the high regard 
of a large circle of old-time friends, tried and true. 



.^=o 



f(_^ IRAM WOODEN. It is with pleasure that 
we recount the experiences of those of the 
citizens of Mason Township who came here 
in the early days and underwent hardships 
and privations that they might develop the rich re- 
sources of this region, and bring about the condi- 
tion that we see to-day. Among those brave and 
hard\' men is Hiram Wooden, who has been a resi- 
dent of this State since twenty years of age, and 
h.as ever been a promoter of intelligence and so- 
ciability. He was born in Saratoga County, N.Y., 
January 5, 1826, the son of Zaclias Wooden, and 
giandsonof Reuben Wooden, who was born either 
in Germany or Holland. The hitter's parents 
were Timothy and Annie Wooden. Reuben mai- 
rie Patience Sandeis and they became the parents 
of ten children. 

The grandfather of our subject came to this 
country when young and married a lady who was 
also of foreign birth, born in Wales. They settled 
in New York State, and there Mr. Wooden fol- 
lowed agricultural pursuits until his death. He 
lies buried in Saratoga County. He had one son, 
Tiniiilliy. a soldier in the Uevoliitionary War, 
wliii hail his leg broken while driviinj a wagon 



PORTRAIT AN!) I;I(;(;KA]MII( Ah UECORD. 



851 



londcr) with ammunition. The limb was ampu- 

lati'il uitli ;i conuuoii woodsaw, but lie died from 
till' etfecls of this extraordinary operation. Zachas 
Wooden was a soldier in tiie War of 1812. He 
married Miss Amy Teaeliout, who was also born in 
the I'.nipire Slate, and Ihe^- had eight children, six 
.suns anil one daughter, besides our subject. Tiie 
eldest cliild. Harriet, married Charles Smith in 
New York Slate, but subsequently' came to Michi- 
gan and died in Mason Township, Cass County, 
March I. I«8(i. She was the mother of four chil- 
dren, two of whom died in infancy. The others 
are: Martha, who married Theodore (iarvin and 
resides in JIason Township; and H. T., who went 
to Montana, whoro he resides at the present time. 
The brother next younger than our subject, John, 
was born .January 6, 1828, and died in Michigan 
.lime I, 18(){l. He was single. Abijah, born April 
.'i. 1830, clied without a family. Smith, born May 
1, 1832, married 3Iary Main, and is a retired far- 
mer. He lives in Cassopolis and has tiiree chil- 
dren, a son and two daughters. Cornelius, born 
Jlay 1, 1834, was a soldier in the Civil War and 
seived three years. He was with Sherman in his 
march to the sea and in a number of prominent 
engagements. lie was twice married, the last 
time to Miss Martha Winegartner, who bore him 
four children. He is novv a merchant in I'eloskey, 
!Mich. Timothy, born in 183G, entered the army 
in the Second .Michigan Cavalry, Company I,, and 
died in lleiiton Barracks, in St. Louis; and Charles, 
born in 1838, was accidentally shot and killed 
while hunting near Helena, Mont. 

The father of this family was a man of consid- 
erable means and in 1843 he came West to Michi- 
gan, [nirchasing a considerable tiact of land in 
Mason Township. This he divided among his 
live living children, giving each a good tract in 
his own right. He then returned to the Em- 
pire State and sent his children out to grow up 
with the countiT. Later he came West and made 
his home at Klkliarl, liid., where his wife died No- 
vember 27. 187(!. Fr(nn there he moved to Mason 
Townshii). this county, and i)assed away on the 
1st of April, 1881. His son, Hiram, the subject of 
this sketch, was but about twenty years of age 
when he came to .^Hchigall to take up the farm 



given him by his father, and he at once began 
making improvements. A log house was erected, 
but thoughts of the pleasant home in the Kast in- 
terfered with his bachelor life, and he was home- 
sick for some time. At length he made the ac- 
quaintance of Miss Martha C. Dils, and tlie3- were 
married on the 25th of September, 1850. This 
lady came originally from the Empire State. She 
w.as born in Cayuga County, October 7, 1833, and 
was the daughter of David and Catherine (Miller) 
Dils. 

Mr. Dils was born in New Jersey and was of 
Scotch descent. His wife died in New York State 
February 16, 1843. She was the daughter of John 
and Sarah (McCloud) Miller, both natives of the 
old Bay State and of Scotch-Welsh descent. Mrs. 
Wooden had one brother, Abiain J., who was born 
February 8, 1843, and who was but eight days old 
when his mother died. He is now a resident of 
Elkhart, Ind. During the Civil AVar he enlisted 
in 18G1 and served his country faithfully until the 
cessation of hostilities. Mrs. Wooden 's half-bro- 
ther, Myron E., was born in June, 1847, and mar- 
ried Miss Arabella Thomas. He died July lit, 
1880. Mrs. Wooden 's father was married the sec- 
ond lime, in 1844, to Miss Theresa Olmslead. 

After his marriage Mr. Wooden took his bride, 
who was but seventeen years of age, to his humble 
home in the forests of Michigan, and on this farm 
they lia\e toiled together for forty-three years. 
With his own hands he h.as cleared u|) two hun- 
dred acres of the heavily-timbered land, and she 
h.as ever contributed her share towards making the 
pleasant home they now enjoy. F^'or more than 
fort}' years they have been exemplary members of 
the Free-will Baptist Church and have done mucli 
towards assisting the cause of Christianity. For 
several years Jlr. Wooden has been a Deacon in 
the (!hurch and Mrs. Wooden has been Clerk of 
the Society. A life-long tem|)erance man, and now- 
well on toward his three-score years and ten, he can 
say what few, ver^- few, can do, that he was never 
intoxicated in his life an.d has always been a tem- 
perate man. In [)olilics he is a Republican but has 
never sought or cared for otlice. 

To .Mr. and Mrs. Wooden were born three chil- 
dren. i,oren E., born November 21, 1851, mar- 



852 



PORTRAIT AXD BIOGRAPmCAL RECORD 



ried Miss Elida Keel3', who bore him five children : 
an infant, who was born March 17, 1883, and died 
when but a few weeks old; Maud, born March 17, 
1884; Ethel, born February 16, 1886; Achsah,born 
in January, 1888: and .lay R., born .June 1.5, 
18yO, Amy C. the second child, born .luue 11, 
1855, lirst married .John 1*. Frazier, who died June 
4, 1880, leaving three children: Carl E,, born 
July 21, 1876; Myron Burton, born September 
15, 1878; and Zoa Belle, born November 21, 
1879. The eldest child, Carl E., was a boy pos- 
sessed of far more than average ability. F^arly 
in life he displayed a great liking for his books 
and could master anything he set his mind to. 
Although but fifteen years of age at the time of 
his death, he was read\' to graduate from the Al- 
len High School. After the death of her husband 
Mrs. Frazier married again, T. M. Southworth be- 
ing her second choice. Their nuptials were cele- 
brated -September 15, 1885, and they have two 
children, a son and daughter. Tiiey reside at Al- 
len, Mich. The voungest child born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Wooden, Achsah, first saw the light of day 
December 6, 1863, and died .January 9, 1880. 



-^ 




EORGE W. GARD. No worthy reference 
to the agricultural affairs of Cass County 
would be complete without mention of Mr. 
Gard, among others engaged in tilling the soil. 
Besides this he enjo3S to an unlimited extent the 
confidence and esteem of all who know him, and 
is one of the influential men of the county. 
Like many of the most active and enterprising res- 
idents of the community, he was born here, and is 
much more likely to succeed here than a stranger. 
His father. Milton J. Gard. is a prominent man of 
Volinia Township and has made his home here for 
many years. The maiden name of the mother of 
our subject was Olive Green, and she died when 
our subject was three years old. 

George W. Gard first saw the light in Volinia 
Township, his birth oi-curring April 4, 1848. and 
in that township he grew to manhood and re- 



ceived a district-school education. When twenty 

j:ears of age he branched out as an educator, 
and continued this occup-ition in his own dis- 
trict for nine years. Under his charge were about 
one hundred pupils in one district. Later, he 
taught in Districts No, 3 and 15, and continued 
his career as an educatoi for thirteen years. In 
1873 he purchased his farm, and carried this on 
in connection with teaching. 

Our subject's happ\' domestic career commenced 
on the 14th of November, 1872, when he was mar- 
ried to Miss Rachel Kirby. daughter of the Rev. 
John and Maiy (Rouse) Kirby, the father a na- 
tive of England and the mother of New York. 
Mr. "nd Mrs. Kirby still reside in this township 
and are the parents of seven living children, Jli-s. 
Gard being the sixth in order of birth. She was 
born on the 28th of October, 1851, in St, Joseph 
County, Mich., but was educated in Volinia Town- 
ship, she and her husband being schoolmates. Be- 
fore her marriage she taught school for some time. 

Mr. and Mrs. Gard are the parents of two in- 
teresting children: Olive K., now ten years of 
age; and Manly B., who is but a little chap of 
three \ears. Mr. Gard has shown his apprecia- 
tion of secret organizations by becoming a mem- 
ber of Volinia Lodge No. 227, A. F. A- A, M., of 
which he was Secretary for a long time. He was 
also Senior Deacon and Junior Warden. He is a 
member of the Anti-Horse Thief Association, of 
which he is Treasurer, and a member of the Farm- 
ers' Club, of which he has been Vice-President. 
He takes a deep interest in all educational mat- 
ters, and has been Director of District No. 4 for 
ten years. Active in i)olitics, he supports the 
policy and [ninciples of the Republican party and 
is often called to conveations. In 1872 lie served 
as Township Clerk, and h.is held the office of Jus- 
tice of the Peace for many years, being the pres- 
ent incumbent of that office. As long as the office 
of Township School .Superintendent was in vogue 
he held that position. He is now serving his first 
term as Supervisor, During 1889 and 1890 he 
was Secretary of the County .School Ex.nmining 
Board, and all the examining and visiting fell to 
his lot. He has also been Township Scliool In- 
spector of Viollnia. 



PORTllAIT s\yi) lUOUKAIMlK Al. KFX'ORD. 



853 



Jn IXh:> Jlr. tiaifl went to Dakota, and tliere 
kept books for liis iincle, Kli Gieen, for some 
time. No m(jri' mlliiential or successtul business 
man lias liis lioine in the county than Mr. Oard. 
He is known far and wide for integrity and fair 
deaiiMir, and enjoys tlic c-ontidence of all who 
know him. In addition to this, he is a farmer 
whose opinion on all matters |)ertaining to agri- 
eultuic earry with them great weight in the com- 
munity in wliich he lives. 'I'lie farm of eighty 
acres that he owns is in a tine state of cultiva- 
tion. 



^I^S©1^[1^1 



»l BKNKZKH IIAHKIS is one of the promi- 
nent and successful business men of (ialien 
and is the senior memberof the well-known 
firm of Iv Harris A' Son, dealers in dry-goods, gro- 
ceries, liools and shoes, furnishing goods and hats 
and caps. The superior reputation held by the 
members of the firm, and the promptness and ac- 
curacy with wliich the business is conducted, have 
contiibuted largely to the success now enjoyed by 
tlie enterprise. The stock is unsurpassed in qual- 
ity and includes a complete and varied .assortment. 
Thus managed with perfect system, and a reputa- 
tion surpassed l)y none, the firm has achieved a 
|)Osition of distinction among the leading and 
most prosperous of the great industries of 1*>errien 
County. 

The Harris family is of English origin, and its 
first representative in the United States was a Mr. 
Harris, who emigrated from England many years 
ago and settled in Rhode Island. His .son James 
was born and reared in that State, and there mar- 
ried a Miss Aldridge. Somewhat later he removed 
to \'erraont, where he settled in licniiington 
County and engaged in agricultural pursuits. He 
and his wife were the parents of eight children. 
Kseck being the youngest. He was born in Heii- 
nington Count}-. Vt., where he gained a common- 
school education and grew to a stalwart, vigorous 
manhood amid the dilHculties and privations of 
pioneer life. L'pon forming domestic ties, lie was 



united in marriage with .Miss Prudence, the daugh- 
ter of Ebenezer Pratt, who had removed to Ver- 
mont from Rhode Island. 

Locating after his marriage upon a farm in I?en- 
ningt(jn Township, l>ennington County, ^'t., Eseck 
Harris passed his life in an uneventful manner,amid 
the scenes endeared to him by all the associations of 
childhood and maturer years. He followed fanning 
pursuits uninterruptedly and was quite successful 
as a tiller of the soil, being a man of excellent 
ju<lgment and sound common sense. He and his 
wife had a family of eight children, of whom six 
attained maturity and .-ire now living. Of this 
number, the readers' attention is invited to the 
seventh in order of birth, the subject of this 
sketch, who was born in Henniiigton County. Vt., 
on the l-2th of March, 18;59. Passing his youth- 
ful days in the (ireeii Mountain State, he there 
availed himself of such educational advantages as 
were offered, and through study and observation 
I became a well-informed man. 

At the age of eighteen, Mr. Harris came to 
iSIichigan and located in (ialien Township, Berrien 
County, where he embarked in farming pursuits. 
About the same time he was married to Miss 
Lois, daughter of Pardon Yaw, a native of Ver- 
I mont. Nothing occurred to interrupt the peaceful 
tenor of his life until the war cloud darkened the 
Nation and the lirst shot lired on Ft. Sumter 
echoed around the world. His i)atriotic spirit 
aroused, Mr. Harris offered his services in his 
country's defense, and on the 'i'id of October, 
18(11, his name w.as enrolled as a member of Com- 
pany E, Twelfth Michigan Infantry. He [i.-irtici- 
pated in the tierce engagement at Sliiloh, after 
which he w.as assigned to hospital duty, and later 
went to Detroit. Upon .again being ordered to 
the front, he took part in the battle of Ilalchee 
Bridge and was then detailed to the Ambulance 
Corps. After an honorable military career, cover- 
ing a period of four years or more, he was houor- 
.ably discharged at Camden, .Vrk. 

ri)on returning to fialien, Mr. Harris shortly 
afterward embarked in the general mercantile bus- 
iness, forming a partnership with (ieorge Partridge, 
and continuing in this connccticm for about three 
yeafs. After dissolving that partnership, he con- 



854 



PORTRAIT AND BI0(;RAPH1CAL RECORD 



ducted the business alone until 1892, when his son, 
Clyde II., entered the firm. They now conduct a 
flourishing trade, not only with the people of Gal- 
ien, but also with the farmers of the surrounding 
country. In addition to his business interests, 
Mr. Harris devotes considerable attention to tlie 
management of his two farms, located in Galien 
Township, one in Galien Centre and the other one 
and one-iialf miles west, and comprising eighty 
and forty acres, respectively. This land is under 
excellent cultivation, and special attention is 
also given to stock-raising. 

After the death of his first wife, Mr. Harris mar- 
ried Miss Clara, daughter of George Parrish, tlieir 
union being celebrated in 1886. Of the first 
marriage six children were born, four of wiunii 
died in childhood. The others are: Liilie May, 
wife of Frank Prince, a resident of Berlamont, Van 
Buien County, jMich.; and Clyde II. In his polit- 
ical atfili.ations Mr. Harris adheres to the principles 
of the Republican party, and has been the recipi- 
ent of numerous official honors at the hands of iiis 
fellow-citizens. For about foui- years he served as 
Township Treasurer and Clerk, and for two years 
he has been a member of tiie Village Board. So- 
cially, he is identified with the Independent Order 
of Odd Fellows and the Grand Ami}' of the Re- 
public. 



^^EORGE W. MURWIK. It matters little 
III ^—-, whiit a man selects .as his life occupation, so 
^V^j] long .as it is honorable. If he is honest, 
upright and courteous in his intercourse with 
other men, and possessed of energy, determination 
and perseverance, he is bound to make a success of 
his calling. This i)art of Michigan has proved a 
mine of wealtli to thousands of industrious and 
earnest farmers. They have come hither from tlie 
East and from foreign countries, and by dint of 
haul work have developed the resources which 
nature so liberally provided. Among these is 
George W. ^Iurwin,wlio is now one of the success- 
ful farmers of Uoyalton Township. 



Like many of the first-class citizens of the 
count}-, Mr. Murwin is a native of New York, born 
in Tompkins Township, Delaware County, August 

6, 1829, and is the son of Epaphras and Rebecca 
Bennet Murwin. The father was also born in the 
Empire Slate, May 24, 1797, and was a soldier of 
the War of 1812. He was drawing a pension at 
the time of his death. In .luly, 1837, he left his 
native .State and made a journe^' to Ohio, settling 
in Ashtabula County, where he made his home 
until 1864. From there he moved to Berrien 
County, Mich., in the fall of the last-named year, 
and died in Ro>'alton Township on the 11th of 
October. 1872. His marriage occurred Februaiy, 
17, 1827, in Tompkins Township, Delaware Count}-, 
N. Y. His wife was born in Delaware County, 
N. Y., December 18, 1805, and died in Royalton 
Township, this county, February 11,1873. They 
were the parents of one child besides our subject, 
a daughter named Sally .lane, who was born March 

7, 1833. and died June 18, 1851, in .Say brook, Ohio. 
Tlie scholastic training of our subject was re- 
ceived in the common schools, and he remained 
with his father, .assisting with the farm work, until 
twenty-six years of age. Tliis farm was at Say- 
brook, Ohio, and the most of it was paid for by 
the labor of our subject. The latter w.as married 
in Ohio, February 6, 1855, to Miss Weltha A. Con- 
verse, a native of Bainbridge, Ohio, who was 
born on August 1. 1836. She was the daughter 
of David Converse, who was a native \"ermonter. 
born in Rutland March 3. 1804. The mother of 
Mrs. Murwin was formerly Miss Harmon}- Bell, who 
was a native of the old Ba}' State, horn M.ay 26, 
1X14. 

To our subject have been born the following 
children: Elsie B.. wife of C4eorge Culvern, who 
resides in Valparaiso. Ind.; Milford J.; Frankie B., 
deceased; .Sally .lennie, wife of Alonzo Smith, who 
resides in New Troy, this county; Bertha, at home; 
Flora, deceased; Gracie, deceased; and Hariiet, 
at home. Mr. Murwin has been .lustice of the 
Peace of Ro\a!ton Township for about twenty 
years and is holding that position at the present 
time. He cast his first Presidential vote for Frank- 
lin I'ierce. In politics he was a Democrat until 
after 1880. and in 1«84 he voted for St. John, the 




--^^^v 



J 






PORTRAIT AND niCXiRAPIIICAL RECORD. 



857 



Prohibition candidiite. He is n stionsr temperance 
iniui. He and Mis. Miu'wiii are members of the 
Second Advent Church and have hehl membersliip 
ill the same for thirty years and are well liked in 
tlie c-ommuiiily. 

."Ml. IMurwin came to Herrien County, Midi., 
.\|iri! 22, 1863, and located on his present farm, 
which then consisted of one hundred and fifty- 
three aci'CS, fifteen acres being under cultivntion. 
'I'his farm is located six miles southeast of St. 
.Idscph and four miles south of Benton Harbor, 
and the most of it Mr. Murwin cleared with his own 
hands. He has given his children all but one hun- 
dred and three .acres. Mr. Murwin is a member of 
the Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company. 
I If is ri man of education and a liberal promoter 
of all laudable entcrjirises. For tiie past four 
years ho has been engaged in the milk business, 
selling in St. .losepli. 



ON. HENRY B. WELLS. There is in the 
devek)pmcnt of every successful life a 
principle wiiich is a lesson to every man — 

y a lesson leading to higher and more honor- 
able positions than the ordinary. Let a man be 
ambitious and honorable and he will rise, w^hether 
having the prestige of family or the obscurity of 
poverty. These rellections are called forth bj' a 
study of the life of Hon. Henry B. Wells, one of 
the most extensive farmers of his .section. Like 
many of the representative citizens of tiie county, 
he is a native of the Empire State, born in Otsego 
(ouiily, F'ebruary 4, 1830. His iiarents, Werden 
and .lulia (Baker) Wells, were natives of Rhode 
Island and New York, respectively, and his pater- 
nal grandfather, .Tosluia Wells, was also a native 
of Rhode Island. The latter's brother, William 
Wells, who was a Revolutionary soldier, was shot 
in the head and had the sight of both eyes de- 
stroyed. Our subject's maternal grandfather was 
a native of New York -State and a farmer by oc- 
cupation. 

Werden Wells was a int'chanic by lra<U'. After 



reaching mature 5'ears lie was married to Miss Ba- 
ker, their nuptials being solemnized in New York 
State. For some time after their marriage this 
young couple resided in Otsego County, N. Y., 
hut in 1835 they moved to Michigan and settled 
in Charleston Township, Kalamazoo County, on 
one of the wildest farms in the region. There 
they made a permanent home and passed the clos- 
ing scenes of their lives, the mother dying in 1845, 
and the father in 1890. After the death of his 
wife, Mr. Wells married Miss Eliplia Filkins, who 
resides in Kalamazoo County. To his first union 
nine children were born, six surviving at the pres- 
ent time: R. •!., H. B.. Homer, Werden, .Ir., Morrill 
and Almond II. The second union resulted in the 
birth of two children: Mattie and Perry. Mr. 
Wells was a consistent member of the Methodist 
Fipiscopal Church and in his religious faith and 
practice had the close sympatln- of his first wife, 
who belonged to the same society. In politics he 
was a Whig until the defeat of Henry Clay, when 
he became an Abolitionist and on the formation of 
the Republican party joined its ranks. 

The early education of our subject was received 
in the log schoolliouse in Kalamazoo County, 
Mich., and when fourteen years of age he left 
home to live with a Mr. Tubbs until his twenty- 
first birthday. However, he did not remain with 
the latter that long, but when eighteen years of 
age came to Cass County, where he assisted in 
building the Michigan Central Railroad for some 
time. The three years following he worked for 
John S. Gage and then for two 3ears was conductor 
on the ■Michigan Central. Later he was engaged 
in liuilding a sliip canal, and after tinisliing that 
he leturned to the road, on which he remained 
three years. He was then Inspector of wood and 
timber for three 3-ears, after which became to Cass 
County and settled on his present farm. 

In 18t)() he removed to Dowagiac, engaged in 
merchandising, and after continuing this for three 
j'ears sold out, and for three ^-ears was in the pro- 
duce business in that place. Later he moved back 
to the farm, but only remained on this two years, 
when he again returned to Dowagiac and was en- 
gaged in his former business for two years. Not 
being satisfied, he letiinied to the farm, on whicli 



n 



858 



PORTRAIT A^D mOGRAI HICAL RECORD. 



lie has since remained. In the 3'ear 1854 lie was 
married to Miss Phipbe C'arr, a daughter of Caiy 
and Kliza (Heazlit) Carr, both natives of Nevv 
York State, the father born in 1801, and the mo- 
ther in 1805. Mr. C'arr and wife came to Michi- 
gan in 1849, settling in Wavne Township, Cass 
County, where they passed the remainder of their 
days, the fatlier dying May 3, 1875, and the mo- 
ther April 29, 1883. Only one child besides Mrs. 
Wells is now living, Robert H., who makes his 
home ill Minnesota. Mrs. Carr was a consistent 
member of the Congregational Church. 

Mrs. Wells was born in Yates County, N. Y., 
October 19, 1837, and received her education in 
the log schoolhouse of those days. The marriage 
of Mr. and Mrs. Wells resulted in the birth of Ave 
children, two of whom are living. Alice M., wife 
of II. B. Tuthill, resides in Michigan Cit3'; and 
Elbert C. married Miss Lottie Andrews, and 
also resides in Michigan City. Both children are 
well educated. Mr. and Mrs. Wells are members 
of the Congregational Church at Dowagiac and 
contribute freely of their means to its support. 
Formerly Mr. Wells was a Mason. In politics he 
was at one time a Whig, but upon the formation 
of the Republican party advocated its principles 
and has voted with that party ever since and is 
now a member of the County Republican Com- 
mittee. His fathei also took an active part in 
polities. 

Our subject was Township Ti-easurer in 1859, 
and Supervisor in 18G0, holding that position six 
years in succession. In 1866 he was elected to 
the Legislature and lield that position until 1868, 
taking sides against the general railroad law. He 
served as chairman on several committees. In 
1880 he was again made Township Supervisor. He 
IS often called upon to act as administrator of es- 
tates and guardian of minors. During the admin- 
istration of Gen. Grant he was Postmaster at 
Dowagiac. An enthusiastic supporter of public 
enterprises, he is never the one to hold back when 
assistance is required. He has been a member of 
the School Board and is interested in all school 
work. 

Mr. Wells is the owner of two hundred and 
forty .lores of improved land, and is widely known 



for his success as a tiller of the soil. He was 
President of the Cass County Mutual Insurance 
Companj' for twelve years, for two years was 
Treasurer, four years Director, and assisted in or- 
ganizing it. He .assisted in building the elevator 
at Dowagiac. During the Civil War he was Re- 
cruiting Olficei- for Wayne Township and always 
filled the ([uota for the township. He made twcj 
trips to the South in the recruiting business. 



':^ 



<j^ W. SANDKWS, Cashier of the Fii>t Xa- 
L^ tional Bank at Buchanan, was born in 
J' — --^ .luniata County, Pa., February G, 1845. 
He is a descendant of English ancestors, and his 
grandfather was born, it is supposed, in that 
country. Richard Sanders, father of our subject, 
was born in Maryland, and from ten years of age 
was reared in Pennsylvania, vvhere he still resides. 
His trade is that of a millwright and boat-builder. 
The mother of our subject, whose maiden name 
was Leah Whistler, was born in Pennsylvania, and 
traced her lineage to (ierraan\'. Her parents 
dying when she was a small child, she was reared 
by strangers. 

The parental famil\' consisted of six cliildicii, 
our subject being the eldest. The second child 
died in infancy. The others are: Richard, who 
resides in Penns.ylvani,i; Mary and John, who died 
at the ages of seventeen and nineteen j'ears respec- 
tively; and Clara, who was called hence at the .-ige 
of two j'ears. Our subject was reared in Penn- 
sylvania, where he attended the common schools 
of .luniata Count3' and also carried on his studies 
in Freeburg Academy for six w'eeks. He was 
only ten years old when he began to earn his live- 
lihood, his first occupation being that of driver on 
the towpath on the Pennsylvania Canal. At the 
age of nineteen he secured a situation as clerk in 
a general store at Mt. Pleasant Mills, and occupied 
clerical positions in different establishments for 
eleven years. 

Coming to Berrien County, Mich . in 1877. Jlr. 
Sanders was employed for tUi; two foUowmg years 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RFXORlJ. 



859 



mi a farm belonging to Joliii M. Rough. In 1879 
he went to Dayton, Mii-li., and engaged as a clerk 
in a gencnil store, where he remained for eigiit 
years, lie accepted tiie position of traveling 
salesman for John .V. Tolman, wholesale grocer of 
Chicago, in 1889, and remained in his employ for 
fourteen years, traveling through .Michigan and 
northern Indiana. In his travels his attention 
was especially called to the favorable opportunities 
offered by the thriving village of lUichanan as a 
place of residence, and hence, in 1881 , he located 
here. In 1888, he, with others, organized the 
First .National Bank, of which he was first Vice- 
I'resident and is now Cashier, lie is eminently 
i|ualitied for the discharge of the duties connected 
with his position, possessing a keen insight, shrcvvd 
business judgment and .sound common-sense. 

On the 19th of November, 1872, ficcurred the 
marriage of E. VV. .Sanders to Miss Louisa Rough, 
the daughter of .Samuel and Margaret Rough. 
Two children have blessed this union: Frank R. 
anil llettie R. Politicall}-, Mr. .Sanders is a Dem- 
ocrat and has served in various positions of trust, 
to which he was elected on the ticket of that |)arty. 
He is a member of the Village Council and he is 
serving on the Board of School Directors. Me 
is a member of the Masonic fraternity, being con- 
nected with Buchanan Lodge No. 68. He also be- 
longs to Dayton Lodge, I. O. (). F. 



'OSEPH BRAMHALL, a prominent farmer 
of Berrien (,'ounty. Mich., has made his 
home upon section 19, (ialien Township, 
for thirty-three years, and during this 
length of time has been a constant resident of his 
homestead, with the exception of his term of ser- 
vice in the late Civil War. Mr. liramhall w.as 
born in Bradford County, Pa., April 15, 1838. 
His parents were Moses and Sallie .lane Bramhall. 
The father of our subject was bound out to learn 
the carpenter's trade, and, serving a long aiiiiren- 
liceshi)), became an adept in handling the tools of 
his craft. He found his trade most iirotitable 



throughout his life, being a practical builder and 
contractor. An energetic and industrious man, of 
excellent business ability, he prospered and am.assod 
a comfortable competence. He owned a valuable 
homestead of two hundred acres and aside from 
his trade successfully entered into agricultural 
pursuits. The parents were united in marriage in 
Wyoming County, Pa., and milo them were born 
ten children. 

The eldest-born, (ieorge R., resides in Chicago; 
Pollie A. married .loseph N'anaukcn, and makes 
her home in tluHJuaker .State; the next is John; 
Charles \. died in earlv childhood; Kellogg is 
in Pennsylv.iiii.-i; .lolin .1. is a business man of 
Chicago; Mark was in New Orleans at the time 
of the Civil War. and has since never been heard 
from: Joseph is our subject; Martin is a citizen 
of La Porte. Ind.; and Nathan U. is deceased. In 
political affiliation, the father was a Whig, and 
always took an intelligent interest in National 
affairs. He survived until Februai-y, 1864, but his 
excellent wife passed away April 26, 18,5L At 
twelve years of age our subject began to make his 
own way in the world, hiring out as a farm hand. 
Passing his early 3-outh in a round of agricultural 
toil, he arrived at seventeen years of age, and then 
learned the carpenter's trade, to which he gave 
his attention up to two yeai> ago. He began 
his business as a carpenter in Pennsylvania, but 
in 1860 located in P>errieii County. Mich., and 
purchased lift_>-three acres of land where he now 
lives. At present he has but twenty-live acres in 
Berrien County. 

Mr. Bramhall was married in 1861 to Miss Ma- 
linda Shedd, daughter of Sylvester and Sallie 
(King) Shedd. Mrs. Bramhall was born in New 
York in 1827; her parents were also natives of the 
Empire State. Five children blessed the home: 
Josie, wife of Hall Ryther; Nathan; Harry, who 
died at two years of age; Mary; and Harry II., 
who is also deceased, his injuries from a bucking 
pony resulting in death. Our subject, answering 
to the call of the (ioveraiment, enlisted in 1864 in 
Company E, Twelfth Michigan Regiment, under 
the Army of the West, and served until 1865. 
Constantly surrounded by dangers, he was never 
wounded, and escaped caplnie and the priscui pen. 



860 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Tlie war having ended, he was discharged at Little 
Rock, Ark., and honorably mustered out of the 
service. Mr. Bramhall casts his vote with the Re- 
publican party and gives active aid in all matters 
of local progress and reform. A man of clear 
judgment and upright principles, he is one of the 
substantial citizens of Berrien County, and com- 
mands the respect of friends and neighbors. 



'^r—^ 



/^ HARI.ES H. (tODFRKY, owner of tiie God- 
|l( ^L frey Canning Factory at Benton Harbor, 
^^^ is a native of the State in whicli lie resides 
and was born in .Jackson County October 12, 1845. 
His father, George P. Godfrey, was born in New 
York, of Scotch descent, and in 1840 removed to 
Michigan, locating in Jackson County during the 
early period of its history. Thenceforth he was 
identified with the progress of that county, an in- 
terested witness of its growth and an active con- 
tributor to its development. He and his wife are 
now living at Springport. Jackson County, retired 
from tlie affairs of active life. 

In a somewhat uneventful manner the subject 
of this sketch passed his l)oyliood years in Jackson 
County, where he gained a practical education in 
the common schools. He was a lad in his teens 
when tiie war cloud began to hover darkly over the 
countiy and the storm of conflict burst upon the 
peoijle. With all the ardor of youth and of in- 
tense loyalty* to the Union, he enlisted, when less 
than twent\' 3ears of age, becoming a member of 
Compan}' A, First Regiment of Engineers and 
Mechanics. ^Vith his regiment he marched to the 
front and was engaged in destroying railroads, 
bridges, and otherwise impeding the enemy's 
progress. Among the engagements in which he 
was an active participant may be mentioned those 
at Bentonville and Savannah. After the war was 
brought to a close and pence once more reigned 
throughout the land, he was mustered out of the 
service and returned to Michigan in October, 
186.5. 

After engaging for part of a year as a farmer in 



1 Jackson County, Mr. Godfrey removed to Shel- 
bina, Shelby County. Mo., in 1866, and there fol- 
lowed agricultural pursuits. Later he followed 
the same occupation for four years in Livingston 
County, Mo., but not desiring to remain longer in 
that State he returned to his former home in Jack- 
son County, where he engaged in farming for two 
years. In the spring of 1872 he came to Berrien 
County and settled on a farm near the village of 
Benton Harbor, where he conducted agricultural 
pursuits until 1885. Removing during that year 
to Benton Harbor, he established a cider mill, and 
evaporating and canning factor}-. The factory 
does a good business and has filled a want long 
felt in this locality. 

Ml'. Godfrey conducts an extensive business in 
the evai)oratioii of apples and small berries, which 
he ships principally to Chicago. He makes a 
specialty of canning corn, tomatoes and berries, 
and his canned fruit hag ,1 reputation throughout 
the entire country for the universal excellence of 
quality by which it is characterized. Adjacent to 
Benton Harbor lie owns a linely-iinproved fruit 
farm, on which he raises pears and raspberries, and 
such is the success with which his etforts have been 
crowned that during the season of 18;t2 he shijiped 
two thousand cases of raspberries. 

As a public-siiirited citizen, Mr. Godfrey gives 
due consideration to the puplic issues of the daj"^ 
and possesses decided opinions upon topics of gen- 
eral importance. A strong believer in protection 
for home industries, he naturally atliliates with 
the Republican party and is one of the influential 
men in that political organization. Socially, he is 
identified with George H. Thomas Post No. 14, (i. 
A. R. He owns and occupies a comfortable and 
attractive residence al No. 14!l Bruiison Avenue, 
and, being a man of domestic tastes, finds in his 
home the greatest happiness of his life. Mis mar- 
riage took place in ]March, 1866, and united him 
with Miss Mary Wilkin.son, a native of New York. 
Her parents, Amasa C. and Anna (Jenks) Wilkin- 
son, were natives of Rhode Island. The former 
died in 1849, and the death of the latter occurred 
during the same year. The Wilkinson famil\' 
originated in Englan<l and its first representatives 
in A'ncricu accompaiiu-cl the f.-unou-?. Roger Will- 



PORTRAIT AND RIOGRAPinCAL RECORD. 



861 



iams to tbe United States, settling at the head of 

Niirragansett Hay. Mr. ;iiul Mrs. Godfrey are tlie 
jiareiits of tliroo daiiulilors :iiiil one son. Matlie N. 
May .^r.. Willard A. and Minta K. 



' ON A'l'llAX IIARTSKM,, a practical general 
agricnlturist and successful stock-raiser, and 
a native of INIicliigan, lias been associated 
_ with the growth and history of the Stale 
for more than a half-century. lioin in Cass 
County. November 11. 1X36, he was the son of 
.lunathan and F>etsey (Muffley) Ilartsell, pioneei- 
settlers of the county. 'IMie parents were both na- 
tives of Ohio and, reared in the homes of theii- 
childhood, had attended the primitive schools of 
their birthplace and, attaining to mature age, mar- 
ried. They remained for some time longer amid 
the familiar .scenes of their childhood and then 
decided to emigrate to the State of Indiana. They 
liiially made their home in Cass County, Mich., 
where the father bought one hundred and sixty 
acres of land in the dense woods. A man of en- 
ergetic industr\-,lie resolutely set himself to work, 
and aided by his elder sons cleared the fertile 
acies, which he afterward brought up to a liigh 
state of cultivation and imi>roved with a good 
dwelling, barns and sheds. The father, who was 
born ill IKdl, survived to reach seventy-three 
years of age and, respected by all who knew him, 
passed away upon the old homestead in the year 
1S77. 

The llartsells were of direct German descent 
and from their sturdy ancestry received the bequest 
ol" thrifty and industrious habits, which assisted 
them to successfully make their way in life. The 
mother survived her husband and died in 18b7. 
A pioneer woman, facing the privations and self- 
sacrilices of frontier life with courage and resolu- 
tion, she welcomed to her heart and home sixteen 
children, to whose care and training she unweari- 
edly devoted herself, aiding tliem and stimulating 
them to effort. The little primitive subscription 
schools were for long the only educational op- 



portunities offered her elder children, but at the 
time when Jonathan had arrived at an age to at- 
tend school the facilities for instruction had much 
improved and the district schools offered to all'a 
good common education. Our subject was the 
tenth child of the family and spent the days of 
boyhood upon the Cass County homestead. While 
yet a young lad he was thoroughly drilled in the 
various work of daily farming lab(u- and, growing 
u[> a self-reliant youth, vvas practically fitted by 
habits of observation and experience to make his 
way successfully in life. 

When about twenty-three years of age Jonathan 
Hartsell was united in marriage with Miss Laura 
Harger. The union was blessed by the birth of 
one child, Florence, now the wife of Lester Kemp- 
ton, a native of the county of ISerrien and a pros- 
perous merchant of (ilendora. Our subject first 
made his home in Berrien County in 1874, then 
locating in Berrien S|)rings. Me not long after 
removed to Weesaw Township and settled upon 
the valuable farm of eighty acres, all under a high 
stale of cultivation, well improved with substantial 
and commodious buildings and pleasantly situated 
about a half-mile from (Jlendoia. Mr. Harts.ell 
cast his first Presidential vote for Stephen A. 
Douglas, and, although never anxious for i)olitical 
ofliee, takes an abiding interest in both local and 
national issues of the day. A man of intelligence 
and earnest purpose, he is identified with the pro- 
gressive interests of his home locality and is es- 
teemed by the entire community as a self-respect- 
ing and upright citizen of sterling integrity. 



-« — 



)EV. CLEMKNT .S. LE.STKIJ. pastor of the 
First Baptist Church of Benton Harbor, was 
•i \V born in Lenawee County, Mich., on the 
^^ 18th of March, 1860. He is the son of 
one of the pioneers of Michigan, Lewis G. Lester, 
a native of New York, who settled in St. Joseph, 
this Slate, in 1810, and followed farming opera- 
tions there for a period of nineteen years. In 



862 



PORTRAIT AND EIOGRAPfflCAL RECORD. 



1859 he removed to Lenawee County, where he 
has since resided. Tlie Lester ancestors were Eng- 
lisli people and, emigrating to America, settled on 
Long Lsland, where John Lester, the paternal 
grandfather of our subject, was born. The mother 
of our subject was Harriet, the daughter of Enos 
Scofield, a native of Seneca, N. Y. The maternal 
grandmother of our subject was in maidenhood a 
Miss Talmage and was a cousin of the father of 
the famoiLS divine, T. DeWitt Talmage. 

The best educational opportunities were be- 
stowed upon the subject of this notice, who was 
prepared for college at Raisin Valley .Seminary, lo- 
cated near Adrian, Mich. At the age of twenty- 
two years, he entered Kalamazoo College, at Kala- 
mazoo, Mich., and was graduated from that insti- 
tution with the Class of '85, having completed 
the studies of the classical course. Early in his 
boyhood he had become a Christian, and it was his 
lofty ambition to become a minister of the Gospel. 
For this profession he was peculiarly adapted, both 
by nature and training, and it was a source of 
gratitication to his friends when he was ordained 
to the ministry at St. Louis, Mich., August 4, 1886. 

At once after ordination, Rev. Mr. Lester as- 
sumed the pastorate of the First Baptist Church of 
St. Louis, Mich., where he remained until 1888, 
meanwhile building up the church at that place 
and increasing its usefulness in the vicinit3'. 
Thence he came to Benton Harbor, and has since 
that time been pastor of the First Baptist Church. 
His labors here have been crowned with great suc- 
cess. Tlie church has prospered and increased in 
numbers under his pastorate, and now has a mem- 
bership of three hundred and nine, having had 
one hundred and seventy additions during his pas- 
torate of five years A new pipe organ, costing 
$2,000, has been placed in the church, other ex- 
pensive repairs have been made, and a parsonage 
fund amounting to $3,000 has been accumulated. 

Such facts as these, without further comment, 
prove the possession of unusual abilities on Mr. 
I^ester's part. He is a fine illustration of the com- 
bination of Christian uprightness and business 
capabilities, and while of course his success as a 
pastor is principally due to the former, yet the 
latter has been by no means an unimportant factor 



in securing the gratifj'ing results. He is rever- 
enced and loved by young and old in the church 
where his counsels are heard, and is also highly 
regarded by the people of Benton Harbor, irre- 
spective of denominational preferences. He has 
served as one of the Directors in the Baptist State 
Convention and is well known by the Baptists 
throughout the State. 

November 18, 1885, occurred the marriage of 
Rev. Mr. Tjcster to Miss Frances, daughter of 
Francis M. Matteson, a native of New York, but a 
long-time resident of Lansing, Mich. This union 
has proved a most happv and congenial one, and 
has been blessed by the birth of one daughter, 
Lucile. The parsonage is located at No. 101 
Broadway, and is a cozily furnished and attractive 
abode, where Mrs. Lester welcomes her friends 
with a charming hospitality. The social position 
occupied by the family is one of distinction, and 
they are very popular among the people of the 
village. 



=JW- 



1 



ACOB OEBHARD. The prudent ways and 
careful methods of the Teutonic farmer 
are conspicuous in La Grange Township, 
where so many representatives of the Ger- 
man race have settled in order that they may en- 
joy broader opportunities in every direction. 
The gentleman whose name is placed at the head 
of this sketch, and who resides on section 7, is 
one of the manv whose efforts have made this lo- 
cality so distinctly productive and beautllul. He 
was born on the Rivei- Rhine, in German^', in 1820, 
and there remained and received a fair education 
until a young man. About this time many were 
emigrating to the United States, and young Geb- 
hard decided to cross the ocean too. Upon reach- 
ing the "land of the free and the home of the 
brave," he was without means, and all he had to 
assist him in tlie struggle for a livelihood was a 
pair of willing hands and any amount of pluck 
.and energy. 

A few years later he had accumulated consider- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



863 



:il)li' means, and deciding tliat it wii.s not yood fi>r 
mail to live alone he was mairic-d. Still later 
lie emigrated Westward and located in Cass Coun- 
ty. Slieli.. where lie was one of the jiioiieeis of La 
(Jiangc 'rownship. in that township all his cliil- 
<hen were born and educated. Although Mr. 
(lebhard speaks the German language in his family, 
his children have received good educational .ad- 
vantages in the English .schools, and are bright 
and intelligent, more so than the avcage. The 
farm upon which he settled on coining to this 
township was wild and unimproved, but he had 
inheiited all the push and energy of his ancestors, 
and went actively to work to make it the attrac- 
tive place it now is. The iiH»t of it is under cul- 
tivation and the buildings on it are comfortable 
and commodious. Everything about the place in- 
dicates the owner to be a iiiaii of progressive ideas 
and tendencies and one of great industry. All his 
jiropertv is the result of his own exertions, and lie 
deserve> great credit for his jierseverance. 



^^ 



E^^-' 



^Tj^sLMOUK F. I.KWIS. One of the most usc- 
11^ fill houses for the accoiiimodation of visi- 
'1^^ — ^ tors, etc., is one where you can be housed 
and fed with the best the market supplies, and 
where you feel |jeifectly at home. Such an hotel 
is the N'andali.i, conducted by the genial and most 
agreeable proprietor, Elmore E. Lewis, who is also 
classed among the |)romiiient and substantial tillcis 
of the soil in Peiiii Township. 

Mr. Lewis is a product of Cass County. Mich., 
bom in Newburg Township November l.s. 1847, 
and is a son of .loiiathaii W. and Emma (Fer- 
guson) Lewis, both natives of the Empire .State. 
About IXJd .lonathan Lewis emigrated to Cass 
County, .Mich., and actively engaged in working 
the soil of Newlnirg Township. He was an iiidus- 
ti ions, hard-working man. and one who was highlv 
respected for his ii prig lit. honorable conduct. He 
lii'came the owner of a line fiirm. ;uii| on this he 
and his worthy companion passed the closing 
scenes of their lives, he dviiiij in IHIil. Thev were 



the parents of five sons and one daughter, all of 
whom reached mature years. Three of the sons' 
served in the Civil War, and Francis S. and .James 
H. Lewis, the two eldest, lost their lives at the 
battle of Stone River. 

Our subject, the third in order of birth of these 
children, grew to manhood in his native county, 
and, with the exception of one year spent in Da- 
kota, has made his home here ever since. In this 
county he received his scholastic training, and 
hen: he received those lessons of frugality and in- 
dustry that made his father so well known in this 
section. On the ttli of December, 1868, he was 
united in marriage with Miss Narcissis T. Pein- 
berlon, daughter of Reason S. and Margaret (Miller) 
Peraberton, the former a native of Wayne Coun- 
ty, Ind., born Murch ■23,18-24, and the latter of 
(Termany. 

j\lr. Peinbertoii and his wife celebrated their 
nuptials in Henry County, Ind., May 3, 1840, and 
two years later moved to Cass County, Mich., 
where the father has since resided. He finds a 
comfortable and pleasant home with his son-in- 
law, our subject, and is a man esteemed and re- 
spected by all. His wife passed over to the silent 
majority on the 14th of December, 1885. Twelve 
children were born to this most estimable couple, 
eight of whom grew to mature years and became 
the heads of families. 

In April, 18S)"2, Mr. Lewis was elected Super- 
visor of Penn Township by the Republican party, 
of which he is an ardent suiiporter, and he is 
now the incumbent of lliat position. He dis- 
charges the duties incumbimt upon this position 
in a very satisfactor\' manner, and is a capable 
and ctlicient man for the position. He has ever 
advocated the principles of the Republican party, 
and his first Presidential vote was cast for Gen. 
Grant. In .lune, 18(!1, he eiili-ited in Company 
H, Nineteenth Michigan Infantry, and served one 
\ear. He was in the .Mlanta campaign with Sher- 
man, and served his country faithfully and well. 
He participated in the battle of lienlonville and 
numerous skirmishes, but was never wounded. The 
hard service was too iniii-h for him. however, and he 
has never lieeii as well since. In connection with 
the hotel business he is also engaged in farming, 



864 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and has a good home of eighty acres located two 
and a-half miles northeast of Vandalia, and forty 
acres located two and a-half miles northeast of 
Decatur. Mr. Lewis is a member of the t4rand 
Arm3- of the Republic, and both he and his wife 
iiold membership in the Disciples Church. The\' 
liave had four children, onlv two now living. 



■^-i^l<^-^ 



WILLIAM rilCKS, a general agriculturist 
and leading citizen of Benton Township, 
Berrien County, is the descendant of a 
long line of energetic ancestry, who, industriously 
devoting tliemselves to the culture of the soil, 
steadily' won their way up to positions of honored 
usefulness and influence. The worthy parents of 
Mr. Hicks were of English nativity, and were 
reared and educated in the (Queen's dominions. 
Soon after crossing the broad Atlantic to the land 
of promise, America, William Hicks and Mary 
Hallock were married and made their home at first 
in New York, settling in Ontario County, where, 
in 1849, tlieir eldest child, our subject, named in 
honor of his father, was born. William Hicks was 
but a lad when liis parents emigrated from the 
Empire State to the farther AVest. Journeying to 
Michigan, they leraained in Hillsdale Count}-, lo- 
cating upon a farm. The father, 3"et surviving 
and the owner of a valuable homestead in Hills- 
dale County, is numljered among the early settlers 
of that part of the Stale, and now in tiie evening 
of his age enjoys tlie high regard of his old 
friends and neighbors. The prosperous home of 
the parents was blessed with tlie jiresence of six 
children, two daughters and four sons. 

William was the tirst-born in the parental fam- 
ily; Emiline is the wife of Spencer Calkins, of Or- 
egon; David is a prominent farmer of Hillsdale 
Count}'; Thomas, also a successful agriculturist, 
resides in Hillsdale Count}'; George is a well- 
known tiller of the soil in Berrien County; and 
Libbie is the wife of Tliom.as Benge, of Hillsdale 
County. Growing uji amid the associations of 
their youtli. the brothers and sisters have all 



become frugal, self-reliant and industrious citi- 
zens, and not one in the family ever indulges in 
the use of liquor or tobacco. 

Our subject was from his early childhood trained 
in the daily round of farming duties and readily 
acquired a thorough and practical knowledge of 
agriculture. During his boyhood he assisted his 
father upon the old homestead and also received 
instruction in the district schools, but, a man of 
quick discernment and keen observation, has since 
added largely to his stock of knowledge and is 
mainly self-educated. When only nineteen years 
of age he ambitiously began life for himself, and 
worked out by the month steadily for nine years. 
At the expiration of this time Mr. Hicks had, by 
hard work and self-denial, gradually accumulated 
a modest capital for future careful investment. 

When about twenty-eight years of age Mr. 
Hicks was united in marriage with Mi.ss Hattie 
Crippen, a native of Washtenaw County, Mich., a 
lady of pleasing presence and superior abilit}-. 
The estimable wife of our subject has proved a 
true helpmate and possesses the esteem of a wide 
circle of acquaintances. Mr. and Mrs. Hicks at 
first settled on rented land, which Mr. Hicks culti- 
vated profitably for two years, and then decided 
to remove to Berrien County, the permanent home 
of the family since 1879. In 1881, our subject 
purchased a half-interest in the fine farm of three 
hundred and fifteen acres, to which he has from 
that period given his entire time and close atten- 
tion, with most excellent and gratif\ ing results. 
The broad .acreage, brought up to a high state of 
cultivation annually, yields a bounteous harvest 
of golden grain, and the extensive homestead, with 
its convenient and attractive residence, commodi- 
ous barns and other improvements, is one of the 
most valuable pieces of fanning iiroperty in Ber- 
rien County. The happy home has been bright- 
ened with the presence of a promising son, an 
only child. Ray W. Hicks, now eleven years old, 
a manly and intelligent little lad, is the pride of 
his parents. 

Mr. Hicks is politically no partisan, but with 
impartiality casts his vote for the man he deems 
best fitted to perform the duties of otHce. He is 
ever interested in all matters of local and national 



PORTRAIT AND RIOORAPIIICAL RECORD. 



Sfi 



welfiire and, a liberal-spiiite*! eitizin, having en- 
terprisingly made his own way in life, ably assists 
in the progressive advaneenient of his locality and 
is numbered among the reliable and substantial 
men of Berrien Couiity. 



-^^- 



/^r!% Kt)RGE C. ROCKEY. Among the success- 
ful and substantial agriculturists of Royal- 
ton Township, Herrien County, is the sub- 
ject of this sketch, whose desire to keep out of the 
old ruts, as well as his' adoption of new and im- 
proved methods, h.as brought him in a fair share 
of this world's goods. He ranks among the ener- 
ufetic farmers of the county, and his success is 
mainly due to his industry and the attention he 
has ever paid to each minor detail. He is a na- 
tive of the liuckeye State, born in Franklin 
County Feliruary 2.5, 183(>, and is the >on of Caleb 
and Martha I.. (Robinson) Rockey. 

Caleb Rockey was born in Lancaster County. 
I'a., September 12, 1803, and there remained until 
18;i0, when he removed to Franklin County, ( )hio. 
For many years he was a resident of that State, 
but in September, 18(j7, he removed to Herrien 
County, Mich., and here passed the closing scenes 
of his life. Previous to settling in Michigan, Mr. 
Uockey had bought land in l?errien Countv, and 
upon locating there he entered .actively upon his 
duties as a farmer, devoting all his time and at- 
tention to that calling. His wife, who was a true 
helper, not only to her husband but to all who 
came within her inlluencc, was born M.ay 24, 1803, 
and died November 17, 1872. They were the par- 
ents of four children, as follows: Sarah M., born 
February 13,1831; Leah O., February 13,1834; 
(Jeorge C, our subject: and Lemuel R., born No- 
vember 8, 1838. The Tiiother of these children 
was for many years a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, but later she was associated 
with the lyatter-Day Saints. Crandfather Rockey 
w.as Ijorn in Germany and was a farmer in that 
eountry. (Grandfather Robinson was a soldier in 
the War of 1812. 



(ieoige ( . Rockey, the third in order of birth 
of the above-meiilioned ehildreii, was reared in 
Franklin County, Ohio, and supplemented a good 
practical education, received in the common schools, 
by attending Cenlial College, where he remained 
four terms. Thus eijuiiiped with a good education, 
he started out to tight life's battles for himself. 
Having been reared as a farmer by his father, Mr. 
Rockey, like the majority of boys, has since fol- 
lowed in his ancestors' footsteps. He is now one 
of the representative men of the county, .as well as 
one of its most thorough-going agriculturists. All 
his farming operations are conducted in a manner 
showing him to be a man of excellent judgment. 

Mr. Rockey w.as married in Auglaize County, 
Ohio, September .'), 18<)r), to Miss Barbara Koebcl, 
who was also born in Franklin County, Ohio, June 
9, 1844. Four children were the fruits of this 
union: Samuel C., Edwin L. (deceased), Leah May 
(deceased), and Clyde W. In September, 1867, 
Mr. Rockey removed to Picrrien County, Mich., 
from Franklin County, Ohio, and here he has 
since resided. His home farm is located seven 
miles south of .St. Joseph, and consist.s of one hun- 
dred and sixty acres. He also has two other farms 
of ninety and eighty-eight acres each. He is a 
member of the ISerrien County Anti-Horse Thief 
Association, and in [lolitics has alw.ays associated 
with the Democratic party. His first Presidential 
vote was cast for Douglas. 



'llJOllN llOlSE, a rejiresentative and highly- 
esteemed citizen of Berrien County, Mich., 
has prosperously devoted the labor of his 
life to agricultural duties, and now resides 
u|)0n his (inely-cultivated homestead located upon 
section 22, Hertrand Township. Mr. House is a 
native of Pennsylvania, and was liorn in Perry 
County .July I, 1832. His parents were Ei)liraim 
and Mary Scott House. The father, born in New 
.lersey, was of German descent. The mother was 
of l-',nglisli nativity and crossed the ocean with 
her father to the New World when only a young 



868 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



girl. Wliile retiii-niiig to tiie Mother Country for 
the other moiiihers Qf his family, it iri siipi)0se(l the 
father was killed, as he was never heard from 
again. The mf)ther of Mr. House was thus left 
alone in the I'nited States. She self-reliaiitly 
cared for herself until her marriage to Mr. San- 
ders, by wliom she became the mother of three chil- 
dren. She subsequently wedded the father of 
our subject and bore him fourteen children. The 
father died in Pennsylvania at the age of sixty- 
two years, and the mother, surviving, journeyed 
to Michigan, and was four-score years of age when 
she too passed away. 

.lohn House was the eldest child of the second 
marriage of his mother, and was reared on a farm 
and received his education in the primitiveschools 
of those early days. He remained with his parents 
until his marriage in l^ofi, at which date he was 
wedded in Snyder County, Pa., to Miss Catherine 
lirooker, born in the < Quaker State and of German 
descent. The first wife of our subject did not 
siuvive her marri.age many years. Ijut lived to be- 
come the mothei' of two sons: Wilson and Jona- 
than. Some time after her death, Mr. House was 
united in marriage with Miss P^iizabeth Limbert, 
also a native of Pennsylvania. Four children 
blessed the second marriage. Maiy and Sarah are 
deceased; .John Edward and Lawrence F. survive. 
Immediately following his first marriage our sub- 
ject removed to the West and located in Pulaski 
County, Ind., which he made his residence aliout 
seven months. At the expiration f)f this brief time 
lie returned to PennS3'lvania, and foi' twelve years 
industriously engaged in tilling the soil of his na- 
tive State. 

Realizing the larger opportunities of the farther 
West, Mr. House again left his early home, and, 
journeying to Michigan, located i)ermanently in 
lierrien County. He at first settled on a lented 
farm, and later, in 1880, purchased the tine home- 
stead of two hundred acres to which he finally 
removed wil^h his family in 1883. One hundred 
and sixty acres of the pleasantly located farm have 
been brought to a high state of cultivation, the 
productive soil annually yielding a large harvest. 
Ik'ing much troubled with rheumatism, our sub- 
ject a short time since rented his farm and now 



allows himself needed rest and recreation, richly 
earned by many years of unceasing (^arc and busy 
industry. Mi'. House h.as never been a politician, 
but he has always taken an interest in local and 
national affairs and is an advocate of true Democ- 
racy. Throughout his career a kind friend, gen- 
erous neighbor and excellent citizen, he enj()\s the 
regard and confidence of the entire community of 
liertrand Township. 



'^-^-m>-^^<m^ 




NDREW ,T. CAROTHEKS, a prominent 
citizen of Buchanan, Berrien County, 
Mich., and the popular proiirictor of the 
Hotel Earl, a fine brick building of three 
stories, containing twenty-four pleasanl and airy 
rooms, offers to the traveling public superior nc- 
commodations and excellent board, and, established 
in his present (juarters since 1890, has received a 
large and rapidly extending custom. Mr. Caroth- 
ers is a native of Mishawaka, Ind., and was born 
December 9, 1845. His father, John A. Carothers, 
emigrated with his parents from his native hind, 
Scotland, to America when a child, and settled in 
Pennsylvania, where he received his education 
and attained to manhood. Bound out to a hatter, 
he acquired the trade, and, beginning life for him- 
self, went to Indiana, where he received employ- 
ment. In this latter .State he worked at his trade 
as a hatter, but was a machinist as well and a man 
of energetic industry. In 18.52 he journeyed to 
Colorado, in which State he died in 18(il. The 
mother, Emil}' (Martin) Carothers, made her home 
in Michigan after her husband went West, and 
died in Berrien Count3\ She was a most estima- 
ble woman and the mother of four children: An- 
drew J.; Mary Iv, wife of Stewart Bell, of Iowa; 
Lavina A., wife of William Pitts, of Kansas; and 
George W., deceased. The father had been twice 
married, and b}' his first wife had three children: 
William, a resident of Pennsylvania; John A., a 
citizen of Illinois; and Jennie. 

Our subject, essentially a self-reli:ui( and self- 
made man, cnjoycil liuiited opportunities f(jr in- 



Portrait and iuoorapiiical rk( ord. 



BfiO 



sliiictidii III lii(li:iii:i uiiilCliii'ago. III., I)ut early 
hccamc M liicad-wimior. Wlicii about nine years 
lit' asje Ills mother died and, the eldest of the young 
oiplians, Andrew .1. found his way to Chicago 
while ill his tenth year. lie reiiiaiiieil in the 
Western metropolis until he was iiearl\ fourteen 
years old, when he returned to South I'.end, Ind., 
and was variously employed until the bieaking 
out of the Civil War. At this junelure \oung 
Carothers, aged seventeen, enlisted in ('onii)any 
K, Kigbt\'-seventli Indiana Infantry, but was not 
mustered into the I'liited States serviee until 
transferred as a teamster to a (ioveinment trans- 
portation attaelied to (Ten. Davidson's cavalry 
command, and engaged |)rineipally at Dnvall's 
Hlutt, Aik. Our subject was employed as carrier 
between Gens. .Steele and Davidson, his route be- 
ing from Duvall's Bluff to Little Rock. The po- 
sition which he occupied was one constantly sur- 
rounded by danger, and Mr. Carothers in the 
faithful discharge of his responsible duties en- 
countered man}' thrilling adventures and hair- 
breadth escapes from capture or death. lie was lit- 
erally between two fires, and was not only exposed 
to Confederate attacks, but in the darkness at 
times was liable to be shot by the soldiers of his 
own party. On account of failing health he was, 
after some time, discharged from the service, and, 
ifcturning to his former home, visited among 
friends, relatives and accpiaintances for a few 
lnonth^. 

A se<'ond tinu' enlisting in the service of the 
I'nion, our subject entered Company 11, Twelfth 
Indiana Cavalry, as bugler, .and .actively par- 
ticipated in the battles of Nashville, Franklin, 
.Stevenson, Wilkinson's Pike and many other 
hot fights, and in all took part in twenty-two 
engagements, being once struck by a spent ball, 
which knocked him over without indicting any 
wound. Upon the 22d of November, I860, hon- 
orably discharged at V'ieksburg, Miss., and mus- 
tered out at Indianapolis, Mr. Carothers again 
sought his childhood home and located in Indiana, 
his permanent residence until 1874. He left the 
army without means, and obtaining employment 
in his native State as a carpenter, pursued that 
trade for about nine years. In 1874 he engaged 



in business in IJiuhaii.Mii. and in 181(0 became the 
proprietor of the Hotel Ivul, favorably known to 
iiian.N' transient guests and the local public. 

In 18()() Andrew .1. Carothers and Miss .lennie 
Uiirr. of South I'lciid, Ind., were iiiiiled In marriage. 
The estimable wife of onr subject was the daugh- 
ter of .Saul T. and Klecta (Button) Barr, of New 
York State. The pleasant home of Mr. and Mrs. 
Carothers has been blessed by the birth of five 
children. Nettie died at the age of six years; .Jen- 
nie .1. was the second in order of liirlli; Kddie is 
deceased; Nettie K. was the fourth child of the 
family; and Grace E. is the youngest-born. Mr. 
Carothers attiliates with Lodge No. 78, 1. O. O. F., 
of Buchanan. He is also a member of the Grand 
Army of the Re|)ublic and much enjoys the re- 
unions of the order. Politically, he is a Repuli- 
lican, and takes a deep interest in all matters of 
mutual welfare, local and national. He is a friend 
to educational advancement and is ever ready to 
assist in progressive eiiterpri.ses tending to the 
public good. A liberal-spirited citizen, our sub- 
ject is numbered among the substantial men of 
Buchanan, and with his worthy wife enjo\s the 
high regard of a vvide acquaintance. 



' ^ ^^^ j 



R' 



m 



allARLKS M. BABCOCIv, an enterprising 
^ general agriculturist and extensive wheat- 
grower of SodusTownshi[), Berrien County, 
has p.assed his life from early boj'hood in the State 
of .Michigan, and during the entire period of his 
residence here has made his home within the limits 
of the township. He was born .lul^- 17, 18.52, in 
Noble Count}', Ind., but has fornearl}' thirty years 
been identified with the changing scenes of Berrien 
County, where he is now spending his days of 
honored and busy usefulness. The parents of Mr. 
Babcock died when he w.as a few weeks old, and 
then the helpless little one w.as given into the ten- 
der care of Mr. and ."Mrs. Krastus Harlow, who were 
to him as parents. The Harlows at that time lived 
in Indiana, and it was not until Charles was twelve 
years of age that they removed to Michigan. Our 



870 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



subject attended tlie district schools of Wayne 
Township, Noble County, Ind., and aided his fos- 
ter parents in the daily round of agricultural work 
incidental to the life of a farmer boy. He was 
apt and intelligent, and in every possible manner 
repaid with gratefid affection the kindness of Mr. 
and Mrs. Harlow. When the family came to Mich- 
igan, Charles, who was the only child in the home, 
attended the schools of Sodus Township and added 
still further to the stock of knowledge previously 
gained. 

It was in 1864 that the Harlows settled in the 
township, where the father purchased land and 
erected a fine and commodious residence, substan- 
tial barns and other improvements. Until he was 
twenty j'ears of age our subject spent the winter 
months in study, the spring, summer and fall in 
work upon the Harlow homestead, but at this ago 
lie gave his entire attention to farming. Jn 1873 
Mr. Babcock purchased fifty acres of land adjoin- 
ing the farm of Mr. Harlow, and with industrious 
energy and unflagging amijition fiegan life for him- 
self. After a time the failing health of Mr. Har- 
low made it necessary for our subject to again re- 
turn to the care of the old homestead, and in 1889 
he received full charge of the lands, which he 
prolitably managed until the death of his true 
friend and father. Mi'. Harlow, who passed to his 
rest resi)ected by all who knew him, .June fl, 181)1. 
Jn the mean time Mrs. Hallow, a most estimable 
Christian lady, had died two years previously, and 
our subject was bequeathed by the will of Mr. Har- 
low all of his lands and property. Without an}' 
del.ay Mr. Babcock at once came into possession 
of all ))roperty, personal and real, which had 
formerly belonged to Mr. and Mrs. Harlow, and has 
since resided upon the old home farm, which yields 
annually an abundant harvest of wlieat, to the cul- 
tivation of which grain the fertile fields are mainly 
devoted. 

In October, 1871), Charles lialicock and Bliss Em- 
ily Stewart were united in marriage. Mrs. Babcock 
was the daughter of .lohn Stewart, a well-known 
and old-time resident of Pipestone Township. Two 
daughters and three sons have brightened the 
home with their cheerful presence, and four of the 
little ones yet survive. EHie died in earl \- in- 



fancy; Erastus Harlow, named in honor nf the lie- 
loved foster father, is the eldest son; .John S., 
Edwin M. and Grace complete the list of the chil- 
dren who yet gather aljout the family lireside. Our 
subject is not identified with any church or de- 
nomination. Fraternally, he is a member of 
Coloma Lodge No. 144, of Coloma, and is a mem- 
ber of the National Providence Union, and also 
belongs to the Patrons of Husbandry located in 
Sodus Township. Mr. Babcock is, politically, a 
Republican, and an earnest advocate of the party. 
He occupied with ability the office of Drainage 
Commissioner, and, a man of ettieiency and excel- 
lent judgment, is among the citizens of the town- 
ship who may be depended iipon to assist liberally 
in all matters of mutual welfare and enterprise. 
Our subject, his accomplished wife, sons and 
daughter worthily fill positions of useful influence 
and possess the high regard and sincere friendship 
of a large circle of acquaintance. 



J. TUTTLE, an enteiquising general agii- 
culturist and able citizen of Pipestone 
^ \V Township, Berrien County, IMich.,was born 
^ February 2, 1828, in Portage County, Ohio. 
The paternal grandfather, Moses Tuttle, bf)rii in 
Connecticut April 8, 1763, was married in the 
State of his nativity and later removed with his 
family to Ohio, in 1807 settling on a farm in 
Portage County. The father of our subject, I.a 
Fayette Tnttle, was born in the old Connecticut 
home and accom[)anicd his parents to Ohio, where 
the grandfather kept a public-house and was num- 
bered among ihe pioneers of the Western He- 
serve. A man of energy, he was a hrickmaker 
and wagon manufacturer, and biewed, distilled, 
and conducted farming. Surrounded by the In- 
dians, he would frequently take his gun and 
Bible as companions as he watched his crops. He 
and his good wife Abigail became the parents of 
seventeen children. Of the large family of sisters 
and brothers two sons yet survive: Dr. C. K. 



PORTKAir AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



871 



Tnttle, residing in Cliicago,a practicing physician; 
Miul Isaac, a citizen of Portage County, Oiiio. The 
lirMiuHatlier, a man of iialriotisni and coinage, ac- 
tively partieiiiated in the War of the Revolution. 

The niothei- of our subject, Rebecca (White) 
I'uttle. wa> a iiatixc of Pennsylvania, and was 
liurn near Pitt-sliurgh March 12. 1798. She was 
a daughter of .lohn White, a man of sterling in- 
tegrity of character. The maternal grand|iarents 
were niairied in Pennsylvania,, but afterward re- 
moved to Ohio, friim that time their permanent 
hume. (iraiidfather White du'd October 24, 1848; 
his wife survived until A|)ril l.j, 18o7. The follow- 
ing children blessed their liome: Alvah, born in 
1.S21: Meliuda. in IS2;!; our subject anci twin 
brother, Kiley .1., bom in 1828; Philena, in 1830; 
Marcus, in 18;i7; and Klijah, in 1840. The ma- 
ternal grandparents weie devout members of the 
.Methodist Kpisco|)al Church, and were beloved by 
all who knew them. Reared on his fatlier's farm, 
our subject attended the district school and also 
enjoyed the benetit of instruction in an academy, 
lie remained at home while his father lived, and 
was appointed administrator of the estate, con- 
sisting of a farm of three hundred acres, a saw 
and grist mill combined, and a blacksmith shop 
for edijed tools. The sale lasted three da3s, and 
Mr. Tultle satisfactorily settled the family affairs 
with the Probate .ludge. Nine lengths of foolscai) 
jiaper were Uhcd in the necessary enumeration t)f 
pro()erty anil in legal phrases. 

Siion after our subject had attained his major- 
it\ he was electefl Constable, and for some years 
was an auctioneer, and also carried on the old 
Ohio homestead, lie taught nine terms of win- 
ter school and was ever busy, industrious and en- 
tcr|nising. November 12, 18i)0, IMr. Tuttle was 
united in mairiage with Miss Susan M. Hull, a 
daughter of (Jilbert and .\bi;iail (Harris) Hull. 
.Mr. Hull was born in Chester Township, Windham 
('(juniy. Conn.. October 24, 1794. The mother, 
also a native of Connecticut, was liorii in Smitli- 
tield Township. Rlioda County, November 0, I8110. 
Tliev were married in New York May .'51, 181!). 
Mr. and Mrs. Hull w-ere pioneers of Portage Coun- 
ty, Ohio, where they passed away, the father in 
1880, and the mother March 2.'>. is;)2. They were 



the parents of ten children, three of whom sur- 
vive: Mary, Edwin and Susan M. Eatlier and 
.^lother Hull were members of the Methodist Kpis- 
cojjal Church and, together with the parents of 
our subject, were among the organizers of the first 
Methodist Episcopal Church of Portage Count3-, 
Ohio. The Hull famih' were n.'itural musicians, 
and the father was a chorister in the church. He 
was a brave man and a soldier in the Wai of 
1812, anil was a pensioner at the lime of his 
death. Mrs. Tuttle was born September 7, 1829, 
in the old Portage County- home. 

For some time after their marriage our subject 
and his estimable wife resided in Ohio, but in 
18.54 they journeyed to Michigan and located in 
Ionia County, upon a new farm six miles sovith 
of Ionia. In the fall of ISiiii they returned to 
Ohio, but three years later, in the fall of 1858, 
came to this county and, purchasing their pres- 
ent farm, settled upon it .lanuar}' 14, 18.59. The 
eighty acres were partially cleared and now are 
all under line cultivation. Mr. Tuttle built a 
))lcasant residence and added other needed im- 
provements, ))lanting out an orchard of a choice 
variety of fruit. He (Joes mixed farming and 
profitably handles grain and stock. For a num- 
ber of years our subject took t>ut a license .as an 
auctioneer in Michigan, and in making returns to 
the Revenue Collector was told that he had sold 
more than twice as many goods as any other man 
in the business. He also taught two terms of 
school. 

Six of the ten children born unto .Mr. .'iiid .Mrs. 
Tuttle are now living. Emma A., born March 6, 
18.52. the wife of Russell .1. Ridenour, has one 
child and lives in Berrien County; .Mary (i. M., 
born .\pril 6, 1854, wife of F. .1. Ward, is the 
mother of three children and resides in J?errien 
Spriniis; Lafayette, born March 28, I8()((, mar- 
ried Alice .lenkins and is a citizen of Berrien 
County and the father of three children; Simp- 
son (i.. born February 7, 18(;2, married Ida 
Shoudy and makes his home in Pipestone Town- 
sliip; Linneus F., born .lune 7. 18(l.i, married lsell;i 
Houne and lives in ()r(in<)k(i Tnwiiship; .Myrtie 
AI., born .Inly 4, 1872. is the wife of Frederick 
{•"raiiy, and lesides in I'ipestone Township. 'I'he 



872 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



family attend the Wesleyan Methodist Church, 
:uul Mr. Tuttle is especially active in the work 
of tliat religious denomination. lie was Super- 
intendent of the first Sunday-school organized at 
Eau Claire, Mich., and, aside from being Siipor- 
intL-ndent, has been a teaclier, clerk and Treas- 
urer in the Sundaj'-school. He was also a Class- 
Leader in the church. Our subject is opposed to 
secret organizations and never belonged to any. 
He was Director of the school district when the 
first brick schoolhouse was built in the county, 
and lias been active in educational matters ever 
since his residence in the Stale. He gave liis chil- 
dren a good education, and his eldest daughter 
taught school for a number of terms. 

For many years our subject affiliated with the 
Democrats, but is now a Prohibitionist, and, an 
active worker, is often a delegate of the latter 
party to conventions. Mr. Tuttle has with effici- 
ency discharged the duties of Constable of his 
native township, and was one of the valued Su- 
pervisors of Pipestone Township in 1859 and 
1860. Elected Justice of the Peace, he served with 
ability for a time and then resigned the office. 
Recognized as a man of executive abilitv, our 
subject was Chairman of every meeting but one 
held to aid the railroad through the township, 
and has always been foremost in progressive move- 
ments of the locality. He iias been a stanch ad- 
vocate of the Prohibition party ever since the 
third vote was cast for it in the county, and, a 
citizen of decided views and sterling integrity, 
is widely known for his upright character and 
earnest purpose. 



& — 



t=i 



"S] 



€+^ 



[^ 



[S" 



EDWARD L. CROMER. Prominent among 
tiie successful fruit-growers and wide-a- 
■ wake agriculturists of IJeirien County, Ed- 
ward L. Cromer takes foremost rank. Like many 
of the representative men of the county, lie claims 
New York as his native State, his birth occurring 
in Wayne County October .30, 1842. His |)ar- 
cnts, Van Uanslor and .Mary (ll^do) Cromer, were 



originally from the Empire State, the father's 

birth occurring in 1817. The grandfather, Clirist 
.John Cromer, was also a product of New York soil, 
and a Mohawk Dutchman. The latter came to 
Berrien County, Mich., about 1840, and was among 
the first settlers. There his death occurred in 
1873, at the ripe old age of eighty-three. All his 
life he had followed the carpenter's trade. 

VanRansler Cromer left his native State in 1M44, 
and came West to Micliigan, locating near St. 
Joseph, Berrien County. From there he moved to 
Mound City, Mo., in 1883, and there he resides at 
the present time. His wife is still living, and al- 
though seventy-one years of age is still enjoying 
comparatively good iiealth. Of the eleven chil- 
dren born to them, four sons and seven daugh- 
ters, six are now living: Maria, Edward L., Delia, 
George, Fred and Amanda. The father is a man 
of more than ordinary ability and has ever been 
industrious and enterprising. 

The original of this notice, the second in order 
of birlli of the above-mentioned children, was but 
two years of .age when his parents moved to Mich- 
igan, and .as a consequence all his recollections are 
of this State. His scholastic training was re- 
ceived in the common schools, but was rather lim- 
ited, as at an early age he was obliged to assist his 
father on the farm. On the 11th of August, 1862, 
he enlisted in Company 1, Nineteenth Michigan 
Infantry, to fight for his country, and during the 
battle of Spring Hill, Tenn., in March, 1863, he was 
shot through the knee and for a number of years 
was almost a cripple. He was conveyed to a hos- 
pital at Nashville, and there remained for six 
weeks. From there he was sent to Louisville, Ky., 
was in the hospital at that place for three months, 
and on the lltli of July, 1863, was discharged. 

Returning to Berrien County, Mich., he re- 
mained there until 1873, when he went to Jack- 
son, Mich., and hired out as br.akeinan on the 
Michigan Central Railroad, running from Jackson 
to Michigan City. After following that business 
for one year he returned to his farm in Berrien 
County, and here lie has since resided. He is en- 
terprising and progressive, and in eveiTthing re- 
lating to farming and fruit-growing is well posted. 
His farm of twenl\- acres is situated four and a- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



873 



h.'ilf niilos soiitli ol St. .loseph, and is one of the 
liot kepi. ;ni(l i)i>l iiii|in)ved places in thai section. 
i^iM\ ihini'- alioiil it is neat and attractive and 
>h()\vs the owner to lie a man cif judgment and 
s(>unil sense. 

On the Hth of October, 1870. Mr. Cromer was 
married to Jliss Id;i .\delaide Philebare, a native 
of Pennsylvania, and two children, Cora M., wife 
of Thomas King, and .Iose|)hine H., were the fruits 
of this union. Mi'. Cromer is a poi)ular and in- 
lliiciilial citizen, and has held numerous local 
olliecs, having been Drain Commissioner two years, 
Townsliii) Treasurer two years. Township Clerk 
two years, and he is now serving his fourth year as 
Supervisor. He was formerly a Republican in 
politics, but since (ien. (irant's first term he has 
been Mil Midi'iit supporter of the Democratic prin- 
ciples. His paii'iits are members of the Methodist 
l-;piscopal Church, but although a liberal contribu- 
tor to all worthy enterprises, Mr. Cromer is not a 
member of any cliuich. His great-grandfather 
wa- a soblier in the Kevolulioiiarv War. 




K OUACK TAliOli, ill IHill and 18!)-i Treas- 
urer of Sodus Township, Berrien County, 
Mich., is a leading agriculturist am] an en- 
ergetic and enterprising citizen, taking an 
active interest in the growth and progress of the 
county 111 which he was born, December 8, 1848. 
The liiitliplace of our subject was Bain bridge Town- 
ship, where, in the very early days in the history 
of the State, his father, Wallace Tabor, had located, 
and for many years cultivated the land of the 
well-known Tabor homestead. The paternal grand- 
parents reared their family in the Ivnpiie State 
and were numbered among the ijroiniiient residents 
and agriculturists of ( )nondaga County, in which 
part of New York tiieir son .Wallace was born. 
An earnest and self-reliant youth, full of ho|ieand 
courage, he joiiriu^yed to .Michigan when only a 
mere boy, and was not eighteen years old when he 
r<'ceived employment In Chicago, where he worked 
in a brickyard and assisted in manufacttirim; the 



brick for the first brick hotel erected in that city. 
He later made his perinaiient home in Michigan 
and was a leader among the sturdy pioneers of 
l.S.'J.'i. Ihrough whose earnest efforts the Stale 
has so rapidl\ advanced to a ])roud position among 
its sister States. 

The mother of our subject. .lulia (McKeyes) Ta- 
bor, was a woman of high worth and noble char- 
acter, .and w.'is the daughter of .Samuel and Har- 
riet McKe.yes, New England people and early set- 
tlers of Berrien County. The father and mother 
were married in SHchigan, and here reared their 
family, of whom our subject, Horace, was the fourth 
in order of birth. AVhen five years of age his par- 
ents removed to Sod us To wnshij), where he attended 
the common school and obtained his primary edu- 
cation. He worked on the farm for his father 
from boyhood, and in the fall of 18(j',), shortly lie- 
fore attaining his m.ajority. entered the .State Nor- 
mal School at Ypsilanti. Mich., and enjoyed the 
bcnelit of instruction throughout the fall and winter 
terms of 1869, 1870 and 1871. After completing 
his studies. Mr. Tabor returned home and taught 
scho'il for three terms in the immediate neighbor- 
hood, and also taught one term in Berrien Town- 
ship. Between the terms of school he assisted 
upon the farm and passed a life of busy industr\-. 
In 1874 he bought forty acres of land, to which 
he has since added other tracts from time to time, 
industriously bringing the entire acreage up to a 
high state of cultivation. Mr. Tabor also owns in 
Pipestone Townshi|) one hundred and five .acres. 

One hundred and forty-five acres of the farm 
are most delightfully located, coinmandinga beau- 
tiful view, and are finely improved with substan- 
tial and attractive buildings, among the best in 
the county. February 13, 1879, Horace Tabor 
and Miss Maggie Morton were united in marriage. 
Mrs. Tabor was the daughter of .Silas and Deboiah 
Morton, natives of Canada, who made their home 
ill Michigan in 1870. They were highly esteemed 
bv all who knew them and p.assed to their rest 
mourned by many friends. Four children have 
been born unto our snbjecl and his estimable wife. 
Onedieil in infancy; Koscoe. Lydia and Walter 
survive .and .-ire at home with their parents. >[r. 
and Mrs. 'labor arc both valued members of the 



874 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Methodist Episcoi)al Church, and are active in 
good work. Fnileiiiully, our subject is connected 
witli the National Piovidence Union. Politically, 
he is a Republican, and lias held witli al)k> elii- 
ciency tlie oHices of Town Cleri< and Treasurer. 
Mr. and Mrs. Tabor are prominently as.sociatcd in 
the social and religious enterprises of their local- 
il\-, and enjoy the regard of a host of friends. 



4<^ 



■^:^ 



^^^^E()RiiE Ll'THI-CR. an energetic citizen and 
III j_-_ a long-time resident of the State of IMieh- 
'X^iljl igan, is now a successful general agricul- 
t\n-ist and stock-raiser of AVeesaw Township, Ber- 
rien County. A native of Germany, Mr. I.uthei 
has by self-reliant industry won liis upward way 
in life, and, a man of sterling integrity, commands 
tlie esteem of the community in whose public 
work he shares, ever generously aiding in all 
matters of mutual welfare. The parents of our 
subject, George Adam and Anna Barbara (Ceiller) 
Luther, were also natives of the Fatherland. as had 
been numerous generations of their forefathers. 
Tlie maternal grandfatlier, Mathias Ceiller, was 
an honest and hard-working man. faitiiful to his 
duties as a husliand, father and citizen of the 
German Enniire. The parents s|)ent their en- 
tire lives 111 their native land and reared their 
children up to halnts of thrift}' industry. The 
humble home w.as blessed bj' tlie liirtli of four 
sons and three daugliters, who attended the free 
scliools of Germany and gained a common-school 
education in the practical branches of study. As 
tlie chibben grew up to mature years tlie sons as- 
sisted the father, while the daughters were trained 
in the ways tif the liousehold. 

(^eorge, our suiiject and the eldest of the fain- 
ilv, was born August 28, 18.'?G, and had attained 
to manliood some years l)efore he came to Amer- 
ica. From his childhood lie had looked upon the 
world beyon(] the sea as a land of promise, and 
realized the greater advantages enjoyed liy the 



citizens of a republic. Delayed, however, by one 
circumstance and another, Mr. Luther had reached 
his twenty-eighth year before he embarked for 
tlie United States. lie had in the mean time, as was 
the custom of the country, served in the Prussian 
army as a soldier, and after six years of serv ice was 
discharged. It was only a brief time after this 
that he bade adieu to his family and friends, and, 
crossing the Atlantic, landed safely in 1864 in 
New York. From the great metropolis our sub- 
ject soon found his way to Michigan and located 
in Niles, wliere he obtained immediate employ- 
ment as a laborer upon the railroad. For twelve 
years he continued a resident of this jiart of Ber- 
rien County, and, as he prospered, invested in 
town property in Niles and made for himself a 
ple.asant home. 

In the meantime Mr. Luther, in 1864, was united 
in marriage with Miss Christina Urban, a native 
of Germany and a most estimable woman. Three 
manly sons have brightened the home and glad- 
dened the hearts of the parents: Frederick, George 
C. niid William August. Our subject and his 
good wife are worthy members of a church in 
Galien Township, and were connected with the 
parish of St. .Tolin, in Niles. They have brought 
up their family to the observance of religious du- 
ties, and, giving them an opportunity to ac(iuire 
an educatitm, have well fitted them for the battle 
of life. 

In 1876 Mr. l>ullier decided to engage in farm- 
ing and traded his town property for forty acres 
in the woods of Berrien County. In a brief time, 
however, the land presented a changed apjjear- 
ance, and with forty additional acres all cleared 
of the heavy timber, the eighty-acre homestead, 
brought u|)to a high state of productiveness and 
finely improved with excellent and comniodious 
buildings, is one of the best pieces of farming 
property in this part of Berrien County, and i*; 
located four and a-lialf miles northwest of Galien. 
Mr. Luther is a member of the Farmers' Mutual 
Fire Insurance Company, and politically is a Re- 
publican, casting his tirst Presidential vote for 
Abraham Lincoln. While never aspiring to po- 
litical ottice. our subject is intelligently |)osted on 
all issues of the day, local and national. Bring- 



^^^fr" 




Franklin Go wdv. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



877 



iiig to his adopted countrj' the sterling character- 
istics of enterprise, energy :ind tlirifty itidustry, 
he is in every sense of the word ;i true American 
citizen. 






^IpTHANKLIN tJOWDY, a leading citizen and 
tnfe prominent general agriculturist and fruit- 
'li grower of New Buffalo Township, Berrien 

County, ^lich.jis well known and highly esteemed, 
and has occupied with distinction most of tiic 
township offices, ever giving to public duty the 
faitiiful consideration demanded, and discharging 
every trust reposed in him witii alile cllicicncy. 
Our subject is a native of Oneida County, N. V., 
and was born on March o, 1H81. His parents, 
Klam and I.ucy (Stroud) Gowdy, weie long-time 
residents of the lMiii)ire State, Init the father, a 
native New Kuglander, was l)oiii in Connecticut, 
October -iO, 1788. 

The paternal grandfather, .John (iowdy. was 
also horn in Connecticut, in 1760. He was an elo- 
([uent Baptist divine, and served bravely as a 
soldier in the Revolutionary War. .'surviving 
to reach his ninety-fourth year, he died at tlie resi- 
dence of his son Elam in 18r>4, in liatavia, Kane 
County, N. Y.. where he had p.assed the latter years 
of his life, tenderly cared for by the father and 
mother of our subject. Elam (iowdy w.as a man of 
energy and enterprise. Discerning the larger op- 
portunites of the West, he removed from New ^'ork 
to Illinois in 18r)2 and settled in Kane County, 
which he made his home for a period of twelve 
years. 

In 18(j4, Mr. Gowdy came to Michigan, then a 
vcne-rable man, and three years later, in 1870, pass- 
ed away, aged eighty-two years. Ilis good wife, 
who was born in \'ermont August 19, 1798, sur- 
vived her beloved husband and comi)anion five 
years and died in Berrien County in 187.'). Elam 
and I.ucy (Towdy were the parents of eiglit chil- 
dren, of whom FranUlii\ was the seventh in 
order of birth, [{eared in Oneida County, N. Y., 
lie gained his educaljon in the district schools (if 

•i;i 



his birthplace, and later accompanied his parents to 
Illinois, remaining with his father and mother 
until 1862, when with his family he settled in Ber- 
rien County, Mich. 

Our subject was united in marriage in the State 
of New York with Miss Mary A. Millard, a native 
of Allegany County. 'I'lie wedding took pl.ace 
October .5, 18.5(!. at the residence of the bride's 
parents, William C. and Poll}- (Ripenbark) Millard. 
The father and mother of Mrs. Gowd3' were well- 
known and higlily esteemed residents of Allegany 
County and were of English and Welsh ancestry. 
Both the paternal and maternal grandfathers were 
men of note, (irandfather Ripenbark fought 
with gallant courage in the War of 1812, while 
(;reat-grand father Sears served in the War of the 
Revolution. The union of our subject and his 
estimable wife was blessed by the birth of eight 
children, five of whom are living, as follows: 
Luna G., the wife of.lohn B. Streed, an attorney in 
Cambridge, 111.; Frank M., a successful physician 
in New Buffalo; Herbert W. B.; Mary Elnora; and 
Bessie. The deceased were, Elizabeth, Cora and 
Lillie. 

The maternal great-grandfather of our subject, 
.John Stroud, was a man of great strength of char 
acter and steadfast resolution. He served with 
Washington in the War of the Revolution and 
afterward made his home in the Green Mountain 
State, where the maternal grandfather, John Stroud, 
Jr., was born, and at a good old age died. The 
Strouds were people of position in New England, 
and some of the mother's family were members of 
the Legislature. One of the sons of Grandfather 
Stroud was born, reared, and died at the good old 
age of eighty-five years, upon the same farm, hav- 
ing spent his four-score years and five without a 
single removal from the homestead. The par- 
ents of our subject were devout members of tlic 
Baptist Church, but two of tlie great-uncles of Mr. 
Gowdy, brothers of the paternal grandfather, were 
ministers, preaching in the Universalist Church. 

Since 1862, Franklin Gowdy, with his family, 

has made his home in Berrien County, but for some 

i time previous resided in Chikaming Township, and 

there engaged in getting out wood and lumber and 

shipping the same to the Chicago market, Our 



878 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



'/ 



subject with a brother, J. F. Gowdy, and several 
others built a large pier on Lake Michigan to fa- 
cilitate the handling and shipping tlie products of 
the woods. In about 18(51, Mr. (iowdy purchased 
the land he now owns for the timber, and built a 
sawmill, which he operated for several years. 
After his land was fully cleaied lie turned his at- 
tention entirely to the culture of fruit and the 
tilling of the soil. Leginning in 18(51 with the 
purchase of forty acres, he added one piece after 
another, inilil he now has a tract of two hundred 
and sixlj' acres brought up to a high state of pro- 
ductiveness, and unproved with an attractive resi- 
dence, commodious barns and sheds. The valuable 
homestead, three miles ni)rtheast of New Buffalo, 
has been the constant residence of Mr. (iowdy 
since 1863, and during this period of thirty 3'ears 
he has been an important factor in the develoj)- 
ment of the best interests of the township. 

Politically a stalwart Kejiuliliean. our subject 
cast his first Presidential vote for Fremont and has 
ever been faithful to the principles of the "Party 
of Reform." Taking an active part in local issues, 
Mr. (jowdy has held with executive ability the 
official positions of .lustice of the Peace, Clerk of 
C'hikaming Township, and has served efficiently as 
Supervisor, Treasurer and Highway Commissioner 
of the townshii) of New Buffalo. Straightfor- 
ward, energetic and enterprising, he is a liberal- 
spirited citizen, and possesses the high regard of a 
host of friends. 



* » ■ ^ t^ I > I 



f^ ENRY THOMPSON. This early pioneer 
^ and most prominent and substantial citizen 
of Mason Township, Cass County, Mieh., 
■* was born near Coventr3% in Orleans Coun- 
ty, Vt., December 16, 1818. and was the fifth in a 
family of eight children born to Samuel and Lucy 
(Woodbridge) Thompson. Samuel Thompson was 
born neai' Troy, N. Y., in 1782, and was the son of 
James Thompson, who was born on the ocean, 
when his parents came from England to this coun- 
try. The latter's father was a Scotchman b\' birth, 



but went to England, where he married an Eng- 
lish l.ady. Later he started for the United States, 
and after reaching this country settled near Troy, 
N. Y., where the grandfather of our subject grew 
to mature years. The latter was a sharpshooter 
during the Revolutionary War and served for 
more than seven years, taking part in many of the 
principal engagements. lie lived to be over ninety 
years of age, and ilied in Kentucky at the home 
of one of ills sons. Oui' subject h.as in his i)os- 
session a relic given him by his grandfather, and 
this he [irizes very iiighly. It is in the shape of 
a |!7 i)asteboard bill, called Continentid money, 
issued by act of Congress and dated at Philadel- 
l)liia May 20, 1777, [layable in gold or silver, and 
was given to his grandfather in part payment 
for his services during the war. 

Samuel Thompson, father of our subject, was 
the eldestof a family of ten children, and in earlv 
life was a school teacher. He went to Vermont 
from New York State with two of his sisters, 
Lydia and Polly, and there made a permanent set- 
tlement. He w.as a soldier in the AVar of 1812. 
At Vergennts, A't., he vvas married to Miss Lucy 
Woodbridge, a daughter of William Woodbridge, 
who was a descendant of a prominent New York 
State family and of good old Kevolutionary stock. 
He was born at IMadrid, that State. Tiie brothers 
and sisters of our subject were as follow>: Har- 
riet, who is a widow residing at Adamsville, Cass 
County, and who was ninety years of age Septem- 
ber 22, 1893; Martha, deceased; Samuel, who went 
to Tex.as in 1838, and that was the last ever heard 
from him; Ransom N., who resides in Missouri; 
Cyreno W., who resides in Iowa; and Lucy A., 
who married Eber Monroe, who died in Lake Cit^-. 
Iowa. She has never remarried. 

Henry Thompson, of whom we write, |)assed 
his youthful days on his father's farm in Ver- 
mont, and received but the backwoods education 
of those parts. When twenty \eais of age the 
great West tempted him in that direction, and 
alone, and without means, he turned his face 
towards the setting sun. His health was not of 
the best, but he w.as possessed of an unlimited 
amount of energy and delcrmiiiMtion, and lie went 
to work at whatever honorable employment ho 



PORTRAIT AM) KKKJRAPIIJCAJ. RFXORD. 



879 



. could find. He landed in MicUigan and found 

iMiiploN iiioiit in a llouiniill at Adanisville, willi 
tlio lirni of Sage iV Sons. Shortly aflcrwaid lie 
w.'is l.akon sick, and for eight niontiis lav at the 
point of death. He boarded with a deacon of 
tlie liaptist Cluiicii, and when he reeoveied he 
was owiny the latter a small amount that he 
could not |)ay until he had earned it. Thi.-- did 
not satisfy the good old deacon, who took his 
trunk and all his clothing except those he wore, 
and sold them at auction. George Redfield, one 
of the wealthy citizens of the locality and later 
Secretary of State and State Treasurer, also Rep- 
resentative from this State and State Senator, 
liouylit the clothing and returned them to young 
Thompson. This naturally made a warm spot in 
our subject's heart for George Redfield, but he 
has never had much affection for deacons since 
then. For six years he worked in the mill, and 
while thus engaged bought eighty acres of land, 
which is now a part of his large estate. .Vftcr 
leaving the employ of Sage & Sons he bought a 
half-interest in the Redfield Mill, at Redfield, 
owned by his former benefactor, and for the next 
six years was in the milling business with him. 
At the expiration of that time he sold his inter- 
est and retired to the farm where he has since re- 
sided, and where he has accumulated a handsome 
competence. 

In February, 1848, our subject married Miss 
Elizabeth Holmes, a native of Rochester, X. Y. 
She died in 1860, leaving seven children, three 
sons and four daughters. Harriet married Will- 
iam Everett, and later went to Kansas, whore 
she died, leaving one child. I.ewis C, a farmer, 
married Martha Bement, and has two children. 
Charles married Cynthia E. Uisliop, who bore 
liini two children, ^'erna and Edna. He resides 
with his father and looks after his extensive in- 
terests. Alice, for many years a teacher in the 
public schools, married ^I. A. Olds and resides on 
a larui in .Mason Townshii). She is the mother of 
two children, Henry and Carlton. Delia married 
a Mr. Murry and resides in San Francisco, Cal. 
Wilbur .1. niairied a Miss McLean and is a teacher 
in the High Scliool of Neola, Iowa; and .lessie 
is single and resiiles in San Francisco, Cal. These 



children are all well-informed men and women, 

and Mr. Thonipsou h;is every right to be proud 
of them. 

All his early life Mr. Thompson was a hard- 
working man, but of late years he has done but 
little, trustuig to his son Charles to manage his 
affairs. He has spent considerable time in travel, 
and has made a number of trips to Califor- 
nia. In politics he has ever been a stanch Dem- 
ocrat, and is ever interested in the welfare of bis 
party. While he did not enter the army, he con- 
tributed liberally of his means to all worth}- en- 
terprises at that time, and probably accomplished 
as niucli good as though he had enlisted. He has 
held the oitice of Justice of the Peace for many 
years, w.as Supervisor of his township for seven 
years, and, in fact, he has held about all the offices 
of the township. He has never drank a drop of 
liquor in his life and has never used tobacco in 
any form. To such men as Mr. Thompson are 
due the progress and improvement of the great 
West, and to them we owe a debt of gratitude 
that can never be repaid. May the sunset of his 
life be ha)jp}- and contented. About 1848 his 
parents came from ^'ertnont, and they made their 
home with their children until their deaths, his 
occurring in 1851, and hei's in 1854. 



EROME W(J( )1 ). Seveial years have passed 
since all that was mortal of this well-known 
citizen of Cass County was laid to rest in 
the Summerville CemeteiT. Rut, though 
the '-workman dies, his work lives on," and this 
is true in a |)eculiai' manner of the subject of this 
biographical notice, who was for many years 
prominently identilied with the farming interests 
of Howard Township, Cass County. .lerome Wood 
was born in New York, near the city of Buffalo, 
February Ifi, 1825. His father, Simon D., a n.a- 
tive of the Kuipire State, was a merchant and clo- 
thier III HiitTalo and a man of prominence and intlii- 
cuee in that place. First as a Whig and lateras a 



880 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Republican, he took a ijrominent part in public 
matters and held many offices of trust and honor. 

The mother ol' our subject bore the maiden 
name of Salina Herriugtou, and was born at Coop- 
erstown, Otsego County, N. Y. She was a woman 
of noble character, and trained her children, of 
whom there were four daughters and five sons, to 
habits of industry and probity, qualifying them 
for positions of usefulness in the business and so- 
cial world. Our subject was the third in order of 
birth, and w.as reared in his native place until the 
age of thirteen, when he came to Michigan in 
company with his parents. Mis occupation 
throughout life was jirincipally that of an agricul- 
turist, although for a time he was in the clothing 
business with his father. 

After his marriage Mr. Wood located in Prairie 
Ronde Township, Kalamazoo County, vvhere he 
engaged as a tiller of the soil for seven 3ears. 
Tiience he removed to St. Joseph, Mich., but shoitly 
afterward, in 1852, came to Ca.ss County'. For 
fourteen years he resided in Silver Creek Town- 
siiip, whence in 186t) he removed to Howard Town- 
ship and settled on section B, where his widow still 
makes her home. Politically, he was a Republican 
and was an active member of the Grange. From 
the age of twenty-one ^ears he was a member of the 
Methodist Fi)iscopal Church, in which he held the 
oflfices of Steward and Trustee and other import- 
ant positions. For fourteen \'ears he was Trustee 
of the Crystal Spring Camp Ground, in which he 
took a deep and abiding interest. A sincere Christ- 
ian, he enjo3'ed the confidence of all with whom 
he associated, and his word was commonly said to 
be as good as his note. His death occurred Janu- 
ary 4, 1888, and when a few da\'s afterward the 
last services were held over his mortal remains, 
it was the sense of the citizens that one of the 
noblest men of the community liad been removed 
from among his associates and friends. 

This sketch would be very incomplete were no 
mention made of her who through sorrows as well 
as J03'S, through adversity and prosi)erit3', sick- 
ness and health, was ever the cherished compan- 
ion and devoted helpmate of Mr. Wood, and who 
now survives to mourn his loss. lantha Cory, as 
she was known in maidenhood, was born in the 



town of Springfield, Otsego County, N.Y., August 
20, 1828, and is the daughter of Capt. Samuel 
Cory, a native of Connecticut. At the age of 
about twenty-two years Mr. Cory accompanied his 
parents to Otsego County, N. Y.. where he set- 
tled in Springfield. lie served as Captain in the 
militia, and in that wa^" gained the title by which 
he was familiarly known. The paternal grand- 
father of Mrs. Wood. lienjamin Cory, was of 
English descent, and traced his lineage to one of 
three brothers who came to America in the ''May- 
flower." (irandfather Cory served with distin- 
guished valor ill both the Revolutionary War and 
the War of 1812. and Capt. Cory was also a par- 
ticipant in the latter conflict. 

The niother of Mrs. Wood bore the maiden name 
of Rachel Mallory. and was born in Ijennington. 
Vt.. whence at the age of eleven years she accom- 
panied her parents to Springfield. N. Y.. and 
there grew to woman lK)od and married. In 1841 
she and her husband removed to .St. Joseph Coun- 
ty', Mich., and for a time resided on a farm there, 
but later removed to Silver Creek Township. Cass 
County, where they ^jassed awav, the father at the 
age of eighty-nine, and the mother when ninety- 
three years old. They were the parents of five 
daughters and seven sons, all of whom reached 
mature years with the exception of one son. who 
died at the age of thirteen _\ears. At the present 
time (1893) oiil.v four survive, as follows: Jlrs. 
Frost, who is now eighty-three; Galerd, sixt\' years 
old; Warren, who is fifty-eight years of age, and 
Mrs. Wood. 

The eighth in order of birth in her father's 
family, lantha Cor^' gained the rudiments of her 
education in .S|)ringfleld, N. Y., where, in company 
with seven of her brothers and sisters, she attended 
school. After coming to Michigan, she walked 
five miles each day to and from school and thus, 
amid many discour.aging surroundings, she ac- 
quired her education. Subsequent reading has 
since broadened her knowledge, and she is a wo- 
man of unusual intelligence and information upon 
a wide range of subjects. She is the mother of 
six children: William .S., Adelbert C, Lucius E., 
Edwin D., Saniuel L. and Elva R.. the latter being 
Mrs. W. 1). Norton, of l^okagon 'I'oyynsliip. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



881 



The estate of ovir s.ubject is now the proiierlv ul' 
Jlis. Wood, iind consists of two liuudi-od and 
twenty-eight .acres of finely improved land. .She 
possesses a rare ca)).acitv for business and a keen 
perception and discriminating judgment, which 
enable her to manage her farm successfi'lly. 
Since she was fifteen, slie has been a member of 
Ihe .Methodist Episcoital Cluirch, and has always 
been active and efficient in church work. When 
only seventeen years old, it was her custom to 
walk five miles to the cluirch, where she led the 
singing. In her girlhood d.ays religious services 
were often held in her father's house, and for four 
years after her marriage meetings were fre((uently 
hflil in her Imme. 



■^ KNRY 15. IIICKS, an able farmer and prom- 
V inent man, and for Umr ^ears an eflieient 
.Supervisor of Milton Township, now re- 
sides upon .section 31. .Jefferson Township, 
Cass County, Mich. Our subject has passed his 
entire life in Cass County, and was born in Milton 
Townsiii[) October 15, 1845. He is the son of Rich- 
ard V. and Catherine E. (I'Ueiy) Hicks. The 
paternal grandfather, .lohii llieks, was a native 
of Cornwall, Kngland. His good wife was Caro- 
line I'eriy. (irandfatlier Hicks was a military' man, 
and spent his entire life in England. Mis children 
were William, who died in Cass County, .Mich., 
leaving a wife and several children; Henry, who 
after coming to America fell from a vessel and w.is 
drowned; .lohn, who was killed while raising a log 
house in .Shelby County, Ohio; Richard I'errv, who 
died in Michigan ; and .Su.sanah. The father of our 
subject w.as born in Cornwall, England, Xovember 
17, IHl!). Ho emigrated with his bi'Other Edward 
to the Inited .States and visited his brother Will- 
iam in Cass County. Mich., in 1837. He made 
his lioiiM' for a time in Ohio, but finally settled 
in lH|;(jn .Milton Township, upon one hundred 
and sixty acres of land, whicli he brought up to a 
high state of improvement. 



Richard Hicks is an energetic man and b.as ac- 
cumulated a large property, increasing his acres to 
.seven hundred and fifty, and he also owns valualile 
village lots. As Supervisor of the township and 
.as Justice of the Peace he has given valuable 
service to his fellow-townsmen, and is esteemed a 
liberal and progressive citizen. Politically, he is 
a Democrat, and is broad and tolerant in his re- 
ligious views. Eraternally, he is a member of the 
Ancient Eree & Accepted Masons, and is also con- 
nected with the Independent Order of Odd Eel- 
lows. The nine children of his household were 
.John P., Ilenr^- B., Richard J., Caroline E., .Sarah 
,]., William S., Katie M. (of .Shelby County, Ohio), 
Marj' A. and Oran \'. The mother of our sub- 
ject, a native of Pennsylvania, was the daughter 
of Jacob UUery, a substantial farmer, who died in 
Shelby County, Ohio. The four sons of Jiicob 
niery were John, Samuel, Jacob and George. 
The daughters were live in number. !Mr. I'llery 
was a member of the German Baptist Church, and 
the family was reared in the observance of the 
Dunkard faith. 

Our subject, llenr} B. llieks, received his school- 
ing in the home district, and began for himself 
by working on shares on the old homestead. The 
first farm he owned was ninety acres in Xiles 
Township, 15errien County. This land he par- 
tially improved, but sold it in 1880, then pur- 
chasing the one liundred and sixty .acies where he 
now resides. lie has successfully made his way 
in life, and during his four years of public work 
as Supervisor materially assisted in the advance- 
ment of local improvements. He removed to his 
present location March 11, 1891. Mr. Hicks is 
active in politics, and is fraternally associated with 
the Ancient Eree .t .\ccepted .Miisons. 

Eebruary 10, 18'Jl,our subject was united in 
marriage with Miss Kate L. Miller, born in .Milton 
Township, and a daughter of Autone and Eliza- 
lieLli (llernld) Miller. Anlone Miller was born June 
K). 1821, in Ravensberg. Wurlemberg, Germany. 
He had one brother and two sisters, all of whom 
passed away in Germany. Antone, surviving, de- 
cided to emigrate to the United States, and went 
to Niles, Mich., in 1853. He was by trade a in.i- 
son, but has spent the greater [)arl of his life in 



882 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



farming. In religious affiliation lie is a Roman 
Catholic. His wife was boru in Shifferstadt, Ba- 
varia, September 2fi, 18.')4. Slie is a daughter of 
.Joseph and Margaret Herald. Her father was a 
ealiinet-niaker and died in Germany. His widow 
then crossed the broad Atlantic to America, where 
her two sons and two daughters made their home. 
.Toseph Miller, the paternal grandfather of Mrs. 
Hicks, was a livei'3'man in Germany. The pleas- 
ant home of Mr. and Mrs. Hicks has been blessed 
by the birth of one child, Hazel A. Our sub- 
ject and his estimable wife have a large circle of 
friends, and occupy a position of useful intiiience. 
Mr. Hicks is interested in all matters of public 
welfare and is ever read}- to assist in local enter- 
prises. 



i>^^<m=^-^- 



Wr 



ILLIAM KINNEY. A noble class of men 
has built up the agricultural interests of 
onoko Township, Berrien County, Mich., 
and has made it a garden spot of the great com- 
monwealth of the State. Among those who have 
been active and efficient in the work is he who 
stands at the head of this sketch. He has been 
identified with the farming interests of the coun- 
ty for many years, and in every walk of life has 
conducted himself in an honorable, uiiright man- 
ner. His fine farm of eighty acres on section 27 
is one of the most attractive agricultural spots of 
the district, being conspicuous for the man.age- 
ment that, while making it neat and attractive, 
still shows prudence and econom}'. 

Mr. Kinne}' was born in Lancashire, England, 
to the marriage of .Tames and Ann (Corlett) Kin- 
ney, the latter a native of the Isle of Man. The 
parents were married in England and, in addi- 
tion to the butcher's trade, which the father cai- 
ried on successfully in his native country (Eng- 
land), he w.is also engaged in agricultural pursuits. 
In that country bolii passed the closing scenes of 
their lives. Of the five children born to them, 
three are now living, and all in America. Our 
subject, the eldest, first saw the light of day Octo- 



ber 10, 18.37, and in 1848, when eleven years of 
age, he came across the ocean with an uncle and 
settled witii the latter in Lucas County, Ohio, 
where he remained for some time. He then went 
to another uncle in Toledo, Ohio, and remained 
with him for five years, in the meantime learning 
his trade of a mason in all its branches, finishing 
with John P. Boice. of that city, at the end of 
four years. 

In 1856 Mr. Kinney came to Michigan, but pre- 
vious to this he worked at his trade in South 
Bend and New Carlisle, Ind. After reaching 
IMicbigan he made his way to Buclianan, Berrien 
County, and worked on the first brick house ever 
erected there. He made a permanent settlement 
in that town in 1858. making his home there un- 
til 187.'i, when he moved onto his present farm. 
He first settled on forty acres of partially im- 
proved timbei'-land, and to thi^ he has since added 
another forty, making eighty acres of excellent 
land, all under cultivation. This is the result of 
hard work and perseverance on his part. In 1892 
he built ills fine residence at a cost of ^2,000, and 
now has a charming rural home. In connection 
with farming he also carries on his trade, and 
makes a success ot botii, notwithstanding the old 
saying that a person cannot do two things at once 
and do tliein well. 

On the 10th of March, 1864, Mr. Kinney mar- 
ried Miss Kittle Haulk, a native of Monroe Coun- 
ty, Pa., and the daughter of Reuben Haulk. who 
was also a native of the Keystone State. From 
that State Mr. Haulk removed to Summit County, 
Ohio, and there his career ended. Mrs. Kinney 
was born October 26, 1844, and died October 2'.(, 
1878. To that union five cliildren were born: 
Charles II., deceased; Frank. .lohn, William and 
Alice. On the 4th of .July, 1879, Mr. Kinney 
was married to Miss Princess St. .lolin, daughter 
of Hiram St. .John, an old settler of this townsliip. 
Mrs. Kinney died April 28, 1880, leaving one 
child, Fannie. 

Our subject's second marriage occurred May 
2, 1881, to Miss Estiier Stinebeck, a native of Ber- 
trand Township, this county, and the daughter of 
Burney and Hannah (Davis) Stinebeck. natives 
resi)ectively of Pennsylvania and Ohio. Mr. Stine- 



rORTKAIT AM) lUOORAl'IlICAL RKCORD. 



88r! 



Iiet'k ciuiie to Micliiyaii in IfST) 1, losidinu in lit r- 
Iraiid Townsliip, this county, until the (K'atli of 
his wife, in l.S(;2. Ik' ciiteicd the Iiiion army, 
was wouuiieii and sul)se(iuently diseliar<>'ed. lie 
was maiiied asjain, but his wife died slioitly af- 
tei-ward. and lie was tlie third time married. Kour 
childien were horn to tiie last union, three of 
whom are now living. After the death of his 
third wife. Mr. Stinehi'ek married his present wife. 
'rhe\' have no children. 'I'liiee children were horn 
to the first union, only one now living. Mrs. 
Kinney. The father is still liviiio; and makes his 
home on section 21, this towiislii|). 

Mr. and .Mrs. Ivinnoy are the parents of two 
children. Anna Uell, horn Apiil 28, 1882, and 
(ieorge W.. Xovember 10, 1880. .Socially, Mr. 
Kinney is a member of IJuchanau' Lodge No. 75, 
1.(1. ( ). !•"., and has held all the chains except 
Noble- (J rand. lie is also a member of the Uer- 
rieii .Springs Post, (i. A. R., and of the Ancient 
Order of United Workmen at Berrien Springs. 
He has given his children good educational ad- 
vantages. Alice is a music teacher in Hen ton 
Harbor; .lolin is a graduate of a commercial col- 
lege and is now engaged in merchandising in Hen- 
ton Harbor; and George and .\nna are at home, 
attending the district school, and both are bright 
and (|uick at their books. In politics, Mr. Kin- 
ney is a stanch Republican and takes a deep in- 
terest in the welfare of that i)arty. He lia.s been 
a member of the School Hoard, and has .also been 
Pathmasler at different times. 

During the Civil War, on the Kith of October, 
18(;i, Mr. Kinney enlisted as a private in Company 
C, Twelfth Michigan Infantry, and was sent to 
Pittsburg Landing under Gen. Grant. He was 
in that battle both days, was al.so in the battles of 
Coiintii, I Ilka. Little Hock, and all through the 
siege of N'icksburg. He was on detached duty at 
Middleburg, Tenii., and was in many skirmishes 
with \':\n Dorn. He then returned to Little Hock 
and was on guard duty there for some time, when 
he went 1u Washington, Ark., and later to Cam- 
den, .\rk., where he was on <letaclied duly. In 
the battle of Hatchie's Hun he was struck b\- two 
|)ieces of shell, one in the head and one in the 
arm. .\t Shiloh a spent ball struck him in the 



knee. He was di.scharged on the lath of Kebru- 
ary, 18fi(), after serving four years, four months 
and live days. He was never taken prisoner and 
served his countrv faithfully from lirst to last. 



^ ^ IS^@1 ^ ^^^ 



^Jl OIIN R. Ror<iH. an extensive general ag- 
riculturist, owning many valuable farms in 
Herrien County, Midi., has been a lead- 

ing resident of Hertrand Township for over 

a quarter of a century-. He w,as born .lune .5, 
1828, in Union, now .Snyder, County, Pa., and wa.s 
a son of .lolin Rough, a native of .luniata County, 
a weaver, but who jias.sed most of his early life 
tilling the soil of the Quaker State. In 1844. the 
father emigrated to !\Iiehigan and located on the 
same farm in Rei'trand Township where he later 
died, at the venerable age of ninety-five years. 
The paternal grandfather, John Rough, was an in- 
dustrious agriculturist of his native State, and 
died in Penn.sylvania, his life-time home, at the 
completion of seventy-five years of usefulnes.s. 
He w.as of immediate Geiman descent. The 
mother of our subject, Elizabeth (Swartz) Rough, 
was born in Pennsylvania, of which State her fa- 
ther was also a native, having been horn in Union 
County, where .Tohn Swartz was numbered among 
the prominent settlers aiul highly respected citi- 
zens. The home of .John and Klizaboth Rough 
was blessed by the birth of nine sturdy children, 
seven of whom survived to years of maturity. 
Mary is deceased; Samuel resides in Indiana; Kliza 
is deceased; Peggie and Barbara are twins; Katie 
died at nine j'ears of age; .John R. is our subject; 
William comes next; and Leo is the wife of Ileiirv 
Swartz, of Indiana. 

.lohn R. is the sixth child and the second son of 
the family. Until twenty-one years old he re- 
mained upon the farm of his father, and in bo\- 
hood attended the district school of the neighbor- 
hood. In 1849 he began life for himself, and in 
18.')() was united in marriage with Mi.ss .Mary A. 
HofTman, a native of Pennsylvania. Immediate- 
ly following his wedding he settled in Daiiphiij 



884 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



County, in which part of tlie ( Juaker Stale lie re- 
mained the succeeding fourteen years, diligently 
engaged in the dail}' round of agricultural cares. 
In 1864 he determined to seek his fortune in ^licii- 
igan, and, arrived within the State, at once settled 
in Buciianaii Township, Berrien County. After 
farming for a time in that locality, he, in 186G, 
bought his present valuable homestead of four 
hundred and six acres in Bertrand Township, one 
of the finest pieces of agricultural jjioperty in the 
county and nearly all under a high state of culti- 
vation. I\Ir. Rough came to Michigan with a cap- 
ital of 1.3,100, which, wisely invested and judici- 
ously managed, has yielded him handsome returns 
and given him a place among the moneyed men 
and excellent financiers of Berrien County. 

The estimable wife of our subject passed away 
in 1892, sincerely mourned by a large circle of 
friends and relatives. She was the devoted moth- 
er of six children, three sons and three daughters, 
all of whom are deceased, leaving the husband 
and father entirely alone. Mr. Rough has profit- 
ably divided his old homestead into three farms. 
He has upon the property five dwellings and four 
barns, and rents all with the exception of one 
house. His capital he uses mostly in loaning upon 
gilt-edged securities, and after a life of unceasing 
care and toil now enjoys the fruits of success. He 
is in political affiliation a Republican and is intel- 
ligently posted upon all matters of National wel- 
fare, and is known and respected as an upright cit- 
izen of su))erior business ability. 



^^' 



"jl^' B. DOWLINO, for twenty-nine years acoii- 
stant resident of his highly-improved farm, 
located upon section 16, Galien Township, 
^ Berrien Count}*, Mich., is a native of Ma- 
rion Countj', Ohio, and was born May 14, 1829. 
The parents of our subject were William and 
Rachel (Biggs) Bowling. The paternal grandfa- 
ther, John Dowling, was born in Ireland, but came 
to the United States in early life and married, his 



wife being a native of Scotland. Locating in 
Pennsylvania, the grandparents reared tlieir sturdy 
family. John Dowling was a cooper by trade, and 
pursued that occupation, at the same time engaging 
in farming. In religious alliliation he was a Pres- 
byterian; and, politically, a Democrat. The father 
of our subject was one of a family of seven chil- 
dren. He remained in the Quaker State until he 
had attained to manhood, and in the mean lime 
received an excellent education, and taught while 
yet a lad. He also learned the cooper's trade, and 
served an apprenticeship of seven years. William 
Dowling taught school until he was married, and 
then was ordained as a preacher of the Christian 
Church. He remained actively engaged in the 
profession the rest of his life. For some time 
prior to his death he made his home in Indiana, 
living upon an eighty-acre farm in Noble County. 

Seven children blessed the home of the father 
and mother. Miranda became the wife of David 
Lash; Melinda married Horace Tabor; Mahala is 
the wife of Samuel Weaver; JNIatilda, deceased, 
was married to John Berry; John B. is our subject; 
William and Levi complete the family circle. At 
one time the father affiliated with the Ancient 
Free & Accepted Masons. He was interested in 
public affairs and steadily voted with the Dem- 
ocratic party. His death in 1875 w.as regretted 
by all who knew him. He was a devoted Christian 
man, and possessed a high order of intelligent abil- 
ity. His wife survived him a few years. Our 
subject received his education in the Belleville 
Seminary in Ohio, from which institution he was 
graduated after a full course of instruction. Lim- 
ited in means and ambitious to excel, Mr. Dow- 
ling taught in the winter schools, and in summer 
followed the trade of a carpenter. P"or thirteen 
years he pursued his two vocations successfully 
and was prospered. Our subject was twice mar- 
ried. While residing in Ohio he was united in 
marri.age with Miss Rebecca Pinyard, who became 
the mother of five children, all of whom are de- 
ceased. Some years after the death of his first 
wife, Mr. Dowling married in Indiana Miss Emily 
Fggleston. 

Three children, ime after the other, came to 
cheer the hearts of their iiarents. Addie died at 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



88;-) 



nine years of age; Willis, a telegraph oi)erator at 
Monett, Mo., married C!ora Greenui); and Kncell, 
who IS the y(>iingesl-I)i)rn, is a telegrepli ()i)era- 
tor at Kensington Street, Chicago. In 18G4 IMr. 
Dowling removed with liis family to Miciiigan 
and bought eeventy-seven acres of his ))resent 
farm. Tlie land was then unimproved, but has 
now tieen brouglit up to a liigli state of cultiva- 
tion. Tliere was an old mill on the farm at the 
time our subject purchased the homestead. Tlie 
mill Mr. Dowling rebuilt and sold, but it has since 
been abandoned. Our subject and his estimable 
wife are members of tlie Christian Church, and 
have been active in the support and extension of 
religious work. Politically, Mr. Dowling is a 
strong Republican, and, an intelligent and pulilic- 
spirited citizen, is well posted in local and na- 
tional atfairs. 



^+^ 



(^r 




ON. HENRY CHAMHKRLAIN. Among 

|! the eminent men of Michigan who have 

iionorably worked their way to the highest 

Uj position and won the richest reward by the 
e*ceicise of patient (terse verance. prominent men- 
tion belongs to the well-known gentleman whose 
name introduces this brief biographical notice, and 
who, throughout his long and useful career, has 
proved the power of conscientious labor and hon- 
est industry in elevating the individual and 
crowning his exertions with the most complete 
success. Now retired from public life, he is spend- 
ing the afternoon of his days among such comforts 
and luxuries as were accumulated by the labor of 
former years. 

For many years a resident of Three Oaks, Mr. 
Chamberlain is not, however, a native of Michi- 
gan, hut was born in Pembroke, N. II., on the 
17th of March. 1821. Tracing his ancestry back 
through several generations, we find Jacob Cham- 
berlain was born in IflltKand married Miss Abi- 
gail Ilassey, their uniim being blessed by the birth 
of the following children: .lolin, .lacob. Samuel 
Abigail, Sarah, .Martha and I'luebe. The father 



of this family died in 1734. at the age of about 

forty-two years. The sixth cliild in his family 
was Samuel, who was born at Chelsea, .Mass., in 
17;M, and married Miss Martha, daughter of Dea- 
con Henry Mellen, of Ilopkinton, Mass. They 
were the |)arents of a large family of children, 
whose names were Samuel, William, Mose^. Sylieil. 
Klizabeth, Lydia, Patty and .loseph. 

During the Revolutionaiy War Samuel Ch.am- 
berlain enlisted in the defense of the Colonies, 
and served with distinguished bravery, winning 
the epaulets of a Lieutenant. About 1760 he re- 
moved from Massachusetts to New Hampshire, set- 
tling .-It Loudon, and there engaging in farming 
pursuits. About 1785 he removed to I'.eacham, 
Vt., where all his children were living, with the 
exception of Moses, who remained at the old 
homestead. His death occurred in 1802, when he 
had reached an advanced .age. Of his children, 
the biographer wishes to record events of interest 
in the life of his son Moses, who was born at Ilop- 
kinton, Mass., on the 5th of October, 1757, and 
in childhood accompanied his parents to Loudon, 
N. H. 

The marriage of Moses Chamberlain united him 
with Miss Rebecca, daughter of Amos Abbott, a 
prominent citizen of Concord, N. II., and nine 
children were born to the union: Rebecca, .ludith. 
Patt3-, Amos, William, Moses, John A., HetvSe\aiid 
Samuel. Moses Cliamberlain served in the War 
of the Revolution, as did also his brother William. 
The latter was aroused from bed on the night of 
the 21st of A|)ril. 177(), in order to hasten to liis 
country's defense, and served in the army until 
the close of the war, first as a private and later as 
a Lieutenant, participating in the battles of Prince- 
ton, Bennington and a number of minor engage- 
ments. In civic affairs he w.as also a man of gieat 
inllueiice. and was one of the most prominent 
statesman of N'ermont. being a member of Con- 
gress, and also serving as Lieutenant-Governor for 
many years. Moses Chamberlain, Sr., died on the 
21st of October, 1811. 

The father of our subject. .Moses Chamberlain, 
Jr.. was Ixjrn on the 7th of Februar\-, 1792, at 
London, N. II., where he was reared on a farm, 
lie became a merchant of Penibroke. where he 



886 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



married Miss Mar^; Foster, tlie daughter of Abicl 
and Susanna (IMoore) Fostei'. Her fatlicr, who 
was born in Canterbury, N. 11.. was a man of 
wealth and devoted his attention to superinten- 
ding liis valuable estate. The maternal great- 
grandfather of our subject was Abiel Foster, ISr., 
who was born in Andover, Mass., in 1735, and was 
graduated from Harvard University in 17;")6. In 
1701 he was ordained a minister in the Congrega- 
tional Church at Canterbur}-, N. H., and until 
1779 devoted his attention to religious work, af- 
ter which he became more closely connected with 
public affairs. He was a member of Congress un- 
der the Confederation for two years, and also af- 
ter the adoption of the Constitution, with the ex- 
ception of four years, until March 4, 180.5, being 
one of the most prominent statesmen of his day. 
His death occurred on the 6th of February, 1806. 
The second marriage of Abiel Fpster united liim 
with Miss Mary Rogers, of Ipswich, Mass.. who 
was the daughter of Samuel Rogers, a physician 
and a descendant of a long line of Congregational 
ministers of Ipswich. 

For twenty years Moses Chamberlain, .Ir., en- 
gaged in mercantile pursuits at Pembroke. N. 11.. 
whence he removed to Concord, the same State, 
and followed the mercantile business there for 
about eight years. In 1843 he came to Michigan, 
settling in Berrien ('ounty, upon a tract of land in 
Three Oaks Township, which he had entered from 
tiie Government in 1836. He entered eight hun- 
dred .acres of land in this county, and w.as one of 
the most successful and prominent farmers of the 
community, with the progress of which he was 
closel}- identified until his death, on the 12tli of 
February, 18(i6. 

In the parental family were live children, three 
of whom are still living: Mellen C, a resident of 
Chelsea, Mass., and a retired lawyer, who for man}' 
years held the position of Librarian of tlie Roston 
Cit}' Library'; Henry, of this sketch; and William, 
who is warden of the State Prison, at Jackson, 
Mich. Those deceased are Mary, the wife of H. 
K. Crosby, and Elizabeth, Mrs, John G. Mason. 
The father of this family was a devoted member 
of the Congregational Church and an active worker 
in religious enterprises, as well as in the c,nu>e of 



anti-slavery and temperance. A man of firm con- 
victions, ardent in his support of the right, and 
equally courageous in his warfare against the 
wrong, he was held in the highest esteem liy all 
who knew him. He was a man of undaunted 
bravery, knowing no other fear than the fear of 
God. In his domestic relations he was tender and 
true, a loving husband and devoted father. As 
one of the earliest settlers of Berrien County, liis 
name will be held in loving memory for gen- 
erations yet to come and his labor in securing a 
good class of settlers for the vilLagc of Three Oaks 
entitles him to a high place among the pioneers of 
the place. 

To such ancestors as these the subject of our 
sketch can point with pride, and many fif tlie 
qualities which have contributed to his success are 
his by the right of inheritance. He received 
meagre educational advantages in his youth, at- 
tending the common schools but a short time, and 
at the age of sixteen spending sis months in Pem- 
broke Academy. In the great school of experi- 
ence, as well as by self-culture and observation, lie 
li.as gained a broad knowledge of the world, and 
is one of the best-informed men in the community. 
At the age of twelve he entered his father's store, 
where he remained as clerk until became to IMich- 
igan at the age of twenty. Here he began the life 
of a backwoodsman upon section 1.5. Tliree Oaks 
Township, remaining on that place until 1850. 

Coming during tiiat year to the site of the pres- 
ent village of Three Oaks, our subject erected a 
log cabin, and at once commenced the work of 
clearing the land and improving tlic farm. He 
also devoted considerable attention to selling- 
wood, which he cut from his place. In 1854 he 
built a store and embarked in the general mercan- 
tile business, becoming the pioneer merchant of 
Three Oaks, and continuing in the business until 
1878. Meantime he also engaged in farming on 
an extensive scale, owning at onetime about tlirce 
tlidusand acres of land, and clearing the homo 
farm of live hundred and forty acres. He still 
owns about five hundred acres in Three Oaks 
Township. 

The first marriage of Mr. Chaml)eilain unitcil 
him with Saiah .1., llie daughter of \iiicont Nash, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RIOCORD 



887 



;iii narlj' settler in Berrien Couiily. Slie was born 
in .lefferson County, Ind.. wlioiu-e slie came to 
Michigan in 1840. and in 1851 became the wife of 
onr subject. (Jne ciiild was horn of the union, 
Henry, who is now a clerk in Cleveland, Oliit). 
Mrs. Sarah .1. Chamberlain died in .liine. 1852, and 
in November of 185() our subject married Mrs. 
Rebecca Ames, the dausjiiter of .lacob \'andecen- 
ter, of La Grange County, Ind., a prominent farm- 
er and early settler of that county. Mrs. Cham- 
berlain was born in Delaware County, Ohio, where 
her father had made settlement in 181(i. migrating 
thither from Pennsylvania. At the age of six yeais 
she accompanied her parents to La Grange Coun- 
ty, Ind., and received her education in the com- 
mon schools .Mild the Ontario Collegi;ite Institute 
of 1 ndiaiia. 

VtX his second marriage. Mr. Chamberlain be- 
came the father of three children, viz.: Mary, the 
wife of Edward K. Warren, of Three Oaks; Re- 
becca Belle, who married Lc-e Chamlierlain, of Col- 
umbus, Ohio, a commission merchant of that city; 
and Paul, who is a mechanical engineer residing 
at Aurora, III. Our subject may well be proud of 
his children, who occupy positions of prominence 
in the social and business world. In his religious 
connections, Mr. Chamberlain is identified with 
the Congregational Church, and contributes lib- 
erally to its various enterprises, although he by 
no means witlilioUls his su|iport from the benevo- 
lent projects of other organizations. 

This sketch would be very incomplete were no 
mention made of the political career of our sub- 
ject, for he is. and for many years has been, one of 
the most piominent Democrats in the State. A 
few days after he was twenty-one years old, he 
was elected Supervisor of New Buffalo Township, 
and served in that position for four years. In 
1849 he represented the county in the State Legis- 
lature. From 1853 until 1855 he was mail agent 
on the Michigan Central Railroad. He was elected 
Justice of the Peace in 1850, in the old township 
of New I'lUffalo (the township of Three Oaks be- 
ing a part of that township), and tilled the olHce 
until 1872. In 1851 he was elected Supervisor of 
New Buffalo 'i'ownsliip, and upon the formation 
of Three Oaks 'I\)wiiship in 1M5(), he was chosen 



to represent it u|)on the County Board of Super- 
visors, filling the position for six terms. In I8(;4 he 
was candidate for State .Senator, and two years af- 
terward was candidate for the Constitutional Con- 
vention. Ill 18()><aiid 1870 he was candidate for 
Congress, and in 1874 was the Demociatic nomi- 
nee for the position of Governor of Michigan. In 
187() he was again nominated for Congress. At 
three different times he received the vote of his 
jiarty for State Senator. He is now serving .as a 
member of the State Board of Agriculture. In 
1876 and 1892 he served .as delegate to the Demo- 
cratic National Conventions. 

In the Masonic fraternity Mr. Chamberlain has 
also been very prominent, and has been identified 
with the order since 1854. He was (Ti-and M.aster 
of the State in 1872. and has served .as Master of 
the lodge at Three Oaks. He is also a Knight 
Templar. It was under his direction that the first 
code of Masonic laws w.as originated, and from 
that day to this his interest in the organization 
has never waned. With .agricultural organiza- 
tions he is also i)rominently connected, and enjoys 
the distinction of having been Secretary of the 
meeting that organized the State .\irricult iiral So- 
ciel}'. Throughout the State he eiijcjys consider- 
able distinction .as an orator, and is original, pol- 
ished and pleasing .as a [lublic speaker. 






%-5"i"5-*t 



?'-{"i-++F 



\|pr-rR,\NCIS M. (;R.\V was born in Blnghainp- 
lL^g\ ton, Mich., September 25, 1843, and is the 
/l^ son of Daniel and Mary (Young) Gray, 
natives, res|)octively, of New York and Pennsyl- 
vania. The father was one of the pioneers of 
this State, whither he (^ame with his family in 
1837, and located at Marshall, Calhoun County, 
rpon a farm there he conducted general ,agricul- 
tural pursuits until his. death, which occurred in 
1.S43. His widow survived him many years, and 
finall}' piissed away at her home in Niles during 
the 3'ear 1885. She was a woman possessing many 
noble attributes of mind and heart, and her iiicm- 
orv is revered bv her children. 



888 



i-ORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Francis M. Gray is tlie younger of two chil- 
dren, the other Ijeing Gordon, wlio is a prosperous i 
business man residing near Santiago, Cal. The 
boys were from infancy thrown wholly uj^on their 
mother's care, on account of their father's death. 
Francis M. spent his boj'hood years in Marshall, 
where lie completed his education in the public 
schools, .and afterward became a clerk in the store | 
of S. B. Shepherd, his stepfather. He occupied a j 
clerical position in the store for a number of years, 
and later w.as received into the firm, his energy 
and ability resulting in an increased business. 
Some years afterward he became interested in the 
bakery business at Niles, and a profitable trade in 
that line was conducted for ten years, the firm title 
l)eing S. B. Shepherd & Co. 

At the expiration of ten years, our subject pur- 
chased his stepfather's interest in the bakery, 
which he managed for the four ensuing years, and 
then sold the business to a Mr. Wmg. Meanwhile 
he had built up a profitable trade, and had en- 
hanced the value of the bakery and its appurten- 
ances to such an extent that he sold it for 820,000. 
Mr. Gray next turned his attention to the dry- 
goods business, and about the same time bought a 
large farm in Berrien County, located near Ber- 
rien Springs, and commonly known as the Shaker 
Farm, which he personally superintended for two 
years. Later he rented his country home and 
came to Buchanan, where he afterward gave his 
entire attention to the mercantile business. 

In the organization of the Citizens' National 
Bank of Niles, Mr. Gray was one of the prime fsic- 
tois and intiuential men. He served as Cashier of 
that financial institution for some j'ears, and was 
later President, filling that responsible and hon- 
ored place for ten years. During the same time 
he also maintained extensive interests in the mill- 
ing and foundry business, and also had large rail- 
road interests. For three years he was President 
of the Elkhart, Niles & Lake Michigan Railroad, 
commonly known as the Big Four Railroad, in the 
incorporation of which he rendered valuable as- 
sistance, and for a time dfrected its business. 

Although Mr. Gray some time ago disposed of 
his interest in the bank, he neveitlieless still holds 
large and valuable property interests. For a time 



he resided in California, where lie was in the real- 
estate business together with his brother, (Tordon 
Y. He now owns a block of twelve fiats in Chi- 
cago, a valuable farm comprising three hundred 
and seventy acres in Berrien County, two hun- 
dred and fort}' acres in Elkhart County, Ind., an 
elegant residence and considerable business prop- 
erty in Niles. The fact that he has attained a po- 
sition of prominence among the wealthy land-hold- 
ers of Niles proves the possession of abilities of no 
common order. Upon starting out in life, he had 
no capital, but possessed an immense amount of 
perseverance, energy and the American quality of 
"go-aheaditiveness." The result was that, although 
scarcely in the prime of his mental vigor, he has at- 
tained a competency of this world's goods. He has 
always been interested in all measures conducive 
to the progress of the city and the welfare of the 
citizens. In jiolitics, he affiliates with the Repxib- 
lican party, and has served for one term as Mayor 
of Niles. 

In the aulniiin of 18(i8, Mr. Graj- married Miss 
Emma V., daughter of -Toseph C. Larimer, of Niles. 
Mr. Larimer is one of the pioneers of MicRigaii, 
and at one time served as President of Dowagiac 
County, being one of the very earliest settlers of 
that locality'. Mr. and Mrs. Gray are the parents 
of one son, Gordon. 



^^ 



=-^ 




17 H. WARNER. The father of this promin- 
ent and successful agriculturist, Habbell 
Warner, was a |)roduet of the Empire Stale, 
born in Herkimer County, Warren Township, and 
there followed the trade of harnes.s-niaker until 
thirty-two years of age, when he started out as an 
agriculturist. His father, Oliver Warner, was a 
native of Connecticut, and died in that State in 
1813. Habbell Warner married Miss Catherine 
Hughes, who was also a native of Herkimer County, 
N. Y., and their nupti.als were celebrated in that 
county in 1825. Her father, .lohn Iluglies. was 
born in New Yoi-k State, and was of Scotch de- 
scent. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



889 



It) the year lH.i2 Mr. and Mrs. Warner moved 
to Cayuifa County, New ^'ork Stale, but in the 
>|>rinjj: of IS;?7 tliey eniiiiintefl to Micliiij^an and 
M'ltlod at I'aw Paw. In September of the same 
yeai- they moved to (his eoiinty and .setthid on the 
f.arm now owned by uur siil)ject, l)nt wliich was 
then a pari of the farm of .lose[ihus (iard. Mr. 
^^'alll<•r also entered one liundied and twenty 
aeres of hmil.and resided on tliis until IS.'iit. when 
lie removed lo Dowa^iae and lived a retired life, 
ills estimable eonipanion died there in 1877, and 
in l.SHd Mr. Warner made his home with our sub- 
jeet,and passed (inietly away in 1887, when eighty- 
seven years of age. Both were members of the 
Methodist Kpl^eopal Church, in which he was an 
.active worker. Of the seven children born to liie 
abo\-e wiirlhy couple, only t uo besides oui' subject 
are novv living, .lames 11. and Angeline Snider. 
^Ir. Warner took a piominent part in township 
affairs, was Supervisor, Justice of the Peace, etc., 
and was much esteemed for his many estimable 
ipialities. In politics, he was a Democrat. 

The natal ilay of our subject was February (', 
1828, and his native State was New York. He was 
Ijorn in Herkimer County, and was but nine years 
of age when he came with his parents to Michi- 
gan. His educational advantages were limited, as 
he attended the snbsciiption schools for a short 
time only, most of his time being taken n|) in 
assisting lo clear the farm. Indians were numer- 
ous, and the thick timber hid many a lurking ani- 
mal. Thus he grew to sturdy manhood, and in 
18.')2 he was married to Miss (Jrley Ann Shaw, a 
daughter of Richard Shaw and sister to Mrs. I. N. 
Card. (See sketch.) Mrs Warner was born on 
Young's Prairie, this county, February 10, 183.S. 
After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Warner lived on a 
farm on Little Prairie until 18,39, when they 
moved to the old homestead, on w'hich Ihey have 
resided up to the present. They are now the 
owners of one hundred and twent}- acres of land, 
sixty-live acres under the plow, and have made 
many improvements in the place. Recently Mr. 
Warner sold eighty acres. 

Five of the .seven children born lo this union 
are now living: Charles K., Kmily. M. Kdna, Cath- 
eri)ie and Sophia, The eldest died in infancy. Klla 



is also deceased. Mr. AVarnei- is a member of the 
I^Iasonic fraternity at Volinia, and was Secretary of 
the same for some time. He is a member of the 
Farmers' Club and is also a member of the Anti- 
Horse Thief Association, being an officer in the 
latter organization — "Foreman of Riders." His 
son Charles is a well-known educator of the 
county; Emily is teaching at (irand Rapids, .and 
Catherine hiis also taught. Fldna is now cashier 
and book-keeper in a store at Cassopolis, this 
county. Mr. AVarner has been a member of the 
School Board for years and is interested in all 
matters pertaining to the public welfare. He is a 
Democrat in polities, has held the otlice of Town- 
ship Treasurer for six years, was al.so School In- 
spector, and was frequently a delegate to county 
conventions. He is at present erecting a tine resi- 
dence in Casso|)olis, and there he expects to move 
in the near future. 






^=^E0R(;E C. HARTMAN, a practical general 
(l[ (— ^ agriculturist and self-reliant man, winning 
'^^^1 his way in life with energetic and unflag- 
ging industry, h.as for more than thirty years re- 
sided ujion his present homestead, pleasantly lo- 
cated in Pipestone Township, Berrien County, 
Mich. His father, a native of Maiden Lane, New 
York Citv, w,as .lohn Ilartman, born in 1789, and 
a son of Conrad Hartman, born in New .Icrsey, 
but of (ierman descent. The paternal grandfather 
was a soldier in the Revolutionary War and parti- 
cipated in the battle of Monmouth when only 
fourteen years of age. The paternal great-grand- 
father was also a brave soldier of the Revolution. 
The mother of our subject, Sarah (Sedgwick) Hart- 
man, was a native of New Haven. Conn., and a 
daughter of Ebenezer .Sedgwick. She w.as also a 
cousin of Gen. Sedgwick, who made a gallant rec- 
ord in the Civil War. The parents of our subject 
were married in Lyons, X. Y., and lived in that 
locality all their lives. The mother died in 1831, 
but the father survived until 1872. Four chil- 
dren blcs.se(l their union, of whom our subject is 



890 



POETRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



now the sole survivor. The parents were mem- 
bers of the Presbyterian Ciiurch, and for forty 
years the father's seat in church was never vacant, 
lie was a hard-working man and a skillful mechanic, 
and did blacksmithiug work in tiie State Prison at 
Aubuin. 

The father married Miss Gertrude Porter for his 
second wife. Of the live children born unto this 
union three jet survive, and are living on the old 
farm in Waj ne County, N. Y. The two sons and 
one daughter are .James, Isaac and .Julia. One 
son, E(iward, was a soldier in the Second Michigan 
Infantry, and died in the service. Our subject 
was born in Lyons Township, Wayne County, 
X. \., -Tulj' 6, 1822. Reared u|)oii a farm, he re- 
ceived a good common-school education in the 
district, and remained at home, working at the 
blacksmith trade, until his marriage in 1851 to 
Miss Kate Farmer, a (laughter of Samuel and 
Iluldah (Burton) Farmer. Tiie father was born in 
New Jersey September 12, 177'.i, and the mother 
was born January 27, 1790. Mr. Farmer engaged 
in the pursuit of agriculture for some time in 
Montgomery County, N. V., and then, in 1835, 
moved to Brooklyn, N. Y. This latter city be- 
came his permanent residence, and he received em- 
ployment for many years in the Navy Yard, and 
died in the Empire State in 1838. His good wife 
survived until 1883, and passed away in Michigan. 
Mr. and Mrs. Farmer were the parents of five chil- 
dren, two of whom are living: William S., and 
Mrs. Hartinan, who was born November 14, 1821, 
in Montgomery County, N. Y. Educated in her 
birthplace, Mrs. Hartman there grew up to w(jman- 
hood and married. 

Immediately following his wedding, our subject 
made a biief visit to Michigan, then returning to 
the East spent eighteen months in Brooklyn. At 
the expiration of this length of time the young 
husband and wife settled permanently in Michi- 
gan, locating in Pipestone Township, where Mr. 
Hartman engaged in the dairy business in com- 
pany with W. S. Farmer for three years. The suc- 
ceeding three years he devoted to clearing land on 
shares, and tinally. in 1860, settled on his present 
farm, then uU wild land. He had no inone\-, but 
owned a yoke of (tattle, and with deteniiiiied en- 



ergy worked his way upward. He built a frame 
house and plastered it liimself, having first made 
the tools and lumber. He chopped and logged and, 
aided by liis yoke of oxen, accomplished an im- 
mense amount of prolilable work. Of the one 
hundred and sixty acres, one hundred are now 
under high cultivation. Six children brightened 
the home, three yet surviving: Georgiana, wife of 
Charles L. Lamore, a resident of Pipestone Town- 
ship, and mother of one child, Willie Elwood; 
Farmer, who married Ida Tuggart, has one child 
and makes his home in Pipestone Township; and 
Allan Leslie, at home. Our subject gave his chil- 
dren the best e<Uication attainable in the locality. 
Politically, he is a Republican, but is not active, 
and voted in 1844 and 1864, and but twice since. 
He w.as an admirer of Gen. Giant and has in his 
parlor a prized memento, a chair used in the office 
of Gen. U. S. Grant in New York City. Mr. Hart- 
man has been a hard-working man and tlirough 
his self-reliant efforts has attained a position of 
independence. Upright and industrious, he com- 
mands the respect of his .associates and fellow- 
townsmen. 



■ >i >' ■>■ > I' » ■ I 




ROF. MARCUS S. OWEN was born in Ox- 
Y ford, Chenango County, N. Y., April 25, 
1820, and traces his lineage to Wales, rep- 
resentatives of his family having emi- 
grated to the United States in an early day and 
made settlement in the Empire State. There 
Grandfather Alvin Owen was born and that State 
w.as also the birthplace of S. W. Owen, father of 
our subject. The last-named saw active military 
service in the War of 1812, wliere he fought for 
the freedom of our country and its i)rotection 
against the encroachments of an insidious enemy. 
For many years he was engaged in the lumbering 
business, in which he had large interests, and was 
quite successful. His wife was Sallie, daughter of 
John Sherwood, a resident of Connecticut. 

At the age of twenty years, our subject com- 
niencid llie study of music, for which he iiad a 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPH'CAL RECORD. 



891 



|ii(.Mlili'ili(iii. His lirsl iiisUiu'tt)rs witc Thoirias 
ll!istiiii;> :ui(l W. 15. ISriullimv, of Sew '^'ork City, 
1111(1(1' whom lit- aciiiiired iiiciil i)n)liciencv iu vocal 
iiHi,-ic .111(1 as a violinist. His perseveranco, in coii- 
lu'clioii Willi an miiisual (Icijrce of natural talent, 
contiilintt'd to tlic> attainment of high skill as a 
niusici:iii, and at an earl^' age he won considerable 
local fame as a skilled artist. In 18;')? he removed 
from New York City to Chicago and thence to 
tialcsburg. III., whcic he engaged as an instructor 
of vocal music and the violin for a [icriod of four 
years. iJctiirniiig to Chicago, he there followed 
hi> pidfcssidii for two years. 

Ill IsiK) Prof. Owen came to P>enloii Harbor, 
where he has taught instrumental music up to the 
prociit lime, and also gives instruction on the vi- 
olin. Iiut has abandoned vocal music. He cares 
little for politics, l)ut advocates the principles of 
the Republican party and supports his opinions 
with his Ixillol. His marriage in 18.')7 united him 
with .Miss Adelaide .1. Pope, who was at that time 
a resilient of New Berlin, Ciienango Country, N. Y. 
Ibr father, Asa Pope, was a native of New Y'ork 
and the son of (iates Pope, likewise of the Empire 
Stale, the latter in turn being the son of Gershom 
Gates, a native of Vermont and a Captain in the 
War of the Revolution, serving under Arnold in 
the .\riiiy of the North. The Pope ancestors 
sailed from Plymouth, England, on the 20th of 
March, lG2il. on a vessel called "The Mary it 
.lohn," commanded by Capt. Squab. .Settling at 
Mattapaii, Mass., they gave to the [ilace the name 
of Doicliester, that being in June of Ki.'itJ. 

The mother of Mrs. Owen bore the maiden 
name of Charlotte .Stoneman and was of English 
descent. Her father, Richard Stoneman, was a na- 
tive of i^ondon, England, and emigrated to the 
Cniteil States, settling in New lierlin. Chenango 
County, N. Y. He was a man of splendid intel- 
lect and strong personality, wielding gieat intlu- 
ence in his community and becoming well known 
througliout the Stale. He was the grandfather of 
the late ( ien. ( ieorge Stoneman. Prof, and .Mrs. 
Owen have been the parents of two children, 
one of w'hom, Frank, died when a child. Al- 
ice is the widow of \V. Hrown. of Kalamazoo 
Couiil\. .Mich., who (bed in r.ciilon Harbor in 



1887. Mrs. Owen is also a music teacher, her spe- 
cialty being tiie jiiano and organ. The pioneer 
musicians of Benton Harbor are largely indebted 
to Prof. Owen and his wife for their success in de- 
veloping the musical talent of the young people 
here. 



A IklLLlA.M 11. SWISHEK. The line farm of 
\/sJ// *'*''' oCntlenian, situated on section 22, 
W^' Silver Creek Township, Cass County, 
Mich., is an ornament to the township, and one of 
the best to be found m the count}-. William II. 
Swisher is a product of the Buckeye State, boin in 
Preble County in 1847, and is a son of .lohn T. 
and Millison (Elliott) Swisher. 

John T. Swisher is a native of that grand old 
State, Virginia, as were also his parents, Solomon 
and Elizabeth (Bonar) Swisher. Our subject's 
great-grandparents were natives of German}', and 
came to America in Colonial days, or at a time 
antedating the Revolution. They were mairied 
in their native country, and after reaching the 
United States settled near Philadelphia, where 
they bought land. Later, they emigrated to \'ir- 
ginia and reared a family of eight children. The 
great-grandfather was killed in the Revolution.'iry 
War, his death occurring when our subject's father 
was quite small. 

Solomon Swisher served an apprenticeship at 
the tailor's trade, and tiiat was his principal occu- 
pation through life, alllidugli diiriiiii' tlie latter 
part of his days he was interested in agricultural 
pursuits. He married in N'irginia the daughter of 
.Jasper and Klizalielli lioiiar. Mr. Bonar was also 
a soldier in tlie Kevolntioiiary War. .\bout the 
year 1827 Solomon Swisher and family emigrated 
to Preble County, Ohio, more on account of his 
son, .lohn T.. not wishing to live in a slave .State, 
and there be became the owner of a line farm. 
He served in the War of IS 12, and was a brave 
and faithful soldier. The eight children born to 
his iii:iriinge were ii;uiied in the older of their 
biiihs, as follows; .lohn T.. Iviilli, llillerv. .Jo- 



892 



PORTRAIT AND BI0(.'KAPI1ICAL RECORD 



siali, Elizabeth, t'liarlottc, (.'atlierine and Solo- 
mon. Mr. Swisher held membership with the Metli- 
(jdist Episcopal Cliiuch, and his wife with the 
Presbyterian Church, and both were worthy and 
consistent members of their respective churches. He 
was a prominent man in his day, who always voted 
the old Whig ticket, and held many of the local 
offices in the township and county. Socially, he 
was a member of the Ancient Eiee cfe Accepted 
Masons. His death occurred in the Buckeye 
State. 

.John T. Swisher's birth occurred in the year 
1812, and he secured a limited education in the 
s('h(iols of his day. Being a great reader and 
student, all his spare time was spent with his books, 
and in that w.ay he secured a good practical edu- 
cation. When eighteen years of age ho began 
teaching, but followed this only a short time, and 
tlien went on a farm, where he received twenty-five 
cents per day. When about twenty-one years of 
age he went to Carroll C^ounty, Ind., and entered 
forty acres on the banks of the Wabash River. 
He never moved on this land, but purchased 
land near his father's farm in Ohio. He was mar- 
ried in the last-named State to Mi,ss Millison E\- 
liott, daughter of John and Mary (Elliott) f^lliott 
and a native of North Carolina, as were also her 
parents. 

Nine children were the fruits of Mr. and Mrs. 
Swisher's union, and they are named as follows: 
Harriet, Ann E., Mary, Sarah, William II. (our sub- 
ject), Charlotte, Thomas, Solomon and John. Mr. 
Swisher became the owner of eighty acres in Ohio, 
and there remained until 18.52, when the rich soil 
of Michigan tempted him to make a setllcnient 
within its border. He at one time owned about 
one thousand acres of land, but he has divided 
with his cliildren and now has ab()ut three hun- 
dred acres. In his political views, Mr. Swisher 
h.as ever affiliated with the Republican party. He 
and his wife are members of the Chiistian Church, 
and are highly honored citizens. 

William H. Swisher was about five years of age 
wl.ou he came with his parents to Cass Coun- 
ty, Mich. He was reared and educated in Silver 
Creek Township, that county, supplementing a 
COiBiiioii-scliool rd^L-ation by attending the schools 



of Ypsilanti, and when he had attained his major- 
ity his father gave him two hundred acres of land. 
This was partly improved and on it he has a good 
home at the present time. When twenty-two 
years of age he was married to Miss Emma Yund, 
a native of the Empire State. She came with her 
parents tC) Cass County, Mich., when young, ami 
here grew to womanhood. 

To our subject and wife have been born two 
childien, Gertrude and Iva. both bright and in- 
teresting. Mr. and Mrs. Swisher are worthy mem- 
bers of the Disciples Church, and he is a member of 
the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons at Dowagiac. 
In politics, he has ever been a Republican and has 
been (juite a leader in his township. He was Su- 
pervisor of his townshi]) three terms and has also 
been Justice of the Peace, discharging the duties 
of both i)Ositions in a very capable manner. He 
has been dealing in stock to some extent, feeding 
and shipping, but the principal part of his time has 
been devoted to farmiiii;. 



•5^S<5^E+ 



'ill ULIUS O. BECRAFT, Postmaster at Dowa- 
giac, formerly editor and sole owner of the 
Dowagiac Mepuhliran, was born in this city 
on the 27th of April, 1860. He is of Ger- 
man descent, his paternal grandfather having emi- 
grated from Germany and settled in Orange 
County. N. Y.. where he followed farming pur- 
suits. In that county Isaiah S. Becraft was born, 
and there he grew to a stalwart manhood, mean- 
while aiding in the work of clearing and improv- 
ing the farm. Upon coming to Michigan he lo- 
cated in Macomb County, and thence in 1848 he 
removed to Dowagiac, where he followed the trade 
of a l)uilder and contractor and erected some of 
the first houses in the place. 

In Macomb County, Mich.. Isaiah S. Becraft 
married Miss Lydia, daughter of James Wallace, 
and of Scotch descent. Two children were born 
of til is marriage. After the death of his first wife, 
he auain married in Macomb County and came to 



PORTRAIT AND HIOCiRAl'IIlCAL RECORD. 



893 



Dowagiac, where tliey lived happily until severed 
l)y death. One of the first merchants in Dowagiac, 
Mr. Hecraft engaged in merchandising for a time 
hoie. lie served as Deputy Slieritf of the county 
and as Treasurer of the township. At the time of 
Ills death, in ISfio, he was filling the position of 
I'niled States Deputy Provost Marshal and also 
held a commission in the United States Secret Ser- 
vice. In his political opinions he was first a Whig, 
and upon the organization of the Republican 
parly united with its supjiorters and remained an 
adherent of its principles until his demise. Soci- 
ally, he vvas identified with the Masonic order and 
was a charter member of the first Masonic lodge 
urganized in Dowagiac. 

Of his first marriage, Mr. Becraft, asal)ove stated, 
became the fatherof two children. Mis second mar- 
riage united him with Caroline Wallace, sister of his 
first wife, and was blessed by the birth of five chil- 
dren. Julius O., one of the children born to the 
first union, was reared in Dowagiac and attended 
school until fourteen years old, when he became 
self-supporting. For about two years he was em- 
plo^'ed in a basket shop, hut later secured a posi- 
tion as clerk in a dry-goods store at Kalamazoo. 
After working there for two years, he returned to 
Dowagiac and at first clerked in the postothce; 
later he engaged in sellings dry goods for a year or 
more, after which he became freight clerk in the 
depot at Cassopolis. He was in that position only 
a short time when he resigned and, returning to 
Dowagiac, accepted a position in the postotfice. A 
year afterward he was appointed station agent at 
Cassopolis for the Michigan Central Railroad. 
Two years were spent there and a like period in 
Dowagiac in the same position. 

Having been ajipointed Assistant Postmaster, 
Mr. Hecraft served with efficiency In that position 
for about nine years, when a change in administra- 
tion caused the resignation of the corps of ollicials. 
He then embarked in liusiness as a fire insurance 
agent and was quite successful in that line of work. 
At the time of President Harrison's election, a 
change was made in the postoftiee at Dowagiac 
and Mr. Hecraft was appf)inled Postmaster, assum- 
ing the duties of llie position on the 1st of .lann- 
ary, 1890. Mr. lieciafl was married, in 1X70, to 

•11 



Miss Hattie Hritton, a native of Albion, Mich., 

and the unif)n was blessed by the birth of two 
children: Kred K.. who is now postal clerk on the 
Chicago A' Grand Trunk Railway between Chicago 
and Port Huron; and Charles, who died in in- 
fancy. 

Politically, Mr. Becraft has always been a stanch 
Republican and has been inlliifntial in the ranks 
of his chosen party. For years he filled the posi- 
tion of City Recorder. He has been a member of 
the Republican Congressional Committee of the 
Fourth District for twelve years and is now its 
Chairman. He has been a prominent member of 
the Board of Kducation for a number of years, 
serving as its Secretary at the present time. Soci- 
ally, his connections arc with the Masonic frater- 
nity, he being a Royal Arch Mason and a Knight- 
Templar; he is also indcntified with the Knights 
of Honor and the Modern Woodmen of America, 
and has held official positions in both organiza- 
tions. 

The Dowagiac Republican, of which Mr. Becraft 
was proprietor and editor, was established in 1858 
and is the oldest paper in the county. His inter- 
est in it dates from the year 1890, and it is largely 
through his influence that it has maintained its 
position among the prominent political organs of 
the county. Strongly Republican in politics, it is 
nevertheless not partisan in preferences, but aims 
principally to [)romote the interests of the peoi>le 
of the city, irrespective of political belief. 



-^- =^=^>-^^<i 



ny- 



^^,EOROK fl. BROWN, by trade a ship-car- 
|/[ _— . pentcr, but now devoting himself to the 
\;^JJ(( culture of the soil, and one of the |)roininent 
oeneral agriculturists and stock-raisers of Weesaw 
Town-ship, Berrien County, Mich., owns a valu- 
able homestead of one hundred and twenty acres, 
linelv impi'Oved and located three and a-half 
miles northeast of Three Oaks. Mr. Brown is a 
native of the Oerman Empire and was born in 
Hesse-Cnssel .luly 17, 18:^;). His parents, Andrew 
ami Mary (Weifenbach) Brown, were Itotli born in 



894 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the Fatherland and were descendants of a long 
line of stuidy ancestry, who from remote genera- 
tions had been true and faithful subjects of the 
reigning powers. The honest, hard-working and 
intelligent father and mother, however, apjireciated 
the advantages offered b,v a Repulilican Govern- 
ment, and when our subject was only about six 
years of age, with then' family and a few treasured 
possessions, emigrated to America. After a long 
voyage, in 1846,tliey landed safely in New York 
and thence proceeded without loss of time to 
Lorain County, Ohio. 

The following year the father died, but his 
widow continued to make Ohio her home until 
May, 1893, when she too passed away at an ad- 
vanced age, having outlived her husband forty- 
seven jears. Eight children, live sons and three 
daughters, were born unto the parents, and two 
sons and one daughter yet survive. Our subject 
was the fourth child of the family and was but a 
little lad when he accompanied his parents to 
Ohio. He received a limited education ui Lorain 
County, and remained there until he had reached 
mature age. He was obliged to assist in the 
support of the mother and younger children, and 
it was not until 1868 that he decided to remove to 
Michigan. He settled at that time in Berrien 
County, and bought forty acres of land, a |)art of 
the farm he now owns. Witii the exception of a 
small clearing of five acres the purchase was 
covered with a heavy growth of timber. To the 
original forty our subject has since added eighty 
acres, now all brought up to a high state of culti- 
vation and containing substantial buildings. As 
Mr. Brown has gained his comfortable home and 
pleasant surroundings entirely through his self- 
reliant efforts and unremitting industry, the faim 
is indeed a monument to his success. 

In the State of Ohio, in 1861, were united in 
marriage George G. Brown and Miss Elizabeth 
Clapp, 'who, with her parents, emigrated from 
Germany to Ohio in a very earij- day. Our 
subject and his estimable wife have six children 
all living. Mary was the eldest born; Louisa re- 
sides in Niles and is the wife of Joseph Etzzorn; 
Willie is the eldest son; Anna is the wife of Jacob 
Vile; and Frank and Elmer complete tiie list of 



brothers and sisters. Mr. Brown worked at his 
trade of a ship-carpenter ten years in Ohio, Lorain 
Count}', and since that time has successfully 
devoted his entire attention to farming duties. 
He and his good wife are valued members of the 
Pjvangelical Church and are liberal givers in 
behalf of religious wc>rk. Our subject takes a 
deep interest in the enterprises of the township 
and is a member of the Farmers' Mutual Fire In- 
surance Co. Politically, a Republican, he cast his 
first vote for Abraham Lincoln. Interested in 
educational advancement, Mr. Brown hasaidedaud 
encouraged his sons and daughters to lit themselves 
well for the battle of life and, winning his way 
upward, has the satisfaction of seeing his family 
occupying positions of usefulness and command- 
ing the res])ect of all who know them. 



^^1 



m- 



'm 



IM^ 



\l^ ON. WILLI.AM M. VROOMAN, Mayor of 

' Uowagiac and an influential business man 

of this cily, was born in Jackson County, 

_); Mich., October 1, 1848, being the son of 
Charles W. Vrooman, a native of New York and a 
pioneer of Micliigan. William M. was reared in 
Jackson County, and his schooling was obtained 
in the district schools, but his education has been 
gained piincipally by observation and experience. 

At the age of twenty-one Mr. Yrooman pur- 
chased land in Jackson County, and engaged in 
farming there for three years, after which became 
to Dowagiac and engaged in the hardware busi- 
ness in tins city for eighteen months. Returning 
to Jackson County, he located on the old A'roo- 
inan homestead and remained there until the fall 
of 1882, when he sold the propert}' and again 
came to Dowagiac. P'orming a partnership with 
G. E. Bishop, under the firm name of Bishop & 
Vrooman, our subject conducted a flourishing busi- 
ness until the winter of 1890, when the partner- 
ship was dissolved. 

Buying out the firm of Bliss ife Gilbert, Mr. 
Vrooman has since conducted business alone. On 
Fvont Street he has a cf)mmodious and couven- 



PORTRAIT AM) lUOORAPIITCAI- RECORD. 



895 



u'litly aiiaijjned storeroom, twenty feet front and 
one liimdred feet deep, and lie utilizes the base- 
ment an(] uppei- Boors. In addition to this, lie lias 
a larsje warehouse, wliere he stores his agricultural 
implements, etc. He carries on an extensive and 
hicrntive business in agricultural imi)lements and 
carriages, and also keeps on hand a complete as- 
sortment of hardware and tinware, as well as stoves 
and ranges. At the present time six men are 
given steady employment and a flourishing busi- 
ness is conducted. 

October 4, 1870, Mr. Vrooman married Miss 
Eliza, daughter of Allen McMicliell. and a native 
of Jackson County, Mich. Two children have 
blessed the union, Bert A. and Bessie, who are at- 
tending sclxtjol at Dowagiac. Politically, Mr. 
Vrooman is a Democrat, and is actively interested 
in local politics. In the spring of 1891 he was 
elected Mayor of the city and is still serving in 
that position, having been instrumental in secur- 
ing many municipal reforms and much-needed im- 
provements. In 1887 he became Treasurer of the 
city and filled that position one ^ear. He also served 
for one year as Supervisor, and in all the oflicial 
positions occupied by hire has served with credit 
to himself and to the universal satisfaction of the 
people. In regard to social connections, he is a 
Knight of Pythias and a member of the order of 
United Woodmen of America. 



n[J,_,^^ ARVEY CADY, a representative general 
'^^ agriculturist of Berrien Township, Berrien 
County, Mich., has for fifty years been a 
witness of the rapid growth and upward 
progress of his immediate locality, which, from an 
almost unbroken wilderness, has within this period 
of tiiiu' been transformed into meadow-land, wav- 
ing fields and po))idous country. Mr. Cady is a 
native of Cayuga County, N. Y.. and was born 
ill .\pril. 1S2'.I. His parents, Aleale and Abigail 
(Uoyce) Cady, were both natives of the ICinpiri' 
State, the iiiother's curly liouiC beiny in Cayuga, 



while the father was born in Saratoga County. 
The parents were united in the birthplace of the 
mother, and after their marriage continued for 
many years to reside in Cayuga County, where 
the father carried on a shoemaking business, and 
also engaged in farming. In 184.3, with their 
family, the [jareiits, journeying to the \Vest, locat- 
ed in Michigan, settling on section 34, Berrien 
Township. They were in comfortable circum- 
stances and were prospered in their new home. 
The father industriously converted the wdd land 
into an extensive and linely improved homestead 
and owned over a three hundred acre tract. The 
worthy parents took an active interest in all the 
matters of the township, and, passing away at an 
advanced age, were regretted b3" their old friends 
and neighbors. 

Homes were few and far between in those earlj' 
da_ys of 1843, but ,as changes came the father iden- 
tified himself with the growth of enteri)rise. He 
and his good wife were valued members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, and actively aided in 
religious work. Politically, Father Cady was an 
old-line Whig and conservative in his views. A 
man of fair education, he was School Inspector for 
several years and faithfully assisted in the promo- 
tion of educational advancement. He was a fine 
penman and skillful in making out reports and all 
the practical work demanded by an executive posi- 
tion. Harvey Cady attended the schools of his 
native State in his early boyhood and later com- 
pleted his studies in the little log schoolhouse of 
Berrien Township. At the age of twent3'-one 
years he began life for himself and learned the 
trade of a carpenter. He followed the occupation 
for nine years and then entered into the pursuit 
of agriculture in Three Oaks Township, farming 
the northeast eighty acres of that township for 
twenty years. In 1882 our subject settled on his 
present farm of one hundred and thirty-one acres, 
most of it under cultivation and now rented to a 
tenant. 

In l.s.')7, Harvey Cady and Miss Cornelia 
Bailey were united in marriage. Mrs. Cady, a 
most estimable lady, now deceased, was a daughter 
of pioneer settlers of Berrien Count}'. Reared 
amiil primitive scenes, siie was a native of Cass 



896 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAfmCAL RECORD. 



County, Mich., and, born in 1838, passed away in 
1877. She was tlie mother of four children: 
George W., who resides in La Porte, Ind.; Mattic, 
the wife of Erastus Hickman, who has two children 
and lives at Three Oaks; Fannie M., the wife of 
A. .). Valentine, who has two children and is at 
home in Benton Harbor; and Fred William, the 
youngest-born. Mr. Cad^' was a second time 
married, in 1878, to Esther Barnes, a daughter of 
Ivory Barnes, of Vermont. Mrs. Cady was born 
in Berrien County and, receiving a good education, 
completed her studies in Valparaiso. Siie is an ac- 
complished lad^- and taught school several j-ears in 
Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Cady have been blessed 
by the birtli of one child, II. McDonald Cady. 
Formerly a memlier of tlie Methodi.sl Episcopal 
Church, Mrs. Cady is now connected with the 
United Brethren Church and is an active worker 
and teacher in the Sunday-school of this latter de- 
nomination. Our subject was for some length of 
time a member of the School Board of Three Oaks 
and aided his children to obtain an excellent edu- 
cation. The familj' contains a bright little girl. 
Myrtle Barnes, a sweet singer and the daughter of 
a brother of Mrs. Cady, who is bringing this little 
child up as her own. Politically, Mr. Cady is a 
Republican, and, intelligently posted on botii local 
and national issues, is a liberal and progressive 
citizen, identified with matters of mutual welfare 
and highly esteemed b^' all who know hini. 
Togetlier with his excellent wife and family, our 
subject occupies an enviable position of usefulness 
and inttuencd and possesses many sincere friends. 



=^^+-^1=- 




ITT J. PIERCE. The pioneers of south- 
fj western Michigan have a worthy rejire- 
sentative in this venerable man, who is 
spending the twilight of his life at his 
pleasant home in Buchanan. He was born in 
Hamburgh, Erie County, N. Y., on the 9th of No- 
vember, 1817. His grandfather, Giles, and his fa- 
ther, George Pierce, were both natives of Vermont, 
niid the latluM- was an active participant in the 



War of 1812. The mother of our subject. Lydia 
Littlcfield, was also born in the Green Mountain 
State, and her brother was at one lime the Sheriff 
of Buffalo, >'. Y. 

After their marri.age the [)arents of our subject 
located on a farm in Erie County, N. Y.,and there 
resided until aliout 1827, when they removed to 
Ohio and made settlement about seven miles south 
of Fainesville. In 1850 they came to Berrien 
County, where the father died at the age of four- 
score years. The mother passed away when sev- 
enty-five years of age. They had three sons who 
grew to manhood, but one of these is now de- 
ceased. The survivors are Pitt J. and George. 
The first-named was a lad of ten years when he 
removed to Ohio with his parents an# there grew 
to a sturdy and self-reliant manhood. 

In 1840, with his wife and child and less than 
•i>6 as his entire capital, Mr. Pierce came to Mich- 
igan and established a home for his family in 
Berrien County. Upon the present site of New- 
Troy, then covered with a dense forest growtli, he 
located and commenced to improve a farm. Al- 
though he had innumerable obstacles to encoun- 
ter during those early days, he was hopeful, am- 
bitious and not easily discouraged. In a short 
time the farm was placed under cultivation, and 
with a golden tribute each year repaid him for his 
exertions. Years passed by, and as the seasons 
came and went the value of the land increased, 
and its improvements caused it to rank as one 
of the best farms in the county. In 1891, after 
a half-century of toil, Mr. Pierce retired to the 
rest so richly merited and deservedly won. He 
now rents his three hundred and thirty acre es- 
tate and derives a fair income therefrom. 

In Hamden, Ohio, in 1839, occurred the mar- 
riage of Pitt J. Fierce to Miss Mary Hill, a native 
of the Buckeye State. Three children were horn 
of the union, but one died in infancy. A. W., a 
resident of Troy, is one of the most prominent 
men in that community and is now ofticiating as 
Justice of the Peace. Lucinda M. married R. B. 
Jennings, a retired farmer living in Buchanan. 
The second marriage of Mr. Pierce occurred in 
1890 and united iiim with Mrs. Julia A. He.ss, the 
widow of Alichael IIes:^. Mis. Pierc(> was horn 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPFIICAL RECORD. 



897 



and reared in Ohio, and is a lady of many woftliy 
i|nalities, heinjj aniialilc, cullnied and hospitable. 
Alt.iioniili for many year:* a K('|inl)iioan. Mr. Pierce 
ii:ui reienlly changed his political views .somewhat, 
.and now snpports the (ninciples of Democracy. 







1^ AMKI, .SlIKFJIAN. Among the suecess- 
fnl liusiness enterprises of Niles is the 
plumbing, steam and gas fitting establish- 
ment owned and conducted b}' tiie subject 
of this sketcii. Beginning in life for himself, he 
was without capital other than that which is rep- 
resented by habits of industr\- and self-reliance. 
These qualities, combined with excellent judg- 
ment and sound common-sense, have secured for 
him a measure of success beyond what is usually' 
obtained. 

A native of Ireland, Mr. Slieehan was boin in 
Porllaw, County Waterford, on tiie Isi of July, 
1813. His parents, Cornelius and Martha (Pike) 
Slieehan, were natives of the Emerald Isle, and the 
father was a tailor by trade. In 1844 he brought 
his family to the I'nited States, landing in New 
York City, where he remained a short time. In 
1818 l:e came to Michigan, and located in Ann 
.Vibor. where he speni the remainder of his life. 
Our subject was reared to manhood in .\nn 
Arbor and was a student in a public .school of 
that cil\'. (Jibboii has said that '•every person 
lias two educations, one which he receives from 
Otiicrs, and one, more important, wliicli he gives 
to himself." ( »! the first of these Mr. Sjiethaii has 
little pr.actical knowledge, but with the latter he 
IS familiar. His education may bo said to have 
been gained principally in the great school of ex- 
perience. Through habits of clo.se observation and 
systematic reading he gained a breadth of knowl- 
edge not always possessed by college-bred men. 

rpon starting in business Mr. Slieehan followed 
the trade of a plnmlier, which he had learned in 
lioyhood. In 181)7 he inairied Mi.ss Mary Kear- 
ney, of Ann Arbor, and during the following 
year he came to Niles, where for a lime he was in 



the emplo\- (»f .lohii \V. Paj'ne, a plumber of this 
city, whom he afterward bought out. When the 
watei-works were introduced into Niles .Mr. .Sliee- 
han purchased a stock of plumbing, gas and water 
fixtures and established a business which has en- 
joyed a continuous growth. He constructed the 
sewers of Niles, which he afterward sold to the 
city, and has in other ways secured the introduc- 
tion of modern improvements in Niles. 

Although of foreign birth, Mr. Slieehan pos- 
sesses tiie patriotism of a true American citizen, 
and during the Civil War enlisted in 1862 as a 
member of Conipan\- II, Twentieth Michigan In- 
fantry, commanded by Capt. Wiltsee. He partici- 
pated in the battles of the Wilderness, Spottsyl- 
vania. Cold Harbor, East Tennessee, the siege of 
Vicksburg, and other minor engagements through- 
out North Carolina and Tennessee. At the close 
of the war he was ordered to Washington, where 
he took part in the Grand Review in July, 1865, 
and afterward returned to Ann Arbor. Politically 
he is a Republican. In his religious connections 
he is a faithful member of St. Mary's Catholic 
Church and active iii its support. 



•^ 






AMES A. CO\^ERI)ALE. For many years 
this gentleman \va< prominently connected 
with the agricultural inlerosts of Cass 
_ County, and iii his death Milton Township 
lost one of its most enterprising and popular citi- 
zens. He was a native of Su.ssex County, Del., 
having been born .\ugiist 10, 1826. and w.-is the 
third of a family of five children born to Israel 
and Nancy Coverd.ale. At the age of ten years 
he accompanied his parents to Michigan, where he 
was reared to manhood upon a farm, meantime 
enjoying such advantages as were afforded by the 
schools of Cass County. 

Throughout his entire active life. Mi'. Cover- 
dale followed the occupation f)f a farmer. A 
stanch Uepiiblicaii in politics, he held numerous 
school offices, and was elected to other positions of 
honor, which, however, lie refused to accept on 



898 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



account of the delicate state of his health. In his 
religious belief he was a Methodist and officiated 
as Trustee in a church here, contributing with the 
utmost generosity to its support, as well as to 
other religious enterprises. His death occurred 
March 15, 1892, and he was laid to rest in Smith 
Chapel Cemetery, in Milton Township. Though 
he has passed from the scenes of earth he still lives 
in the hearts of those most dear to him, as well as 
in the affection of his large circle of acquaintances. 
He was for five years a Director in the Farmers' 
Mutual Insurance Compan}' and had been elected 
for the sixth year only a few weeks prior to liis 
death. 

The lady who for a long time was the devoted 
wife and affectionate counselor of Mr. Coverdale, 
and who now remains to mourn his loss, was form- 
erly Miss Elizabeth Abbott and was born in Kent 
County, Del., on the 16th of October, 1829. Her 
father, George Abbott, and her mother, whose 
maiden name was Mary Jones, were both natives 
of Delaware, and were the i)arents of eight chil- 
dren, Mrs. Coverdale being the third in order of 
birth. She received her education principally in 
Delaware, but also attended tlie district schools of 
Milton Township, Cass County, for one term. Her 
parents were in humble circumstances when the}- 
came to Miciiigan,and she worked during one 
summer in Niles. After her marriage, which took 
place on the 7th of December, 1848, slie located 
with her husband on the farm where she now lives. 
Their first home was a little log house, containing 
two rooms, but in 1871 this humble dwelling was 
replaced by the present elegant frame residence 
that now adorns the place. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Coverdale there were born 
seven children, as follows: Mary E., the wife of 
James Watson, of Boone County, Neb.; Calista 
J., who died shortly after her marriage to Robert 
Clark; Florence B., the wife of Edward Stewart, 
of Niles; Alice E. and James F., deceased; Minnie, 
who is the wife of Charles Champion, a prominent 
grocer of Niles; and Alberta, who is at home with 
her mother. Mrs. Coverdale owns a farm of one 
hundred and twenty acres, to which, since her 
liusl)and's death, she has given her personal super- 
vision. As slie possesses high ability and excel- 



lent judgment, she makes of her farming business 
a complete success, and the estate under her care- 
ful management maintains the high standard of 
excellence it reached in Mr. Coverdale's lifetime. 






HOUSWORTH. All his life Mr. Hous- 
worth has followed, with substantial results, 
the occupation to which he was reared, that 
of a farmer. He has been identified witii 
the best interests of the county since coming 
here, and his intelligence, enterprise and many es- 
timable qualities have acquired for him a popu- 
larity' not derived from an\' factitious circum- 
stances, but a spontaneous and permanent tribute 
to his merit. Possessed of unusual intelligence, he 
seeks to develop himself as well as his agricultural 
interests in the best and broadest directions. 

Mr. Housworth was originally from the good 
old State of Pennsylvania, born in Sn3-der Count}', 
July 17, 1843, and is a son of John and Catherine 
(Garman) Housworth, both natives of the Key- 
stone State. The elder Mr. Housworth followed 
the occupation of a farmer in his native State for 
many years, and was fairly successful in the pur- 
suit. Tempted by the promise held forth by Mich- 
igan as a rich farming region, he turned his face 
Westward, and crossed the borders of tliat State in 
1867. He located in Berrien County, and was 
there engaged in tilling the soil and improving a 
good farm until his death, when about seventy 
years of age. His wife died in Snyder County, Pa., 
when sixty years of age. They were in every 
way upi'ight, honorable citizens, and made warm 
friends wherever they located. 

The original of this notice was the eighth in or- 
der of birth of the ten cliildren, five sons and five 
daughters, born to the above-mentioned couple, 
and was the fourth son. The early part of his 
life was passed in active iluties on the farm and 
in attending the district school, where he secured 
a fair education. In the j'ear 1867 he came to 
Michigan with his parents, but in December of the 
same year he returned to Pennsylvania, and on the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



899 



17tli of tlint month was married to Miss M. Shafer, 
a native of liiat State. Directly after liis mar- 
riage Mr. lloiiswoitli and wife made tlieir way to 
JNIicliigan and settled in Berrien County, where he 
worked by the day for two years. 

After that he rented a farm, on which he re- 
mained for tliree years, then another on which he 
tilled the soil for seven years. In 1880 he bought 
the farm on wiiich he now resides, and .is there 
were but few improvements made on it he has 
been actively engaged in clearing and bringing it 
to its present high state of cultivation. lie now 
hiis one of the finest farms in his section, and has 
every reason to be proud of it. lie has eighty acres 
of productive soil, with four acres in timber,and the 
land is worth at least ^ 1 00 per acre. Mr. Housworth 
is a Democrat in his political views, but is not a 
strict partisan, voting for the man irrespective of 
party. He is a member of the Evangelical Church 
at Buchanan, and has held ofliee in the same. His 
marriage resulted in the birth of two children, a 
daughter and .son, Minnie and Clayton \V., both 
at home. 



■^*^f^i ■ > I I I > 




[^ ALE E. CKOSUY, a retired farmer residing 
in Three Oaks, was born in the village of 
Ashburnham, Worcester Count_v, JIass., Oc- 
tober 15, 181(5. The family of which he i.s 
an honored representative was for mjuiy successive 
generations closely identified with the history of 
^'ew England, and lias contributed to our country 
some of its most influential citizens. Tracing the 
family lineage back to tiie arrival of the first mem- 
lieriu tlie rnited States, we find tiiat in Ki.'io there 
arriveil on tlie vessel "Susan iV Ellyn'iinc Simon 
Croshy. aged twenty-si.x. and .VnTi, his wile, aged 
twenty-live. They settled in Cambridge, where he 
became (nw of the Selectmen, and resided until his 
death in l(>;!i). It is supposed that he brought 
considerable mone^' to this country with him, as 
he ac(|uire(l the ownership of a large amount of 
land. 

In the family of Simon anil Ann Crosby there 



were three children, Thomas, Simon and Joseph. 
From the second of these we trace the lineage 
through .Josiah; then through .losiah, of Billerica 
Alass., who was killed by the Indians; and Josiah, of 
Amherst, N. 11., to Fitch, the father of our subject. 
Grandfather Crosby was for a time engaged in the 
wars with the Indians on the Connecticut River, 
and afterward became a captain in the Revolu- 
tionary War, participating in the battle of Bunker 
Hill and other noted engagements. Me married 
Miss .Sarah F"itch, who was born March 25, 1732, 
their marriage being solemnized August 23, 1750. 

Fitch Crosby was born in Milford, N. H., July 
14, 1773, and learned the trade of a clothier in 
Concord, Mass. He established himself first at 
Acworth and later, in 1800, went to Ashburnham, 
M.ass., where for some time he carried on his busi- 
ness, cultivating at the same time a small farm. 
On the 1st of March, 1798, he married Miss Re- 
becca, daughter of Josiah Davis. She was born 
December 7, 1778, and died on the 20th of May, 
1857, having been an invalid for many j^ears prior 
to her decease. She was an earnest Christian 
woman and was a devoted wife and an affection- 
ate mother. Mr. Crosby was also a good and pious 
man, ])Osscssing a calm and equable disposition 
and U|)right character. He passed away on the 
17th of March, 1852. 

In the family of which our subject is a member 
there were three children: Charles, who died in 
Massachusetts at the advanced age of four-score 
and one years; Josiah D., who w.as a minister 
in the Congregational Church in Massachusetts, 
and died in June, 1888, aged eighty-t)ue years; 
and Hale E., who is the only survivor of the fam- 
ily. The last-named w.as reared in Ashburnham, 
Mass., and was educated in the public schools of 
that place. At the age of sixteen years he went 
to Lowell, Mass., as an apprentice in the ollice of 
the Lowell Observer, and he nfterwanl was em- 
ployed in the olHce of (loidd i^* Newman, at An- 
dover, Mass. From there he went to Concord, 
N. II., and carri<'d on his studit^s in the Concfird 
Literary hislitulion. 

After leaving school .Mr. Crosby commenced 
the publication of an anti-slavery paper called the 
Herald ofFrcechmt, which was edited by X. P. Hog- 



900 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ers and was one of the most radical papers of its 
kind. For about three years our subject was iden- 
tified with the Herald of Freedom, utter which he 
purchased a stock of goods and opened a store in 
Ashby, Mass., removing thence to Fisherville, 
N.H., where he engaged in tlie mercantile business 
for two years. 

In 1844 Mr. Crosby went to New Buffalo, Mich., 
where he superintended the selling out of a stock 
of goods that he and his father-in-law had at 
that place. When that work was finished he lo- 
cated upon a farm in what is now the eastern 
part of New ]5uffalo Township. lie purchased the 
property from J. P. Brown, who had entered it 
from the Government. Upon locating tliere he at 
once commenced the work of clearing the land, 
which was in its original wild condition. At first 
he bought onl}' eighty acres, paving therefor about 
$2 per acre, but as frequently as convenient he 
added to the property until his landed possessions 
aggregated three hundred acres. He continued to 
live at that place from 184.5 until 1886, when he 
removed to Three Oaks and has since made his 
home in this village. 

The marriage of Mr. Crosby took place on the 
1st of November, 1838, his bride being Miss Mary 
Cliamberlain, who was liorn in Pembroke, N. H., 
November 3, 1818, and was the daughter of Moses 
Chamberlain. A famil>' of six children came to 
bless their home, three of whom are living, namely: 
Josiali B., who enlisted in the service of the Union 
in 1861, before he had attained his majority, and 
served until the close of the war, holding the rank 
of a non-commissioned officer, and who is now liv- 
ing near the old homestead; Henry C.,who resides 
on the home farm in New Buffalo Township; and 
John A., a practicing ph3'sician of Minneapolis, 
Minn. Mr. Crosb^' has an adopted daughter, El- 
enora, who makes her home with him and tenderly 
cares for him in his declining years. The deceased 
children are Charles and William, each of whom 
died at the age of about one year, and an infant 
that died unnamed. On the 7th of .lanuai\-, 
1890, the family suffered an irreparable loss in the 
death of the loving wife and mother, who was a 
woman of saintly character. .'^Iie was a member 
of the Congregational Church, devoted to the 



cause of religion, and (luring the late war was 
tireless in her efforts to supply provisions, cloth- . 
ing, etc., for the soldiers. 

In former years Mr. Crosby was an Abolitionist, 
and after the organization of the Republican 
party he identified himself with it, remaining an 
adherent of its principles until the election of 
Cleveland, since which time he has been indepen- 
dent, casting his ballot for the best men and the 
best interests, irrespective of party. For a num- 
ber of years he represented the township of New 
Buffalo on the County Board of Supervisors and 
served as its Chairman for one \ear. In 1866-(i7 
he represented Berrien County in the State Legis- 
lature, where his services were eminently satisfac- 
tory to his constituency. While filling that posi- 
tion the Agricultural College was founded, and he 
gave to that movement his hearty support. He 
also advocated the law encouraging the sthool 
districts to purchase Webster's Dictionary for 
school purposes, and was a member of the Com- 
mittee of P^ducation. He was one of the organ- 
izers of the Congregational Church at New Buf- 
falo and has served as a Deacon in the church, 
taking a deep interest in the work of the church 
and Sunday-school. Mr. Crosby never used in- 
toxicating liquors or tobacco in any form, nor tea 
nor coffee. In early boyhood he formed the habit 
of using only cold water as a beverage and con- 
tinued the habit through life. 



OEL LAYMAN, a prominent citizen and 
enterprising general agriculturist, residing 
upon section 12, ISerrien Township, Berrien 
V^i^^y County, Mich., has made his upward way 
in life entirely through his energetic efforts and 
self-reliant industry, and is an example of the 
success attainable by a man of good habits and 
good judgment, who, with earnest resolution, 
meets difficulties courageously and patiently over- 
comes obstacles. Our subject was born September 
4, 1824, in Franklin Count\-. Va., in a little log 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ItOl 



caliiii about ten feet square. His father, Daniel 
Layman, also a native of the same State and 
county, and born in 17!I7, was by trade a black- 
smith and also tilled the soil of tiie Old Dominion. 
The paternal grandfather was a soldier in the 
Hcvolutional'v War an<l fought with courage. The 
mother. Uhoda (Lumsdeu) Layman, also a native 
of Franklin County, Va., born in 1803, was the 
daughter of Dudley and Sarah (Chitwood) Lums- 
den, her parents being of English descent. The 
Laymans were of German ancestry, hard-working 
and honest people. Tiie father and mother, reared 
and married in their native place, spent some 
time after in X'irginia, and in 18.37 journeyed 
to Cass County, Mich., settling in Pokagon, where 
they remained upon a rented farm until 1841, at 
wliicli time they settled in Berrien Township upon 
section 1 1. 

The eighty-acre tract upon which the parents 
made their home was heavily timbered and in the 
wilderness. Living in a little log house, tlie 
mother and children did what they could to assist 
the father, who cleared the land with steady 
swinging blows of his sturdy axe, and meantime 
engaged in his trade, thus suppl3'ing his wife and 
little ones with the necessaries of life. Gradually, 
fr(»m poverty the father made his way upward. 
He took an active part in all matters of mutual 
welfare, and politically he w.as a Democrat. Their 
home was blessed with the presence of eleven 
children, of whom the eldest was our subject,. loel; 
then followed (liles, Esau, Martha, Susan Dickson, 
Elizabeth Strong and John, all suiviving. Four 
died in early youth. The father died in 1880, 
and the mother in 1882. 

Joel Layman received only five terms of school- 
ing, and is. mainly through habits of observation 
and reading, self-educated. At twenty-one years 
of age, having previously worked u|)on his father's 
farm, our subject began life for himself b\- clear- 
ing land, and through the closest economy managed 
to linally buy eighty acres of wild land upon sec- 
tion 10, where A. J. Easton now resides, and to 
which i)urchase Mr. La,\ man added another forty 
acres. 

In 1849, our subject was united in marriage with 
Miss Ellen .lenkins, a daughter of .lames and 



Letitia (Mars) Jenkins, both natives of Fayette 
County, \'a.. where the father was born in 1800, 
the mother in 1802. Mr. and Mrs, Jenkins were 
wedded in ^'irginia, and lemained in their early 
home until 1832, when they settled U])on section 
23, Berrien Township, Berrien County, Mich., 
making a permanent home far from the scenes of 
their youth. The mother died in 1869; the father 
survived until 187.T. Of their nine children, four 
are living: Mrs. Layman, John, Lewis and William. 
Early a Whig, the father was later a Democrat. 
The estimable wife of our subject, born May 4, 
1830, in Fayette County, W. V'a., was an infant 
when she came to Michigan, and received her 
education m the little log house of the district. 
Mr. and Mrs. Layman have three children. Henrv 
F., born in 1851, married Mary Flewallan, has four 
children and resides on section 23; Irene, born in 
1850, and the wife of Edgar Bianchard, is the 
mother of one sou and lives in Cass County; Lydia 
A., born in I860, the wife of Albert S. Ricketts, 
makes her home on the old farm. After clearing 
and improving forty acres of the Easton farm, 
Mr. Layman, in March, 1854, removed to his pres- 
ent homestead, then all wild land, heavily tim- 
bered. He at once liuilt a frame shaiitv, and 
gradually transformed the acres into the highly 
cultivated farm of to-day. He began life with an 
axe as his stock in trade; his wife owned little 
more than her thimble, l)ut the twojiartners in jo\- 
and sorrow have made a .-uccess of their matri- 
monial venture, and are now enjoying a com- 
petence. 

The homestead contains two hundred and forty- 
two acres of land, all under cultivation except 
thirty .acres of timber. Possessing a natural gift 
in handling tools, I\L'. Layman is an expert ine- 
chaiiie, and in 1856 built a commodious barn, and 
ill 1860 erected a comfortable residence. The 
children received a good education, and the 
youngest has taught school. Our subject and his 
excellent wife have for many years been .active 
members of the Christian Church. Mr. I^avman, 
as an officer of the School Board for a long period, 
materially assisted in the advancement of the 
schools of the district. I'olitically. he is a Demo- 
crat and a prominent man of the local [larty, but 



902 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



has no desire for office. Elected Suijervisor and 
Justice of the Peace, he in botii instances resigned. 
He has, however, served with great acceptability 
as Constable. In 1871, Mr. Layman met with a 
terrible accident. His team ran away, and, throw- 
ing him out, he struck with great force against a 
fence and fractured his skull, broke his left jaw 
and injured his ear. It was a long time before he 
even partially recovered. Mr. Layman now rents 
his land, and, having retired from active labor, 
enjoys the fruits of a well-spent life and the 
pleasant societ3' of his family and a large circle 
of old friends, tried and true. 



♦='f=V 



+^*^E* 



^DMl'XD B. STORMS. Berrien County in 

the past has furnished many examples of 

ij the success attendant upon persistent in- 



fi 



dustry, fortified by the intelligence tliat impels to 
the improvement of opportunities, and to-da3', 
surrounded bj' all the conveniences of life, it bears 
witness to the wisdom of those hardj' pioneers 
who, in the days when none of these things were, 
hewed out homes for themselves in the wilder- 
ness. Among the enterprises wliieh have met with 
a well-merited reward may be mentioned the Earl- 
Storms Manufacturing Companj', of Niles. 

Since its inception in March of 1891, this com- 
pany has enjoyed a steady increase of trade and 
expansion of facilities. It m.ikes a specialty of 
the manufacture of step-ladders and combination 
chairs, the quality of which is such as to commend 
the firm to the patronage of the general public. 
The Secretar}' and Treasurer of the eompan}', Ed- 
mund B. Storms, was born in Niles Township, 
Berrien County, Mich., January 24, 1853. His 
father, Lewis Storms, was a native of New York, 
whence he emigrated to Michigan in 1838 and 
made settlement in Berrien County. There he was 
united in marriage with Miss Lydia Baker, a native 
of Indiana, and a daughter of Nathan Baker, of 
Pennsylvania. The mother of our subject is still 
living, liut his father has passed awa}' 



The only members of the parental family were 
our subject and a sister. He attended the common 
schools in the home neighborhood, later prose- 
cuted his studies in a select school at Niles, and 
subsequently entered a business college at Kala- 
mazoo, where he fitted himself for the practical 
duties of life. At an earl3' age he advocated tlie 
princi])les of the Republican party with enthusi- 
asm and vigor, and he has never had any reason 
to change his views on political subjects. In 1886 
he was elected Treasurer of Berrien County and 
served with efficiency until the expiration of his 
term. He also filled the positions of Supervisor 
and Township Treasurer for a number of years. 

Shortly after retiring from the office of Treas- 
urer, Mr. Storms embarked in the manufacturing 
business, under the title of the Earl-Storms Manu- 
facturing Company, B. F. Earl being the General 
Manager, and our subject serving as Secretary and 
Treasurer. From the first the firm enjoyed a 
steady and prosperous business, and employment 
is now given to a large force of experienced work- 
men. Mr. Storms has a pleasant home on Dakota 
Avenue, where after the daj-'s duties are ended 
he finds a delightful release from the cares of 
business. He was married on the 1.3th of Novem- 
ber, 1888, to Miss Myra Stanley, of Niles, an es- 
timable lady, whose position in the social circles 
of Niles is the hiahest. 



•5- 



=^=^>^MJ^ 




RS. S. B. WHITE, the subject of this sketch , 
was born in Greenfield, Saratoga Coun- 
ty, N. Y., November 22, 1826. William 
Brown, her father, was born in Riiode 
Island in 1798. of parents whose lineage included 
the name of Roger Williams and the Windsors 
and Browns of the early religious and political life 
of New England. He inherited from such an- 
cestiy the deep religious faith and earnest polit- 
ical convictions to which he adhered through a 
long, consistent and useful life. From early man- 
hood he was a resident of Saratoga County, N. Y.. 
where he was united in marriage in the \cai- 1823 



PORTRAIT AND BIOORAPHICAL RPX'ORD. 



903 



to Hannah Giippin, wliosc sterling qualities of 
pinclieal piety, good sense, energy and thrift 
attested her New Enyland origin. In 1854 
they removed to Watervliet, .Mich., where the re- 
mainder of their honored and respected lives was 
passed. Mr. lirowii died in 1876, at the age of 
seventy-eight years, lli.s wife died in 189(1, aged 
eight3'-eiglit years. 

Mrs. White was one of three eliildren, the others 
being .leriisha A., now residing in Saratoga Coun- 
ty, N. v.; and Mary B. Lee, residing in Minne- 
apolis, Minn. Mrs. White's early life was passed 
in Saratoga County, N. Y. She received her 
education in the common schools of Saratoga 
County and at (Hens Falls Academy, and for six 
years or more taught in the schools of Saratoga 
County, N. V. In 18o3 she went to Milwaukee, 
Wis., where she was chosen to fill the position of 
teaclier in the preparatory department of the 
Milwaukee Female College, where she remained 
for years previous to her marriage. 

Tlie [jaternal grandfather of Mrs. White, Benja- 
min Brown, was a native of Rhode Island, and a 
farmer by occupation. Unto him and his wife, 
whose maiden name was Huldah Windsor, were 
born three sons and two daugliters, three of whom, 
William, Windsor and Lydia, married and reared 
families, while two remained single. Grandfather 
Brown and his good wife settled in Saratoga 
County, N. Y., in an early day, and spent the re- 
mainder of their days in that community. They 
were people of great worth of character. He was 
a rniversalist and she a Baptist in religious opin- 
ions. 

August 28, 1856, our subject w\as united in 
marriage with Dr. Benjamin F. White, who was 
born in Cherry Valley, N. Y.. in May, 1828, being 
the son of George and Artemisia (Havens) White. 
natives of the Kmpire State. The father, who was 
a minister in the Methodist Episcopal denomina- 
tion, was sent about 1840 to Green Bay, where he 
was one of the pioneer preachers. In 1852 he 
went to California, and afterward spent a few 
years in Fond du Lac County, Wis. 

First a Whig and later a Republican, the Rev. 
Mr. White w.as quite active in polities. During 
thf Civil War he received the api)oiiituient of 



clerk in the War Department, and afterward was 
tinnsferrcd to the Pejsion Department. He died 
about 1885 at Washington, D. C at the age of 
eighty -six. He had retired from active work 
about three years prior to his demise. Possessing 
mental gifts of an unusually high order, he was 
peculiarly' titled for ministerial work, and was one 
of the most successful preachers in that denomi- 
nation. His wife, a woman of rare mental quali- 
ties and strength of character, passed away at the 
age of eighty-three, at Washington, D. C. They 
were the parents of six children. 

In the common schools of the various places 
where his father resided, Benjamin F. White 
received his education. He commenced the stud^' 
of medicine with his uncle. Dr. Havens, in Cherry 
Valley, and in the spring of 1856 was graduated 
from Rush Aledical College, Chicago. In 1852 he 
went to California and remained for two years, 
returning thence to the East and entering Rush 
College, as above stated. At the close of his 
studies, he opened an office in Two Rivers, Wis., 
where he conducted his practice for a time. Later 
he went to Prairie du Chien, Wis., where he 
conducted an extensive practice. 

In the spring of 1861 he was commissioned 
Surgeon of the First Wisconsin Infantiy, Col. 
Starkweather commanding. To him belonged the 
distinction of havinif been the first surgeon 
appointed in the State. At the end of the three 
months' campaign he was compelled to resign on 
account of being afflicted with chronic diarrluea. 
and, being too ill to join his regiment at its re-or- 
ganization, returned to his home, Iionorabl3' dis- 
charged, where he remained until the spring of 
1862. He was then solicited to go to Madison, 
Wis., and superintend the work of preparing the 
hospital fcjr the reeei)tion (jf prisoners from Island 
No. 10, but pending a second appointment in the 
army as surgeon, was again taken ill, and died at 
Madison May 1, 1862. He was one of the prom- 
inent physicians of the State and was identified 
with the State Medical Association. In his social 
connections, he was a member of the Inilependent 
Order of Odd Fellows. 

At the age of eighteen Mrs. White united with 
the Baptist Church, and after the death of her 



904 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Imsband she joined the Congregational Churcli at 
Watervliet, Mich. She is the mother of two 
eliildren, one of whom survives, Benjamin F., 
who was born in Watervliet, and is now a resident 
of that village. July 2, 1891, he married Miss 
Ida E. Floodman, the dauglit«'r of John and Ida 
E. Floodman, of Trade Lake, Wis. 



^^! 



im 



'H 






\t 



OSEPII CALDWELL. Among tiie worthy 
men who came to this country from England, 
bringing with them the sturdy character- 
istics of the British yeomanry, none was 
more esteemed in Berrien Count}', Mich., than the 
gentleman whose name we have now given; and 
his death, which occurred in 1872, when about 
sixty-eight years of age, was felt as a great loss to 
the community. He was born in Derbyshire, 
England, in 1804, and came to America about 
lX-23. 

Mr. Caldwell first located in the State of New 
York, but ten years later came to White Pigeon, 
Mich., in the spring of 18;^2. He drove a team 
of three yoke of oxen, hitched to a wagon, down 
an Indian trail, which was the second team and 
wagon driven into St. Joseph, Berrien County. 
In 1834 he selected a piece of land on the Paw 
I'aw River, and in 1835 built a house on the 
place and commenced clearing and developing 
the land. In 1850 he took the California "gold fe- 
ver," rented his farm, and was in California about 
eighteen months. He then returned to the farm 
and remained there until his death. His first 
wife died in Berrien County at an early day, and 
Ills second marriage was to Miss Elizabeth Bury, 
daughter of John D. Bury, who w.as also one of 
the earliest settlers. 

All of the six children born to this union grew 
to mature j'ears and became prominent citizens. 
They were in the order of their births as follows: 
Joseph; John, who graduated at Hillsdale, and later 
entered Eastman's lUisiness College, at Pougli- 
keepsie, N. Y., where his death occurred; Josiah, 
of II igar Township, Berrien Count\ ; Maitlia, wife 



of C. U. IJurrous, of Michigan; Elizabeth, of Benton 
Township; and Cieorge, of Hagar Township. The 
father of these children was a most worthy citizen, 
and although his active life has ceased on earth, 
his intiuence extends still and will continue to ex- 
tend among all who knew hiin. He was well 
known for his integrity and honesty, and was 
pre-eminently a kind father and husband. Mr. 
Caldwell was engaged in farming, and at the time 
of his decease he left his family a tine estate and, 
what was much better, an untarnished and honor- 
able name. The Caldwell family has ever been, 
and is now, one of the most prominent ones of 
the county, and its members have exerted a won- 
derful intiuence over the progress and development 
of the same. When Mr. Caldwell first settled in 
Michigan he had no means wortli speaking about, 
but at the time of his death owned about six hun- 
dred acres in Hagar and Benton Townships, Ber- 
rien County. What he accumulated was the re- 
sult of 3'ears of hard labor, for he was in no sense 
a speculator. In politics, he was an old-time 
Democrat, but all his sons, with the exception of 
one, are Republicans. 

Joseph Caldwell, the eldest of the above-men- 
tioned children, was born in 1851, on the farm 
where he now resides, there grew to manhood, and 
attended the common schools, in which lie secured 
a good practical education. JIarch 10, lH,s;^, be 
married Miss Mary Logan, a pleasant, agreealile 
lady,and he hassince been engaged in agricultural 
pursuits, being now the owner of one hundred 
and forty acres of the home place. Wide-awake 
and thorough-going, progressive and enterprising, 
he is classed among the best fai'meis of his section. 

J(isiah, the third in order of birth of the above- 
mentioned children, was born in lienton Townshi|), 
this county, in 1855, and is now one of the re|)re- 
sentative farmers and fruit-growers of Hagar 
Township. Like his Inother, he grew up with a 
farm experience and received a district-school ed- 
ucation. Naturally he selected agricultural pur- 
suits as his chosen occupation, and settled on his 
portion of his father's estate, one hundred and 
twenty-four acres in Hagar Township, which he 
has cleared and developed. He has excellent 
buildings on his farm, and in connection with 



PORTRAIT ANI^ BIOCiRAPHICAI. RKCORI). 



ono 



tMiiiiini; lie is engasic'd in fiiiil-growing, having 
iilidui finntccii :icies covered witli lierries. His 
lidiisf is liciUitifuUy located on tlie lake and is 
incsidcd over l>y his wife, foimeriy Miss Lora 
('iiKcr. whom he married in I.H78. and who is the 
(huiuhter of W. 1). Culver, a lesichMit of lienlon 
liarlior. Mr. ;in(l Mrs. Caldwell are the j)arents of 
one child. I'llhel. a iMisiht. intelligent little girl. 
In the spring of l)S;i;i, Mr. Caldwell was elected 
Su|)er\isor of llagar Township. lie is a Democrat 
in polilK's, and soei:dly is a M.ason. 



^I; _ IGII .MiMlLI.KN. Perhaps there is no 
)| station in life in which diHieiilties have 
not to he encountered and overcome liefore 
any decided measure of success can be at- 
tained. Especially is this true of tho.se who. born 
of hiunble parentage, havi" in youth few opportu- 
nities for aciiuiring an education and of gain- 
ing that training which so largely promotes suc- 
cess. .Mlhough upon starting out in the business 
world the subject of this sketch had no capital 
otlu'r than his own abilities, he has achieved ma- 
terial success anil at the same time has gained a 
high place in the regard of his fellow-men. He is 
now one of the inlliiential citizens of St. Joseph, 
where he is engaged in the manufacture of wagons, 
carriages and buggies, and also conducts a general 
business as a blacksmith. 

A uative of Ireland, our subject was born in 
County Down August 12, 1836, and is a son of 
Robert and Jane (Smith) McMullen, natives of 
the Emerald Isle. He passed his schooldays in his 
native county, aiding his father on the home farm, 
and meantime receiving the advantages of a com- 
mon-school education. I'pon leaving the farm, 
he learned the trade of a blacksmith. and upon the 
completion of his apprenticeship, having heard 
often of the many advantages offered by the I'ni- 
ted States, he determined to emigrate to this coun- 
trv. Setting sail from Ireland, he landed at Castle 
Ciardcn, New York City, in If^To, and spent one 



3'ear in New York, after whicU he went to New 
Lebanon, tin; same State, and thence came to .St. 
Joseph. 

In this city Mr. .McMullen opened a blacksmith 
shop and commenced in business on a veiy modest 
scale. .\s his capital increased, he enlarged his 
business, and .after a time added the manufacture 
of wagtnis, carriages and buggies, lie now has a 
large shoii, well equipped with all the conveniences 
for conducting an extensive business and contain- 
ing the l.'istest improved machinery. His friends 
are as many as his acquaintances and he has the 
confidence of his business associates as well as of 
his personal friends. His close attention to busi- 
ness and his strict honor and integrity have 
gained for him the respect and esteem of all who 
know him. 

As his investments were crowned with success 
and his business ventures proved fortunate, Mr. 
McMullen was enabled to surround his family with 
all the comforts of life, and his elegant residence, 
which is located near his place of business, is an 
ideal home, the exterior and inteiior reflecting the 
cultured tastes of the inmates. He married, in 
1879, Miss Carrie, daughter of Joshua Hunt, of 
Paw Paw, Mich. In his social affiliations, Mr. 
McMullen has identitied himself with Lodge No. 
nil, L O. O. F., in which he is an inllueatial mem- 
ber. 

@ 



,EOR(H-: 11. Ml KDOCII, Ju. In the i)ro- 
i_— , fessional circles of southwestern Michigan, 
Vi^j the name of Mr. Murdoch is a familiar one, 
and he is recognized .as one of the brilliant lumi- 
naries of the Bar of Benton Harbor. lie is a young 
man, and undtiubtedly added honors will come to 
him as the years go by. Having alwajs resided in 
Berrien County, he is well known among the peo- 
ple of the county, and his aliilities are such that his 
fellow-citizens take just pride in his attainments. 
The parents of our subject are (ieorge II. and 
Elizabeth (Kimball) Murdoch, natives of Penns\l- 
vania, who were numbered among the early set- 
tlers of ncrrien County. (Jeoi-ge H. was born here 



906 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



on the 8th of September, 1862, anrl acquired a good 
education in tlic common schools. In his 3'outh 
he learned the trade of a printer, but never fol- 
lowed that occupation. Prior to learning the 
printer's trade, he entered the Ann Arbor High 
School and prosecuted his studies tliere for one 
yeiir, returning home at the age of nineteen. It 
liad always been his ambition to become a profes- 
sional man, and law possessed especial attractions 
for him, but, although he read Blackstone for a 
time, he did not then complete his legal studies. 

At the age of twenty, Mr. Murdoch became edi- 
tor of the Berrien County Journal and remained in 
that [losition for three years. Later he was largely 
instrumental in the organization of a stock com- 
pany-, known as the People's Printing Company, 
which he conducted for a time and then sold out. 
In 1886 he entered the law department of the State 
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, where he 
remained for one year. July 2.5, 1887, he was ad- 
mitted to practice at the Bar of the State, and 
opened an oflice at Niles, where he remained for 
six mouths. While at Niles, he was asked to ac- 
cept the editorship of L'Arnse Central, at West 
Superior, and he assumed the duties of that posi- 
tion, remaining in that city for three 3'ears. Re- 
turning to Berrien County, he opened a law office 
at Berrien Springs and conducted a good piactice 
there for one year. 

The 3'car 1891 witnessed the arrival of Air. Mur- 
doch in Benton Harbor, and although his residence 
in this city has been for a comparatively brief 
period, he is already well known as a successful 
and skillful attorney-at-law. Personally, he is a 
genial and affable young gentleman, and his pleas 
ant disposition wins for him a host of warm friends. 
In his political belief he is a Democrat, firm in his 
allegiance to party principles. He served as Cir- 
cuit Court Commissioner of Berrien County for 
two years and has filled other positions of honor. 
In the fall of 1892, he was nominated for the po- 
sition of City Attorney on the Democratic ticket, 
but, Berrien County being strongly Republican, he 
was defeated. His popularity is indicated bj- the 
fact that he ran considerably ahead of the ticket, 
and was defeated only by a very small majority. 
The marriage of Mr. Murdoch was solemnixed 



in .June of 1888 to Miss Martha, daughter of Ethan 
A. Brown, formerl)' a member of the Michigan State 
Legislature. Mr. and Mrs. Murdoch are the par- 
ents of one daughter, Adeline. 










P.TER HANSEN, an old resident and prom- 
inent citizen of Benton Harbor, is the 
p^ owner and proprietor of one of the most 

I \ successful and extensive tailoring estab- 
lishments in this section of the State. He occupies 
a store two stories in height and 25x100 feet in 
dimensions; here he has a well-assorted stock, em- 
bracing fine goods of domestic and foreign man- 
ufacture. He has gained a tirst-elass reputation 
for the fit and workmanship of all garments pro- 
duced at his establishment, and fills orders for 
every description of work in his line in a prompt 
and satisfactory manner. His practical experience 
in the business and careful supervision of its de- 
tails have procured for him a large and profitable 
trade. 

A native of Luxemborg, Germany, Mr. Hansen 
was born on the 17th of February, 183-1, and is a 
son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Hartges) Hansen, his 
father being a farmer in Germany. Peter was edu- 
cated in the schools of the Fatherland, but his 
schooling was limited, as at the age of twelve he 
was obliged to leave school and thenceforth give 
his attention to fanning pursuits. At the age of 
eighteen he commenced to learn the trade of a 
tailor, serving an apprenticeship of three years. 
In 1856 he set sail for America, arriving at Boston 
on the 5th of January, the same year. Thence he 
went to Buffalo, N. Y., where he worked at his 
trade for one year. Later he resided in Lankfort 
and Dunkirk, N. Y., AVarren County, Pa., James- 
town, N. Y., Toronto and several other places in 
Canada, also at London, Canada, Buffalo, N. Y., 
and Titusville, Pa. 

The year 1867 witnessed the arrival of Mr. 
Hansen in Benton Harbor, where he at once em- 
barked in business as a merchant tailor. He car- 
vies a line stock of cloth and, being a first-class 



I'ORTRAiT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



007 



woikinrui, iii;iiiit:iins a constant and prolitable 
tiade. His Ijrick stoic building was erected by 
iiiniseif and is still his property. He is a wide- 
aw.ake and enerfjetic citizen, keen in judgment, 
honorable in iiis dealings with all, and po.ssesses a 
bust of warm personal friends. lie is a Democrat 
in ills political belief and uniformly gives lussup- 
port to the principles adopted by that organization. 
His marriage, in 18G6, united him with Miss Cath- 
arine ()"Neil, of Canada, the daughter of Edward 
O'Ncil. They are the parents of tlie following 
childicn: .lohn, .Joseph, Lizzie, Fiaiik, !Mary E., 
.Iose|)hine, Kitlie, Rosie and Theresa. Mr. and 
Mrs. Hansen and family aie nuiiibers of the Cath- 
olic Church. 




K. ROSS, a retired bank ctushier and |)rom- 
inent businessman of lluchanan, was born 
IS in Hamilton. La Porte County. Ind., on 
the Till of August, 1841. He is the son 
of the Hon. .lolin 1). Ross, who w.as born near Cin- 
cinii.ati. Ohio, .lime 2, 1802, and was there reared 
to manhood, going thence to Indiana, and com- 
ing from there to .Michigan In 1834. His trade was 
thai of a blacksmith, which he followed for a time 
at Niles. To liini belongs tlie distinction of hav- 
ing built the first flouring-miU ever erected in 
Niles, and he was one of the prominent pioneers 
of that place. 

Krom Niles, Mr. Ross, Sr., proceeded to \'alpar- 
aiso, Ind., and thence caUie to Buchanan in 1847. 
Here he oi)ened a general store, and also oper- 
ated a mill and distillery, all of which enteri)ri.'-cs 
he conducted with the greatest success. I>ater. he 
embarked in the banking business, and conducted 
a linancial institution at lUichanan until about 
1872, when he retired from all active participa- 
tion in l)usiness. At the time he located in the 
village of Buchanan, it contained live dwelling- 
houses and two store buildings, and it iiiav be 
truly said of Mr. Ross that he did ni(»ie for the 
in)])i()vement of the place than any other man 
there residing. His great capabilities wore recog- 



nized and appreciated by his fellow-citizens, who 
elected him to represent them in the Legislature 
of the State. He served many times as President 
of the vilLage, and was considered one of the 
leaders of the Democratic party in this section. 

The first marriage of Mr. Ross united him with 
Miss Eliza Labertan, who became his wife in 1824, 
and died in 1833, having become the mother of 
six children. One child is the only survivor of 
that number, Thomas L., who resides in Topeka, 
Kan. After the death of Mrs. Eliza Ross, Mr. 
Ross was united with Miss .Jane Conner, who died 
in 1838, leaving three children, only one now sur- 
viving: Martha E., the wife of Thomas M. Fulton, 
of Chicago. The third marriage of Mr. Ross took 
place in 1839, and united him with Miss Martha .\. 
DeArmond. Three children were born of this un- 
ion, of whom our subject is the only survivor. 

At the age of seven j'ears our subject accompan- 
ied his father to Michigan and carried on his pri- 
mary studies in the schools of Buchanan. At the 
age of sixteen he entered the University of Notre 
Dame, Ind., where he remained for two years, dil- 
igently prosecuting his studies. Returning home, 
he embarked in business with his father, and upon 
the organization of the lirm of Ross & Fenton, 
bankers, he became their Cashier. The institution 
w.'is originally known as the Bank of Buchanan, 
and afterward became the Bank of Ross iV- Son, 
our subject's connection with it covering a period 
of twenty-flve years. Mr. Ro.ss was also engaged 
for one year in the dry-goods business in partner- 
ship with .John (iraliam. 

October 20, 1864, occurred the marriage of Mr. 
Ross to Miss Mary A. Sherman, a resident of Paw 
Paw, Mich. The union was blessed by the liirth 
of one son. .John J)., now residing in Chicago .and 
for many years Cashier for Lord Sz Thomas, of 
that cit\-. The second marriage of 5Ir. Ross oc- 
curred on the 10th of .January. 1877, and united 
him with Miss Clara M. Loomis, who was born in 
Chicago, III.. Apiil 2;'), 18.53. Her father. A. D. 
Loomis, a native of Saratoga Springs, N. V.. settled 
in Cliic.igo about 183t). and engaged in the lumber 
liusiness there for niany \ears, but now makes his 
home in (iainesville, Kla. The mother of Mrs. 
Ross was known in maidenhood as Miss Marietta 



908 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Cjut, and was born in Kentucky. Mrs. Ross is 
tlie youngest of four children, and received her 
education at Kenosiia, Wis., and Kvanston, 111. 
She is a devoted wife and an effectionate mother 
to her only child, A. Kenneth, who was born No- 
vember 15, 1.S83. 

l'oliticall3', Mr. Ross is a Democi'at, and while 
not soliciting official position, has been elected to 
various posts of honor and trust. He served with 
elliciency as Treasurer of Buchanan, and in wliat- 
ever place he has been called upon to serve has 
displayed great ability and keen discrimination. 
Sticially, he is a Mason, and has attained the 
Thirty-second degree; he is a member of Blue 
fjodge No. 68, at Buchanan, Niles Chapter and 
Coniniandery, (irand Rapids Consistory, and is an 
honorary member of Battery D, Chicago. 



Ii-$1"I^M 



AMUEL HANDY was a native of the Em- 
pire State, born in Allegany County, and 
in that county he remained until 1864, 
when he decided that he could better his 
condition by removing to Illinois. He made the 
iourne_v in that 3'ear, and located in Dii Page 
Countw where he carried on farming, and in con- 
nection dairying, until 1875. Becoming convinced 
that there was a good opening for a fruit-grower 
in Berrien County, he moved to this State, and in 
|iartneiship with a .son was actively engaged in 
that industry up to the time of his death, which 
occurred August 22, 189.3. By his superior intel- 
ligence and rare business ability, Mr. Handy 
helped to advance the fruit-growing interests of 
the county. This calling suited him admirably, 
and his efforts were crowned with success. 

Samuel Handy, the paternal grandfather of our 
subject, was a native of (,'oiinecticut, and served 
seven years in the Revolutionary War. His an- 
cestors were among the earliest settlers of that 
State and were prominent men and women. Rus- 
.sell Handy, our subject's father, was also born in 
Connecticut, and was a soldier in tlie War f)f 
1812. He vvns a man of sterling 'character and 




uprightness and one whose honesty was never 
questioned. Our subject was married in the State 
of New York to Miss Henrietta Buell, and this 
union resulted in the birth of six children, all of 
whom are living, viz.: .John W.,of Guthrie Coun- 
ty, Iowa; C. R. engaged in the fruit industry; 
Charles E., of Chicago; Kittie B.; Gale, who is 
the most extensive shipper of beiries from Benton 
Harbor; and Cora, who is the wife of Edgar Claw- 
son, of Benton Township. Although his father 
and grandfather were soldiers and men who 
fought bravely for the cause they represented, our 
subject was unable to follow in their footsteps, as 
he had a good-sized family to support during the 
Rebellion. 

Mr. Handy was one of the leading business men 
in Hagar Township and was recognized as one of 
the leading fruit-growers of this jiart of the State. 
Although New York has given to Michigan many 
estimable citizens, she has contributed none more 
worthy of esteem or more universally respected 
than Mr. Handy. He adhered to the princij)les of 
the Republican party, and took a deep interest in 
politics, as he did in all other matters of impor- 
tance. 



\~; SAAC J. HOAG, deceased, a man of native 
ability and sterling character, was one of the 
successful pioneer te.achers of Michigan, and, 
arriving in Berrien County in an early day, ma- 
terially aided in the educational advancement of 
this part of the State. Receiving the esteem and 
conlidence fif the comtuunity. he held various 
township offices, and, universally beloved, was 
inournerl when he |)<assed away. Our subject, a 
native of New York, was born in Dutchess County 
in 182(), and remained in his birtiiplace until he 
had arrived at mature age. The father, who was 
a (Quaker, died wlien Isaac was only a young lad. 
The widowed mother, a sister of the famous (Qua- 
ker divine. .John Mott, was a woman of remark- 
able chniacler and stern self-reliance. The death 
of her hu.siiand left Id her care six children; 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAl. RECORD. 



909 



Philip, John, Charles, Isaac. Phcvbe .and Peter. 

The family made their homi' in Miehis^an in the 
pioneer days, and the five deceased remained 
within the boundaries of their adopted State until 
their death. Peter, the youngest and the sole 
survivor of the brothers and sisters, resides in Ot- 
sego, Mich., and is one of the leading men of that 
vicinity. 

The mother of Mr. Iloag was unable to give her 
son Isaac the education he desired, and he was, 
therefore, obliged to work his way, but by diligent 
industry and energetic perseverance accomplished 
his purjiose. He first attended the common school, 
and then entered a well-known institution at Ma- 
cedon, N. Y., and after a course of four years of 
study graduated with honor. In a brief time he 
came to Michigan and, at once receiving employ- 
ment as a teacher, continued for several j'ears in 
his chosen profession, and was from the first suc- 
cessful in obtaining the confidence and respect of 
his pupils. In 1858, Isaac J. Hoag and Miss 
Elizabeth Meech were united in marriage. Mrs. 
Iloag, a native of Williamstown, Mass., was edu- 
cated in the excellent schools of Albany, N. Y., 
and began her career as a teacher in the Empire 
State. Journeying to Michigan in 1858, she met 
and married Mr. Iloag. The family clustering 
about their fireside consisted of one son and two 
daughters. Samuel F. is a resident of Iowa; Alice 
M. is the wife of Adolph Reichle, of Benton Har- 
bor; and Lillian resides with her mother. 

Immediately following his marriage, our subject 
engaged in the nursery business and sold the largest 
n umber of peach trees ever handled by any one man 
in Berrien County. Mr. Hoag predicted the disease 
brought into the State of Michigan b\- those ship- 
ping from New Jersey. In the latter ])art of his 
life he devoted much of his lime to the real-estate 
business, and, year after year, prospered, accumulat- 
ing a large acreage to be divided among iiis heirs. 
Passing away regretted by all who knew him in 
1874, he left to their capable mother three chil- 
dren to rear and educate. Mi-. Hoag was a mem- 
ber of the Friends' Church, and was an upright 
Rnd conscientious man, generous to a fault, and 
liberally assisting every worthy enterprise pre- 
Bented to his notice. Politically, he was n He- 



publican and an earnest advocate of the party. 
Well posted in the local and national affairs of 
moment, he gave intelligent consideration to mat- 
ters of public welfare and was ever a true and 
loyal citizen. He served for several years with 
efficiency as Supervisor of Benton Township, and 
gave universal satisfaction by his prompt and 
faithful discharge of duty. 

The property left as a bequest to the widow 
and children consisted mainly of a large farm. 
In the management of the estate, Mrs. Hoag dis- 
played exceptional ability and judgment, and was 
through her conduct of affairs well able to provide 
for her children and give them comforts and a thor- 
ough education. Her parents were of the Presby- 
terian faith, and in her walk through life the es- 
timable wife and widow of our subject has done 
honor to her early training, and won the well-de- 
served esteem of a wide acquaintance. 



j^M YRON IIINKLEY. Among the most noted 
I ll '^"'^ representative business men of the 
I li flourishing city of Benton Harbor, Mich., 
* stands the name of Myron llinkle3-, whose 

high reputation and material prosperity came as 
the rewards of unusual abilities, industriously 
applied. He is now president of the Colby-IIink- 
ley Company, manufacturers of all kinds of fruit 
and berry baskets, etc., and stands second to no 
other business man in the place. 

Mr. Hinklej' was born in Chautauqua County, 
N. Y., December 25, 1833, and is a son of Henry 
and Cecelia (Wellman) Hinkley. The elder Mr. 
Hinkley was a product of the Old Bay State, born 
in Lee, Berkshire County, in 1808, and as a liveli- 
hood followed the occupation of a farmer. His 
father, Zenius Hinkley, was of English descent. 
The maternal grandfather of our subject. Homer 
Wellman, was also of English descent, and located 
in the Lake State when the mother of our subject 
w.as but seven years of .ige. Henry Hinkley was 
an industrious, enterprising man, and was uni- 



91(1 



PORTRAIT AKD BIOGRATHICAL RECORD. 



versally respected. His death occurred in 1888, 
and his wife followed iiiii) to the grave in October, 
1892. 

The j'outhful da^s of our subject were passed in 
Gates and Ogden, Monroe County, N. Y., and he 
secured a good practical education in the district 
schools. There he remained until twenty-one 
years of age, when the favorable reports from 
Michigan decided him in making a settlement 
witliin its borders. In 1856, he came to Decatur, 
and was employed b>' .Jones & Chapin, of Niles, 
who were engiiged in the manuf.acture of staves, 
barrels, etc. For fourteen years he was engaged in 
business with tliese gentlemen, and during that 
time he became thoroughly familiar witli all the 
duties of the business. After this, in connection 
with his brother, Marvin llinkley, he bought out 
j\Ir. Cliapin, and continued the business under the 
firm name of Hinkley Bros. This is now known 
as the Hinkley Stave Company, of Decatur, Mich. 

vSelling out his half-interest in the Van Buren 
County factory, our subject engaged in the manu- 
facture of staves and headings at Hartford, Midi, 
and continued this successfully for some time. In 
1877, lie came to St. .Joseph, Mich., and became a 
member of the tirm of Hinkley-, I'erkins cfe Co., 
but later became associated with Jlighman & Co. 
This firm was engaged in the manufacture of staves, 
lumber, etc., and he continued a member of the 
firm until 1886. At that date he became connected 
with the Colby-Ilinkley Jlaiuifactuiing Company, 
and after the death of Mr. Colby our subject 
succeeded him in the presidency. This position 
he still holds. 

Mr. Hinkley is also an organizer of the Alanson 
Manufacturing Company, and is one of the princi- 
pal stockholders in the same. They manufacture 
staves, barrels, etc., and are doing a paying busi- 
ness. Mr. Hinkley was married in October, 1860, 
to Miss Mary H. Retallick, of South Haven, Mich., 
and the daughter of William .and I^hillipia (Hicks) 
Retallick. Plight children have blessed this union, 
five of whom are living: Milton, secretary and treas- 
urer of the Colby-Hinkley Company; Emma, Belle, 
Herman F. and Lewis. A Republican in his polit- 
ical views, Mr. Hinkley held the ottice of Supervisor 
of Hartford Township, A"an Buren County, two 



years, and was Alderman of the city of Benton 
Harbor two terms. Besides his valuable property 
in Benton Harbor Mr. Hinkley owns large tracts 
of valuable woodland in Michigan. 




A. BLACKMER, a retired business man 
residing in Benton Harbor, was born in 
the village of Richfield, Genesee County, 
Mich., on the 8th of October, 1849. His ancestors 
were early settlers of the Empire State, where iiis 
grandfather, .John BLackmer, was born and reared, 
and from where he inarched forth to the service of 
the Colonies during tiie War of the Revolution. The 
father of our subject, Horace Blackmer, was born 
in Ohio, but removed from that State in early life 
and settled in Genesee County, Mich. His wife 
was Calista Ilurd, whose ancestors were originally 
from Germany. 

Until tiiirteeii \ears of age tlie subject of this 
sketch remained under the parental roof, devot- 
ing his attention alternately' to attendance at the 
schools and to the aid of his father, who was a 
millwright. At the .age of thirteen he slii|)ped 
on a lake vessel as cabin boy, and for tiiree years 
remained thus engaged during the summerseasons, 
while he continued his studies in the winter. 
I^ater, going to Saginaw, Midi., he learned the trade 
of a millwright, remaining in that city until 1864. 
Though only a lad of fifteen years at that time, 
he enlisted in the spring of 1864 in the I'nited 
States army, becoming a member of Company A, 
Tenth Michigan Cavalry, which was assigned to 
the Army (jf the Potomac. At the close of the 
war he was lionorably discharged in Detroit. 

We next find Mr. Blackmer in Philadelphia, a 
student in a dental college, where lie remained for 
eighteen months. Thence lie proceeded to Flast 
Lee, Mass., where he was employed in a, paper-mill 
for five years. In 1876 he leased a paper-mill 
at Rochester, Mich., where for the ensuing five 
years he engaged in the manufacture of paper. 
Meantime he built the Wolverine Mill, lQea,ted at 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRArillCAL RECORD. 



on 



Detroit, and this lie conducted witii success until 
1884. Disposing of his interests there, he went to 
Chicago and engaged in the wholesale paper busi- 
ness in that citj- for a number of years, meeting 
with good success in the undertaking. In 1887 
he removed to St. .Joseph, where he established a 
paper-mill known as the Blackmer Paper-mill. 
After conducting it for si.x months lie disposed of 
the business and came to Benton Harbor, of which 
he is now a resident. 

In this village Mr. Blackmer became interested 
in the Benton Harbor Water Power Company, of 
which he became Hydraulic Engineer, having de- 
voted considerable attention to that study while 
engaged in the manufacture of paper. In Novem- 
ber, 1888, he removed to Watervliet. and, purchas- 
ing the water power of Messrs. Swain iV Olnej-, 
developed and built a mill, which he subsequentlv 
sold to Messrs. Simmons & Dudley. In October, 
1892, he returned to Benton Harbor, where he oc- 
cupies a pleasant residence on Colfax Avenue. 
Politically, he is a Democrat, unwavering in his 
adherence to that political organization. In May, 
1886, he married Miss Minnie L., daughter of 
Chester Goddard,he being a native of New Hamp- 
shire, while she was born in Boston, Mass. In 
their religious connections Mr. and Mrs. Blackmer 
are identified with the Congregational Church 
and hold membership with that denomination in 
Benton Harbor. 



•^=^^>-^<m^ 




IHOMAS GRANGER. The people of Hagar 
>j, Township are familial with the name of 
Thomas Granger, for lie has resided amoiisi 
them for some time, and has earnestly identified 
himself with every worthy enterprise, his active 
mind fitting him in an admirable manner for the 
occupation of fruit-grower, which he has followed 
since locating here, lie has assisted very mate- 
rially in building up the fruit-growing interests of 
this section of the State, and in all matters of 
character, intelligence and lilieialily no man has a 
higher reputation. 



Mr. Granger is a fair example of many young 
Englishmen who are generously endowed by na- 
ture and ambition to grow to their fullest possible 
height in the land of great possibilities and 
chances. He was born in Cambridgeshire, Eng- 
land, and, reared as a lad in his native country, he 
grew in strength and stature until he was old 
enough to attend school, commencing his studies 
at the age of six years. He early became familiar 
with farm life, and for thirteen years worked for 
a farmer and fruit-grower in his native land. 
After reaching mature years, lie was married to 
Miss Elizabeth Whiting, and in 1872 this joung 
couple cio.ssed the ocean to this countrj', locating 
first in Chicago. One year later they came to 
Berrien Count}', Mich., and Mr. Granger at once 
began working on farms for other people. With 
the means thus obtained he purchased a part of 
the farm he now owns. 

Our subject is now the owner of sixty acres, all 
of which he has improved and which is in a line 
state of cultivation. Although he and his wife 
came to tliis country with very little means, they 
have worked hard and are now rewarded by own- 
ing one of the pleasantest rural homes in their 
section. Everything around them indicates that 
they are progressive and industrious, and as citi- 
zens and neighbors they are held in high esteem 
by all who know them. Two children were the 
fruits of their union. Francis W., a wide-awake 
thorough-going young man, is the owner of fifty 
acres of valuable land on the lake shore, and is 
actively engaged in fruit-growing. The <,ther 
child, Arthur E., is at home, and assists his father 
in the work on the place. 

Mr. fWanger had one brother, Fred, and a sister, 
Martha, who came to .America, but both are now 
deceased. The latter left two children, .\lfred 
Hopkins and (ieorge M. Shann, the former by her 
first and the latter by her last husband. The par- 
ents of our subject, Edwarrl and Pliu-be (Nunn) 
(iranger, were natives of England, and there the 
father followed farming and fruit-growing many 
years. Both passed their last days in that country, 
where tliey were much respected by all accjuainted 
with them. 

Ill all that lie undertakes, .Mr. Granger shows 



912 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the same qualities of perseverance and determin- 
ation, and is correspondingly successful. Years 
of economy and industry have placed him upon 
a solid footing and he can now enjo^' the fruits 
of his labor. He and his estimable wife are mem- 
bers of the Baptist Cluircii, and in politics he is a 
Republican. 



-^^l 



m 



'.p 



11^ 



ii\ 



^ETER ENGLISH, Vice-President of the Ben- 
ton Harbor Association, has for a number of 
years been identified with almost every en- 
terprise of importance originated for the 
benefit of the citizens of Benton Harbor and vi- 
cinity. His life furnishes an instance of the fact 
that industry, enterprise and energy, combined 
with the exercise of sound common-sense and good 
business judgment, bring to their possessor, almost 
invariably, a hirge measure of success. When he 
emigrated to this country, he had no cai)ital with 
which to embark in business, but he had an abun- 
dance of push and energy', and it was not long 
before he established himself upon a solid finan- 
cial footing, and gained a foremost position among 
the successful businessmen of the community. 

Of French descent, Mr. English was born in 
Canada during the year 185'2, being the son of 
Frank and Zoe (Cheercut) Engbsh, who were born 
in France and thence moved to Canada in 1852. 
The father died in 1892, in Quebec, Canada. The 
mother still survives and makes her home in 
Chicago. Our subject passed his boyhood years 
in liis native land, receiving common-school edu- 
cational advantages, and developing into a sturdy, 
ambitious man. After coming to the I'liited .States, 
he settled in Aurora, 111., where for a time he was en- 
gaged at his trade as a machinist, when he built the 
gas works in opposition to llie old gas company in 
Aurora, 111. In 1889, he came to Benton Harbor, 
and very soon became closely identified with the 
most important enterprises of this place. The 
present fine system of water works here is due to 
tlie eflicient manner in which he filled the contract 
awarded him for its construction. 



Mr. English was one of the organizers of the 
Benton Harbor Association, and is now its Vice- 
President. In 1890, lie organized the Benton Har- 
bor G.as Light Company, and was also the organ- 
izer of the Benton Harbor Water Supplj' Company, 
and was one of the foremost men in the organ- 
ization of the Benton Harbor Improvement Com- 
pany, with all of which enterprises he is prom- 
inently connected, having been the chief owner of 
the two latter. As a citizen he is pubiic-spirited, 
and many of the improvements of wliieh Ben- 
ton Harbor now boasts may be traced to his in- 
defatigable labors and good management. In 
his political attiliations he is in S3'inpathv vvith the 
principles of the Republican party, and casts his 
ballot for the candidates i)ledged to sustain the 
interests of the party of his choice. Mr. English 
was united in marriage in 1871 to Miss Sarah 
Philips, by whom he had seven children, six 
still living: Frank, Priscilla, Ralph, Walter, Ida 
and Gordon P. Freddie is deceased. His second 
marriage occurred in 1887, to Mrs. Elizabeth 
Lewis, of Woodstock, Ontario. There are no chil- 
dren by that uniim. 




SA W. SHERWOOD, a leading citizen 
and successful agriculturist, now residing 
in Sodus Township, Berrien Count)', Mich., 
^ IS a native of the State and was born in 

the pioneer diiys of 1834, upon November 3U, in 
Buchanan Township, Berrien County, and has 
spent his entire life within a comparatively short 
distance of his l)irthplace. His father, Seth S. 
Sherwood, well remembered as one of the very 
early pioneers of Michigan and a man of sterling 
integrity and enter|)rise, was born in New York 
in 1799. When he was twelve \-ears of age his 
parents.'lhe paternal grandfather and grandmother 
of our subject, removed from the Empire State to 
Ohio, and there made their permanent home. The 
grandfather was by oecupatiiin a farmer, and 
when his sons were old enough to assist in the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



913 



daily round of as;rieultnral toil they began to do 
tlieir share of labor. Trained up to habits of in- 
dustry, Father Sherwood assisted upon the farm, 
and in boyhood attended tiie common schools of 
New York State and Ohio. A practical man, he 
devoted liiniscif to the tillini;- of the soil his en- 
tire life. 

The mother of our subject was in her maiden- 
hood Miss Jemima Ferguson. She was the daugh- 
ter of William Ferguson, who resided in youth in 
Pennsylvania, and later located in Ohio, finally 
removing to Indiana with his family, where some 
time after he passed away at a good old age. 
Seth and Jemima (Ferguson) Sherwood were mar- 
ried in Ohio. The father had attained to mid- 
dle age when he came West in 1833 and witii his 
wife an<l three little ones settled in the wilds of 
Michigan. He spent one year on a farm in Cass 
County, and at the expiration of the tw^elvemonth 
made his liome in lUichanan Townslii|), remaining 
continuously in this part of Berrien County- until 
his death in 1856. For a full score of years he 
survived to witness the marvelous growth and 
swift advancement of local interests and business 
enterprise that magically succeeded to the rude 
scenes among which he lived and struggled sixty 
years ago. Our subject was the third child who 
blessed the primitive home, and in the little log 
schoolhouse of the district he gained the prac- 
tical education he afterward increased by observa- 
tion and reading. 

In 18.J7 Mr. Siierwood manied Miss .\iiielia 
Price, a daughter of Alexander and .Mary Price, 
well-known and highly respected residents of 
Buchanan Townsiiip. With his good wife, our 
subject removed in 1869 to Sodus Township, since 
then his constant residence. In this locality Mr. 
Sherwood invested prontal)ly in land and has 
conducted farming. Six children brightened the 
fireside, and one son and three (laughters yet sur- 
vive. Laura married F.liiier Wells and nf)w lives 
in Kansas; .Minnie has been engaged in business 
in Chicago as a tyi>e-writer for two years; Carrie, 
the wife of Cliarles (Jray, and Jay an- living at 
home with their father. In \X>^-> the deatli of 
Mrs. Sherwood made life lonely for her husbaixl, 
and since then tlie daughter and father have lieen 



together. Mr. Sherwood is fraternally a member 
of Sodus Orange, in which he takes an active in- 
terest. 

Politicallj', our subject is a Republican, and 
has been prominent in the local councils of his 
party. He has with ability and fidelity to the 
trusts reposed in him discharged the duties of 
Highway Commissioner and Justice of the Peace, 
in both positions giving great satisf.action to the 
large circle of old-time friends and .a.ssociates of 
earlj' days, by whom he is liighl}' esteemed for 
his sterling integrity of character and excellent 
business qualifications. From his earliest youth 
Mr. Sherwood has been an important factor in the 
promotion of the interests of Sodus Township, 
and is numbered among the liberal-spirited and 
substantial citizens of Berrien Countv. 



l^+^i 



"S] 



; 



ACOB BOOJs, a prominent business man of 
Berrien Springs, was born in Roanoke 
County, A'a., near the village of Salem, on 
the 12tli of November, 1830. He is the 
son of Daniel and .Mary (.Salem) Boon, natives of 
Virginia, the former being a farmer by occupation. 
Accompanied by his family, he came to Michigan 
in 1848 and located in Berrien Township. Berrien 
Count\', where he purchased some land and de- 
voted himself to .agricultiiial pursuits. His wife 
died Sfnnelime during the Civil War. and he sur- 
vived her only a few years. 

There were ten children in tiie family, and nine 
o{ that number are still living, all in Berrien 
Springs with the exception of Mrs. JIarv Foster, 
who resides in Missouri. The subject of this no- 
tice was the fifth son in order of birth. Me passed 
his youth in the Old Dominion, and at the age of 
eighteen accompanied his parents to Berrien 
County, where he aided his father in the labor of 
clearing and improving a farm. He served an 
apprenticeship of six months to the blacksmith 
trade under .bicob i^walt, of Berrien Springs, and 
at the expiration of that time he purchased the 
business of Mr. Ewalt and conducted it upon his 



914 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



own account. He Las a large trade, both in his 
blacksmith's shop and wagon manufactory, and is 
recognized as one of the most enterprising men in 
the village. 

On the ■26th of February, 186.3, at Berrien 
Springs, Mr. Boon and Miss Mary E. Watson were 
united in marriage. The bride was the daughter 
of James Watson, whose parents were among the 
pioneers of the village of Berrien Springs. Mr. 
and Mrs. Boon became the parents of three chil- 
dren: .Tames D., Hattie and Frank M., the latter 
having died in infancy-. The family was bereaved 
on the 19th of November, 1886, by the death of 
the devoted wife and mother, who passed away 
when in life's prime. 

In politics a Democrat, Mr. Boon has tilled vari- 
ous positions to which he has been elected on that 
ticket. He served for four terms as Trustee of 
Berrien Springs and has occupied other positions 
of trust. Socially, he is a member of Western 
Star Lodge No. 39, A. F. & A. M., and the Ancient 
Order of United Workmen. His interest in edu- 
cational matters has been a noticeable feature in 
his character, and his service as a member of the 
School Board was efficient and highly satisfactory. 




NOS HOLMES, Sr. Within the bounds of 
Berrien County, or indeed the entire State, 
no better representative of honest, upright 
manhood could he found than the above-named 
gentleman, who was for many ^ears identified with 
the work of the count}-, especiallj' Berlrand Town- 
ship, in which his home was located. He was quite 
prominent in local politics, and in early times was 
Supervisor of the township for several years. 

We trace the Holmes family back to Nathaniel 
Holmes, of C'oleraine, Ireland, in 1660. He was 
followed b3' six generations, his lineal descendants, 
each named Nathaniel, as shown by the records 
of the cit3' of Coleraine, and records of the 
family since emigrating to this country, mak- 
ing a total of seven generations named Nathaniel. 
Theie is a tradition in the family that they came 



over from Scotland to Ireland at the time of the 
Presbyterian emigration, of which MacCauley 
speaks in his history of England. 

Enos Holmes was the seventh of ten children of 
Nathaniel and Catherine (Allison) Holmes, and 
was born in Peterborough, N. II., December 14, 
1799. His father was born in Londonderry', N. II., 
September 5, 1759, and died in Peterborough Sep- 
tember 10, 1832. His grandfather, Nathaniel 
Holmes, was born in Coleraine, Ireland, and died in 
1764, at Londonderry', N. H. The great-grand- 
father, Nathaniel Holmes, and great-grandmother, 
Jane Hunter, lived in County Antrim, Ireland, and 
died there. They left a family of five sons, of 
whom Enos Holmes' grandfather was the fourth. 
Enos Holmes' father, Nathaniel Holmes, came to 
Peterborough, N. H., to live in 1784, soon after his 
marriage, and they lived on the same farm the re- 
mainder of their lives. He was a Deacon of the Pres- 
byterian Church and vvhen quite young rendered 
much service in the War of the Revolution. 

Nathaniel Holmes, the father of our subject, went 
to Cambridge as a waiter to Lieut.-Geu. Fer- 
guson, and after that as a waiter to his (Holmes) 
father-in-law, Maj, Duncan, of Londonderry. He 
was urged in September, 1776, to enlist in the com- 
pan3' of a certain Capt. Finley, b}' his brother-m- 
law, William Moore, who offered to make his wages 
equal to $10 per month. He declined on the plea 
that his clothes were ail worn out. His sister, Mrs. 
Moore, hearing the conversation, said, "Billy, you 
furnish the shoes and I will furnish the clothes." 
It was a great mystery how she could do it, as there 
were only two pounds of wool in the house. The 
next morning their flock of sheep was brought to 
the barn, and four earl}' lambs were robbed of their 
fleece, and the wool was colored, spun, woven and 
made into clothing in twenty days, and when Capt. 
Finley came through the town on his way to Sar- 
atoga the young soldier was ready to join the 
company. He was afterward at the battle of White 
Plains. He returned safe, whether to Peterborough 
or Londonderry is unknown, and Mr. Moore ful- 
filled his engagement of making his pay as good 
as $10 per month. 

Enos Holmes was born in Peterborough. N. H., 
and lived on the farm until after he was twenty-one 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



915 



years old. He taught school two winters, and af- 
ter marrying Louisa Adams, at the age of Iwt nty- 
livc, moved to Springlield, Vt,, and in i-oiniiaii y 
witli hisbrotiier, John Holmes, and brotlier-in-law, 
Daniel Adams, started a cotton factory, which tiiey 
carried on for al)out eigiit years. lie lost his prop- 
erty in 1837 tiirough the United Stales Hankrupt 
Law, and went to western New Yoric and settled 
on a farm, after going to the "Far West" and buy- 
ing about eight hundred acres of land in Illinois 
and some land in Michigan. He moved to Miclii- 
gan in 1846, and settled on a part of sections 4,8, 
and 18, in Bertrand Township, near the village of 
ISuchanan, where he resided until liis death, May 
23, 1869. Louisa Adams, his wife, was the seventh 
of eight children of Daniel and Phel)e (Britton) 
Adams, and was born in Jaffrey, Vt., December 14, 
1806. She married Enos Holmes at the age of 
eighteen, and died .January 25, 1876. 

Her father, Daniel Adams, was born March 14, 
1768. At the time of the battle of Lexington, his 
father, .Joseph Adams, lived in Cambridge, and 
seeing the British soldiers coming on their way to 
Concord, escai>ed through the back door to tiie 
woods, the British firing at him and shooting 
through his hat. They made his wife, grandmotiier 
of Louisa (Adams) Holmes, get up from a sick-bed, 
with achild, Anna Adams, three weeks old, and llee 
to the corn crib, firing at her as she went. Two 
of liis daughters hid upstairs, while Daniel Adams, 
then eight years old, hid under the bed. When the 
soldiers took (h>wn the clock, he stuck his head out 
fidin uikUt tlie bed and told them not lo touch 
that clock or his fallier would whip them. The 
British petted him and made much of him for his 
bravery and did not furllicr molest liini. They piled 
the furniture up in the middle of the room and set 
il alire. then left on then- way to Concord. The 
family put out the lire and saved the house after 
the soldiers were gone. The British did not stop 
on their way back, being in too great a hurry to 
escape the attentions of the Continental soldiers. 
Daniel Adam> w.is born in Cambridge and lived 
on a farm in .latTrey after he was married, l>eing 
selectman of the town for several years. His father, 
.loseph .\dams, was born .July 8, 171.'), and died 
May 3. 1794. He was a grandson of Dr. Henry 



Adams, of Braintree, Mass., and a cousin of Presi- 
dent .lohn Adams. He was married to Martha Frost 
.hinuary Id, 1740, and to Hannah H.all, his sec- 
ond wife, September 11, 1750. ^e was the father 
of fifteen children, of whom Daniel Adams was the 
thirteenth. Their united ages at one time amounted 
to thirteen hundred years. His father, Joseph 
Adams, the great-great-grandfather of Lo\iisa 
(Adams) Holmes, was born September 21, 1688. 
His parents, George and Martha Adams, were mar- 
ried on the 28th of February, 1685. Henry Adams, 
the ancestor of the Adams family, emigrated from 
Devonshire, England, in 16.'50and settled in Brain- 
tree, Mass. 

Enos Holmes and Louisa Holmes were the par- 
ents of nine children, four of whom died in infancy. 
Catherine A. Holmes was born October 26, 1826, 
and married .lolin C. Marble March 8, 1858. She 
lived in St. Joseph County, Ind., for some years and 
died October 2, 1 872, ^^ ithout issue. Daniel A., born 
M.ay 28, 1829, went to California across the plains 
in 1849 with ox-teams, but returned to Michigan 
in 1852 and married Sarah J. Baker, who bore him 
fourteen children, six of whom still survive. He 
settled on a farm in Weesaw Townshii) in Berrien 
County, Mich., in 1855, where he now resides. 
Louisa A., born May 4, 1831, married Orson Mar- 
ble December 25, 1851, by whom she had ten chil- 
dren, all of whom are grown to manhood and wo- 
manhood, and all arc living. Enos. born August 
11, 1841, in Clarendon, Orleans County, N. Y.. 
married Martha Burruss February 13, 1873, l)y 
whom he has one child, and is now living on the 
homestead occupied by his father and himself suc- 
cessively .since 1846. John G., born October 4, 1852, 
in Michigan, married Juliette Scidmore December 
27, 1876, and has by her two daughters. He is the 
editor of the Buchanan Record, of which paper he 
has been the proprietor since January 25. 1875. 



EF. CASE. This name will be immediately 
recognized as that of a resident of Water- 
; vliet, Berrien County, who has made his 
home here for a couijle of years, and is now well 



916 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



known as the editor of a wide-awake and spicy 
newspaper, the AValeivliet Record. He was born 
in Canton, Hartford County, Conn., October 4, 
1844, and is the s^ of Nelson and Nelsea (Brock- 
way) Case. 

Mr. Case's grandfather, Edward, was of Englisli 
origin, and liis ancestors settled in Connecticut in 
1659. He w.as a farmer all his life and married 
Miss Rhoda Case, who bore him two sons and two 
daughters. He was a Democrat, politically, and 
always cast his ballot, and influence as well, for the 
benefit of his favored platform. The father of our 
subject was born in Hartford County, Conn., and 
in his youth learned the carpenter's trade. In 
1850 he moved to I'ortage County, Ohio, where 
he lived the remainder of his days. Like his father 
before liim, lie was a standi supporter of the Dem- 
ocratic principles and platform. He was the father 
of four boys and four girls, who are the only de- 
scendants of Edward Case, except one daughter 
still living in Canton, Conn. 

Mr. Case of this biographical sketch was afforded 
the advantages of a good education in the district 
schools and afterward taught three terms. In 1869, 
he went to Wisconsin and there engaged in the 
drug business in Pierce County for two years, at 
the end of which time, or in 1871, he was elected 
County Superintendent of Schools for one term of 
two years. After his time expired in that pro- 
fession, he farmed for a brief period, and in the 
fall of 1875 bought a half-interest in the Pierce 
County Herald^ with which he was connected until 

1890. In that year he sold a portion of his share 
in the Herald, went to Murphy, N. C, and appro- 
priated the money toward the founding of the 
Chei-okee Scout, which lie superintended for six 
months. At this juncture he went to Superior, 
Wis., and worked in the interest of the Leader, 
which was at that time one of the best papers pub- 
lished in the town. In September of the year 

1891, Mr. Case located at AVatervliet and com- 
menced work for the Record and now owns the 
entire business. 

Miss Louisa M. Brownson was the chosen life- 
companion of our subject, to whom he was united 
in marriage in the year 1872. The result of their 
union was the birth of three children, namely: 




Leon D., Bessie W. and Francis B. Mr. Case pos- 
sesses the happy traits of character that enable him 
to keep up the liveliness of the Record with all 
ease, and talent that is much admired throughout 
the community. There is certainly no position in 
life that requires more energy, good education and 
sound judgment than does editorial work. Mr. 
and Mrs. Case have a comfortable home in the 
village of Watervliet and entertain a host of 
friends in their cozy parlors. 



ii-^-i^li^i 



D. GRAVES, an energetic and prosperous 
wood and coal merchant, located on the 
West Side, at the corner of Lincoln Avenue 
^ and Claj' Street, Niles City, is one of the 
most enterprising business men of Berrien County, 
and until .lanuary, 1893, also clerked in a gro- 
cery and is likewise engaged extensively in agri- 
cultural pursuits. Our subject was born in Au- 
rora, Portage County, Ohio, February 28, 1858, 
and is the son of Rev. Joseph S. Graves and Mrs. 
Ann (Bois) Graves. The paternal grandfather, 
William Spencer Graves, was a native of Connect- 
icut, and, a man of fine business ability, w.as a 
well-known and successful merchant of the State 
of his birth. He was of English descent, the 
Graves being among the Colonial emigrants from 
the Queen's dominions to New England. The 
father of our subject was born, reared and edu- 
cated in his birthplace, Hartford, Conn. Devoting 
himself to the profession of the ministry, he be- 
came later in life the able pastor of the Congrega- 
tional Church at .Licksonville, 111. 

The mother, Mrs. Ann (Bois) Graves, was born, 
educated and married in Portage County, Ohio, 
and was the daughter of E. Rilcy Bois, a promi- 
nent farmer and old-time resident of the Buckeye 
State. The father and mother made their home 
for some time in Aurora, but since 1875 have been 
located in Niles City, where they enjoy the esteem 
and confidence of a large circle of acquaintances. 
Three children blessed the home of the i)arents, 
two daughters and one son. Mr. Graves was the 



PORTRAIT AKD HIOGRAPIIICAL RECORD. 



91: 



second child and accompanied his parents to the 
West. He received his education mainly in tlie 
i\ome of liis early youth, but completed his studies 
in the High School of Niles City. Hy nature, 
self-reliant, he was early trained into habits of prac- 
tical industry. 

In the mean time Mr. Graves personally super- 
intended the cultivation of three farms: the Pot- 
ter farm of two hundred acres in Bertrand Town- 
ship, and two hundred in Niles Township; the Mes- 
senger farm of seventy acres; and Mrs. II. C. Platts' 
eighty-acre farm. These several pieces of agri- 
cultural property are devoted to general farming 
and stock-raising, superior grades of cattle and 



horses being handled upon the various estates. 
The wood and coal business has been long estab- 
lished and receives a large custom. .Ianuar\' 24, 
1883, II. I). Graves and Miss Pvlla Summers were 
united in marriage. Mrs. Graves is a native of 
Niles, and has spent her life among the associa- 
tions of her youth. Our subject and his estimable 
wife have no children. Mr. Graves is a Republi- 
can and was a candidate for Alderman of the 
Fourth Ward of the city. He is fraternally a 
valued member of Lodge No. 628. R. A., of Niles, 
and. a liberal-spirited citizen, is ever ready to aid 
in all matters tending to the promotion of public 
welfare. 




I 





BIOGI^pI^r^I^sf^I^- 



Abbott, W.J 5011 

Adams, John 2.i 

Adams, John Q 39 

Adamsoii, William ti6» 

Ager, Rev. Charles Ull 

Aldrich, Andrew 7fi7 

.\ldrich, Henr.v -<■* 

,\ Id rich. Hon. Levi 781 

.\lexandcr, Hon. L. P "281 

Allen, I. M 8« 

Allen. K.R <39 

Allmcndinger, J. M 270 

Antisdale, K . S. , M . D 577 

Antisdale,S (J 21)8 

Argabright. W. H .308 

Arthur, Chester A 93 

Atwell.F. J.... 12* 

.\twood, P'r.ink ^35 



Bal)c..ek,C'. M 8e9 

Bacon, Col. David 3)1 

Bailey, G.L.,M. I) 517 

Sainton, W. F 317 

Baker,C.H :!«1 

Baker, Hon . W. A 493 

Baldwin, O. A. K W-2 

Baldwin. \V. M 711 

Ball, W. H 758 

Ballard, O. W iiC, 

Barnes, Capt. M. C 7U8 

Bassett. (i. S 103 

Baushkc, A. F 41K 

Baushke, Daniel 416 

Baushke, J. C 416 

Becker, J. A 813 

Beckwith, J. T «90 

Berkwith,P. D 141 

Be<-ralt , J. 8!)2 

Bedford, O.K 210 



Bedford, J. W 609 

Bedinger, M. S 779 

Becbe, B. R 1«G 

Becman , A. P 788 

Bee.son, B. F 126 

Beeson, W. H 760 

Belknap. Simeon, M. D 243 

Bcll,C.C 698 

Bell,(i.M., M.D 279 

Bell, John, iM. D 131 

Bennett, Judge \V. P 119 

Berg.S. S 774 

Berrick, Hon. F. H 308 

Bertram, C. F 804 

Best.D. A 732 

Beverly , Zebedee 153 

Bigolow, f>tis 218 

Bilderbaok, John 447 

Dirdsey, Abijah 342 

Bisbee,A.B 633 

Bishop.G. E 188 

Bither, A. F B-iS 

Blackmer, F. A 910 

Blakeslee, E. A 830 

Bl.v, Kinyon 452 

Boehra.H.P 167 

Bogue, S. A 551 

Bond, J. P 215 

Bonine. F. N.,M. D 385 

Bonine, Lot 537 

Boon, Jacob 913 

Boswen,Capt. W. A 132 

Bowe, P. 568 

Bowman, Joseph 238 

Boyle, C.S 199 

Boyle, George 629 

Boynton, Darius 430 

Bra.ly,N.S 721 

Brainhall. .hiseph 8.59 

Brammall. Kdward 302 

Brenner, Jac<)l) 398 

Brodriek, H. M.. M. I) 7!»2 

Brooks, J.J 574 

Browni, A. D.,M. D 697 

Brown, C. J 641 

Brown, F.G 502 

Brown, (i. O 893 

Brown, Ornn 594 

Brunson. Allen 2»l 

Brunson, Hufus 21«6 

Buchanan. Jaine.^ 75 



Bucknian, .lohn 753 

Bullard, W. H 593 

Bunbury.T. A 494 

Buubury, W. B 781 

Burridge, Jacob 278 

Burridge, J. N 507 

Bnrrus, F. A 782 

Burrus, William 473 

Bury, J. D 332 

Butler, Hicharil :*rrT7..651 



C'ady, Harvey 895 

Caliiwcll, Jo.seph 904 

Caldwell. Josiah 901 

Cameron, H.N 6.99 

Camtield, Lcaviti 717 

Carothers, A.J 86S 

Carpenter, B. S 512 

Case,E.F 915 

Casterline, B. H 365 

Chamberlain, Hon. Henry. ..8,x5 

Chapman, H. L 125 

Chapman, J. M 276 

Christensen, Charles 179 

Clapp.G.S '254 

Clark, C. A .582 

Clark, R.V 489 

Clendenen, J. F 398 

Cleveland, S. Grover 103 

Codding, S. B 481 

Colby, Charles 253 

Cole! Dr. J. c' 4.i9 

Collins, B.Y 214 

('ollins, Frederick 230 

Collins, J. S •. . .703 

Cone,H.S 848 

Conlcy, William B03 

Conradt. William 237 

Cook, Stephen. ..AT. 4:iS 

Cooke, William 618 

Coolidge, Hon. O. VV 213 

Coon.M.B 179 

Cooper, Benjamin. .^,-.,^ — 667 

Copeland, S. M 710 

Copley , A. U 579 



Corell. Abraham 712 

Corell, G. A 834 

Corrigan,J. A 463 

Coulter, W. H 1»4 

Covell, A. A 134 

Coverdale, J. A 897 

Cox. J. H 428 

Cribbs, E. W 573 

Critchet, Peter 839 

Cromer, E. L 872 

Crosby, H. E 899 

Curran, John ,564 

Cnthbert, D. -V 789 



D 



Daley, Philip 458 

Davis, John 843 

Davis, Miles 521 

Dean.H. M 588 

Decker, Barney 330 

Dempsey, J. W 597 

Des Voignes, L. B 472 

Dewey, B.L 2.59 

Dickinson, Arthur 737 

Dickinson, Joseph 382 

Dickinson, O. B 335 

Dickinson. Robert... 737 

DielTenbacher, Abraham 365 

Dignan, Thotna-s 772 

Dix, Hon. K. D 339 

Dohm, J. U 317 

Dougan , G. W 621 

Dowling, J. B 884 

Drake, H. L 689 

Draper, John 501 

Drew, A. L 637 

Dunbar, J. F 406 

Duncan, LA 793 

Dunham, J. R 299 

Dunn. A. L 700 

Dunning, Emmet ;C12 

Dunning. I. R., M. D. .. .. ...326 



920 



INDEX. 



E 



East, J. S 

Eastman, Rev. Q. C. V. 

EastoD, A. J 

Easton, W. W..M. D.... 

Eby, E.G 

Edgcumbe, Prof. G. J. . 

Edick,C. M 

Edwards, H. A 

Edwards, J. R 

Edwards, R. S 

Edwards, T.J 

Edwards, W. C 

Eidson, W. B 

Elson,G. L 

Elson, J. D 

Emmons, J. K 

Engle, B. F 

English, Peter 

Essig, Dr. F. H 

Evert, Joseph 



.244 
.155 
..723 
..(520 
.572 
..500 
.196 
.672 
.838 
..557 
.260 
.208 
.800 
.587 
.687 
..360 
..381 
..912 
.340 
..790 



Farley, Bethuel 640 

Farmer, Hon. W. S 223 

Farnum, U. H 819 

Farauni, Matthias 819 

Ferguson, E. H 236 

Ferry, E.F 400 

Ferry, J. R 578 

Ferry, W. M 728 

Field, Benjamin 719 

Fillmore, Millard 67 

Finegan, Henry 477 

Finney, Hiram 367 

First, Frederick 623 

First, Henry 407 

I'isher, Josephus 751 

Fletcher, D. A 429 

Flewelling, J . W 362 

Flood, William 279 

Foresman, Joseph 158 

Foster, Robert 693 

Fox, A. J 498 

French, C.H 369 

French, W. B -WS 

Fulton, J. E 664 



Gage, A. G 694 

Oard,G. W 852 

(lard, 1. N 207 

Gard, J. F 295 

Gard,M. J 798 

Gardner, A. B 468 

Garfield, James A 95 

Garrett, H. P tiSU 



Garrett, H.S 771 

Garratt, W. L., M. D 387 

Garrett, William. . ;■ 277 

Gebhard, Jacob 862 

Gentle, Samuel 312 

George, W. L .22.T 

Gephart, Capt. Henry 787 

Gilson, F. R 285 

Glavin.Hon. J. M 542 

Gleason, C. T 812 

Gleeson, John 307 

Glines,S. B 408 

Godfrey, C. H 880 

Goodenough, Aionzo 417 

Goodenough, D. H.- 174 

Goodwin, Fairfield, M. D... 322 

Gould, J. E 678 

Gowdy , Franklin 877 

Graham. E. A 165 

Graham, John 319 

Graham, James H I>30 

Graham, J. H 152 

Granger, Thomas 911 

Grant, G. W 733 

Grant, tlysses S 87 

Graves, H. D 916 

Graves, Rev. J. S 34.t 

Gray,r. M ....887 

Green , Charles 514 

Green, William .5.52 

Greenamyer, J. D., M. D 540 

OrilBn, George .559 

Gnffin,R. S., M. I) 849 

Griffith, W.l .550 

Groat, C. B 829 



H 



Haas, Valentine (>S4 

Haefner, C. G 642 

Haggerty, Hampton 318 

Hale, J. R 513 

Halliday, Alexander 431 

Hamilton, E. L 518 

Hampton, Thaddeus 487 

Handy, Samuel 908 

Hansen. Peter 906 

Hanson , Charles 589 

Hanson, James 136 

Hanson , Lars 441 

Hanson, William 788 

Harff , Isaac 584 

Harmon, H. C 538 

Harrington, A. H 824 

Harris, Daniel 376 

Harris, Ebenezer S53 

Harris, Edwin 128 

Harrison, Benjamin 107 

Harrison, William Henry 51 

Hartline, Joel 687 

Hartman, G. C 889 

Hartsell, Frank 7:U 

Hartsell, Jonathan 861 

Harwood, H. W 197 

Harwo<)d, Hiram .559 

Harwood, Nathan 559 



Harwood. Silas. . ^ .5.59 

Haskins, J. F. . . .* 563 

Haslett, William 601 

Haugh, J. C 780 

Hauser,J. W 208 

Hayden, J. G 720 

Hayrten, W. B .357 

Hayes, Rutherford B 91 

Hebron , Gideon 822 

Heddon, James 483 

Helmholz, H. A. W 599 

Helmick, H. S 524 

Hendryx, C. VV 163 

Henkel, John 789 

Herkimer, G R.,M. D 233 

Herman. Carl 807 

Hess, Henry 420 

Hess, Samuel 378 

Hetler,G. W 421 

Hetler, J. M 397 

Hetler, J W 713 

Hicks, H. B 881 

Hicks, R. V 581 

Hicks, William. .' 864 

Higbee.J. F 275 

Higgins.T.T 492 

Higman, John. Jr 248 

Hinkley, Myron IH)9 

Hislop, William 422 

Hitchcox, Hon. J. H 143 

Hoag,I. J 908 

Hobbs.F. A 348 

Hogue,R.M 828 

Hogue, W.L 269 

Holland, H. R 747 

Holmes, Enos, Sr 914 

Hoover, M. W 428 

Hoppiu, G. S 783 

House, A. C 701 

House, John 867 

Houser, M. B 659 

Housworth, J 898 

Howser, S. M 7.54 

Hoyt.W.F .301 

Huff, John 352 

Hulburd, Orcenus, Jr 177 

Huntly,G.G 652 

Hutchings, Abraham 156 

Hutton,!. P SOI 

Huyck.R. J 674 



linhoir, Jacob 371 

Ingling, Sanuiel 777 

Ingrahani. Minot 702 

Ireland, A. F 598 



.lacks, E. A 

Jackson, Andrew. 



.178 
. 43 



Jarvis, Burton 7fi3 

JetTeris, W. D 44i; 

Jelferson. Thou. as 27 

Jeffries, Lycurgus .523 

Jewell, E. B 28(1 

Jillson, C E 157 

Johnson. Aaron 490 

Johnson, Andrew 83 

Johnson, C. A 502 

Johnson , John 570 

Johnson, J. 1 4;i5 

Johnson,_J. L 339 

Jones, Amos 168 

Jones, A. S 298 

Jones, G. W 205 

Jones, R. M 2.55 

Jones, W. D 432 

Jones, W. L (192 

Joos, Rev. Josepli 282 

Jordan, Francis 173 

Judsoii, David-. ...437 



K 



Keller, John 742 

Kelsey, James 810 

Kelsey, W. J.,M.D 265 

Kempton, L. H 630 

Kennedy, N. G 280 

Kephart, George 285 

Kephart, Philip. M. D 771 

King.F. F (i22 

King, G. W ; 497 

King, Vernon 672 

Kingsbury, G. M 219 

Kingsley, C. R 426 

Kinne, Zachariah 827 

Kinney , William 882 

Kirby, W. R 47(1 

Kissinger, George 287 

Klock. Kev. Nellis 289 

Kricger, Julius 809 

Krise, Joseph 581 

Ki-oening.C. F. W 749 

Krohne, William 3.S0 

Kruse, E. M 632 



Landon, N. E 704 

Lane, John 724 

Langley, Capt. S. (i 837 

Lawrence, D. T 3.59 

Lawrence, John 3.59 

Lawrence, L. B 617 

Lawrence, William 3.59 

Layman, Joel 900 

Leckifi, W. T 473 

Lee, C. T 462 

Lee, F. E 151 

Lee, H. M 219 



INDEX. 



Loiter, A. P 42ri 

I.estiT, Rev. ( '. S 8fil 

l,ott,(J. \V 810 

! ,(Mlt e, Joseph 5.'i8 

I.pwis, E. K 86S 

Lewis. K l:il 

ijincoln, Abrnhaiii 7!1 

l.imlslev.J. A 200 

LivcnjjiwKl. N. A 770 

Lon^'. Lsailir 64:i 

LoiifisilutT, (Jeorj^e 457 

Lor.l.M. N a* 

LiiM.Hiiain 803 

Luther. Ceor^^c 874 

Lybrook. Joseph *>I1 

L.vbrook, L.C 137 

Lvle.U. E ftSO 

L.vle, Daniel 375 

Ljle, K \V 445 

Lyneh, Pliilip .544 



M 



Madison, llanse 478 

Maiiisdti, .lames 'M 

.Marble, T.K 707 

Marrs, Samuel 799 

Mars. Hon. Thomas 757 

3Iartin, Isaac 53'2 

Martin, John :)95 

Martin, S. H 59-2 

Matthews, J. >I 743 

Maudlin, Sol, M. D 608 

McCorii, Seely 210 

MeUoy, J. N 6(a 

MeDonaM, James 321 

Melntosh, Jacob 717 

McKie, Hon. J. L 649 

McMaster, H. S., M. 1) 120 

Mi-Mullen, Huf;h 905 

iM.Omber. Fred, M. D 1)21 

Merritield, S. P (>19 

Michael, Henry 309 

Miles, Thonuas KM 

Millard, A. J 469 

Miller, Charles 195 

Miller, George 176 

Miller, J. E 'Xm 

Miller.O.P Nil 

Miller. W.H ti07 

Mills, G. A 14B 

Mollhagen, Henry 427 

Monroe, James 35 

Moore, Daniel 724 

Moore, K.F 731 

Morley, K. H 534 

Morley, George 436 

Morrill, Koland 4B7 

Morse, S. H M7 

Morton. U. C 245 

Morton, J. S 2il 

Moser, Isaac 832 

Mvielli^r, Daniel 688 

Murdoch, (i. H 2!ll 

MurJocl),G, II., Jr 9Uj 



Murphy, Krastus 614 

Murwin, G. VV 8.54 



N 



Napier. F. L 331 

Napier, Capt. N. \V :«1 

Nash, J. J 6,54 

Northrop, A. D 681 

Nortiin, \V. E 318 



() 



O'Brien, P. E «91 

(JDell, J.S .533 

OHara, Thomas 797 

Olscn, George 644 

Orris, G. A 821 

Osborn, Jetfei-son 215 

Ovcracker, Ira 7.10 

Owen, Prof. M.S 890 



Paddock. Irving 549 

Pardee, Elias 460 

Parker. R. D., M. D 2.« 

Parsons, William 346 

Payne, Thomas 657 

Pearl. Phineas 180 

Penland, A, J 554 

Pennell, A. C 341 

Pennell, Byron 644 

Peters, W. F 504 

Phelps, C. P .5.53 

Phillips, F. D 145 

Pierce, Franklin 71 

Pierce. P. J 896 

Pileher, Oscar 671 

Pixley, B. F. 1:15 

Piatt. F.H 118 

Phnnmer, Hon. A. P 203 

Polk, James K .59 

Porter, H. H 627 

Post, Mru. Elmiro 320 

Potter. Hun. C. B 19« 

Pratt. C. S 738 

Preston, Milt^^n 740 

Preston. Hon. W. A 117 



R 



Ragatz, Rev. Oswald 296 

Kay.Dr.H, W 17S 



Read, S. T .'MS 

Reagan, William 292 

Rector, D. S 137 

RedHeld,(i. U 390 

Reynolds. T. W 311 

Richards. G. B 6»1 

Richards, J. L 316 

Ritter, J. J 122 

Rix, Dr.T. G 529 

Bobbins, W. P 147 

Robert,s, (i, G 744 

Roberts, Lewis 639 

Robinson, J. L AG9 

Rockey, G. C 867 

Rockwell, Hon. H. C 13S 

Rodgei-s. T. C .*rr. 387 

Rodgers, Thomas. . .^ S90 

Roe, J. M., M. D ^ 338 

Koe.Rev. W. M 327 

Rogers._Hiram ..jtf-rTTTT^. . ..841 

Rogers, M. E <1_~....7"3 

Root, J. N 648 

Ross. A. F 907 

Ross, J. E 669 

Rouch, J. M 297 

Rough. G. W 839 

Rough, J. R 883 

Rough, W.R 245 

Hounds, B. F 138 

Itourke, Jerry 463 

Kudulphi, A. E 448 

Kun kle. Cool 823 

Kunkle, H.S 571 

Runkle, W. A 404 

Rythcr.C.C 247 



Samson, H. G 2.50 

Sanders, E. W 8.58 

Sihaub. Henry 847 

Schmidt, F. C 4»» 

Schneider, Jacob 418 

Schwenk, J. U 410 

Scott, A. H..M. D :«» 

Scott, G. M 711 

Scovill, Hiram 482 

Sciimger, J. D :145 

Seares. William ,396 

Seydell. Merit/. 491 

Shafer. I. C 348 

Shaffer, Gen. G. T 1.56 

Shanafelt. W.H .350 

Shanahan, Kimmey 679 

Shaw. A. J 784 

Shedd H.H M8 

Sheehan. Daniel 897 

Shepard. J. M 2SS 

Shepard. J. V «7S 

Sherman. I. V 175 

Sherwood. A. W 912 

Sherwood, C. L 120 

Shetterly, Levi 511 

Shultz. William .37(1 

Silver, (1. F 2V4 

Skinner, Nathan , 3811 



921 

Sloan, R. C 355 

Smith. Albion 484 

Smith, Hon. Amos 803 

Smith, C. M 464 

Smith, Hon. E. C m 

Smith, Frederick 764 

Smith, G. E tm 

Smith, Hiram 7.5J 

Smith , James 76« 

Smith , Scb.astian Trsn 

Smith, W. A 591 

Snyder, J. W gi7 

Spaulding. E. C 451 

Spaulding, T. C 451 

Spencer, Hon. E. R 18» 

Spiers, Thomas .567 

Spink, Robert 004 

Spring.steen, I.*Ti 527 

Stanard, Daniel 357 

Starkweather,.Henry 401 

Steimle, Frank 647 

Stemm, I. R K53 

Sterner, Gideon 567 

Stewart, G. F gou 

Stewart, William 317 

Storms, E. B 9Q.2 

Storms, Lewis jofl 

Stover, J. H fjgo 

Strelile. Peter 434 

Stump. J. H 377 

Sutherland. Lewis 415 

Sweet, C. E 70.2 

Sweetland, Hon. J. B 7»4 

Swem, D. W 51;, 

Swisher, W. H g<,i 

Syms. W. E ««i 



Tabor, Ernest sai 

Tabor, Horace 873 

Tallerday , A.J 3bi 

Tappen, Cornelius 683 

Taylor, Zachary (13 

Terwilleger, C. G 71s 

Thaldorf, A. A 44a 

Thatcher, C. A .543 

Thickstun.D. C 195 

Thomas, S. H 48H 

Thompson. Henr3' 878 

Thomson. Hon. J. B xn 

Tllomson. S. C 638 

Thornton , Abram 61:i 

Thresher. J. P I8;i 

Tichenor, F. A 752 

Tietsort, Charles 368 

Tompkins, F. D. g 791 

Tompkins, L. D. , M. U 2:15 

Treat, F. A 283 

Truitt, D. T I4U 

Truitl, J. M 2SI 

Tuthill, Cyrus 4a5 

Tuttle, H. J 87« 

Tyler, John ,iS 



922 



INDEX. 



U 



Ullrey, A. 0.,M. U.... 



.562 



V,W. E. S. B 22C 

Van Bnren, Martin 47 

Van Camp, B. H 66u 

Van Camp, S. L 063 

Vandeiveer, J. T 808 

Van Horn.S. B ISS 

Van Ness, R. L 541 

Van Ness, William 478 

Van Ki|jer, Hon. J. J 077 



Van Tilburg, Henry 522 

Versaw.J. P 583 

Vetterly , August 4.iO 

Vincent, Alonzo 408 

Vincent, I. M :iO(J 

Vogle, VV. H 154 

Vrooman, Hon. VV. M Si)4 



w 



Waaswortli, S. P ;i7a 

Walker, Capt. T. A 315 

Walker, \V. R 411 

Wallace, John 1B4 

Walter, Edgar 73!) 

Walton . James 442 

Walton, R. A 412 

Ward, Gen. L. M 148 



Warner, J. H .580 

Warner, L. H 888 

Wai-ren, E. K 820 

Washington, George 19 

Watson, J. H 122 

Weber, Daniel 351 

Wells, A. W 170 

Wells, Hon. H. B 857 

Wetherbee, A . B 410 

White, M. P. , M. D 228 

White, Mrs. S. B 902 

AVhitten, Josliua 7.50 

Wilcox, H. B., M. I) 41!) 

Wiley, K. H BOO 

Williams, C. M 714 

Williams, G. W 511 

Williams. John 510 

Williamson, H. S 3H6 

Wimer, P. C mS 

Wisner, J. T 747 

Womer, Peter 5(il 

Wood, Jerome 87!) 



Woodcock, E. P' ,50!) 

Wooden, Hiram .S50 

Woodruir, Asaph 372 

Woolcott, E.J 72!i 

Worden , G. P 2(i7 

Worden. R. M lis 

Wright, Alinon 741 



Yates , Abram G02 

Yoar, Peter ,5!);; 

Yund, Adams 572 



Zane.P.N 171 

Zekind.H.M 22!) 



I=OI?.TI^ j^ITS . 



Adams, John 22 

Adams, John Q 38 

Antisdale, E. S., M. D .576 

Arthur, Chester A 9S 

Bailey, G. L, M. D 510 

Beck with, P. U 140 

Bell, John, M.D 1.30 

/ Belknap, Simeon, M. D 242 

Bonine, Lot 53); 

BHChan.an, James 74 

' Burridge, J.N 506 

(.'amfield, Leavitt 716 

Cleveland, S. Grover 102 

•^Colby, Charles 2.52 

o ■''Cooper, Benjamin 666 

i/Dempsey , J . W . ,596 

Dickinson, Josepn 383 

' Dickinson, O. B 334 

. Elson,(i. L 580 

■^Farmer, Hon . W. S 222 



' P'illmore, Millard 66 

''Finegan, Henry 17': 

■Gard, J. F -514 

»/Garheld, James \ !d 

' Gephart, Capt. Henry 7S6 

f *'Gowdy, Franklin 876 

,1 Grant, U. S 86 

I Hampton , Thaddeus 486 

»Harri.son, Benjamin 106 

^ Harrison, W. H .50 

KHayes,R.B !«) 

i^igbee, J. F 272 

'Higbee, Mrs. J. F 273 

Ingling, Samuel 776 

Jackson, Andrew 42 

Jetl'erson, Thomas. 2() 

Johnson, Andrew 82 

Johnson, J. 1 431 

* Jordan . Francis .172 

King.G. W 4!16 



Kiiine, Zachariah 826 

*T>angley. Capt. S. G 836 

Lawrence, L. B 610 

"l^ee. F. E 1.50 

t^Lincoln, Abraham 78 

Loiigsdnlf, George 454 

■' Longsdulf, Mrs. George 1,55 

1.ord, M.N 324 

'' Lyle. Daniel 374 

/'LyIe.F. W 444 

i^Iadison , James 30 

' Marble. T. R 706 

^ Mars. Hon. Thomas 756 

.^Martin, John 3!)4 

' Monroe, .James 34 

Morse, S. H 516 

'a^arker, R. D.,M. D 232 

■ Payne, Thomas 6,56 

' Pierce, Franklin 70 

Polk, J. K 58 



•' Porter, H. H 626 

"hotter, Hon. C. B 192 

' Preston, Hon. W. A 116 

*Scott, A. H., M. D 304 

•'Sloan, R. C 354 

s Smith, G. E 262 

Snyder, J. W Slu 

"Spiers, Thomas .566 

' Springsteen, Levi ,52fi 

^''Sutherland, Lewis . .414 

•Baylor, Zachary 6-' 

UThresher, J. P 182 

. Tuthill, Cyrus (04 

' Tyler, John 54 

Van Buret], Martin 46 

'Van Ri[»er, Hon. J. J 676 

Washington, George 18 

Walker, Capt. T. A 314 

*^Vells, H. B 856 



"V^ZE^WS. 



Aldrich, Andrew 765 

Allen, I. M 845 

Bertram. C. F 805 

Casterline, B. H 363 

Edwards, R. S 555 

Flewelling, J. W 363 

Haas, Valentine 685 



Harlline, Joel 685 

Herman, Carl 805 

Hicks, William 865 

Hislop, William 423 

Holy Maternity Church 283 

House, A. C , 145 

Lane, John 725 



Lee, F. E 160 

Leiter, A. P 423 

Lente, Joseph .*)55 

Moore, Daniel 725 

:\luel]er, Daniel 68.5 

Olsen, George 615 

Pen land, A. J .5.55 



Pennell, B.\'ron 615 

Rockey , G. C 865 

Schaub, Henry 815 

SLUith, Frederick 765 

Spink, Robert 605 

Sleimle. Frank (95 

Vanderveer, J. T 805 



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